Dubai Airport Authority Chooses Genetec Omnicast to Manage Security Operations

  • Jul 21, 2015

Dubai Airport Authority has become one of the largest Omnicast installations in the world with a security infrastructure that includes almost 8,000 analog and IP cameras from different manufacturers’ cameras, third-party access control systems, and Barco video walls in multiple control rooms.

Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC). While Dubai International has been the main airline hub since 1960, welcoming over 68 million passengers per year and serves 260 destinations, upon completion, Al Maktoum International (which opened its doors to passengers in 2013) will become the largest airport in the world with an ultimate capacity of more than 160 million passengers annually.

When it comes to security and protecting the millions of passengers who frequent the airports every year, Dubai Airports require the very best security technology on the market. A decade ago, the organization sought to upgrade an existing closed-architecture analogue system, understanding before many other airports the value in an open-architecture IP-based video surveillance system.

Dubai Airports wanted to implement a more robust, user-friendly and scalable network-based platform that would be capable of handling over 1000 cameras, and accommodate its ambitious expansion plans. The new video surveillance system also had to be successfully implemented at other international airports. After much deliberation, Dubai Airports chose the Genetec Omnicast IP video surveillance for its proven ability to scale up to thousands of cameras, while maintaining high system availability.

Today, Dubai Airports has over 6,500 cameras on the Omnicast system at Dubai International and another 1,200 cameras at Al Maktoum International, which were gradually upgraded in three phases.

The flexibility of the open architecture video surveillance system has allowed Dubai Airports to preserve existing analog investments by simply adding IP encoders, while also installing newer IP camera models throughout the expansion. The most significant benefit of using Omnicast has been its ability to maintain the highest level of system availability.

Since each terminal and concourse has its own security team actively monitoring the cameras around the clock, the support for multicast streaming has been crucial to Dubai Airports. Multicasting helps to minimize network traffic and optimize bandwidth in installations where multiple users are accessing the same live video source. With a multicast transmission, operators actually connect to a multicast IP address of the video stream that is shared amongst all users. This adds another level of reliability to the system by ensuring the network is stable and optimized within this massive installation.

Because every subsystem has been installed independently, Dubai Airports have leveraged the Federation feature from Genetec to easily access any camera throughout the airports as if they were all part of a single system. From any workstation or control room, airport authorities with appropriate privileges can get a global view of their security operations, and handle live incidents with all video evidence at their fingertips.

With just under 8000 cameras to manage, and more expansion plans on the horizon, Dubai Airports is leveraging the interactive map-based interface called Plan Manager. Operators can quickly find cameras, change a camera’s field of view, or respond to alarms directly from a map of a specific terminal or concourse. This feature has significantly minimized the time and effort required by operators to find cameras, since they no longer have to memorize camera numbers or to search through long tree lists.

The open architecture of the Omnicast software has also enabled Dubai Airports to integrate with existing third-party access control systems. Access control events such as a door being forced open, access denied to a cardholder or a door remaining opened for too long, automatically prompt video of nearby cameras to display on screen. With this integration, operators have a comprehensive view of their surroundings, enabling a more efficient response and tighter control over restricted airport areas.

The intuitiveness and complete reliability of the 8,000-camera Omnicast system has assured Dubai Airports that its continued system expansion will never be limited.

“We have the flexibility and peace of mind to not only expand and customize our system at our own pace, but we are also able to provide our operators with the tools they need to vigilantly maintain the highest levels of safety and security within our airports,” explained a senior airport official.

(Read the full case study about Dubai Airport in the Genetec Client Case Study section here, on the Genetec website.)

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • 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.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.