Securing the Perimeter

Automated detection solutions prevent crime before loss occurs

Security technologies are valuable for their ability to deter criminal and illegal behavior. The visible addition of security cameras to highcrime areas reduces criminal activity significantly. But video surveillance isn’t the only valuable service or system that effectively reduces crime. The presence of security guards also limits illicit activity that leads to loss or damage, and regular visible patrols restrict the opportunity for violence.

Both solutions effectively prevent crime, but these methods have limits. Video surveillance is often not monitored in real time and, therefore, no one takes action to stop an incident before it occurs. At the same time, the role of a security guard has expanded, as officers are tasked with more duties on job sites than ever before.

Proprietary security teams engage security guards for a variety of tasks, including conducting regular patrols, greeting visitors, managing access identities and badges, and investigating suspicious incidents.

The increased purview makes it difficult for even the best-trained security guard to manage all tasks well.

Automated Perimeter Detection Solutions
The combination of security guard patrols and surveillance cameras is an ideal solution for perimeter security applications that can encompass miles of terrain. However, monitoring video and conducting patrols 24/7 is cost-prohibitive. Therefore, perimeter detection technologies that mimic the actions of a security guard are a cost-effective solution that can be used to prevent crime before it occurs. A system that engages in the same motions and movements of a security guard enables security teams to focus on more critical tasks and also acts as a force multiplier.

Automated perimeter detection solutions are developed on the idea that intelligent technologies can prevent and deter potential criminal activity before loss or damage occurs while decreasing response time.

These solutions can be used to enhance perimeter security and safety in the government, commercial, transportation, education and critical infrastructure markets, and in real-world applications they are proven to reduce criminal activity by as much as 90 percent in high-crime environments.

By leveraging advanced algorithms, automated perimeter detection systems automatically identify potentially dangerous targets within 700 feet and track objects to deter criminal behavior. Once it detects motion in a user-defined area, the system illuminates activity with a high-intensity LED light. It will then rotate to and from the activity zone. Once motion is no longer detected, it will conduct an area-wide search.

If it does not find additional movement, the system will conduct regular patrols of an area, scanning for unusual behavior. In this way, the system mimics the actions of a security guard to deter criminal behavior before loss or damage occurs. When integrated with IP or analog surveillance cameras, the solution captures valuable video evidence for forensic analysis.

Automated perimeter detection systems are designed to accurately detect targets in a wide range of outdoor environments.

Challenging the Perimeter
Vulnerability begins at a facility’s perimeter. The best chance of preventing a security breach is to deter and detect activity before loss or damage occurs. Yet many attempts at automated perimeter detection, such as with video analytics, are limited due to excessive false alarms and the challenges of outdoor conditions, including weather and other environmental factors. Automated perimeter detection solutions are reliable in all weather situations. They use robust exterior PIR sensors to detect activity and wirelessly report changes in that activity.

This solution is effective at preventing crime because of the inherent nature of its functionality. When a potential intruder realizes a guard has seen him, his reaction is to leave the scene before he is captured. Automated detection technologies have the same effect.

Once they detect movement in the area of protection and shine the high-intensity light, subjects retreat because they are aware they have been detected and that most of their actions have been, most likely, captured on video. The system’s capability to distinguish movement in a wide geographic area makes coverage effective and reliable. Because each environment offers unique challenges depending on its business processes and threat profiles, automated perimeter detection solutions have a customizable field of protection to enable users to define the size of the area the system searches. Furthermore, users also can customize the system’s automated tracking patterns, which are easy to adapt as a user’s risk profile changes.

The Combination of Security Staff and Technology
When guards are well trained and dedicated, they are an integral piece of a facility’s security program. Today, guards increasingly rely on the help of integrated security technologies to boost the benefits of regular security patrols. Technologies such as automated perimeter detection solutions enable guards to focus on critical tasks rather than patrolling areas with no visible threat. When a violent incident occurs, the combination of automated perimeter detection solutions and video surveillance provides better situational awareness, which enhances the safety of guards and emergency responders. The guard is then able to view video footage that corresponds with an event before deploying the correct level of response.

Automated perimeter detection systems are not meant to replace security guards; rather they are designed to augment their critical functions. Technologies such as this can be used to patrol a perimeter while guards are empowered to provide other valueadded security services. The combination of highly trained security officers with automated detection systems makes a facility safer, more secure and less vulnerable.

A Comprehensive Solution
An automated perimeter detection solution is an effective way to prevent crime and becomes a forensic tool when combined with video surveillance cameras.

The combined solution is then truly proactive and reactive, enabling security teams to stop activity and investigate the underlying cause. Remote video monitoring is another valuable option that enables users to monitor the solution from an offsite location.

Whatever additional capabilities are needed, a robust automated perimeter detection solution can be integrated with a variety of edge devices to provide a comprehensive, best-of-breed security solution that delivers immediate return-on-investment, reduces loss and enhances safety.

This article originally appeared in the June 2011 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • 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.