The Need for More Thermal Cameras for Airport Security

The Need for Thermal Cameras for Airport Security

Thermal cameras are becoming increasingly popular for airport protection

  • By Roy Israeli
  • Nov 13, 2018

Air traffic is on the rise. According to Airports Council International (ACI), passenger air traffic is expected to double in the next 15 years, to over 14 billion air travelers, thanks largely to major drivers of traffic growth through the Asia Pacific region.

To facilitate this growth, authorities are investing in bigger, more modern airports, with airport security at the top of the agenda. Regional, national and international airports are still considered to be prime targets for criminal and terrorist activity. Hence, securing the perimeters of airports is becoming a priority for numerous local, state and federal agencies. 

The importance of providing around-the-clock surveillance and monitoring of airport perimeters has been highlighted by the heinous acts that have been committed on airport grounds and onboard airplanes. Traditional CCTV cameras that are still widely used for perimeter protection at airports around the world require light to display a decent image. In addition, many of these cameras generate higher false alarm rates, despite the advancements in video analytic software. 

In response to these inherent limitations, thermal cameras are becoming increasingly popular for airport protection, both inside the perimeter and outside it. These cameras can operate in zero-light conditions as they are sensitive to heat and not light. Infrared cameras can provide true 24/7 coverage of the airport perimeter regardless of lighting or weather conditions. There are zero limitations when it comes to thermal imaging cameras. Any heat emitted by vehicles, equipment, infrastructure, individuals, animals or aircraft is easily picked up by the thermal cameras. The moment an anomaly is spotted, the appropriate response teams can be notified. 

With recent advancements in infrared technology, a thermal camera system can now provide unmatched image quality – better signal to noise ratio, a higher processing capability, better range and no false alarms. Thermal cameras can be also integrated with additional sensors such as radar systems to provide an extra layer of protection to the perimeter. No two airports are alike: the geographical location, local weather conditions, airport size and layout, daily traffic, and numerous other factors require a tailored solution that takes each airport’s specific security challenges into consideration. 

Therefore, thermal camera placement is based on all these factors. Cameras are placed at specific heights and distances to ensure that there are no gaps in perimeter coverage. A recommended perimeter protection layout will combine fixed, shorter range cameras with longer range PTZ camera systems that can provide 360-degree coverage, a few kilometers around the perimeter. These thermal cameras provide feasible solutions to meeting the security challenges faced by airports around the world.

About the Author

Roy Israeli is the marketing director of Opgal optronic Industries Ltd.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 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.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.