Security officers are trained to stay alert. But what happens when distraction creeps in at the wrong moment?
Picture this: a security officer is assisting a visitor in locating the restroom. At that exact moment, a bad actor walks through the entrance with a concealed firearm. The weapon detection system flashes red but turns green before the officer can notice. Just a second too late. That’s a second you don’t get back.
This is where AR (Augmented Reality) glasses change everything. By delivering threat alerts directly into a security officer’s line of sight, they ensure that nothing critical is missed, even during a brief distraction.
Athena Security is leading this shift in real-time threat detection in high-risk environments with AthenaVision AR glasses, which they recently released at the International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC) West.
Let’s explore how this breakthrough technology is reshaping frontline security operations.
How AR Glasses for Security Officers Help Them React Faster
The scariest part of a shooting event? Knowing it could’ve been stopped at the entrance, but proper alerts never reached the right security officer in time. That’s the critical flaw FBI veteran and active shooter preparedness expert Jin Kim highlighted in his article for ASIS International.
He explained how most traditional security hardware is either passive systems that simply record what happens or reactive tools that respond after an event is already underway. Neither helps if the threat walks through the front door before anyone can act.
That gap between detection and response is precisely where the real danger lies and where conventional security systems often fall short.
These disadvantages are further compounded by human limitations.
Security officers often work in overstimulating environments, where they manage radio chatter, guest questions, and dozens of camera feeds. Therefore, it is not uncommon to miss an alert due to cognitive fatigue, noise, or simply being focused elsewhere on the job.
AthenaVision is built to change these narratives. This is where it functions as a force multiplier and hits two targets at once: prevention and alertness.
AthenaVision AR Glasses
Unlike legacy systems that rely on fixed monitors or distant alarms, AthenaVision focuses on prevention. It delivers real-time, hands-free alerts directly into the security officer’s field of view. That means no dependence on screen-checking or guessing. It keeps security teams alert by delivering accurate and instant visual notifications of potential threats as they happen.
Even if a security guard is assisting a visitor, they will still see discreet alerts, such as “ALERT: GUN FOUND IN X-RAY,” pop up within their AR glasses, allowing them to act immediately, as shown below.
And behind the scenes, AI filters the noise.
How Does the AR Glasses for Security Officers Work
Athena Security’s Weapon Detection System (WDS) utilizes advanced computer vision models and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to evaluate every detection event. Let’s say that several metallic objects are flagged at once. Instead of overwhelming security officers with every trigger, Athena’s AI model identifies only credible threats and pushes an alert to minimize false positives.
And the result? Fewer false alarms and more decisive action from security officers.
This combination of AI, AR, and weapons detection technology isn’t just an innovation. It’s indispensable in today’s security environment and one of the emerging trends.
As Athena Security’s CTO, Chris Ciabarra, noted in his Forbes article, “From my hands-on work in security technology, it’s clear AI is swiftly becoming a foundational tool for modern safety solutions.”
With AthenaVision, the critical gap between threat detection and response is finally closed. Security officers always stay connected and never miss an alert!
What Makes AthenaVision a Game-Changer for On-Premise Security?
Smarter Detection. Faster Moves. Stronger Security. These are the fundamentals of AthenaVision.
Each feature and functionality is purpose-built to close critical security gaps, keep security officers connected in real-time, and stop threats before they escalate.
These AR glasses are a core part of the Athena Platform. This integrated security platform connects the weapons detection systems, AI-assisted X-rays, visitor management, and Telepresence security officer, creating a robust, single line of defense.
As Ciabarra says, “Stay connected with AthenaVision. Never miss another alert.”
Here’s how it all comes together on the ground.
1. Real-Time Threat Alerts
Challenge: Security personnel often miss critical threats due to delayed or missed alerts from scanning systems. They even miss alerts while they are engaged in some other activity or are away from the detection systems.
How AthenaVision Solves It: AthenaVision displays instant alerts in real-time. These alerts are triggered by connected Athena Security’s WDS, AI-assisted X-ray scanners, or Visitor Management Systems (VMS).
For instance, a security officer is escorting a VIP guest through a facility, while a suspicious bag passes through an X-ray scanner at another checkpoint. Usually, this alert might go unnoticed until the officer returns to a monitoring station. However, with AthenaVision, the AI-assisted X-ray system instantly sends the alert to the AR glasses, allowing the officer to take immediate action.
Security Advantage: Even when they are not looking at screens or are away from the detection systems, security officers and guards receive alerts and stop potential threats before they escalate. This improves response time and overall safety.
2. 8-Hour Battery Life for Full Shifts
Challenge: Typical AR glasses have very short battery life. Such issues can disrupt surveillance and create dangerous gaps in coverage when it comes to security applications.
How AthenaVision Solves It: The glasses are engineered for extended use under high-alert conditions, lasting a full 8-hour shift without needing a recharge.
Security Advantage: Uninterrupted performance throughout the day ensures security operations remain effective and reliable without downtime. Uninterrupted performance means uninterrupted security.
3. Message-Based Officer Alerts
Challenge: Coordinating team response and delivering alerts in dynamic situations is often slow and fragmented.
How AthenaVision Solves It: AthenaVision enables security command centers or supervisors to send custom messages, including updates, instructions, or manual alerts, directly to several officers’ AR glasses. The purpose is to enable rapid coordination, manual warnings, or tactical instructions to be delivered without radio chatter, delay, or miscommunication.
Security Advantage: Facilitates precise and faster real-time communication and coordination between officers and the command center. Faster, more coordinated responses to specific threats reduce confusion and improve team efficiency in high-stakes situations.
4. Built for Indoor and Outdoor Use
Challenge: Security devices that fail under extreme weather or lighting conditions limit operational flexibility.
How AthenaVision Solves It: AthenaVision is designed to perform reliably in rain, sun, night, or crowded environments.
Security Advantage: No matter what the situation is and where, officers remain connected and fully aware across all zones. They don’t have to switch gears, which improves their responsiveness.
5. Integration with Athena Security Platform
Challenge: Disjointed security systems create operational silos, delaying alert sharing and response coordination. Different security personnel know only half the story and can miss out on critical information.
How AthenaVision Solves It: AthenaVision integrates seamlessly with the Athena Platform, pulling alerts from WDS, X-ray, and VMS systems into a unified visual feed.
Security Advantage: Centralized, real-time intelligence empowers officers to act with speed and clarity, which reduces incident resolution time and improves overall site security.
6. Discreet Messaging for Silent Coordination
Challenge: In high-risk or sensitive situations, traditional communication methods like radios or verbal cues can escalate tensions or alert potential perpetrators.
How AthenaVision Solves It: It enables discrete, message-based communication between security officers and command centers. Custom messages like “suspect in white shirt” are sent directly to the officer’s AR glasses, without any sound or need to check a screen, helping avoid tipping off the suspect.
Security Advantage: Officers can coordinate discreetly in real time, reducing the risk of escalation and improving the chances of intercepting threats without causing panic or alerting suspicious individuals.
7. Open-Source API for Internal Messaging System Integration
Challenge: Many organizations use existing internal messaging tools to communicate critical security updates. However, these systems often remain disconnected from frontline security devices. This disconnection prevents critical internal alerts from reaching on-patrol security officers.
How AthenaVision Solves It: Athena Security supports a secure open-source messaging API that integrates directly with existing internal communication systems.
Through this API, teams can:
- Authenticate with secure API keys via the Athena Control Center.
- Export group metadata to define alert recipients.
- Push plain-text alerts (up to 5 lines, 23 characters each) directly to AR glasses.
Security Advantage: All internal alerts can be sent silently (without letting threat actors be aware) to security officers via AthenaVision AR glasses. Teams respond faster, stay informed, and never miss critical updates during active situations.
As you’ve seen, these aren’t just technical functionalities. They’re mission-critical tools designed to change how security operates on the ground.
AthenaVision’s always-on awareness is how it shifts security operations from reactive to proactive. The impact is clear across high-risk sectors, and here’s who should consider deploying it and why.
Who Should Consider Equipping Their Security Officers With AthenaVision AR Glasses and Why
By now, you’ve got a sense of how AthenaVision works. But what does that actually look like on the ground?
