Day: June 14, 2019

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…