Maritime surveillance

One of the keys to averting cyber-attacks on critical transportation infrastructure, such as 2016’s ransomware attack on San Francisco’s transit network, lies in industry-wide collaboration, according to security experts working for some of North America’s most well-known transit organizations. Transport Security World canvassed the opinion of executives, all of whom agreed that working together could put the brakes on attacks that can bring transportation to its knees. Among those contacted by Transport Security World include Stephen Covey, chief of police and chief security officer of Canadian National Railway, CN Railway, who said that the success or failure of keeping North America’s critical transportation infrastructure secure largely depended upon “the level of collaboration and shared responsibility of government, industry and the public. All three contributors,” maintained Covey, “are equally important and only by working together can they make a difference.”With rapid digitization, security shouldn’t just be a priority for CISO’s but should also be on the minds of all heads of departments Prioritizing Security Concerning maritime security, David Espie, director of security at Maryland Port Administration, said “Sound maritime security requires local, State and federal assets and cooperation to ensure a strong landside and waterside security defence mechanism.” Echoing this point, Bob Gauvin, director of counter piracy policy at the US Coast Guard, said: “Layered security and coordinated governance in maritime allows for the most effective abilities of states to work in alliance against ever-changing threats.” With rapid digitization, what is clear is that security shouldn’t just be a priority for CISO’s – it should also be on the minds of all heads of departments. Deborah Wheeler, chief information security officer at Delta Airlines, was clear over her employer’s priorities. “Working across Delta as we face the challenges of a highly connected airline and highly connected customers. It’s bigger than one team,” she told Transport Security World. Security Best Practices In addition to aiding collaboration between the transportation industry and government, company, customer and internal departments, here at Transport Security World, we’re also trying to foster partnerships between different transportation verticals. That’s why we’re organizing Transport Security and Safety Expo 2018 in Washington D.C. Taking place on June 11-12, 2018, the event brings together security and safety professionals across aviation, maritime, rail, highway, haulage and industry suppliers to share best practice and improve standards. The packed agenda will offer the opportunity to hear from, and meet, some of the big players in the transportation industry.

Wren enclosures are another important option Arecont Vision customers can now employ with confidence Arecont Vision, a provider of IP-based megapixel camera technology, announced that Wren Solutions, a developer of innovative camera housings and accessories, has joined the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program. Multiple Arecont Vision cameras are certified with Wren Solution housings. Stainless-Steel Camera Housings “We are excited to further develop our partnership with Arecont Vision,” said Andrew Wren, President of Wren Solutions. “Our business has been built on understanding customer needs and finding unique ways to solve their problems with our innovative products. This partnership will allow Arecont and Wren to work together to bring new solutions to the market—with our stainless-steel housings serving as a great example of both companies working together to serve our customers.” Wren Solutions has a 30-year history of developing products that solve specific problems for a variety of vertical markets, including industrial, transportation, marine, food processing, retail, banking, and education. With in-house design teams and on-site fabrication capabilities, Wren takes market feedback from idea to product in a short time. Multi-Sensor Megapixel Camera Technology Arecont Vision is a provider of single- and multi-sensor megapixel camera technology, designed and manufactured in the USA. Since introducing the industry’s first megapixel cameras in 2004 and first multi-sensor cameras in 2006, Arecont Vision cameras have been customer proven around the world for use day or night and in and outdoors, with high performance and outstanding reliability. Wren enclosures are another important option Arecont Vision customers can now employ with confidence. “We are very pleased to have Wren solutions as part of the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program,” said Jason Schimpf, Director of Marketing Programs, Arecont Vision. “The Wren stainless steel dome enclosures enable our customers to take full advantage of excellent image quality delivered by Arecont Vision cameras in harsh areas like extreme moisture or corrosive environments. Customers can feel confident in the solution when they pick Arecont Vision cameras that are certified with Wren’s housings.” Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program Through the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program, sales, development, and support contacts are established between the two companies to better engage with end user customers and integrators, integrate new features and technology, and quickly resolve any customer support issues. A growing number of customers are already benefiting from integrated Arecont Vision and Wren Solutions.

