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Dispelling the myths of IP video: Myth #3 - IP surveillance is unproven

In this series, Roy Alves, country manager of Axis Communications South Africa, examines 10 myths about IP video.

Whether it comes in the form of network cameras or video servers, IP-based surveillance is rapidly replacing and upgrading traditional analog systems. Industry analyst JP Freeman Co. predicts that by 2008, more than 50% of installed cameras will be network cameras.

When a new technology enters the marketplace there is usually some confusion about its viability and its uses, which persists until people become educated on the technology. During this learning phase, it is common for misperceptions and myths about the technology to arise. Today there are a number of common myths surrounding IP surveillance. We have addressed two of them in earlier articles in the series: the myth that IP surveillance is still five years away, and the myth that IP surveillance is too expensive. Now we will examine myth #3: IP surveillance is unproven.

IP surveillance is happening everywhere

To dispel the myth that IP surveillance is unproven, you simply need to look at all the adopters of the technology. Schools, airports, courtrooms and public areas are switching to IP surveillance. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 80 000 network cameras have been installed in the US alone. Here are just a few examples.

Neighbourhood watch: Residents of the Atholl/Inanda/Illovo area in Sandton, comprising 900 households established a surveillance network to monitor the area day and night. 32 cameras watch over access points and high-risk areas, with realtime monitoring linked via a central control room to street patrols and the police. Response is triggered by the personnel on the ground and in the control room during the day, and by motion detection at night.

Casino: Turning Stone Casino, located outside of Utica in upstate New York, USA, is owned by the Oneida Nation and is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country. With more than 40 network cameras in The Tower Hotel at Turning Stone, all of the hallways, elevators and stairwells are under constant surveillance. New IP surveillance technology provides motion detection capabilities that notify hotel security officers of unusual movements. In addition, many of the network cameras are equipped with PTZ capabilities, which can be controlled remotely from any computer.

Transportation: Stockholm Transport in Sweden has deployed more than a thousand cameras in subway and commuter rail stations to enhance security for passengers and staff. The network cameras, including all-digital PTZs with no moving parts, will monitor the track and platform areas, allowing events to be tracked in realtime. The system generates an alarm when unusual events occur such as the detection of movement of persons in the track area. The current project phase includes 80 stations, of which 12 are commuter rail stations. The system can be expanded with more cameras and stations as the need arises.

Education: Canton High School, located in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, installed an IP surveillance system to monitor school grounds. All areas of the school, including passageways, entrances and classrooms, can be monitored at one time from on campus or from a remote monitoring location. The system prevents crime on campus because students know their behaviour is being monitored. If a problem does occur, the system allows security officials to e-mail pictures directly to the police.

Healthcare: Health First, a not-for-profit healthcare organisation in Melbourne, Florida, USA, uses an IP surveillance system to monitor more than 100 wiring closets in its hospitals and healthcare facilities. The system helps ensure that all personnel and contractors follow documented policies and procedures for maintenance and repairs in the data distribution facilities and allows offsite technicians to assist in troubleshooting.

Retail: Hugo Boss installed 24 cameras in its shop in the Champs- Elysées in Paris, France. Security is enhanced by placing some cameras above the payment terminals, where they have a deterrent effect, and built-in motion detection sends images to a remote monitoring company if an intrusion is detected after hours. For layout managers, network access to the cameras means they can take a virtual tour of all their shops from their desktops, to check that all displays are as designed. Store managers can get an instant overview of activity. Images can even be displayed on wireless PDAs and cellphones in sales demonstrations. Lastly, the cameras are used by support personnel when guiding on-site staff through troubleshooting equipment such as workstations and printers.

Clearly, IP surveillance has been proven effective in a range of environments. But it is true that IP cameras do not currently dominate the surveillance market. This leads to a related question: If IP is better, why are security providers not selling more? The security market's structure and buying practices have a lot to do with the misperception behind this question.

To be continued in the May issue of Hi-Tech Security Solutions.

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