Month: June 2019

Overview Safe City and Smart City initiatives are emerging in cities around the world as a more reliable, efficient and cost-effective way to ensure safer, more secure, and more sustainable urban environments. Safe and Smart Cities rely on information collated from an array of city sensors and databases combined with video data and analytics including facial recognition, behavioral analysis, license plate recognition, and other intelligence. Effectively collecting, analyzing, storing and acting on all this information in real-time relies on the latest advances in Internet of Things (IoT) and hyper converged infrastructure (HCI) technologies. While most major cities rely on video surveillance systems to better protect their communities, these solutions are often decentralized, outdated, prone to failures and costly to maintain. Additionally, increased requirements for real-time analytics to improve response times and situational awareness, and to support the data generated from IoT sensors while interoperating with traditional IT infrastructures often fall short of fulfilling the demands of Safe and Smart City initiatives. In addition to effectively monitoring, storing, securing, processing and mobilizing data from hundreds to thousands of cameras and sensors spread across a city at all times, a city’s IT infrastructure solution must integrate seamlessly with existing and new IoT technologies, support the multi-use case demands of Safe and Smart City initiatives, as well as big data and analytics applications of video-based metadata, crowd management, sanitation, public transportation, and traffic monitoring. An agile, software-defined infrastructure solution with the right combination of performance, resiliency and scalability can ensure all the elements of a city’s safety and security environment work together to protect citizens from crime and terrorism, mitigate risk associated with natural disasters and other threats, and support law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS departments, public health and social service organizations. A smarter approach to IT infrastructure Hyper-converged Infrastructure allows for the consolidation of video management, IoT data collection, video and data analytics and storage, access control and other related Safe and Smart City applications onto a single, simple-to-deploy, easy-to-manage industry-standard appliance. HCI platforms eliminate the complexity of separate physical servers and storage and provide a more seamless way to scale the infrastructure as camera or sensor counts grow and analytics demands increase. Providing the foundation for Safe & Smart Cities   As the industry-leading provider of purpose-built IT infrastructure for demanding data-intensive video surveillance, IoT, security and analytics applications, Pivot3 delivers high-performance, ultra-dense, highly resilient solutions that reduce risk, eliminate downtime and data loss, and simplify scale and management for demanding, data-intensive Safe and Smart City initiatives. Pivot3’s hyperconverged infrastructure ensures that critical safety and security data is always available, stored without loss, protected from hardware failure and shared across the entire environment for easy access by all stakeholders. With a broad ecosystem of industry partners and flexibility to support any camera, video management software, IoT-connected devices or sensors, and security applications on a single platform, Pivot3 helps cities around the world keep pace with explosive data growth and integrate with the latest deep learning, AI, cloud services, and data security technologies. Pivot3 HCI solutions come in a variety of configurations to meet any Safe and Smart City needs.  

Everyone has a favourite heist film – whether it’s a traditional ‘shoot ‘em up’ like ‘Bonnie and Clyde.’ or something a bit more hi-tech, like ‘Oceans 11’ – they compel viewing. However, more often than not, the audience sympathies are with the thieves. Of course in reality, bank robberies cause a lot of damage, stress and injury, let alone the financial losses. Hikvision has all kinds of state-of-the-art technology to provide a full security solution for the banking industry – from the lobby to the vault deep within the bank’s walls. It’s not just in security where banks are exploring the use of technology to gain an edge. According to a report by Celent, a research, advisory and consulting firm focused on financial services technology, IT spending in banking globally will increase by 4.2% annually, and amount to $272.6 billion in 2019. There are a number of priorities for banks. The most obvious ones are securing customers, employees and assets, but there are also considerations like collecting reliable video clips for investigation and intelligence to help them make business decisions and streamlining processes to manage all of their branches effectively. In the end, like all business, they are also looking to increase customer satisfaction. The development of surveillance technology gives banks significant flexibility and new opportunities to build an interesting future, and this has scope across the entire bank. Entering banks – the front door and the lobby Banks need to be aware of who is coming in and out – the starting point of monitoring. Clarity is important here, especially since the environment could lead to strong back lighting (on a bright day when the light behind the person coming in is a lot stronger than the ambient light inside). This is where WDR-enabled cameras come in with the technology rendering a crystal-clear image, even in that environment. Super WDR can reach up to 140db, making faces clearly visible. It’s also useful for banks to know footfall numbers of people coming in – to help with business decisions. A people counting camera at the entrance takes care of that with the smart technology able to distinguish individuals so they’re only counted once, ensuring an accurate count. With a busy bank having large numbers of people through the doors every day, it could be useful to be able to identify them. Technology can of course be used for security to trigger attention and action needed if ‘unwanted’ people are detected, for example. But it can also be used to help with customer service. When clients opt to participate in VIP customer service programs, The technology