At ASIS 2016, Pelco will discuss its focus on delivering technologies based on open standards and their integration Pelco by Schneider Electric, a provider of intelligent video surveillance and security management platforms, will highlight its full suite of advanced solutions designed to solve the safety and business challenges of today’s enterprise organizations during next month’s ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits, being held on September 12-15, in Orlando, Florida, at Booth #2300.Trusted by a wide variety of airports, seaports, critical infrastructure sites, casinos, and cities across the globe, Pelco technologies assist users in achieving more robust security levels through multi-departmental and agency cooperation. The company’s Sarix Enhanced Next Generation Camera delivers the best possible image in difficult lighting conditions such as a combination of bright areas, shaded areas, and intense light, while the new ExSite Explosion-Proof Camera enables the capture of high-quality video in a variety of challenging and volatile environments, such as oil and gas production sites, marine applications, and hazardous materials plants, to allow more informed, efficient incident response. These powerful video cameras can also be a powerful tool to monitor operational issues in remote locations.VideoXpert Security Management PlatformAdvanced security management platforms, such as VideoXpert, help users identify the most relevant security data to elevate the effectiveness of video monitoring and reporting. When combined, Pelco solutions streamline usability and let operators focus on the most critical incoming information to efficiently and proactively address a wide variety of security situations. "Our team is focused onhelping end customersmitigate risk, ensure robustsecurity and safety levelsare maximized" “As a growing airport, we constantly examine the solutions we have in place and look at ways to improve how we conduct investigations, provide operators with a greater amount of situational awareness, and streamline business operations,” said Joe Maskovich, City of Fresno Airports Chief of Public Safety. “Our systems are a work in progress, and we’re glad to have a partner like Pelco that will help us be successful.” Open Standards And Integrated TechnologiesAt ASIS, Pelco will also discuss its focus on delivering technologies based on open standards and to easily integrate with other surveillance devices, analytics, and various third-party tools that contribute to a cohesive security posture. Open platforms are critical to today’s modern organizations and have the ability to support other systems outside of security (i.e. radar systems, IT network access and building management), which ensures technology investments will continue to be highly valuable in the future.“Pelco solutions enable more intelligent and informed decisions for enterprises across the globe,” said Sharad Shekhar, CEO, Pelco. “Our team is focused on helping end customers mitigate risk, ensure robust security and safety levels are maximized and propel collaboration that drives new value across organizations.”New Technology OfferingsPelco technical leaders will provide interactive demonstrations of its full suite of solutions, including VideoXpert Video Management System (VMS), the Sarix Enhanced Next Generation Camera Range, Optera Panoramic Cameras, and a preview of the ExSite Explosion-Proof Camera Line.VideoXpert continues to offer end users the power to gather and analyze critical security, video, and operational data for quick decision-making in the event of an emergency. The open platform offers users the flexibility to integrate with third-party systems, or seamlessly add Pelco technology, such as the Optera Panoramic cameras to achieve new levels of situational awareness or the Sarix Enhanced Next Generation Camera Range to experience high-quality images in low-light conditions.Available in early 2017, the ExSite Explosion-Proof Camera Line will be previewed to allow end users in the petrochemical, marine, port, and hazardous materials environments the ability to view its advanced IR illumination, high-quality images and see for themselves its tough form factor in person. Save Save

Boson offers the widest range of features and lens choices for FLIR's OEM customers FLIR Systems, Inc. announced Boson, its smallest, lightest, and least power-consuming, high-performance uncooled thermal camera for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Sized between FLIR's Tau and Lepton camera cores, Boson is the first thermal camera core to incorporate a sophisticated, low-power multi-core vision processor running FLIR XIR expandable infrared video processing architecture.High-Resolution Thermal ImagingBoson features a high sensitivity 12-micron pixel pitch detector that provides high-resolution thermal imaging in a small, low power, lightweight, turnkey package. It also offers several levels of video processing with inputs and processing for other sensors including visible CMOS imaging sensors, global positioning systems (GPSs), and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Additionally, FLIR XIR provides OEM customers with a suite of advanced image processing features including, super resolution algorithms, sophisticated noise reduction filters, local area contrast enhancement, and image blending.Offered in 320 x 256 and 640 x 512 formats with 15 field-of-view options, Boson offers the widest range of features and lens choices for FLIR's OEM customers. Boson also supports common interfaces for displays, storage devices, and data communication. OEMs can also leverage FLIR's Solution Accelerator to develop product solutions for key market verticals including firefighting, automotive, maritime, hunting, UAS, and military.High Performance Sensing"Boson represents a significant advancement in size, weight, power, and cost for small high-performance microbolometer-based cameras," said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR. "As the market demand for affordable and smaller sized camera cores strengthens, we continue to drive technical breakthroughs that enable high performance sensing at lower costs to produce. We're excited to introduce Boson into our family of cores and to offer a broader range of configuration options to OEMs that will help them expedite development and lower their cost-to-market."FLIR will first showcase Boson at the SPIE Defense and Commercial Sensing Conference in Baltimore, Maryland in booth 822. Save

Replacing interim CFO Dave Muessle, Mr. Singhi will oversee FLIR's global finance organization FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that Amit Singhi has joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, replacing interim CFO Dave Muessle, who will remain Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer. Reporting to CEO Andy Teich, Mr. Singhi will oversee FLIR's global finance organization, with responsibility over financial management, reporting, controls, planning, and strategy. Past Achievements Mr. Singhi most recently led the finance organization of Ford Motor Company's Global Customer Service Division. Previously, Mr. Singhi was CFO of Ford South America which was preceded by several global finance, operational, and R&D positions at Ford and General Motors. He holds an M.B.A. and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering Systems from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelors of Technology in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology. "We are very excited that Amit is joining our team. He is a proven executive with strong skills in financial operations, organizational leadership, international business, and tactical execution for a global industry leader," said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR. "I am confident Amit will make meaningful contributions to FLIR's performance and results while being a key partner in further developing our financial, operational, and product strategies. I also want to thank Dave Muessle for his commitment to the business and his financial leadership during our search for a new CFO."

