In today’s secure environment, end users’ remote sites can be controlled by just one or a few operators, cutting down on the need for manned security at every location.
The central control point manages the remote sites by using standard Internet Protocol (IP) technology via a secure Wide Area Network (WAN) and firewall combination. Third party equipment – including alarm receiving devices, access control and fire detection panels – can also be used and, together with CCTV, provides an excellent means of ‘monitoring’ your site from distance.
The security manager and his operators at the central Control Room will have access to the whole security network, together with each and every camera on the system. With a traditional Control Room, however, it’s necessary for the operators to view multiple monitors simultaneously to ensure that incidents are picked up and then manually acted upon. For example, an operator viewing a break-in in progress may have the alternatives of calling the police or physically moving to the location to deal with the situation him or herself.
On the other hand, the introduction of digital IP means that the operator would be alerted to on-site activities which they can then deal with efficiently and effectively while remaining at the remote Control Room.
What is a ‘trigger event’?
Installed within IP systems is specifically-designed software called ‘trigger events’. A trigger event is an action that is pre-determined by the security manager. When this action occurs, the system is triggered to deal with the situation in an appropriate manner. Examples of such trigger events are door sensors, motion detection and changes in brightness within a room (such as a light being turned on).
A security manager working for a company with branch offices in 40 countries may have installed a network security system with over 400 cameras. It’s physically impossible for him to monitor each camera at the same time, thus trigger events are set up in relation to every camera and the environment in which they’re operating. If someone then presses an intercom to access a given building, the security manager is alerted and the appropriate CCTV camera automatically focused on the individual pressing the intercom button.
The security manager can then speak to the person and decide whether access may be granted. If so, the door release could then be triggered. Alternatively, if a light is switched on in a secure area a trigger will alert the security team that there may well be an intruder on the premises at that point.
If indeed it appears that there is an intruder, the manager can then contact the Boys in Blue through a direct link to the local police station and thus easily deal with the situation.
Storing and viewing images
Whenever a trigger event is picked up, the cameras automatically start recording the events taking place. This information is then stored directly onto hard disk and held on the company server as a motion JPEG. A motion JPEG is a variant on the standard JPEG file format whereby still images are shown at a high frame rate. This produces high quality ‘video’ consisting of a considerable amount of data.
Another advantage of digitally recording a trigger event is that while the event is still being recorded, the operator has the ability to access what has already been recorded and view the footage. Images may also be reviewed after the event and, where further investigation is required, additional triggers set up to pick up on any new evidence. For example, someone caught stealing in a shop can be tracked throughout to see which stores they visited.
It’s also possible for Control Rooms to ‘back each other up’, thereby providing security to one another. An example of this can be seen at the CCTV Control Room being run by Runnymede Borough Council and the recent systems installation at St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey. The system allows the Council’s security team to remotely link to cameras at the hospital and provide back-up if necessary.
An effective combination
With rural and urban areas alike becoming more built up, the responsibility for local councils to police their territories is becoming an increasingly onerous task.
Due to the diversity of areas to be covered – including car parks, shopping centres, sports centres and recreational areas – it’s important to find an effective and efficient means of providing security for the people that live in the area. CCTV and remote monitoring provides an excellent means of satisfying this requirement.
The biggest advantage to be had by the end user with an IP-based surveillance system is the cost element. It’s cheaper to install digital rather than analogue. A digital system will work on the existing infrastructure, whereas an analogue set-up requires extensive and costly cabling from system to system.
Remote management is the way forward for end users, and for a safer security provision. Security staff no longer have to put themselves into dangerous or difficult situations, and can react to incidents at the touch of a button.