can give banks accurate tools to identify VIPs so staff can provide the right kind of service at the right time. At the counter The main day-to-day activities of the bank happen at the counters. Counter transactions need to be recorded clearly to solve the disputes. HD cameras can give 4K resolution to provide good images where a bilateral close-up view is needed. When recordings are clear, both counter staff and customers are protected, should any disputes need to be resolved. Cameras give close detailed images available for general security too. Security deep in the vault In the depths of the inner bank lies the vault – usually the first priority for security in any bank. Because vaults are often in low light areas, ultra-low light cameras like Hikvision DarkFighter ones are really useful to be able to monitor and record crystal clear images even in the dead of night. When the security around the vault needs to be strengthened, there are other options too, which can be supported by a Hikvision DeepinView camera. If the camera is connected to an access control system, it could literally be that only people whose face is stored on the ‘white list’ could enter. Often, access corridors and areas close to the vault are covered by cameras too – giving a full overview if a person’s movements which need to be tracked through the building. Video analytics rules can also be set up to alert operators if a person ventures beyond a certain point – useful to prevent non-authorised persons from entering more sensitive areas. It all comes together in the Security Centre The place that few people see is the hub of all the security activity. Feeds from all of the cameras can be managed and stored in the Security Centre using a video management software solution like Hikvision’s HikCentral, simplifying security processes. Users can also access the security system via laptop or mobile which increases flexibility and efficiency of the security operations. Technology is evolving with banking With banks evolving and offering more and more services to their customers, the security challenges are also changing. The need to be constantly aware of who is in their building, and monitor all activities from the main lobby and banking counters to the vault itself; and bringing all of this information together becomes more important too – not just for operations staff can access it when needed, but also because it provides valuable support for business decisions. That’s when surveillance starts to add a lot more value helping them to serve their customers and improve the experience they have when using the bank. Of course, the likelihood of the most of the famous heists in film history actually being pulled off becomes very slim in the face of smart new technologies to monitor and secure our banks. Some of us will probably have to stick to routing for the villains in our favourite heists movies.  

Naturally, light is fundamental in determining video surveillance image quality. Featuring a unique optical design, robust light level calculation, and proprietary image processing, the new IR technology enhances image quality and light performance in security applications and provides clear and uniform night-time images even under severe lighting conditions. There are two fundamental techniques included in this new IR revolution – Vari-angle IR (VAIR) and Adaptive IR (ADIR). What’s new? Vari-angle IR (VAIR): Designed for vari-focal IP cameras When natural or artificial light is not available, IR illuminators are often used to enhance black and white night time images. Conventional IR illumination only covers a fixed general area. However, for long range PTZ surveillance, this limits the distance of the camera’s capable scope. Overcoming this limitation, the Vari-angle IR function on IP cameras are equipped with range adaptive IR which auto adjust the IR angles to precisely match the camera’s FoV without creating a hot-spot side effect. VAIR function supports on IR surveillance cameras provides efficient, uniform IR lighting intensity. It is an ideal choice for customers who require the ability to clearly capture video images in complete darkness and to detect previously invisible objects in a broad coverage FoV with IR illumination. Adaptive IR (ADIR): Designed for fixed-focal IP cameras I P cameras with Adaptive IR feature provide regional-controlled LED technology to improve image quality and brightness. Through advanced optical design, regional control and image analysis technology assisted brightness control, these cameras provide vivid imagery during night time surveillance. When a subject (e.g., an intruder) approaches the camera, excessive IR illumination can cause over-exposure and render an image unusable. By automatically dimming lighting on a near subject, ADIR technology avoids over-illumination while ensuring consistent overall brightness and clarity of all background detail. They are an ideal option for users who require clear imagery of completely dark scenes. How it works? Vari-angle IR (VAIR) Video surveillance requires a certain lux level of lighting to capture effective video images and in order to reliably detect people or objects. IR illumination is often used in poor lighting scenarios. Deploying the Vari-angle IR function on enabled network cameras will match the IR illumination to the camera’s lens angle. The optical zoom on speed dome IP cameras enables us ers to magnify their FoV with the performance of different IR illumination angles. The following table details the mapping between the optical zoom and the corresponding IR angle. Adaptive IR (ADIR) New Adaptive IR technology is designed with intelligence and control in mind. Adaptive IR divides image planes into multiple sections, with each section equipped with an independent IR control lighting device for regional illumination. This process ensures the retention of comprehensive details of any approaching subject while preserving clarity of the background image. Summary This revolutionary IR technology is an optical enhancement designed to empower users to view desired objects and capture video images with clear, identifiable detail in total darkness or at night. In low light environments, it is necessary to utilize these two techniques to produce usable image quality. With this intelligent technology, low light no longer means low vision.  

