The UK is at risk. The National Security Strategy in 2010 reported that the UK faces terrorism and cyber attack, among many other potential dangers.
Faced with this challenging outlook and at a time when all eyes are on the bottom line, how do private and public sector organisations ensure their security systems can cope and manage such incidents?
To date the UK has been using security management platforms that integrate and control CCTV, alarms, access control and perimeter protection.
However we have reached the stage where a technological step change is possible to meet both current and future security challenges, as well as maximise existing investment in technology.
This step change is the ability to deliver deployment as well as control, and manage every incident through to conclusion.
Automating processes
Operators can be automatically prompted to take the correct action and software can automatically set in motion a sequence of pre-agreed activities to ensure the right procedures are adhered to, as well as distributing essential information across multi agencies.
In addition the system logs and records all actions to ensure every activity is fully audited and visible.
The Siveillance command and control software platforms from Siemens operate from this standpoint.
Key features are the improved assessment, management and resolution of critical situations, the distribution of crucial data and the co-ordination of computer aided dispatch for essential services.
In line with the need for both the public and private sectors to lower costs, these software platforms will enable improved operational performance, safer communities, safer business, improved shared services, greater efficiencies and cost reductions.
Risk of terror
A prime example of why integrated security and command and control systems are essential is the potential risk of terrorist attack.
When an incident occurs, multi-stakeholders need simultaneous communication, visual verification and immediate deployment of appropriate resources.
These include the police, ambulance service, transport systems, local hospitals, fire services, the business community and local residents. With such a wide range of organisations requiring accurate and up-to-date information, it is essential to have one single central point of co-ordination across our cities.
Another instance that highlights the importance of greater integration is the number of security control rooms that exist across our towns and cities, many with running costs in excess of GB pound 500,000.
The UK relies heavily on CCTV to ensure public safety and the command and control model provides real sustainability for the future as considerable savings can be made through consolidation and sharing of services across both the private and public sectors.
This, coupled with the benefits of improved communication, greater visual verification and almost instant deployment of manpower and resources can only enhance the investment the UK has already made in CCTV technology.
Siemens’ solution
The command and control products in the Siveillance portfolio are:
Siveillance Command – a high level integrated command and control solution that delivers immediate and appropriate response to emergency incidents within guaranteed reaction times.
Siveillance Command is a workflow-oriented, highly redundant and networked command and control system incorporating an integration platform for security technologies, emergency and communication user interfaces along with TETRA functionalities.
The software will enable disaster recovery, delivering immediate and appropriate response to emergency incidents and crisis management; typical applications include police, fire and ambulance services.
Siveillance Vantage – an innovative and advanced software solution for corporations and public agencies that need to deliver command and control across the whole organisation.
It can be easily adapted to customer-specific security needs and security policies and incorporates an integration platform for security subsystems, emergency procedures and communication.
Typical applications include critical national infrastructure, corporate businesses, transportation networks, financial and commercial institutions, manufacturers and local authorities.
Siveillance SiteIQ – designed for organisations where situational awareness is vital at all times across a large site and where a high level of video information makes it difficult for staff to monitor and process activity instantly.
It provides video-based automated wide area perimeter protection with proactive object tracking, providing both real time and recorded video access. Typical applications include ports and airports.
IT overlap
Siemens recognises that the security industry now overlaps with the IT industry and this is bringing huge benefits as transmitting data and images is faster and easier, enabling both the private and public sectors to achieve more.
The results can be complete, future proofed, fully integrated solutions that can encompass everything from cost-effective modular applications through to entire operation-wide networked systems, combined with existing IT systems and controlled from a single location.
Siemens is recognised worldwide in many sectors for leading the way in innovative technology; the Siveillance command and control range is harnessing this convergence of IT and security to enable delivery of automated incident management, full mobilisation and proper deployment of resources.
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