Information management systems help increase port security

Going With the Flow

Improving port and waterway transportation security are essential strategies for continuing homeland security. Providing port and waterway security entails regulating the flow of traffic from ports and harbors and across the nation’s waterways so dangerous and unwanted goods and people are detected and denied entry. This requires a sophisticated information management system that balances the need for securing the waterways with facilitating an essential free flow of legitimate commerce, citizens and authorized visitors.

Every waterway information system, no matter how simple or advanced, consist of several key parts. These key components include sensors, data storage and analysis, and visualization of the system.

Waterway Information System
This figure shows a typical waterway information system that receives information from several types of sensors, stores and analyses that information, and then provides the users a view of the waterway operations through dynamic Web pages and more advanced command and control displays.

Sensoring the Waterway Environment
Remote sensors provide the “eyes” of any waterway information system. A small river port might consist of a few surveillance cameras, and on a large, deep-water port, sensors might include radar, sonar, infrared cameras and environmental sensors. Wireless technology allows us to remotely place sensors to monitor vessel transit, marine mammal habitat and other coastal areas of environmental, commercial, recreational and, of course, security interests. The broadband nature of high-bandwidth networks on the water allows incorporation of bandwidth-hogging video/voice applications, along with arrays of environmental sensors, which are essentially low-data rate.

Combining sensor and telemetry modules with inexpensive housing yields wireless sensor system nodes capable of being scaled into networks. Depending on the sensitivity of the waterway being monitored, the sensor network might include acoustic doppler current profilers; turbidity; underwater cameras for bottom topography/habitat monitoring; hydrophone bio classification monitors; acoustic imagers for biomass monitoring; water quality sensor stack; or nutrient sensors.

About the Author

Timothy D. Ringgold, Colonel, Army (Ret.), is the CEO of Defense Solutions LLC, based in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at (610) 833-6000.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.