INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL
Keeping the Perimeter Protection
Transmitting radio signals must perform in bad weather
- By Gadi Bar-Ner
- Dec 01, 2018
Radar may not be the first technology that comes
to mind when discussing perimeter protection,
but that is all beginning to change. While many
still hold the misconception that radars are best
kept for high-level military grade applications,
Magos is proving this long-held belief untrue. With the advent of
low-cost commercial grade radar technologies, 24/7 all condition
detection solutions have been made possible for any budget.
Radar is radio waves to detect and track targets. Simply put, this
technology consists of a transmitted radio signal and a receiver that
detects the echo off objects in the signals path, using this data to
then determine range, altitude, direction and speed on an object.
While many other perimeter protection technologies, such as traditional
surveillance cameras, can be adversely affected by weather and
lighting, radar perform optimally no matter the conditions. Nuisance
alarms are yet another issue that plague standard perimeter security
systems, wasting valuable time and resources each time a false alarm
is triggered.
“It is imperative that perimeter security solutions perform well in
bad weather and do not constantly produce false alarms,” said Yaron
Zussman, general manager of Magos’ North American division.
“Whether it’s for critical infrastructure or a satellite car lot, a security
solution should be able to perform optimally at all times.”
It is with this vision that Magos has brought its radars to the
North American market, with Zussman leading the charge. With a
general lack of awareness around radar technology, Zussman and the
Magos team are determined to address the common issues plaguing
perimeter security systems and deliver superior solutions.
Learning Lessons along the Way
Prior to joining Magos in 2018, Yaron Zussman began his professional
career in 2000, working in the IT industry as a business analyst
on large-scale CRM and ERP deployments. It was 2003 when Zussman
met with a Venture Capital firm that invested in a small IP video
company that had plans to begin the migration from analog to IP,
and thus began his career within the security industry.
“My initial venture into the industry, has provided me with the
skills, knowledge and professional credibility required to propel Magos
successfully,” said Zussman of his first security industry position.
From there, Zussman held multiple high-level partnership and
sales positions with DVTEL between 2003 and 2014, until eventually
moving on to become the CEO of FTS Biometrics America in 2014.
In February of 2018, Zussman began his work with Magos as the
general manager for their American market. With his extensive resume,
encompassing both physical security and information technology,
Yaron Zussman has proven himself as a leading industry veteran.
Of his time at other organizations, Zussman says, “I keep learning
every day in this industry. The biggest takeaways from any position I
have held is that a great team is really the key to success.”
DoD Technologies for All Applications
Yielding a wider coverage range than any other sensor on the market,
a single ground-based radar can easily reach up to 120-degrees in azimuth
and 30-degrees in elevation. With these expansive capabilities,
single radar and a PTZ camera can cover large areas with changing
topography, without the need for additional equipment. Using radars
in commercial applications, provides very clear ROI to the end user.
Some midsized radars have the ability to detect vehicles up to up
to 1,100 yards away, and humans more than 750 yards away, allowing
for the detection of threats long before they reach the fence line. This
paired with a slew-to-cue PTZ functionality allows for the earliest
possible detection without the need for human interference.
“Just because radars can outright replace many perimeter protection
solutions, doesn’t necessarily mean they always should,” Zussman
said. “Using radars as an effective tool alongside video surveillance,
video analytics and fence detection systems already in place
has been shown to yield impressive results.”
Overcoming Roadblocks
Like many other over-seas companies, introducing a brand to the
American market is always a challenge. With the majority of his experience
being with startups, Zussman has been game for the challenge,
seeking out those willing to try new technology and working to
highlight the benefits of the solution that Magos brings to the table.
Bringing this new technology to the market has been a true test of his
acquired long-term partnership building skills.
“It is important to find the early adopters, who will give radars a
try,” Zussman said. “Once they’ve tried it they are sold on the concept,
but it is finding those key players in each vertical that is always
a challenge.”
Despite these challenges Magos is optimistic about the future
of the security industry, especially the perimeter protection market.
While mega trends, such as AI and cloud technologies, take over the
security market Zussman sees smaller movements and changes in perimeter
security.
“Over the next few years, I think we will see more of a focus on
radars and thermal imaging solutions,” Zussman said. “As these technologies
become more affordable, there is nothing stopping consumers
from using high-grade equipment.”
With a group of passionate security professionals, Magos has
begun to emerge into the North American market while making a
name for itself among critical infrastructure and other large-scale
applications.
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of Security Today.