If you’re wondering where this tech makes the biggest difference, here are a few real-world use cases and how the AR glasses can help security teams stop threats before they even step inside.
| Entity Type | Growing Threats | AthenaVision Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital and Healthcare Facilities | During peak hours at a hospital, a visitor carrying a knife enters through the main lobby. With staff occupied assisting patients and managing flow, the alert from the detection system goes unnoticed, and the individual enters the hospital. | “ALERT: OBJECT DETECTED” flashes on AthenaVision of the front desk officers. They quickly stop the individual before entering and question them. |
| Schools and Universities | A student enters the campus and passes through the metal detector. The system detects a weapon in the backpack. However, with limited staffing at the checkpoint and no immediate follow-up, the alert goes unnoticed. The student walks through unchecked. | The weapon detection system beams the “ALERT: GUN DETECTED” message directly into the AthenaVision of all on-duty security officers instantly and discreetly. The nearest officer blocks the student and initiates a secondary screening before the gun can enter the school premises. |
| Government Buildings and Critical Infrastructure | A disgruntled city employee uses their valid access credentials to enter a municipal facility carrying a gun. As they move through different floors, the threat goes undetected due to the absence of real-time alerting and situational awareness tools for on-duty security officers. | By connecting with weapons detection systems and visitor management systems, AthenaVision instantly delivers an “ALERT: GUN DETECTED” warning to all officers. Security staff patrolling in the vicinity of the perpetrator act immediately and contain the threat before harm is done. |
| Commercial Buildings and Public Spaces | An individual enters a busy retail store carrying a gun. With no metal detectors or early-warning systems and only a security guard at the entrance, the perpetrator walks in without any resistance. | Athena Security’s AI-powered WDS instantly flags the individual and pushes an alert to AthenaVision. The security officer intercepts the armed individual at the door before they enter the store and takes necessary action. |
See AthenaVision in action in this real-time demo video below.
Curious to learn more about AthenaVision? Book a demo now or continue reading.
From First Alert to Fast Action: Why AthenaVision is the Smartest Upgrade for Your Security Teams
Your frontline team is your first and strongest line of defense. They deserve the best tools, especially when many lives are at stake. Empower your security officers to see threats coming before they become emergencies with AthenaVision AR glasses.
These glasses are your real-time link between threat detection and immediate action. Connect your officers, your systems, and your response with zero delays.
The future of security depends on connecting human judgment with intelligent systems. With AthenaVision, that connection is seamless. Security officers are always informed, aware, and ready to respond.
If you could stop the next threat at the door, wouldn’t you? Let us show you how.
Book your demo today and see AthenaVision in action.
FAQs About AthenaVision AR Glasses for Security Officers
Got questions? We’ve got you covered.
Security professionals ask us many great questions after seeing AthenaVision in action. If you’re exploring AR glasses for your security team, chances are you’re wondering the same things.
So, let us clear things up and help you see why AthenaVision could be the perfect fit for your security operation.
What Exactly Shows up on the AthenaVision Display?
Right now, AthenaVision displays rapid text-based alerts. Because in a live threat scenario, clarity and speed matter most. Officers see messages like “gun detected” or “suspect in blue shirt” pop up in their field of view instantly.
How do the AR Alerts Work?
AthenaVision displays real-time alerts directly in the officer’s line of sight. These alerts come from connected Athena devices like the X-Ray 6000, Weapons Detection System (WDS), and security personnel via the Athena Platform.
What are Some Examples of Alerts Officers Receive?
Typical alerts include “Gun Detected,” “Avoidance Detected,” “Object Detected,” and “Visitor Bypassed Security.”
Can my Other Athena Devices Send Alerts to the AR Glasses?
Yes. All Athena Platform products can push alerts directly to AthenaVision AR Glasses.
Can AthenaVision Send Messages to On-Duty Security Staff?
Yes. Security officers can receive direct text-based messages from supervisors or the command center. For example: “Red Alert – Suspect in white shirt, blue pants.”
Is it Possible to integrate AthenaVision with Other Products or Systems?
Absolutely. AthenaVision supports an open-source API, allowing integration with third-party systems.