Year: 2019

Hikvision’s Turbo HD PIR equipped camera range has a dramatic impact on an installer’s business. It allows him to more efficiently monitor and secure construction sites and other valuable locations during vulnerable out of hours’ periods. Paul Hookings, Managing Director of Hampshire based security installation firm Forward Securities had a problem. His company had built a solid reputation for – amongst a variety of other services – securing building sites, notably for the important materials and equipment left overnight and unattended in the site compound. “Building site compounds can include any number of super valuable and enticing materials for potential thieves ranging from diesel, copper, tools and cabling – right down to bricks, breeze blocks, agricultural fuel, road diesel, and even the metal gates,” Hookings explained, “Thousands and thousands of pounds worth of stuff is stored there overnight.” To monitor these compounds for intruders, Forward Securities was using traditional PIRs – passive infrared detectors – to raise an alert when the compound perimeter was breached. “The problem had to do with the PIRs,” Hookings added, “On critical sites like these where there’s a lot of activity during working hours, people are able to move those PIRs in the daytime when they’re off; and as night time comes, they return and rob the place without being picked up by the detectors, and then move the PIR back to where it was kept previously. Now it’s down to the security company, who end up scratching their heads, thinking – why didn’t that go off?” As a result, Hookings was on the lookout for a solution, something which would counter that potential for tampering and provide a more effective deterrent to potential thieves. He noticed that Hikvision had released a new range of Turbo HD PIR cameras. “These are lovely little products,” he added, “When Hikvision brought them out, I binned our separate PIRs. With a PIR camera, during the armed period, if someone moves into its field of view, there’s an alarm, covers it up, it goes into alarm, and if someone moves it into another direction, it goes into alarm. So I’ve binned the products we were using previously and now I exclusively use Hikvision.” The Turbo HD PIR camera range uses advanced video surveillance technologies to improve alarm accuracy and prevent intrusions. Video verification of alarms means a rapid response from a manned guarding service can be achieved. The camera’s built-in PIR detector captures infrared light given off by the human bodies and distinguishes it from other visual ‘noise.’ It can be ‘double knocked’ with Hikvision’s Turbo HD K series DVR’s motion detection to reduce false alarms caused by moving targets without human body IR emission. This way, filtering false alarms reduces storage space and costs, and it also means more efficient post event footage search. The camera also produces a flashing white strobe light that serves as a warning signal to stop intruders. The white light serves as supplemental lighting, enabling the camera to capture clear images of suspects as evidence when the alarm is triggered, even in the extremely dark environments – such as the construction site compounds. This is certainly Hookings’ experience. “When we have an alarm triggered on one of our sites, we basically get a guaranteed guarding response,” Hookings commented, “Because the combination of PIR detection and video serves as a proof that the assailants are there. It’s a confirmed signal going to the monitoring station, and as a result we always get people apprehended.” The model Forward Securities preferred to use is DS-2CE12H0T-PIRL, a 5MP PIR bullet camera referred to as the ‘PIRL’. They offer 2560×1944 pixel resolution, smart infrared illumination up to 20m, and Hikvision’s own ‘up the coax’ technology, which allows cameras to be controlled over a coaxial cable from the DVR and also to transmit the alarm signal to DVR. They’re also IP67-rated for external use, so they’re tough and suitable for the sorts of environments like construction sites where they’re most needed. As an example of how he uses the Hikvision PIRL cameras, Hookings pointed to the example of one specific construction site currently being protected by Forward Securities We’re securing the main compound along with any remote sites,” he said, “We use six PIRL cameras as well as additional 4K Hikvision cameras running analytics and thermal cameras; and they all sit on the same server, recording to a Hikvision Hybrid DVR, with alarms and images sent to our monitoring station.” Other site setups can include an audio warning system, particularly for very high value equipment. “That’s another place we’d use a PIRL,” he continued, “If someone, out of hours, walks up or even climbs the fence of the compound, the monitoring station is alerted by the PIRL camera, and they can immediately broadcast an audio warning, real time and live. That’s transmitted through the Hikvision DVR to an amplifier and speakers. “If the intruders persist despite the warning, we then get a guarding response. It’s not just big construction sites where the Turbo HD PIR cameras are effective, I do use them on other high value projects as well. “Ultimately, the Turbo HD PIRL cameras are incredibly effective. They pick up suspicious activity including thefts and attempted thefts, three to four times a week across all of our sites. That means they’re actively helping to prevent the thefts of materials worth hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of pounds.” – Submitted by Prama Hikvision India                                                                                

