A Monumental Task

Protecting America’s national treasures requires more than a velvet rope

• By Bill Lozon
• Sep 21, 2007

IT seems a shame to have to start yet another article on security with the words “in the aftermath of 9/11.” However, when it comes to protecting national monuments and treasures, the fact is security has had to change significantly in the past six years as a result of heightened terrorism concerns. Traditional monument security issues of theft and vandalism remain, but now those concerns are equaled, if not surpassed, by the fact that these sites, which represent national pride and would strike a symbolic blow to the American psyche if lost to terrorism, must be considered possible targets of terrorists.

Additionally, with daily visitors numbering anywhere from hundreds to thousands, a balance must be struck between providing optimal human safety while not creating an aura of fear in those who visit these monuments.

In addition to new threats to national monuments, there are logistical elements that create unique security needs for these venues. Logistical concerns include the need to not interfere with monument and venue aesthetics, balancing monument security with a feeling of openness/visitor accessibility, the differences that exist between open-hours and after-hours protection needs and potentially remote and/or rugged locales.

Such concerns were paramount to a particular national monument venue—a U.S. gallery with a range of both national and international artwork, sculptures and a plethora of historical documents and artifacts. Officials at the gallery looked to advancements in sensor technology, specifically the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, to solve and improve upon security issues.

Improved Motion Resolution
Ultra-wideband signals have been used for decades in geophysical characteristic applications. When UWB signals are employed in geophysical analysis systems, the sensor is moved in order to detect and map underground stationary objects.

New developments in UWB products reverse the application method: rather than moving the sensor over terrain, the sensor is positioned beneath or within terrain in a stationary position, enabling the sensor to see the motion of objects within that terrain. Further, as in geophysical applications, where echoes from targets that arrive at different times help define the distance of an object from the moving sensor, in the reversal of the process, these same echoes can aid in determining the distance from the stationary sensor of a moving object and the rate of movement or velocity of that object toward the sensor.

UWB technology provides improved motion resolution over that of a single-frequency transmission like microwave, enabling measurement of subject mass.

This reverse application of UWB technology takes motion detection to a new level, enabling a motion detection product that can see through barriers like walls, roadbeds, sidewalks or ceilings. Moreover, the measuring of subject mass eliminates false detections of falling debris or animals in outdoor applications. Like most security technologies, UWB sensor products can integrate with access control systems, day and night vision cameras with PTZ capabilities, alarming systems and building management systems. This enables security personnel to determine appropriate actions based on the combined understanding of the fact detection has occurred, the size of the detected subject, and the location and velocity of that subject from the object or location being monitored.

A Unique Challenge
An advantage of UWB technology in motion detection, especially in relation to monument security, is the ability to effectively deploy systems outdoors. It is one of the chief concerns of the above-referenced gallery, since securing not only indoor areas surrounding specific monuments, art pieces and artifacts, but also the building itself, is a requirement. In addition, the facility must be secured covertly to either decrease or eliminate any effect on the aesthetics of the building and to minimize the risk that harm-doers can circumvent or tamper with the system.

UWB technology is the only effective technology that can be deployed in a manner that solves these concerns. UWB sensors can be buried beneath concrete sidewalks, within walls or columns, or inside planters or myriad aesthetically-pleasing choices.

Additionally, proper placement of UWB sensors and integration with other systems adds a layer of intelligent motion detection for facility protection. For example, when deployed, a product like UltraVision’s UltraSensor™ UWB sensor can be integrated with existing CCTV cameras. Any detected motion sends an alert to an internal security console, and the appropriate CCTV cameras are directed toward the location of the sensor detecting the motion.

The graphical user interface from the UltraSensor constantly displays the sensor location relative to the building and sensor area. When detection occurs, not only is the camera directed to view the sensor location, but also a red circle appears on the GUI, showing the distance of the intruder from the sensor. The GUI provides target velocity and mass, enabling the elimination of certain false detections like small animals or falling debris.

Therefore, as a sensor detects motion and the corresponding camera is alerted, an intelligent network of sensors and cameras is created. This network provides security personnel an opportunity to follow a detected threat, thoroughly assess what type of danger the threat poses and take appropriate action. Further, the system can integrate with methods of alarming so off-site or patrolling personnel can be alerted to unusual circumstances. For example, with multiple sensors in place, a security guard receiving alarms from sensors in four different locations within a short time frame would have a great deal of proof that something suspicious might be afoot.

Protecting the Goods
For monument security in indoor environments, the need to protect while allowing access creates a diametrically-opposed set of circumstances. During the daytime, a monument might be surrounded by only a velvet rope. The rope provides minimal close-distance protection from vandals, thieves or individuals intent on leaving behind a dangerous item or from over-eager enthusiasts wanting to touch a national treasure. Conversely, after hours, a threat to a monument must be detected from much greater distances for early apprehension. Solving open-hours versus after-hours issues with one technology is now possible with UWB.

The ability to deploy UWB technology covertly does much to make protection possible during open hours without putting unappealing and ominous-looking security products in the field of view of a monument, piece of art or artifact. Further, covert deployment, whether in open- or after-hours applications, provides people with harmful intentions a false sense of security, as there is no visible sign of the detection device.

An even more important feature designed in UWB sensor products available is the ability for detection distance to be dialed up or dialed down as needed to cover open- and after-hours circumstances. During the day, the field of detection for the sensor may be dialed down to as little as a few feet from the monument, providing a detection notification only when someone crosses a physical barrier like the velvet rope. Once the facility is closed for the night, the sensor can be set to automatically increase the field of detection, finding a threat long before it has a chance to become a harmful incident.

Once again, as with outdoor environments, UWB sensor products can be integrated with CCTV cameras, access control or other security technologies. In the case of indoor detection in a gallery setting, detection might trigger an alarm that would shut down other areas of the gallery. This protects other monuments and artifacts from harm and, at the same time, narrows the escape route choices for a detected subject.

Protecting national treasures means keeping security threats far from them or knowing well in advance when a threat exists. By securing both perimeters and indoor environments through a more accurate and discreet application technology, UWB add a far more effective layer of protection.