IFSEC International could be said to be the safest exhibition in the world — and certainly the safest in the NEC.
With more than 650 security companies exhibiting and 30,000 security professionals visiting, it’s probably safe to assume that, if you leave your iPad lying around, someone will hand it in to security. But it’s good to know that the Birmingham NEC has one of the most state-of-the-art surveillance systems watching over delegates and exhibitors alike.
Looking around the NEC’s security control room while IFSEC and FIREX International were in full swing this week, we were able to see the heart of the exhibition centre’s security operations. It recently installed around 375 Axis cameras producing 720p high-definition images, as well as 40 ANPR cameras to monitor parking facilities.
The new system is “worlds from where we were” with the old analogue system, according the NEC staff member who gave us the tour.
When we visited the control room, there was a surprising sense of calm, probably due to the thousands of additional surveillance cameras monitoring visitors. On the wall to our right, though, there were indications of the serious task at hand. A sign read “Current threat level: Substantial.” A TV alongside the banks of surveillance screens showed the latest news — no terror or crime, just Theresa May addressing the UK’s police forces, along with an advert for golf.
The situation around the NEC (located on the outskirts of Birmingham) was also clear to be seen. The latest traffic information sat alongside the many images coming from surveillance cameras inside the building.
The NEC’s system is supported by Genetec and runs on its Omnicast solution. It comes complete with redundancy in case of a failure across the wireless MESH network. With 120TB of storage on the NEC’s SAN servers, the centre could store up to 31 days of recordings.
In the event of an incident, the NEC uploads images to Facewatch, the UK service that lets businesses share images with the police quickly and, crucially, in the right format for the police and the courts.
Monitoring the VIPs
ANPR and video analytics keep track of how many vehicles are in the car parks. But the centre has also been experimenting with using ANPR to improve the experience of important visitors. The ANPR system can recognise VIPs’ number plates and give them speedy and seamless access to the car park without making them pay.
The NEC is also offering a CCTV rental service — probably not in use too much at IFSEC International, given the thousands of products on display. The service allows exhibitors to hire a surveillance camera for use with their stand. This was easy to implement, because the NEC was already running CAT5 cables to the stands for Internet use. These cameras are networked, and the stored images are available for use by the exhibitor for marketing or evidence purposes — or just to make sure staffers weren’t slacking off at the show.
IFSEC may be getting ready to move next year to London, but it’s good to know that the remaining events on the NEC’s calendar will have a state-of-the-art security system at their disposal.
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Ah, so I might get a bill for the tenner parking then if they use ANPR?! And I’ve just binned my VIP free parking voucher too!! I left so late yesterday, the barriers were just left open!
Sad that this will be my last IfSec as its moving to London but good luck to Ifsec in its new home.
@Robert Brown, thanks for sharing the images of heart of the exhibition centre’s security operations. I am curious to know how many people monitor those 375 cameras because I am sure its a difficult task to monitor all of them.
Not as many as you might think, surprisingly. I counted 4 people, I think, but then they obviously have more or less people on duty depending on how busy they are or if an incident is ongoing.
Hah, if you had your VIP pass you’ll be alright! As I said it’s something they’re experimenting with for now. If noone was there to take your money then you’ll be fine! Hope you had a good time at the show.
I saw some interesting intelligent analytics at IfSec, analyses crowd scenes and highlights any unusual/out-of-the-ordinary activity. Very clever technology that I’m hoping to trial at a shopping mall where we have CCTV already. Fingers crossed it works!!
Well when you add in all of the cameras on the show floor then actually for one week only the NEC probably had more like 2-3,000 surveillance cameras! That’s interesting though, and would allow a security monitor to cover a lot more cameras as they’re only looking for that highlighted element.
It is interesting stuff but I only become a “believer” once I have seen it with my own eyes! The company is BRS Labs brslabs.com looks very powerful software that is always learning and adjusting with a human interface to decide if a highlighted image is false or true.
I have always bypassed analytics in the past (apart from specific requirements on individual camera or camera reorientation software which is very useful) due to the time it takes to set it up properly and the ongoing “tweaking” requirement.
Oh yeah, I’m familiar with them. It’s the learning that differentiates it then. The next test is does it learn the right things? Hope your test goes well with this mall.
Hi there Rob, sorry I could not make IFSEC but could you please advise me where I could get more info on the company that supplies ANPR it would be appreciated if contact details.
John Vlotman
South Africa
Axis provided the cameras inside the NEC. I’ve not got my notes to hand but I think the ANPR cameras outside were Bosch.
The ANPR system comprises of old cameras
installed prior to the system upgrade that are connected to Genetec SHARP-EX
ANPR processor units and new Genetec all in one SHARP-XGA Cameras. The
Software is Genetec Auto-Vu which is fully integrated into the solution.
Thanks Simon, you should get a job at Genetec with that kind of knowledge to hand! Oh wait, yes 😉
It was a really impressive tour, so thanks again!
Having read thsi article I keep getting the idea of surveillance cameras not being used for monitoring alone but can also be used to improve business process. If VIPs pass will allow someone to enter a car park without any problem then I think there are most than one or two benefits to cameras. Very interesting way of passing VIPs into car park.
Indeed it is, and similar business advantages can be had across the whole site, from managing queues to the entrances and food stalls, to monitoring flow of people through the exhibitions and coming up with more efficient uses of the floor plan as a result.
Let me share this with you..There is this TV channel that secretly installs cameras and monitors employees to dermine who is fit to be a manager. So they send random people into the business (restaurant) to behave in a certain way to see the reactions of the workers, while the owner of the business is hiding in one room watching everything. I think it’s rediculous, however, at the end of the day he calls all the workers together, shows them the video and select a manager, in some instances, the best person is given his or her own business to… Read more »
Interesting, taking the mystery shopper concept to the next level then. I feel like those who lose out would feel a little cheated by this technique, but then it’s no different to a traditional mystery shopper programme, just with the addition of video evidence.
I would love to have a go being the wierdo behaving badly, some would say that it wouldn’t take much acting! Hopefully some of the clips will find there way onto utube!
Interesting concept though, not entirely sure how ethical it is to be honest plus recording somebody who isn’t aware could cause problems although it being on private property will probably make it OK.
Yeah I would definitely have some concerns as an employee in a company that was doing that. I think maybe if you were told that this is what happens when you are employed, not necessarily on the day it’s due to happen though, then that would at least mitigate some concerns. People get sacked for things they say on social media that has nothing to do with work, so being promoted for your actions at work — even if it’s only monitored by surveillance, makes more sense.
Good point. More and more people are aware and are speaking up against systems that encroach on their privacy. I think informing people ahead that they’re being recorded should be done, but for some intents and purposes, doing that might just defeat the whole point. So really, I’m on the fence on this one.