An upgrade of surveillance, using the latest video technology from IDIS, has put Circuit Zandvoort in pole position as host venue for the 2020 Formula 1 Grand Prix in the Netherlands. As well as wider improvements to the track, a top priority at the circuit was a complete overhaul of the video monitoring capability to meet the requirements of Formula 1. or track manager Niek Oude Luttikhuis, a key objective was to rapidly implement a solution that would be much easier than the previous system to use, maintain and adapt in the future. To achieve this, he brought together a team including IDIS – Korea’s largest surveillance manufacturer. Significantly improving security and safety surveillance of the track, their solution will also let the Formula 1 organisers temporarily receive functional authorised access of video data for the duration of the competition. At the heart of Circuit Zandvoort’s new system is IDIS’s server-crunching, 64 channel DS-IR300 NVR technology, pre-loaded with IDIS Solution Suite video management software (VMS). This allows all the track’s existing cameras to be easily integrated and operated alongside the latest IDIS 5MP speed dome PTZs and 12MP bullet cameras. It also delivers impressive new functionality, including ultra-high-definition monitoring capability using IDIS Smart UX Controls. The system now provides real-time image capture of the highest quality, with no lag, ghost-shadowing or stuttering of images, even when cars travelling at high speed are displayed. Images on the racing control room video wall are now crisp and clear, and looking ahead, the IDIS Solution Suite VMS will make it easier to sustain this high standard by allowing cost-efficient, remote firmware updates and system maintenance. Circuit Zandvoort will also now be able to take advantage of IDIS Critical Failover technology as a service module within the IDIS VMS. This protects against video data loss due to a wide range of potential fault conditions such as network instability or power failure. It ensures that recordings are automatically updated without the need for engineer call-outs, and with no risk of gaps in recordings while the fault is resolved. The entire upgrade was completed while the original system continued to run in parallel – confired the track manager. This meant there was no interruption to surveillance during implementation, which was vitally important as the track is in almost continuous use. “There is fantastic mutual communication between IDIS and the different suppliers – they think ahead and complement each other,” said Mr. Luttikhuis, “And from the start IDIS demonstrated a deep understanding of the security and operational requirements of our circuit and a passion for motor racing.” With the new system operational as promised, in the control room a rotating team of 10 people work with the IDIS Solution Suite VMS, with minimal training required to use all its features and functions – including easy search and retrieval, and silky-smooth control of the ultra-high-definition (UHD) PTZ cameras for tracking in real-time. Authorisation levels can be set, giving each individual specific user rights, and during the Grand Prix itself the Formula 1 organisers will also be given access to the system. If necessary, this will also include the ability to view and retrieve footage on mobile devices via the IDIS Mobile app – helping the 2020 Formula 1 Grand Prix to run smoothly behind the scenes.  

The most common vertical markets that immediately come to mind when security is thought about are the areas such as retail, education, hospitality and banking. However there are also less common, more complicated environments that demand just as much attention as remote workplaces. The more conventional facilities such as stores, schools and banks, typically possess robust resources on site to operate their security systems. But what happens when an organization needs to secure a facility or group of people in an offshore or rural location? Remote workplaces present unique challenges when it comes to implementing and maintaining a security solution, but today’s innovative technology can help. The cloud One of the most beneficial features of the cloud is that it enables users to stay connected at all times, which is especially important for remote workplaces where constant communication is necessary but takes place between great distances. And because these entities have a tendency to lack a large IT department, the cloud is ideal as it allows security teams to shift the maintenance and storage of data to an integrator. For example, at a small, rural healthcare facility where security technology is limited, security personnel can ensure both facility protection and patient data privacy through the use of cloud-based services. Remote monitoring Another benefit of the cloud is the ability to monitor activity and alarms from any location and at any time. This is particularly paramount for workplaces that are difficult or take a significant amount of time to access. In the event of an incident, security personnel can be alerted immediately via their smartphone, facilitating a quick and efficient response. Security solutions that specialize in remote monitoring make it easy for security personnel in rural areas to save time and money while ensuring the safety of people within the facility Access control and intrusion systems Gone are the days where physically securing a building requires personnel on site to manually lock the doors. The latest intelligent access control and intrusion technology that leverages the cloud and remote monitoring makes security simple for remote workplaces. Vanderbilt’s ACT365, for example, enables remote site managers complete control to control access and view video from any location and centrally report any vulnerabilities or updates. Vanderbilt’s SPC Connect, designed for installers to monitor, manage and maintain SPC panels remotely from any location using internet access, allows installers to offer a support service for clients without the need to physically visit the site. The increasing security threats that organizations face on a daily basis demand that comprehensive solutions are in place to identify risks before it’s too late – and this goes for facilities of all kinds. Remote workplaces face a unique challenge in that they can be tricky to access, but the good news is that the cloud has opened the door to new possibilities for these locations. By connecting access control and intrusion systems to offshore or rural environments, users can take advantage of remote monitoring and enhanced communication, which leads to improved safety and overall operations.  

On Monday, October 7, 2019 at approximately 7am, a Delta MP5000 portable barrier stopped a stolen Dodge Ram pick-up truck at an entrance gate of the Naval Air Station – Corpus Christi. The stolen car was chased by the local police onto the base. At that point, the Air Station announced that an unauthorized person was on base and the facility immediately would go under lockdown with all gates secured to all traffic. Having taken flight after the truck was stopped by the barrier, the intruder was quickly apprehended within the hour and taken into custody by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “This is the second attempted intrusion into the Naval Air Station – Corpus Christi in eight months,” explained Greg Hamm, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Delta, “On February 14, a Delta MP5000 portable barrier stopped a stolen Ford Edge crossover SUV at the north gate. The trespasser had driven across the base to escape but crashed into the Delta unit and erupted into flames. The driver was shot and killed.” Delta’s totally selfcontained MP5000 mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers now carry an ASTM rating as high as M50, able to stop and disable a 15,000lb (66.7kN) G.V.W. vehicle moving at 50mph (80.4kph). They tow into position to control vehicle access within 15 minutes. No excavation or sub-surface preparation is required. Once positioned, the mobile barricades will unpack themselves by using hydraulics to raise and lower the barriers off their wheels. DC-powered pumps will then raise or lower the barriers. Once the event is over, procedures are reversed and the barriers are towed away.