Security segment revenue was $60 million, an increase of 34% over the second quarter results last year FLIR Systems, Inc. recently announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015. Revenue was $393 million, up 6% compared to second quarter 2014 revenue of $369.4 million. On a constant-currency basis, revenue for the second quarter was up 12% compared to the prior year, as foreign currency exchange fluctuations negatively impacted revenue by approximately $20 million. Operating income in the second quarter was $70.5 million, compared to $59.4 million in the second quarter of 2014. Operating income was impacted by pretax charges related to previously-announced restructuring initiatives of $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $3.5 million in the second quarter of 2014. Second quarter 2015 net income was $50.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared with net income of $44.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share in the second quarter a year ago. Net income was impacted by after-tax restructuring charges of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $2.7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2014. Cash provided by operations in the second quarter of 2015 was $48.9 million. The Surveillance segment contributed $107.8 million of revenue during the second quarter, down 5% from the prior year. The Instruments segment had $90.3 million of revenue, up 7% versus the prior year, and was negatively impacted by foreign currency exchange fluctuations by approximately $7 million. FLIR's OEM & Emerging Markets segment recorded revenue of $46.3 million in the second quarter, down 9% from the prior year. Revenue from the Maritime segment was $52 million, down 6% from the second quarter of 2014, and was negatively impacted by foreign currency exchange fluctuations by approximately $7 million. Security segment revenue was $60 million, an increase of 34% over the second quarter results last year. The Detection segment contributed $36.5 million of revenue, an increase of 77% from the prior year. "With currency-neutral revenue growth of approximately 7% and EPS growth of 35%, we have been successful in executing on our strategies in the first half of 2015," said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR. "Innovations in many of our commercial markets have driven broader adoption of our thermal and other sensing technologies. FLIR's commercially-developed, military qualified (CDMQ) model continues to be a positive differentiator in our government and military markets while our restructuring initiatives have proven very beneficial from a profitability standpoint. We look forward to continuing this momentum into the second half of 2015." FLIR's backlog of firm orders for delivery within the next twelve months was approximately $536 million as of June 30, 2015, a decrease of $21 million, or 4%, during the quarter and a decrease of $12 million, or 2%, from the second quarter of 2014. Revenue And Earnings Outlook For 2015 Based on financial results for the first half of 2015 and the outlook for the remainder of the year, FLIR continues to expect revenue for the full year 2015 to be in the range of $1.55 billion to $1.6 billion and net earnings, excluding restructuring charges, to be in the range of $1.60 to $1.70 per diluted share. Dividend Declaration FLIR's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share on FLIR common stock, payable September 4, 2015, to shareholders of record as of close of business on August 21, 2015. Conference Call FLIR has scheduled a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET (5:00 a.m. PT) to discuss its results for the quarter. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call and the accompanying summary presentation may be accessed online from a link in the Events & Presentations section of www.FLIR.com/investor. A replay will be available after 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT) at this same internet address.

