Surveillance & Security News for December 2005

Many financial institutions today still use time-lapse VCRs or first-generation DVRs for lobby, teller line and ATM surveillance and monitoring. Inconsistent recording, questionable reliability, limited  remote access, VCR and videotape management, and time-consuming searches are just some of the issues faced when trying to use this video evidence for important functions like dispute resolution and security investigations.  When it comes to securing people, property, and assets, f...

There hasn't been one instance of attempted break-in at Ricardo since the installation of the PowerFence™ system in 1998. The Gallagher PowerFence™ system has worked for Ricardo Consulting Engineers.  In Sabine's words, "It's absolutely brilliant". For over 80 years the Ricardo Group has been a world authority in the research, design, and development of automotive power train and vehicle systems.  Today, their expertise covers gasoline, diesel and gaseous-fueled engines...

The Challenge The company provides specialist aviation services to regional airlines, business and commercial aviation companies, including fueling, ground handling, maintenance and fuel purchasing.  The operation manages in excess of 13,000 air traffic movements annually - comprehensive and reliable security is therefore a major requirement. Martin Gould of system installers CAMS Fire & Security PLC explains: "The new aviation hangar has allowed the flight support operator to meet in...

“The Port of Galveston relies on Verint’s Networked Video Solution to enable security personnel to monitor unauthorized movement, security breaches and sea traffic 24 hours a day, even in low light.” -- Steve Cernak, Port Director, Port of Galveston. Steve Cernak knows that, in many ways, his port is an open door, welcoming industry and visitors into the U.S. But in today’s climate of heightened awareness, Cernak and directors of ports on coasts throughout the world are...

Welcome to the very first edition of what I hope will be a regular fortnightly column, giving me the opportunity to offer my own unique perspective on the key security issues of the day across the globe. To start things off I want to give you a flavour of what you can expect in the weeks and months ahead from ‘Words of Wiseberg’. The security sector has to be one of the most innovative and fast moving areas in which to do business and I believe that this column should reflect the ind...

Continental Airlines, the 5th largest airline in the United States, manages thousands of take-offs and landings every day of the year.  The company’s headquarters is located in Houston with hub airports in that city as well as in Newark and Cleveland.  Aside from labor costs, an airline’s biggest expense is fuel.  In recent months, as fuel costs have skyrocketed, the efficient scheduling and management of every aircraft has taken on increased importance because of th...

Gallaudet University is the world’s only university offering exemplary educational programs to deaf and hard of hearing students at all learning levels.  Their programs span from serving infants and their parents and continue through middle and high school.  Bachelor degrees are offered and undergraduate students also have the option of designing their own majors through a self-directed study program.  Additionally, graduate programs and doctoral degrees are offered in a var...

The Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is a comprehensive research base with its main efforts focused on high energy physics, R&D of advanced accelerator technologies, advanced synchrotron radiation technologies and applications.  Taking advantage of the multi-disciplinary research, IHEP carries out the development of new technologies and high tech products with sophisticated science and technologies like radio frequency, UHV, microwave, preci...

City of Los Angeles public offices and employees are located in hundreds of buildings throughout the city including the Civic Center Complex -- which is comprised of Historic City Hall, City Hall East, City Hall South and the Los Angeles Mall -- as well as many other facilities across the greater Los Angeles area.  The city’s General Services Department (GSD) manages these facilities, equipment, supplies, security, communication,   maintenance and other support services for...

Murcia University in southeast Spain, founded in 1915, is the tenth-oldest university in the country. And while history and tradition are important characteristics that define the institution, the latest technology systems are required to support the approximately 30,000 students enrolled each year.  One such system is the fleet of buses that transports students around the university and between its two campuses. Challenge Murcia University’s bus fleet is owned and operated by Autocar...

