Tap Into Security Remotely
Advanced surveillance technologies are mission-critical to the global marketplace
- By Debjit Das
- Mar 01, 2012
Organizations whose operations span cities, countries and even
continents face formidable challenges in their efforts to secure
people, property and assets. From limited staff and tight budgets
to the logistical complexities of monitoring vast, geographically
dispersed properties, organizations need advanced surveillance
technologies to help monitor their facilities. What is the solution? Remote monitoring
is leading the way in video surveillance with its real-time monitoring applications
that connect dispersed locations with a central monitoring station to
efficiently secure facilities.
Remote Video Monitoring—Definition and Importance
Remote video monitoring uses IP-based networks to transmit audio and video
data to a central monitoring station for alarm verification and action. Using remote
video monitoring technology, organizations can monitor disparate facilities
24/7, using a computer or, in some cases, cell phones and other handheld devices
to access information remotely.
In today’s global economy of increased saturation, stiff competition and decreased
profits, security has just as much to do with the bottom line as it does
with protecting people, property and assets. Remote video monitoring provides
the ability to watch video from multiple sites and focus on key events and alarms,
allowing organizations to more efficiently collaborate and dispatch responders
to manage security challenges. With remote video monitoring, organizations
from retail to banking, hospitals, schools, airports and seaports, to corporate
campuses, critical infrastructure and manufacturing facilities, can leverage security
infrastructure investments to help streamline operations, safeguard customers
and staff, optimize the workforce, investigate fraud, prevent loss, and protect
assets, all from a central facility.
Here are some of the key industries leveraging the benefits of remote monitoring
capabilities:
Remote Monitoring for Retail Operations
Loss prevention is paramount to a retailer’s bottom line and is a top concern
across the industry. Retail operations are vulnerable targets for theft, robbery and
organized crime. As competition increases and profit margins slim, closing the gap
on theft is mission-critical. Due to size and tendency to boast multiple locations,
retail operations are ideal venues for remote video monitoring.
With the addition of an NVR, a retail surveillance system allows broadcast of
captured video to a central monitoring facility. This, in turn, allows retailers to
monitor a single camera around-the-clock or a group of cameras from any given
store. With its customizable rules-based technology, remote monitoring can help
reduce shrink, minimize false alarms, safeguard employees and protect assets, all
based upon a single store’s configuration and requirements.
In addition to its benefits in preventing theft and shoplifting, remote video
monitoring provides 24/7 site monitoring with the use of virtual guard tours. This feature is effective in safeguarding larger
retail outlets and warehouses that are
targets for after-hours burglary.
Remote monitoring has quickly
proven itself as a valuable tool for
big-box retail operations, stores with
multiple locations and franchises. The
advent of this networked technology
helps protect the retail industry’s bottom
line, enabling stores to maintain
a competitive edge in the marketplace
and allowing staffs to focus on retaining
satisfied, loyal customers.
Remote Monitoring
for Infrastructure
Enterprise and critical infrastructure
organizations of all sizes can benefit
from centrally managed video surveillance
systems. When security staff are
prepared, informed and ready to react
to a potential threat, they are positioned
to adequately protect the safety,
security and operational efficiency of
the business.
Deploying remote video monitoring
systems is ideal for operations that seek
to secure multiple, mission-critical locations
and gain the following benefits:
- Make the most of limited budgets
and on-site security staff.
- Secure geographically dispersed
sites, perimeters, and properties that
are impracticable or too costly to
patrol or monitor locally.
- Leverage intelligence from an array
of disparate security and business
systems for greater situational
awareness and more proactive, effective
security.
- Rapidly detect potential problems
and emergency situations, notify the
appropriate agencies and first responders,
and initiate policy-based
action.
- Reliably record activity, comply
with recording retention requirements,
and export recordings for use
by other agencies, whether for legal
proceedings, or to mitigate liability
and risk.
Remote Monitoring for
Financial Organizations
Banks and financial organizations
around the world face new challenges
and obstacles as fraudulent activity continues
to evolve. However, security is
complex for banks and financial centers,
which may operate wide networks of
branches and standalone ATM kiosks.
Leveraging the power of remote video
monitoring can help financial institutions
worldwide reduce liability and risk,
safeguard assets and comply with regulations—
all while ensuring profitability
and retaining loyal customers.
In the banking sector, security staffs
maintain the responsibility for protecting
a large number of small sites. With
its vast geographic footprint, the majority
of retail bank branch recorded
video must be reviewed remotely by investigative
teams. This creates a unique
challenge for security staff—recording
and archiving video on-site while making
it accessible for remote viewing and
investigative review.
The evolution of analog systems to
network-based systems that allow remote
monitoring has greatly improved
the financial industry’s ability to detect
security breaches, deliver video and
data across the enterprise and quickly
provide outside agencies the information
A Real-Time Look at Remote Monitoring
The Port of Los Angeles encompasses 7,500 acres, features 43 miles of waterfront
and 27 cargo terminals. Safeguarding miles of waterfront and multiple land-based
facilities can be a daunting task. Prior to 2006, the port operated with a few analog
cameras across the expansive grounds.