As the technology in omnidirectional cameras continues to improve, they are becoming increasingly more affordable to a wider segment of the video surveillance market Just a few years ago, omnidirectional cameras were a novelty. Today, however, this technology has taken the leap to the mainstream. Think about how ubiquitous Google’s Street View is, and you can gain a better idea of the power of omnidirectional cameras. Even consumers are starting to see many forms of omnidirectional cameras, from 360-degree lenses on SLRs to 360-degree video from action cameras. To that end, 360-degree cameras represent one of the strongest areas of growth in surveillance technology, with global unit shipments forecasted by IHS to increase by more than 60 percent year-on-year. Omnidirectional Vs. Traditional Cameras  Both 360- and 180-degree surveillance cameras offer panoramic views, helping reduce the number of traditional narrow field-of-view cameras needed in a single installation. Omnidirectional cameras can also be used in concert with PTZ cameras, or replace them entirely depending on the application. Not only does this help increase situational awareness, it decreases the overall cost of the cameras, installation and maintenance. Compared to PTZ cameras, omnidirectional cameras have the advantage of being able to pan, tilt and zoom around in both live, as well as stored video, which means operators can pinpoint problems in real-time, ensuring incidents can be resolved quickly and efficiently, and at the same time, go back to stored 360-degree video to conduct investigations. The option for 180- and 360-degree coverage from a single camera is delivered via a specialized lens on one sensor or a camera that integrates with multiple sensors with conventional lenses aligned to provide an ultra-wide-angle coverage. Single-lens or “fisheye” cameras use a specialized lens called a fisheye lens, which, when compared to a conventional lens, employs different optical design techniques that can lead to the distortion of the captured image when viewing beyond a 90-degree horizontal field-of-view. With this, “barrel distortion” can occur, where a circular image is created and a straight line within the captured image appears curved. ‘Dewarping’ software has to be used to correct this optical illusion. As a consequence of lens design idiosyncrasies in 180- and 360-degree fisheye cameras, either an oval or circular shaped imaged is created. Since image sensors used in surveillance cameras are square or rectangular, some parts of the sensor are not used. Increasingly Affordable Solutions As the technology in these types of cameras continues to improve, they are becoming increasingly more affordable to a wider segment of the video surveillance market. Similarly, higher resolutions and more affordable storage for video data make it more affordable to get increased amounts of coverage and detail at the same time. As mentioned previously, cost savings can also be realised when a single 360-degree camera replaces three to four fixed cameras, a result that can be recreated in other areas or departments within an organization to help realize additional cost savings. Fisheye Vs. Multi-Sensor Fisheye and multi-sensor cameras both create panoramic images, but do so in very different ways. Fisheye cameras capture the whole scene in a single view without having to stitch images, so the full view of the captured video footage has consistent brightness, sharpness and contrast across the entire scene. Fisheye cameras also offer a number of other benefits: higher reliability as a result of a single sensor, camera and lens arrangement; no blind spots; fixed focus, making installation quicker; lower cost; and a smaller, less obtrusive form factor. Additionally, the dewarping of the image is carried out in the video management system or network video recorder, allowing for higher frame rates at any given bandwidth.   Omnidirectional cameras can pan, tilt and zoom around in both live and stored video, which means operators can pinpoint problems in real-time  However, fisheye cameras may have fewer pixels per foot, depending on the total resolution, and these types of cameras require client-side dewarping to gain the full benefits of retrospective image adjustment – that is, dewarping of stored video for investigations. Multi-sensor cameras, on the other hand, may offer a higher total resolution depending on the individual resolution of each of the sensors within the camera. Here, dewarping is not required since each sensor is, in essence, a narrow field-of-view camera. Multi-sensor cameras, however, have more than one sensor, which can lead to an overall higher maintenance costs, and with four or more cameras needed to cover a specific area, there is an increased risk that one or more of the sensors can malfunction — in essence, lower reliability. Installation of multi-sensor cameras is also more complicated and more time-intensive. Additionally, the units themselves can be large and bulky, and complex to operator and manage — each view has to be stitched together, which means captured images have to be carefully calibrated with the correct brightness, color, contrast and sharpness for the image to be as clear and seamless as it needs to be for viewing and evidentiary purposes. Other possible considerations include: additional licensing fees for each camera connected to an NVR or VMS, total frame rate is generally lower and bandwidth usage will be high. Also, storage costs are higher. As businesses look to increase situational awareness by investing in omnidirectional cameras, it’s important to carefully evaluate the technology being implemented and various options before moving forward with an implementation Dewarping Images If a camera sends a 360-degree image, the VMS software has to dewarp the image so that users can get normal views while electronically PTZ’ing around in the image. This is called “client-side” dewarping. With client-side dewarping, images can be dewarped retrospectively — that is, stored video can be dewarped, enabling users to forensically analyze a scene after the fact. The result is that investigations can be carried on as if the video were being watched in real time, making the data indispensable to investigators examining the details of a crime or security breach. Not only does this approach deliver new levels of situational awareness, but it also allows officials to use the data to examine additional areas of interest. The virtual PTZ function can only be experienced via client-side dewarping for stored video, and it can also be run on still images. Additionally, different parts of the image might be useful for different applications that are hard to predict in advance. For example, a merchandiser may want to zoom in and look at signage or an end cap after the fact to gain better insight into the business. Client-side dewarping may also be run on mobile devices, on either live or on stored video. One challenge of client-side dewarping is that VMS and NVR platforms have to support this function. There are already a large number of platforms that support this functionality because of end user demand. On the other hand, camera-side dewarping does not require a VMS/NVR platform to integrate this function. Camera-side dewarping means you can only virtually PTZ around in a live scene, which is the same as using a motorized PTZ camera – and this function requires an operator to manually navigate and record what the camera sees. Once these views are fixed, a user may only see those views in stored footage, severely limiting the possibility of being able to capture a wider scene for analysis. This means there may be more blind spots in live and stored video depending on how the views are configured. Evaluating Technology Implemented As businesses look to increase situational awareness by investing in omnidirectional cameras, it’s important to carefully evaluate the technology being implemented and various options before moving forward with an implementation. There are a number of pros and cons to dewarping software and the views within the cameras to consider. But, with higher resolutions and more efficient dewarping/stitching technologies, omnidirectional cameras may soon replace narrow field-of-view and PTZ cameras in a number of vertical markets, including transportation, retail, education, banking and finance, maritime, leisure and gaming, ushering in a new era of total situational awareness with a wealth of data and insight yet untapped.