School buses are the safest vehicles on the road – 70 times safer than cars, light trucks and vans. Yet an average of 33 school-aged children are killed each year in bus-related accidents in the United States; the majority of those deaths occur in the “danger zone,” the 10-foot area surrounding the bus, because of passing motorists who disregard a bus’ stop arm. Spencer Community School District, located in northwestern Iowa and serving more than 2,400 students, is one of...

The Challenge The Georgian Town Palace located in the heart of the City of London plays host to ceremonial banquets and international dignitaries visiting the capital.  As a high profile venue, its security facilities need to be of the highest standard.  Therefore, the managing authority for Mansion House - the Corporation of London - specified three Digital Sprite digital multiplex recorders.  Installers, Classic Security Solutions has implemented the upgrade, along with the inst...

The ChallengeA major university campus in London has invested in a significant overhaul of its security, centred around digital multiplexing technology from Dedicated Micros.  The university has seven city centre sites spread over almost three miles.  A growth in drug related crime in the nearby Kings Cross area prompted the university to reconsider its security arrangements in conjunction with IDS, specialists in digital CCTV technology.  The Solution IDS considered a number of p...

The ChallengeThe University of Oxford Security Services department has invested in a major overhaul of its CCTV system and upgraded to a networked digital system controlled by Dedicated Micros multiplexers.Four BX2 multiplexers support 60 cameras, which have been upgraded to digital to keep a watchful eye on the University estate that includes some of Britain's most valued historic buildings and museums such as the Radcliffe Camera, Sheldonian Theatre and the Bodleian Library.Demands on the anal...

The Challenge The latest newcomer to Manchester's renowned clubbing scene has installed a networked digital CCTV system to offer both top-of-the-range security coverage and live networked images of clubbers across the venue's three entertainment levels. Lucid, a prestigious city centre nightclub and host to celebrity clientele including Westlife and Naomi Campbell, brings a unique 24/7 entertainment concept to Manchester and is backed by Richard Branson.  Based in the Printworks entertainme...

The Challenge In November, the club hosted the MTV TRL (Total Request Live) Chart Show, a live, daily chart countdown show, featuring exclusive interviews and performances from A-list music and showbiz celebrities. Located in a converted church in Leith just outside of Edinburgh, the Commplex is a 450 capacity multifunctional venue, split onto two levels and host to various club nights and live bands, as well as weddings and corporate events. TRL was broadcast live from the Commplex, a stone's t...

The ChallengeBradford's popular National Museum of Film and Photography has had a security facelift with the introduction of new networkable digital CCTV from Dedicated Micros. The museum is the only one of its kind in the UK and contains some valuable and unique exhibits.  Security proved a key area to address during a recent relaunch and refurbishment.Faced with growing video tape management issues and problems with picture quality, museum management called in John Archbold, sales consult...

Bank One is the nation's sixth-largest bank holding company, with more than 1,000 banking centers and business offices in 23 states and multiple countries.  Much of the company's growth has come as a result of mergers and acquisitions, which have also resulted in a mix of video surveillance systems.   Surveillance systems at some of the acquired locations had been in operation for more than 20 years, and some sites still used film cameras.  Other locations possessed the lates...

Barclaycard are Europe's leading credit card issuer, with approximately 11 million cards in circulation worldwide.   At present, one in every five credit cards in the UK is a Barclaycard and there are currently 8.4 million UK users.  Barclaycard is accepted in over 22 million locations spanning more than 200 countries and there are currently 600,000 ATMs and banks available to Barclaycard customers.  Barclaycard were established in 1966 as the UK's first credit card. In...

The International Ship and Port Facility Code has imposed some of the most extensive security reforms and conditions seen in any sector since 9/11.  Great Yarmouth Dock has responded to the Code by installing CCTV systems at the heart of which are digital video recorders manufactured by Videoswitch.If the Videoswitch VDC digital recorders had been at Great Yarmouth in 1798 they would have recorded footage of Rear Admiral Nelson returning after his victories at Aboukir Bay and Cape St V...

