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Lucas comes from a risk management and security consultancy background and has worked extensively in the transport sector including ports, maritime, rail and airport environments. His wide experience of working in both operational and strategic roles give him an excellent insight into the issues, challenges and potential solutions facing those who work in all aspects of transport security.
Following a number of high-profile attacks on mass transport systems across Europe, Scotland Yard recently warned that the UK’s terror threat level will remain at ‘severe’ for at least five more years.
It is clear the industry cannot be complacent when it comes to security investment. While funding remains a challenge, it must be weighed against the requirements for public transport authorities to provide both an efficient and safe service.
Taking action: rapid threat detection
As per the three core principles prescribed by the UK Government’s Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) in protecting assets, firstly a threat should be deterred, then detected and then delayed.
It’s unlikely that a credible, organised threat will be deterred by a system that only provides a historical record of an attack
It’s unlikely that a credible and organised threat will be deterred by a security system which is only able to provide a historical record of an attack. It must also provide real-time detection and permit initiation of counter measures in a timely manner.
While the international transport market continues to keep pace with the latest developments in real-time network camera technology, the UK has stagnated in its adoption.
Despite plans for pan-network IP systems to be installed in many areas, and certain transport providers leading the way, significant parts of UK transport infrastructure are still to be upgraded from analogue. This is partially due to the lack of a modern communications infrastructure, incapable of handling large amounts of data and preventing network users from making use of the solutions available today.
Looking beyond security: realising the benefits of IP
In a bid to understand the key challenges in upgrading to a networked solution, Axis commissioned a survey in collaboration with UITP, the global public transport organisation across stakeholders in areas such as rail, bus and ferry.
With virtually all respondents saying they had some form of video surveillance installed, 85% also said they would consider IP cameras in the future. When asked about obstacles to upgrading, the most common response was the perceived “lack of a clear business case”. Three quarters of those same respondents had analogue cameras in place, suggesting more education is needed on the benefits of IP video systems beyond the forensic capabilities of CCTV.
While video surveillance technology is widely used in transport, the UK must accelerate its adoption of the latest IP technology if it is to keep pace with the rest of Europe. Educating key decision-makers on the operational and business intelligence benefits of integrating systems to deliver real-time video and alerts will be key.
Ultimately, transport operators stand to gain in the form of a return on their investment from an enhanced ability to integrate IP cameras with business-performance optimisation technology. This helps organisations derive long-term value from their investment, adapting and scaling it in line with not only security but also more commercial, operational needs.
Learn more about the shift from forensic to real-time in transport in Axis’ latest white paper.
About Axis Communications
Axis offers intelligent security solutions that enable a smarter, safer world. As the market leader in network video, Axis is driving the industry by continually launching innovative network products based on an open platform – delivering high value to customers through a global partner network.
Axis has long-term relationships with partners and provides them with knowledge and ground-breaking network products in existing and new markets.
Axis has more than 2,700 dedicated employees in more than 50 countries around the world, supported by a global network of over 90,000 partners. Founded in 1984, Axis is a Sweden-based company listed on NASDAQ Stockholm under the ticker AXIS. For more information about Axis, please visit our website www.axis.com.
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UK transport infrastructure lags rest of Europe in replacing analogue CCTV with real-time IP videoAgeing surveillance systems cannot achieve the three goals – deterring, detecting and delaying – set out by the government’s Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), writes Lucas Young, business development manager for transport at Axis Communications.
Lucas Young
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
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