Thermal video analytics identify intruders despite background water movement or glare off the water There are more than 300 ports in the U.S. maritime system, representing a major point of vulnerability that could have potentially devastating effects on the US economy. Securing the nation's ports is essential, and port perimeter security is the first line of defense against disruption to global commerce. In this article, SightLogix CEO, John Romanowich, explains how thermal cameras with video analytics have become a best-of-breed solution for port perimeter security.                                                      Ports cover large geographic areas that include vast and varied perimeters that are not capable of being secured the typical way. For example, fences aren't feasible for the waterside segment of a perimeter. Physical barriers also do not provide the necessary situational awareness over the large areas typical for a port setting. Additional elements that impact port security include: Location – Ports are often adjacent to public areas or neighborhoods where pedestrian intruders represent both security and safety threats. Some ports are located near densely populated urban areas, requiring security to carefully monitor and restrict perimeter access. Environment – Challenges of climate, weather and large areas of coverage pose additional difficulties for ports and maritime applications. Port security personnel must be alerted immediately when a breach in security occurs to allow them to respond in a timely and effective manner.  Outdoor systems must provide overall situational awareness, including the accurate size, location and nature of an event as it unfolds, while avoiding nuisance alarms. Lighting is often poor or unavailable along extensive port perimeters due to cost and lack of infrastructure. Threats Include the wide range of possible risks that ports are susceptible to, from theft to vandalism to sabotage. Port security covers a gamut of applications, including rail security, electrical yard protection and chemical safety. Thermal Cameras as a Technology Solution When it comes to protecting the port perimeter, technologies such as thermal cameras and outdoor video analytics address the particular needs of the port environment and serve as a critical first line of defense Achieving security awareness around port perimeters comes down to timely, credible alerts with detail to respond. Knowing the nature and location of an intrusion is the key to mounting an effective response. Smart thermal cameras operate day or night, and can “see” what the eye would miss, even over large outdoor areas in complete darkness. Recent advances in thermal camera image processing have expanded their traditional role as “night vision” cameras to 24-hour perimeter security solutions, making them an excellent choice for solving port security challenges. Thermal cameras that have substantially more on-board image processing accurately detect the presence of unauthorized persons anywhere across site perimeters, enclaves, and isolated outdoor assets, while filtering the effects of environmental elements. Smart cameras with sufficient processing can provide accurate detection over large areas, regardless of wind, weather or the movement of small animals, trees or blowing trash. Thermal cameras can also accurately discriminate legitimate targets from extraneous motion, while presenting very clear details about the scene. In a port perimeter application, thermal video analytics can identify intruders despite background water movement or glare off the water. Economics are important when securing large outdoor areas Thermal cameras can also geo-register their field-of-view to GPS coordinates. This allows the analytics to make accurate determinations regarding target location, size, bearing and speed, critical details for securing large areas like ports. Such geo-registration can be used to display a target’s precise location against a topology map of the port to pinpoint the location of an intrusion in real time. The same information can be used to automatically steer a PTZ camera to zoom and follow detected targets for making fast response decisions. Economics are important when securing large outdoor areas such as port perimeters, especially given the tight budgets many port operators have to work with. Outdoor surveillance involves additional infrastructure costs, including construction, trenching, camera poles, network connectivity, video display and storage. New thermal analytic cameras can operate at twice the distance and cover four times the area, creating a larger buffer zone for early detection of intruders, along with a direct economic benefit: fewer thermal analytic cameras are needed to protect the same location, lowering overall costs accordingly. The First Line of Defense The economic impact of the nation’s ports, and of ports around the world, is a good indicator of the importance of providing proper maritime security. Clearly, a lot is at stake as port management and local, state and federal governments evaluate the best security technologies to protect these important assets. When it comes to protecting the port perimeter, technologies such as thermal cameras and outdoor video analytics address the particular needs of the port environment and serve as a critical first line of defense.

Videotec has extended its range of cameras that include the new DELUX imaging and encoding technology. It can now be found in models designed for surveillance in the Marine and Oil & Gas sectors, and significantly improves the day and night vision and competitiveness of these products.  DELUX Imaging And Encoding Technology After recently being integrated into the ULISSE COMPACT PTZ, DELUX technology is now available across the IP, PTZ and fixed cameras of the ex-proof and Marine lines, namely the MAXIMUS MPX, MVX AND NXPTZ. These models are well regarded on the market for their high-performance levels and operational efficiency in extreme environments and where there is a risk of explosion. DELUX technology brings increased light sensitivity, which means the cameras deliver very high-quality vision during the day or night, with clear high-definition images and incredibly well-defined colours – even in very low light conditions. The improved precision and image clarity provides immediate added value to outdoor surveillance applications Day/Night Surveillance The improved precision and image clarity provides immediate added value to outdoor surveillance applications, especially in sensitive areas where the need to identify people, objects, moving vehicles and other events, day or night, is crucial. In addition to improved color rendering and greater noise reduction, DELUX technology has brought new advanced PTZ performance, namely in the control of speed proportional to zoom and the management of Privacy Masking. High-Performance Solutions The DELUX technology has been developed end-to-end by Videotec’s R&D team and this has led to considerable reductions to the costs of these new camera models. Videotec’s DELUX products are therefore extremely competitive, and are complete high-performance solutions, reinforcing their prominent position in an increasingly demanding and selective international security market.

Finland’s foreign trade depends on shipping lanes and seaports that are ice-free, so the country operates the world's second-largest fleet of icebreakers. One of the latest ships, called Polaris, is equipped with Bosch video cameras and a Bosch Video Management System (BVMS) that ensure safe operations in some of the roughest cold weather that the planet has to offer. Polaris departs for the Bay of Bothnia – between Finland and Sweden – around the end of each year and stays there until the following May. During this period, the officers and crew under Captain Pasi Järvelin work 12 hours a day, 20 days at a time. The long shifts and challenging working conditions impose tough requirements on occupational safety. Cameras from the MIC series are used on deck, cameras from the FLEXIDOME and DINION series are used inside Bosch HD Video Cameras For safe, efficient work at sea, the Polaris uses high-definition cameras from Bosch. Cameras from the MIC series are used on deck, cameras from the FLEXIDOME and DINION series are used inside, for example in the engine room and engineering space. “We can investigate incidents by checking the recordings. This reduces the need for routine tours, in person, of various parts of the vessel. The exterior MIC cameras monitor the ice and the vessels for which we are breaking ice; the ones on the stern monitor distances to other vessels. Even under the arctic conditions of the Baltic Sea, the Bosch cameras work perfectly,” says Captain Järvelin. All the cameras and recording equipment are controlled and operated via the Bosch Video Management System (BVMS), which is rarely seen in marine applications. Focus, zoom, horizontal- and vertical-pitch features are indispensable, and the MIC cameras have wipers for adverse weather conditions that can be actuated from the bridge. At the top of the mast, a 360-degree MIC IP camera operates flawlessly, even in darkness. Bosch’s MIC IP cameras are ideal for extreme weather. They can stand up to high winds, rain, fog, 100 percent humidity, temperatures as low as -40°C to as high as +65°C, extreme vibrations, high impacts and even corrosion.

MARSS has secured a refit contract for the installation of its automated security systems, NiDAR and CLIMBERguard, on-board specialist merchant vessels. This project will integrate security radar and daylight/infrared cameras, as well as climber detection capability to deliver layered 360° surveillance for the monitoring, detection and tracking of surface objects in the vicinity of a vessel. Autonomous Maritime Perimeter Security The NiDAR system developed by MARSS is providing all-round air, surface and underwater perimeter security to protect high-value maritime assets. Operating autonomously and discreetly 24/7, NiDAR tracks both known and unknown objects around a vessel, while smart software algorithms automatically analyze and rank threats, triggering alerts to notify users as required. Climber detection is achieved with the self-contained CLIMBERguard units that combine micro-radars, imaging sensors and processing to automatically detect, classify and track approaches close to and scaling the vessel sides. Multi-touch command and control interfaces present a clear situational awareness picture to crew as a fixed installation onboard or remotely via smart mobile devices aiding decision-making and rapid response. “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract that demonstrates the flexibility of MARSS systems to meet client requirements and deliver increased long-range security capability to vessels,” said Johannes Pinl, CEO & Founder. Current MARSS maritime projects include military, passenger, commercial and private vessels.

