Corpus Christi Port Deploys Analytics-Based Surveillance System

  • Jul 15, 2008

To accommodate a major expansion of the video surveillance system now protecting port operations, officials with the Port of Corpus Christi (Texas) have selected Siemens Building Technologies Inc. to upgrade the capabilities of the entire system.

When completed, the Port of Corpus Christi (POCC) will host the largest Siemens Siveillance SiteIQ deployment to date and use it to manage one of the largest video analytics-based surveillance systems in the United States.

Critical infrastructure security concerns coupled with access to new Department of Homeland Security Grant 6 funding prompted port officials to pursue an expansion of the port’s current video surveillance system (enabled by Siemens SiteIQ) on duty since 2004. Siveillance and its SiteIQ platform are part of a global family of intelligent video-based security solutions available from Siemens Building Technologies Security Systems Business Unit. The expansion’s schedule is aggressive; the design phase is underway and installation and commissioning are scheduled for completion in late 2008.

“The excellent performance of the Siveillance system we currently deploy has convinced us, as well as our colleagues with the DHS, to further expand the scope and capabilities of our system with SiteIQ technology,” said Arch Archambo, chief of police for the Port of Corpus Christi. “We have one of the busiest ports in the world and our first priority is to ensure the safety and security of personnel and property that transit the port every day. We’re confident the expanded system and its enhanced capabilities will be a great asset to the POCC by identifying potential threats more quickly and accurately.”

According to Siemens managers the project will deploy more than 80 new cameras to the existing system’s 130-camera network, which currently monitors more than 6,700 ships and barges and nearly 90 million tons of cargo annually (2007 figures). To keep an intelligent eye on all of this, the port system’s expansion includes a software migration to Siveillance SitelQ version 3.2, which combines situational analysis, decision-making, and command and control functionality into one versatile interface. Input from devices such as cameras, intrusion sensors and access control points create a dynamic, proactive and virtual perimeter and the basis for comprehensive port security management.

“Securing port operations is a monumental task and technologies like SiteIQ can add considerable value, working to improve security overall relative to the investment in its expansion and the amount of data coming in from devices in the field,” said Jens Wegmann, Siemens global CEO of Security Solutions. “SiteIQ puts powerful tools into the hands of the Port of Corpus Christi’s security staff and helps them effectively understand, manage and act when threats or other anomalies occur.”

The Port of Corpus Christi has established an aggressive timetable for the project, which is to be completed by year’s end. Siemens is working in concert with local contractors Bath Engineering and RVE to execute all phases of delivering to meet the year end deadline.

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