A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

Across the United States, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, truck yards, parking lots and car dealerships all have a common concern. They are targets for catalytic converters. In nearly every region, cases of catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported an increase of more than 300% in claims related to catalytic converters in a single year (2019 - 2020), and The Justice Department announced a “takedown [of a] nationwide catalytic converter theft ring” in November 2022.

Why is this happening? To put it simply, catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal, and the value of the metals has increased. Once removed, it can leave any vehicle owner shocked and with an unexpected bill for replacement. For the businesses, industries and areas previously mentioned – with numerous if not hundreds of vehicles at a single location – that worry multiplies along with associated costs.

Outside Looking In
Addressing this issue and many others starts from the outside looking in. In other words – the perimeter. Securing a perimeter, whether there is a physical boundary or not, requires an end-to-end solution. It is something that has the ability to deter criminal behaviors like theft, detect suspicious actions, record the activity and instantly notify a user or location when an event triggers. For perimeters, the technologies available are uniquely capable of doing this seamlessly, but that is not widely known, or understood. We can break it down by individual components, but the imperative part to remember is that perimeter protection (and security in general) is about connection between elements. 

When you look at equipment specifically, a perimeter is typically going to require a camera with a panoramic view or even complete 360 degrees. That sounds like multiple cameras, but there are singular options that provide ultra-wide fields of view, flexibility and software features customized to a location. Not only are these cameras extremely effective, but one device can perform the same work of many cameras, making them cost-efficient and less labor intensive.

Selecting the right camera for a perimeter includes deciding whether that camera has a single sensor or multiple sensors. Often a wider area will need a multi-sensor camera for complete coverage. These sensors can trigger a multitude of accessories for detecting motion, including illuminators like IR for recording, white lights to serve as a deterrent or speakers with voice-down capabilities.

Going beyond motion, IP cameras with intelligent video analytics have even greater detection capabilities and environmental analysis. Whether an intruder crosses an actual boundary (a fence) or a virtual tripwire (a laser), a camera can detect and classify a person or vehicle in real-time. For perimeters and other areas, the possibilities for detecting unwanted behaviors can become even more precise. For example, capture and be alerted to a removed object from a zone, know if a person or object is approaching the monitored zone even if it has not been crossed, or detect a person or object entering an area from a set direction. IVA and the enacted rules mean reduced false alarms and accurate reporting of true events to a user.

Recording an Event
It is a concurrent operation – detection, initiation of an event’s recording, and instant notice to a user on a single mobile device or an entire monitoring center. Therefore, the video management solution is crucial to making it a smooth application, end-to-end. A video management solution should be scalable, provide accurate storage and fail-over actions, and allow management of the events and rules. It should simply provide real-time alerts, log files, live video, and recorded footage for review.

When integrated with specific products, the video analysis side can expand or include advanced AI at the server level to improve the detection of perimeter crossings. As this is the main interface for most end-users, it is essential that it is user-friendly across industries.

There is not always a positive connotation surrounding the topic of perimeter security. It is possible that it evokes the concerns of thefts and intrusions, especially for those who have or could be impacted by catalytic converter thefts. However, it is also possible that the reaction comes from the unknown; thinking that a perimeter system may sound complex or unattainable in certain industries or markets. That is certainly not the case.

It starts by learning that the right solution is more than one application. It is how components synchronize, scale and integrate with other parts. If a perimeter alarm occurs, there should be an instant ability to detect motion, light the scene, and quickly view the location. Sending an automatic and accurate notification provides quick results and action at a site. Perimeter protection, and many other forms of security, bring multiple technologies and software together. They function as one in a powerful and cohesive system that is excellent for any industry’s peace of mind.

This article originally appeared in the March / April 2023 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

New Products

  • 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.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities