Kingston Communications (Hull) plc is a rapidly expanding UK communications group supplying a broad portfolio of voice, data, Internet, mobile and managed services. With a Group turnover topping GB pound 200 million, its national division offers end-to-end voice and data communication solutions to UK end users via seven regional fibre optic cable networks and a long-distance IP-enabled network.
Varying from 11 through to 93,000 square feet in area, Kingston’s multiple occupancy sites are truly high technology communications centres, providing long distance voice and data links and web browser hosting facilities for Blue Chip companies across various market sectors. When the time came for implementing a total review of building security arrangements, safety and security manager Carl Fothergill was tasked with a massive challenge.
"Every one of our 250 sites operates with different security systems," said Fothergill. "To start the ball rolling, we asked our chosen installer Pointer Security to produce a comprehensive review and evaluation of the whole estate, including all the existing systems and how they were performing."
Ian Stones, Pointer’s regional director, reviewed potential replacement solutions for Kingston on the basis of four criteria: fitness for purpose, ease of operation, open architecture – and cost. After scrutinising Pointer’s findings, Fothergill then asked the BSIA to recommend an independent security consultancy whose subsequent findings completed what was by then a comprehensive report.
Ultimately, Kingston and Fothergill didn’t want a bespoke system. Rather, the desire was for an off-the-shelf solution with flexible, open architecture that could interface with the company’s diverse systems installations.
Beginning in April this year, Kingston trialled installations at its Manchester and Reading-based communication switching centres. Following the success of the trials, Pointer then began a rolling programme of installations throughout the company’s sites – ensuring that Kingston became the first company anywhere in the world to adopt a truly integrated, Ethernet-based remote CCTV and access control system courtesy of supplier Panasonic.
Auditing operational activities
As a number of Kingston’s major clients require 24-hour access to sites, effective security is absolutely paramount. The company’s service to its customers not only includes the provision of a secure building and all that this entails, but also an audit trail of all operational activities.
"Due to the nature of our clients’ businesses," stressed Fothergill, "we principally use the remotely-operated and integrated CCTV and access control system to enforce tightly-controlled building admittance and management. With the new system we’ve had installed, we can remotely arm and disarm alarm zones, as well as open doors."
In addition, the use of motion detection-driven cameras means that on-site activity can be tracked at all times. "We can maintain a watchful eye on visitors," added Fothergill, "while providing full movement audit trails."
An added benefit is that Fothergill and his security team may carry out remote equipment diagnostics, a procedure that hitherto wasn’t possible. This negates the need for key holder appearance on site, largely doing away with the attendant safety and cost implications.
Prior to the new scheme being introduced, Kingston’s sites had their own separate monitoring arrangements, with contract security staff on site. The new set-up will eventually control the entire UK estate from just two 24-hour in-house monitoring stations. In support of these stations, selected key personnel will also be able to gain access to the Ethernet-based security systems from a PC or laptop computer at any location.
Monitoring in practice
At the heart of Kingston’s now-sophisticated set-up is a Panasonic HD500 digital recording unit, deployed by the security team for its high resolution capabilities. Fitted with an Ethernet interface and hard disk expander, the unit is programmable to operate in real-time mode. The large capacity of the recording device allows digital quality, real-time recordings of system cameras to be performed continually and round-the-clock before overwriting.
Locating specific images for review has long been the bane of many a security manager’s daily routine. "With the system we’re using," stated Fothergill, "the thumbnail picture directory and camera number facility, combined with simple time and date search criteria and ease of image retrieval means that my CCTV monitoring team can recall specific incidents from any location virtually instantaneously." Good news all round, then.
At each of the two 24-hour monitoring stations, S-VHS 20" monitors display a map showing all of Kingston’s sites throughout the UK. Pointer has ensured that the intruder alarm and access control systems are fully-integrated with the CCTV cameras. If an incident should occur, the nearest pre-set camera is activated. This then sends an alarm through to the remote monitoring station, initiating automatic camera recording and indicating the site’s location on a given officer’s monitoring screen. Thus instant visual verification is ensured.
By way of emphasising the system’s value to the end user, within a few months of it going on-line digital evidence was used successfully by the police to identify and apprehend several individuals who had attempted a break-in at one of Kingston’s regional offices.
In practice, Kingston’s mix of Ethernet and broad-band ‘permanently on’ and ‘dial-up’ CCTV camera images is transmitted via a standard PC network, Public Service Telephone Network or GSM mobile communications infrastructure. Even if a cable should be broken, Carl Fothergill is covered – the system is configured in such a way that it will automatically re-route camera image transmissions in seconds.
Fothergill is all-too-aware that implementing the Ethernet-based CCTV system has meant a significant financial investment. That said, the reduction in the need for manned security at many sites should provide for a reasonably fast pay-back.
"The security manager and his bosses must be prepared to take a leap of faith every now and again," added Fothergill. "We’ve done that, and as a result we’re now enjoying the benefits of a secure and flexible monitoring system."
One salient point that should not be lost here is that client, consultant, installer and manufacturer worked together on the project every step of the way. Therein lies the lesson for a successful systems set-up.