Decommissioned in San Diego, California, the USS Midway served from 1945 until 1992, as the longest-serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century. The historic naval ship museum opened to the public for tours on June 10th, 2004, and receives 1,000,000 visitors annually. The USS Midway’s mission is to preserve, inspire, educate, and entertain visitors as well as serve as America’s living symbol of freedom. Video Surveillance System Throughout USS Midway’s 47 years of service, the aircraft carrier played key roles in the Cold War, served with the Atlantic Fleet, was combat deployed in Vietnam as well as the Arabian Gulf for Desert Storm, and many other operations throughout the world. The aircraft carrier is home to flight simulators, a gift shop, café and a theater, measures 1,001 feet long, and contains 18 decks. The large number of tourists, volunteers, and museum staff occupying the facility, along with the many events held on-board on any given day, make safety and surveillance a top concern for the museum’s Board of Directors. Earlier this year, Director of Safety and Security, Bill McClurg, with the full support of the CEO and the museum’s board, led a team of USS Midway department directors including information technology, finance, and operations, and launched a project designed to update and improve the museum’s existing video surveillance system. The process culminated in the selection of VIVOTEK’s valued partner, Layer3 Security Services, a systems integration company headquartered in San Diego that serves companies, government agencies and institutions throughout Southern California. Network Cameras The new video surveillance system features dozens of VIVOTEK network cameras including fixed domes, box cameras, and Pan Tilt Zoom models. “There were many reasons for selecting VIVOTEK for this demanding application,” said Dario Santana, President of Layer3 Security Services. “These include the breadth of VIVOTEK’s product line, the high degree of integration with ExacqVision’s VMS platform, and the products’ superior price and performance. In the end, it only made sense to select VIVOTEK for the USS Midway upgrade,” concluded Dario. In the end, it only made sense to select VIVOTEK for the USS Midway upgrade" VIVOTEK’s FD8365HV and FD8338-HV fixed dome network cameras were also positioned in areas in need of surveillance. Both camera models are able to withstand inclement weather and the IP66 and IK10-rated housing protects the unit against acts of vandalism, making these units a great selection for installation aboard the aircraft carrier. A variety of camera models were chosen to monitor specific areas of the museum and surrounding areas. VIVOTEK’s FD8373-EHV fixed dome network cameras were installed throughout the premises due to the 3-megapixel wide dynamic range CMOS sensor’s excellent ability to adjust to challenging lighting conditions. The WDR Pro feature allows the camera to capture both the dark and bright areas of an image and combine the differences to generate a highly realistic representation of the original scene. Zooming Capabilities Working closely with Layer3, Bill McClurg also chose SD8364E, speed dome network cameras for the zoom capabilities in parking lot as well as ship deck monitoring and IP8155HP, box network cameras. VIVOTEK’s SD8364E 1080p full HD resolution speed dome delivers superb image quality with its 30x optical zoom lens, perfect for monitoring wide open spaces. SD8364E’s IP67 and NEMA 4X-rated housing protects against rain, dust, and corrosion as well as operates under extreme weather conditions making it suitable for San Diego’s climate. The IP8155HP professional box network camera offers 1.3-megapixel resolution and WDR Pro II providing extreme visibility in high contrast environments. “Layer3 Security Services and VIVOTEK far exceeded our expectations with the installation of our new upgraded surveillance system. Layer3’s ability to translate our needs into a workable design and their recommendation of VIVOTEK’s superior yet efficient product line led to a successful deployment. Effective video surveillance on a museum, whose mission is to be, ‘America’s Living Symbol of Freedom,’ is an essential element in preserving it for generations to come,” said Bill McClurg, Safety Director.