Leveraging funding from the Port Security Grant Program, officials designed
a new security system that would upgrade a disparate system into an integrated
solution. After an extensive evaluation process, the organization selected the Nextiva
IP video portfolio from Verint Video Intelligence Solutions, including Nextiva
Video Management software, integrated analytics, encoders/decoders and wireless
devices. In order to implement the new security platform, the port officials worked
in phases to deploy first the most important elements.
The video solution integrates with more than 350 third-party cameras to monitor
highly critical areas. Captured data is then transmitted to a state-of the-art
Threat Detection Center (TDC) for central monitoring. Today, the port secures
its expansive waterfront and perimeters by creating custom detection rules with
Nextiva Analytics that secure tangible and virtual perimeters or borders.
In 2007-2008, port police implemented geographic information system (GIS)
technology in support of its security initiatives. Integrated with video management
software and third-party cameras, port officials are able to leverage the enterprise
GIS system so that staff in the TDC can pinpoint locations of their first responders
in the field while having a complete view of activities.
In the final phase, the port searched for a solution that would support field
personnel in responding to real-time emergency situations and provide the right
information to the right people at the right time. In 2010, the port deployed a
solution that delivers clear transmission of high-quality images to any authorized
smartphone or handheld computer. This innovative measure ensured that an officer
could view real-time images being shared between the field and the TDC.
For the Port of Los Angeles, central monitoring at the TDC—combined with
the use of innovative technology—enhances situational awareness around its
properties and transforms what used to be a manual, resource-intensive operation
to an efficient, accurate, automated process.
Remote Accessibility
The ubiquity of IP networks combined with advanced security hardware and software
deliver the benefits of remote monitoring. The following sections describe the
specific requirements that the various components of a remote monitoring system
should possess to deliver the corresponding benefits.
Video management software is a key component of any remote monitoring
solution. It’s the software that provides the tools to ensure that video is available
for viewing, provides event identification and verification, analyzes content, and
allows for multi-agency collaboration to expedite investigations. While most organizations
can access remote video viewing via standard Web browsers, a comprehensive
video management software platform helps ensure maximum system
uptime and increased situational awareness.
In any environment, video management software is essential for capturing and
viewing video. It can provide authorized users with the ability to monitor and
share live and recorded video across networks, geographical boundaries and time
zones. And, it can give organizations the flexibility to create a monitoring infrastructure
that best suits its needs, whether that is to centralize all monitoring in a
single control center or implement cross-site and remote monitoring.
Information Management Solutions
Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) systems capture and fuse information
from a variety of security, safety and enterprise systems. These systems
enable users to view and analyze information to more quickly and efficiently identify
situations and persons of interest and initiate rapid, effective response, often in collaboration
with first responders and outside agencies.
Organizations can use PSIM solutions
to monitor their security environment,
plan and execute efficient responses
to events, and review recorded
event logs for audit/regulatory compliance
and future planning. By consolidating
security system planning and
monitoring and providing standard
operating procedures and reporting,
PSIM systems enable organizations to
improve the speed, efficiency and intelligence
of responses while reducing
costs and minimizing compliance risks.
Network Video Recorders
Although IP video software provides
live viewing, recording, and retrieval
of video, some organizations are turning
to more advanced NVR platforms
that can offer simultaneous viewing of
multiple cameras and multiple recording
modes. Versatile network video recorders
help capture high-quality video
images and interface with a variety of
security and business systems. This interoperability
provides organizations
with a more complete view of remote
events and operations and a more efficient,
time-saving approach to security
and operational efficiency.
Using NVRs to capture camera
feeds is not enough. It is important to
find complementary video management
software that helps centrally configure,
view, manage and monitor the
functioning of NVRs enterprise wide.
By simplifying video system administration
and viewing, these software
applications can help reinforce operational
standards and uniformity in dispersed
operations.
IP Cameras
IP cameras provide the visual cues as to
what activities are happening in what
locations. Being able to pull multiple
streams at different frame rates of video
helps organizations with increased
situational awareness to more promptly
and effectively respond to threats. Additionally,
comprehensive video management
software applications provide
automatic camera detection and configuration,
centralized administration
and management, and automated, system-
wide camera health monitoring,
diagnostics, and alerts. With a wide array
of fixed, PTZ, PTZ dome, vandalproof
and outdoor IP camera options
available on the market, IP cameras
have become a cost-effective option for
security systems.
The increased application of remote
monitoring technology across
enterprise operations is critical to
managing and mitigating loss, protecting
assets, increasing operational
efficiency, detecting threats, and safeguarding
people and property. As organizations
become more aware of the
benefits of remote video monitoring,
they will be better positioned to combat
threats, theft, error and liability
that can span billions of dollars and
precious resources.
This article originally appeared in the March 2012 issue of Security Today.