As technology has been evolving very fast from year to year, it becomes a challenging task to determine parameters to build a secure, robust and almost fool proof system that will fulfill all basic security requirements. In practice, these parameters vary for each new system, and therefore the same cannot be applied across the board for all systems. Let’s assume a CCTV system as an example – for a robust CCTV system that can meet the security requirements of any new and/ or a green field project comprehensively; the following points will drive the decision-making process. Budget and time available to implement the security system. A thorough site survey. Detailed camera information such as mega-pixel rating, number of cameras required, location of each camera and it’s purposed function, type of camera – fixed, PTZ, indoor or outdoor, thermal performance, field of view etc., and any other requirements that are specific to the location of the camera to fulfill its intended function. Storage capacity per camera – both inside as well as outside the camera. Storage and network architectures of the CCTV system. Integration of other security components such as access control, perimeter intrusion detection systems, facial recognition, license plate recognition, under vehicle surveillance system, visitor management system, radar for areas not covered by cameras, and other special requirements. Remote access/ cloud connectivity. Physical guarding. Video analytics. Vendor(s) selection and so on. As such, there are several factors that influence the decision-making process in building a security system, let us elaborate some of them as given below: Available budget and time As in every sphere of life budget is the key factor. Based on the available budget and time, a determined effort needs to be put in place to prepare a project document of specific requirements. Several trade-offs need to be considered if the project requirements cost exceeds the available budget. This is an iterative process that consumes time and money in the planning phase. Each new or green field project, or an update/ refresh cycle of an existing deployment must go through this elaboration process to avoid nasty surprises in the implementation/ build phase. Site survey Conducting a site survey is the basis of building a security system. This phase is the most critical where a thorough site survey is done to determine security vulnerabilities. This also helps us determine as to what other systems are required to complement the main CCTV system. Once the required information is gathered from the survey and documented, it becomes the driving force for subsequent phases of the project. The best way to illustrate the process of building a security system is through an example. We are using an airport as the example. The following color coded table is used to distinguish the various inpurts/ requirements received from the customer. A typical airport is a super-set of any security deployment. We have used an airport as a used case. The illustrative airport diagram (#1) in the next page highlights all the components that constitute a surveillance/ security system. It also gives an idea of the other security components that need to be explored. The following table is a standard template that can be used to capture security requirements. These inputs are used to design the entire security system which can then be used to calculate the cost of the implementation. Using the above inputs from the customer and the respective bill of quantities (BoQs) for an airport, a complete design can be derived. The following table in the next page shows the output of the design process for 24 airports. Each airport has the same security requirements but BoQs are different. Once the design is complete by 90% of the target specification the budgetary process starts involving various vendors, RFQs etc. As the process varies with regions, geographical locations must be taken into consideration. Vendor selection Vendor selection has a significant impact on the quality, robustness and overall cost of the system. Customers desirous of building a security system can engage subject matter experienced consultants who can guide and evaluate all the variables/ entities in the decision making process. Cost optimization through simulation – The PGM way Design, build and implementation of a security solution are a complex system with many sub-systems within, that need to work in coordination with each other flawlessly. Every care must be taken in the early phases of the project as many variables are involved which can have a significant impact on the overall cost. One of the ways to enable this process is to run a simulation based on the customer inputs. Through a long and exhaustive experience we at the ‘PGM Security Group INTL’ have brought out the following facts: The customer knows what he wants but does not know how to get there. Almost all vendors oversell their products and services which do not benefit the customer in any way. A consultant is required in all cases to systematically evaluate all the options available and guide the customer to provide them with the highest performance at the lowest cost. The following graphs show how PGM simulator determines the highest performance at the lowest cost. The X-Axis shows the percentage of cameras running video analytics (VA), and the Y-Axis the cost in a standardized format. The delta between the lowest and the highest costs is 3x. VA stands for video analytics and VMS stands for video management software. The green line is the overall cost with the other colored lines that sum up the overall green line cost. Impact of Cost of Running Video Analytics for 24 airports Percentage of cameras running video analytics is the only single factor that influences overall CCTV system designed and hence overall cost. Can apply same design template across all airports as far as video analytics is concerned. Each airport has unique characteristics because of different BoQ camera quantities and functionality grouping of cameras. If one uses a single design template per airport then we run the risk of under…

