IP Video Protects Edinburgh Castle In Scotland

  • Nov 28, 2007

IP video technology is providing CCTV surveillance for Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s number one tourist attraction and part of Edinburgh's World Heritage site. Historic Scotland operates and maintains the castle and the associated exhibitions but part of the castle continues to be occupied by the army. This dual role means the castle has to be open to more than 1 million visitors a year, but still maintain the levels of security expected on a site with military presence.

As part of a security upgrade, IndigoVision’s local partner FPG Security Solutions Ltd. has replaced existing analog CCTV cameras with an IP video system as part of a two-phase project. Phase 1 is complete with the installation of the network fiber backbone, cameras and the monitoring/recording facilities in the control room. Phase two is planned for the near future with the addition of up to 25 new cameras, subject to approval.

The IndigoVision IP video solution solved two unique problems associated with upgrading the surveillance system at the castle. Firstly, the location of the current control room will be moved in the future and secondly as the castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the laying of cables in certain areas is prohibited. The current control room uses Control Center, IndigoVision’s video and alarm management software, to monitor live video feeds from the cameras and recorded footage from the IndigoVision standalone NVR. In addition a second workstation running Control Center software will be located in the manager’s office.

The flexibility of IP vdeo means that cameras, NVRs and Control Center workstations can be located at any point on the network. It is therefore a relatively simple process to relocate the control room in the future, an exercise that would be too expensive with a traditional analog system. The second phase will install a number of cameras using wireless IP network links to overcome the need to install network cabling in sensitive areas of the castle. As IP vdeo is very scalable, the phase 2 upgrade can be easily and inexpensively achieved with minimum disruption to the cstle’s daily routine.

The cameras are a mix of internal and external fixed domes which are connected to IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver modules. The 8000s convert the analog camera feed to DVD quality full-frame rate digital video for transmission over the IP network.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3