Sony XI's Wide Area Monitoring on Watch Duty at the National Mall

Sony Security’s XI’s wide area monitoring solution is now in operation keeping watch over the National Mall and Memorials area in Washington, D.C. Working in collaboration with the United States Park Police (USPP) as part of a technology trial, the XI’s system incorporating the XIS-3420 high-definition unit, plus the XIS-3310 thermal and panoramic thermal cameras went “live” over the July 4th holiday weekend and will remain in operation through the year-long test period. In addition, the XI’s array is augmented with a Sony SNC-RH164 HD PTZ camera.

The HD and thermal XI’s live and panoramic cameras monitor the entire area from a single location and transmit image data over an IP network for storage on a server. The SNC-RH164 HD PTZ camera was used to monitor activity across the river in Virginia. On the backend, the VidSys physical security information management (PSIM) software system integrates, correlates and analyzes data from the XI’s and other security systems also in place. Together, they will help protect some 24-million visitors that typically come to the grounds over the year. The Mall runs 1.9 miles from the Capitol steps to the Lincoln Memorial and covers more than 300 acres from the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial.

“This is a team effort and a shared learning experience that advances the technology,” said Captain David Mulholland, commander of Technology Services, United States Park Police. “We decided to conduct this comprehensive trial because we see the potential it has to go beyond today’s fixed infrastructure. The key is not just the ability to gather vast amounts of visual data, but to turn that into relevant information. The system has added the equivalent of up to 100 additional cameras to our existing system, but did not leave us overloaded with data.”

Wide Area Monitoring: “Streamlined, More Effective”

“Providing video surveillance for the National Mall and Memorials area – a wide, varied expanse with constantly changing imaging conditions due to changing weather and lighting - is precisely the challenging environment that the XI’s wide area monitoring solution is designed to tackle,” said Mark Collett, general manager, Sony Security Systems Division. “This provides a streamlined, more effective approach than providing such coverage through traditional means.”

Collett added that the XI’s system’s ability to view a wide area in extraordinary detail with its 240+ megapixel images affords particular advantages. While the initial test implementation is being used to enhance the existing systems, it can help reduce the “camera clutter” required to properly carry our surveillance through traditional means. Instead of using hundreds of cameras scattered throughout such sites, the XI’s’ centralized architecture requires a far less intrusive “footprint” and so preserves the look and feel of historic locations while maintaining safety.

The USPP’s decision to move forward with the comprehensive technology test followed two successful live demonstrations conducted jointly by Sony and VidSys. The first was conducted at a USPP facility in January during a heavy snowstorm. Despite the inclement weather which would have significantly degraded the imaging captured by traditional technologies, the XI’s environmental analytic pierced the precipitation to produce clear live images and video. This was followed by similar results during a full-scale test on the National Mall during Memorial Day weekend using the XIS-3420. Together, these cleared the way for the full deployment of the XIs panoramic and thermal viewing and recording system now in operation.

Featured

  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 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.