Economists often talk about the institutional constraints which hinder the growth and development of a country, and one important example of such a constraint is the legal system in India. In 1998, a commission for the review of administrative laws in India was set up to examine all the central acts, and sets of rules, regulations and administrative instructions issued under different central acts. It was reported that there were 2500 central laws in force besides a large number of overlapping rules, regulations and instructions, and some of them could not even be traced out from the records. Further the legislatures of the states have also the power to enact laws as per concurrent list III (Seventh schedule) of the constitution whereby the states also issued state rules where central acts with model rules may be available already.  Labor laws Under article 246 of the Indian constitution, the subject of labor has been placed in the Concurrent List – except the labor and safety in mines, oilfields, and industrial disputes concerning union employees which were made the part of the Union list. Consequently, the enactment of labor laws by states has resulted in various loopholes such as inter-state variations in labor laws and their enforcement, the reports and returns under various labor laws are not uniform and standardized in all the states, and compliances are difficult as enforcement action varies from state to state. Moreover, in the case of a decision of discharge and/ or dismissal of a workman by the employer, it is the labor court which is to be satisfied with reasons, and if the labor court is not satisfied it may set aside the order of such discharge or dismissal. Similarly, a labor court may also set aside orders of reinstatements. Such blanket powers granted to the labor courts restrict the authority and freedom of employers, and that hinders the development of any industry. Private security industry Private security agencies were earlier required to comply with the statutory responsibilities under the labor laws and the rules prescribed thereunder, and other allied enactments like the Employees Provident Fund Act 1952, the Employees State Insurance Act 1948, the Equal remuneration Act 1976, the Minimum Wages Act 1948, the Workman Compensation Act 1923, the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, the Interstate Migrant Workman Act 1979, and the Shops & Establishment Act 1958. Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act (PSARA) was enacted in 2005 to oversee and regulate a large number of unregulated security groups and senas operating in the country. In the ‘Introduction’ to the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005 it was laid that the growing tendency to hire private security guards had led to proliferation of private security agencies and there was a growing concern about the manner of functioning of these agencies, many of which were conducting their operations without any due care to even the verification of the an tecedents of the personnel employed as private security guards and supervisors. The union government was considering regulating the functioning of these private security agencies so that they are run within the legal parameters and are accountable to a regulatory mechanism. The private security agency regulation bill was passed by both the houses of parliament and received the assent of the President on 23 June 2005. This Act came into the statute book as ‘The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005.’ Law and order – A state subject The seventh schedule of Article 246 of the Constitution has listed law and order/ police under the State List. Item 1 and 2 of the state list have often come in the way of any further mandate to be given to the center under Article 355, and any additional provision or amendment in the seventh schedule of Article 246, (State List), cannot be made without affecting the basic constitutional structure. Being a state subject, different state governments took their own time to frame state rules under PSARA. About twenty six states and UTs adopted PSARA and issued their rules at the end of 2010, and the remaining dispensed it by 2016. Analysis Any good law should be regulatory in nature. Though the acronym ‘PSARA’ connotes to ‘Private Security Agencies Regulation Act,’ but a number of provisions by way of restrictions and restrains inscribed in the Act are strangulatory in nature, and they are therefore not conducive for the growth and development of the sector. This can also lead to the legal wrangling and battles in the courts of law. In PSARA, some sections of the Act are not only restrictive but also vague and not properly worded. Their interpretations can vary and could create hurdles in the compliance of various provisions. Section 6(2) Section 6(2) of the Act lays down the eligibility criteria for procuring license for guarding services. The Section mentions that a person shall not be considered eligible for license for his firm, if the same is not registered in India; or is having the proprietor or a majority stakeholder or a director who is not a citizen of India. Intention of the provision is to allow licenses only to the companies and proprietors who are citizens of India; however, in the absence of any clear and direct limitation clause, there is a scope that the company could be run by someone from abroad by having stakeholders/ shareholders as Indian citizens. Section 7(4) Section 7(4) stipulates the need of making enquiries and verifications in writing for getting no objection certificate from the concerned authority for the purpose of registration and grant of license. The renewal of license under PSARA by the competent controlling authority is a painful, torturous and lengthy process. There are prolonged delays in view of the mind set of lower police functionaries. Further there is absence of proper dialogue or positive interaction between controlling authorities and the private security entrepreneurs which makes the process of verification and registration cumbersome and lengthy. Section 13 Section 13 defines the rank of controlling authority as the rank of…