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Systems integration and management the key to effective airport security

Conventional CCTV surveillance systems are no longer up to the task, according to Dr Bennie Coetzer, managing director of image technology specialist, Protoclea Advanced Image Engineering.

"The sheer proliferation of crime tells us that simplistic approaches to security are just not good enough anymore," says Coetzer. "The increasingly sophisticated nature of crime demands a far more comprehensive approach to solve the problem. It is no longer about equipment - the hardware such as cameras, sensors and alarm systems. Today, it is all about how you manage and make best use of the information that is provided by the equipment."

For effective management of information and incident control at airports, it is essential that all components of the surveillance system, parking control system, fire, smoke and perimeter alarms and motion detection sensors be integrated under a single software management platform.

"The development of intelligent video software (IVS) in the full live analysis or subsequent review of images relating to any particular incident or event has figured significantly in raising levels of control or prevention." Coetzer adds that IVS enables automated image sensors to deliver, among others, facial recognition, number plate recognition and smoke fire and motion (running, brawling) detection. It also enables accurate calculations of speed and distance from images recorded at different camera locations.

"These are all capabilities that can assist authorities with the successful prosecution and conviction of criminals and other offenders as well as in the development of more effective overall incident management."

Tight integration into a single user management platform brings together all of the available sensors and presents them in a fashion that fully supports proactive combating, control and management of any incident or potential incident. This is supported by high quality video displays, high-resolution graphics and sufficient logic within the system to enhance and improve overall levels of security and management.

"What is required does not stem from the expansion of building management or access control systems. A fully integrated network centric surveillance system is required - one that facilitates security across the enterprise and is designed to present accurate, timely and high quality visual information to operators, allowing them to activate a series of set procedures to deal with any given situation," says Coetzer.

Typically, such integrated systems are ideal for event and incident management in not only airports and railway stations but also entertainment complexes and other public facilities, shopping centres, control rooms (both joint and specific) and for street surveillance.

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