The ChallengeWhen Medway Borough Council was seeking a cost-effective way to monitor schools across the borough out-of-hours, they consulted CCTV experts TJW Electrical.  An innovative solution was developed by TJW's IT consultant based on Dedicated Micros' DS2 multiplexers. Steve Craddock at TJW explains: "This installation would formerly have required setting up a bespoke network based on miles of fibre optic cabling, the costs of which would run into hundreds of thousands of pounds....

The ClientThe World Series of Poker is the oldest and most prestigious poker tournament and in 2005, it was the biggest it has ever been.  More than 32,000 participants took part in the three-week summer tournament at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with more than $52 million in prize money at stake.The SituationThe Rio's team of three hard-working technicians and Honeywell's field support team faced several challenges in installing and integrating the World Series of Poker...

Finishing our two-part look at the Government's ‘partial regulatory impact assessment' on the SIA's approved contractor scheme (ACS). The document does say that among the SIA's aim is “to strengthen the extended police family by encouraging and supporting further engagement of the private security industry.  The scheme could be a key contributor in helping the police to tackle crime and disorder and reducing the fear of crime.” It does not go into more detail.  The do...

The ChallengeCambridge University's Wolfson College has completed a major upgrade of its campus security system. Dubbed 'the most cosmopolitan college in Cambridge', Wolfson was the first college to be established for both men and women.  It has over 700 students, most of whom are post-graduate students with a focus on research and scholarship.Following a freak accident last summer when lightening struck at the heart of the previous surveillance system, the college was looking at more cost-...

 The ChallengeOne of Scotland's leading tourist attractions, the Falkirk Wheel, has used its networked security system to help reduce customer queuing time and improve their visitors' experience of the day - as well as increase security.The world's only rotating boat lift and the centrepiece of the 85M Millennium Link restoration project, the Falkirk Wheel joins canals from the east to west coasts of Scotland, bridging two water levels that are 35 metres apart.Paul Bettison of Fairfield Con...

There are big changes happening out there, and there will be big winners and big losers in the security industry, Prof Martin Gill told audiences at the recent Norbain LIVE! roadshows. In his words: are you up for it? Martin Gill's first words set the tone: “One thing is certain; we are in a period of change. Some people will be winners and will win a lot; and some will be losers and will lose a lot. The winners and losers are being decided now.”  Security Industry Authority r...

Europe’s premier IP networked security event ‘IIPSEC 2006’ due to be held in Coventry (UK) on the 24-26th January 2006 report an increase in overseas support for the show from countries such as Taiwan, Korea, China, India, Germany, Spain, Holland and the USA. Commenting on the increased interest to exhibit event director Kevin Fagan said “In the last month we have been inundated with enquiries from almost all corners of the globe concerning the show.  Everyone it see...

Axis Communications and HP announced today that they will partner to deliver a network scanning solution for small & medium-sized businesses (SMB).  The HP Scanjet 7650n Network Scanner is an out-of-the box solution consisting of the AXIS 70U Network Document Server and the HP Scanjet 7650 Document Flatbed Scanner.  The HP Scanjet 7650n Network Scanner is the ideal business document communicator and fax replacement for the specific needs of SMBs.  The total value of this...

The Board of Croma, the specialists in the design, development and production of overt and covert surveillance, security and defence related products, is pleased to announce that following the announcement on 1 December of its final results to June 2005, and the exchange of contracts for the first of two acquisitions, the Company has now exchanged conditional contracts for the second of the two proposed acquisitions.  This exchange allows it to adopt further due diligence on the target comp...

The first people-counter in the new Vista Vi-Count range is now available, providing an easy and cost-effective means of gathering vital intelligence about trends and usage in all kinds of situations. The Vista Vi-Count Lite (VIC22L) unit is an advanced system which uses standard CCTV cameras to count people.  It obtains both ‘in’ and ‘out’ counts for two cameras, each covering up to two ‘lanes’, such as doors.  Accuracy is extremely high - up to 95%...