The X-Series provides enhanced features offering a massive 40x optical zoom with dual-mode illumination Located in Chile's powerhouse region for commerce and maritime activity, Valparisio's busy port handles containerised cargo, general cargo & vehicles destined for the densely populated  metropolitan areas. Multiple Redvision X-Series™ rugged marine grade PTZ cameras  were selected as the preferred surveillance solution for Octopuss' front-end Video Management Software (VMS) system. Port Security is key & requires measures to reduce risks and mitigate criminal actions that threaten security personnel, facilities, vessels and the public. Valparasio Port authorities as  part of an ongoing security upgrade , installed a new fiber optic network within the port, and is keenly viewed as an important development for the container storage systems and security system alike.  Designed To Sustain In Rough Environments Commercial director, Marcello Aracena del Rio commented "We chose Redvision because the camera has been designed to last in surveillance applications that are beyond the mechanical capabilities of traditional PTZ domes conventional pan and tilt systems. Redvision's X-Series™  marine grade finish PTZ is extremely well engineered and rugged. The aluminum-cast housing is hard anodised before 25 year superior marine paint finish is applied, and all fixings are marine stainless steel to counter adverse effects of corrosive weather conditions, an unavoidable circumstance of maritime applications. Regardless of weather, an integrated wiper made from a single sprung steel mechanism with a durable silicone wiper provides reliable, long-life, low maintenance and, to help protect against sun a deep visor is fitted". X-Series Features Powerful White Light Uniquely, the X-Series™ provides enhanced features offering a massive 40x optical zoom with dual-mode illumination.  The dual illuminator consists of both IR and white light LEDs, allowing operators to switch between the two light sources with a single click giving full color images at night, providing high quality video evidence of criminal activity and incidents for prosecution purposes and police investigations when required. "Valparasio Port was a huge challenge and involved complex communication networks both locally and remote. Built on an open, modular software framework, our VMS system gave the port the ability to maximize the value of security investments and freedom to choose the best of technologies available. Redvision's  X-Series™ cameras were easily integrated into the VMS security system and helped strengthen perimeter security. The feature rich video management system allowed us to deliver  efficiencies through a single user interface and alarm management platform"   Tali Haviv, Director,Octopuss 

The FLIR HRC-S MS thermal imaging camera installed at the Port of Ravenna is one of the most innovative and powerful night vision systems Thanks to its strategic geographical position in the north-east of Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, the Port of Ravenna is an Italian leader in commercial trade with the East Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It plays an important role in trade with the Middle and Far East. The Port of Ravenna is one of the major Italian ports as far as break bulk cargo is concerned: in particular, it is the Italian leader in the handling of raw materials for ceramics, cereals, fertilisers and animal food. It is also an important port for general cargo, in particular timber and coils. The port of Ravenna is also the most important center for offshore activities in the Adriatic Sea. One third of the methane gas consumed in Italy is produced offshore from Ravenna. The Port Authority Of Ravenna  The Port Authority of Ravenna has the task of allocating, planning, coordinating, promoting and controlling port operations and other commercial and industrial activities taking place in the port. It invests heavily in the port to improve its infrastructure and to extend its service offerings, in order to reach the highest quality standards. Recently, the Port Authority of Ravenna has decided to install a FLIR Systems HRC-S MS Multi-Sensor. This thermal imaging camera intends to raise the level of security at the port of Ravenna from the harbor front to the adjacent coast. This is yet another step taken by the Port Authority to raise the standards of security at the port of Ravenna. With the HRC-S MS the Port of Ravenna installed one of most innovative and powerful night vision systems. FLIR HRC-S MS Multi-Sensor System  "We originally demonstrated the Port Authority a system composed of a FLIR Systems PTZ-35x140 MS.", explains Miss Elisabetta Minghelli head marketing at A.ST.I.M. S.r.l. The company designs and develops integrated security systems and is a FLIR Systems distributor in Italy for FLIR Systems security and surveillance and maritime products. "During the demonstration it became immediately clear that they needed a more powerful solution. Seeing a small vessel at approximately 20 kilometers, as requested by the Port Authority, requires a thermal imaging camera with a cooled detector. We decided to propose the FLIR Systems HRC-S.” “The Port Authority was immediately convinced when we demonstrated the FLIR Systems HRC-S MS. The HRC-S MS is based on military technology and it is fully military qualified. Since the military is the most demanding customer in the world, the Port Authority knew immediately that the HRC-S MS would do a great job in the Port of Ravenna as well.” “Since they not only wanted to have a thermal imaging camera but a daylight camera as well, we opted for the HRC-S MS Multi-Sensor system. Not only it is installed on a robust pan/tilt which allows the operator to look anywhere he wants, it is equipped with a daylight camera as well. Optionally they ordered a laser range finder. This allows the operator to see at which distance from the camera vessels or other objects are located.”, explains Miss Minghelli. Installing The HRC-S MS “The Port Authority is not operating the HRC-S MS itself. Once it was installed the control was handed over to two important authorities within the port of Ravenna: the Coast Guard and the Port Pilots organization”, says Miss Elisabetta Minghelli, head of marketing at A.ST.I.M. S.r.l. “A.ST.I.M installed the HRC-S MS on a 14 meter high mast in order to have an excellent overview over the area.” “Temporarily, the images of the HRC-S MS were transmitted wireless to the control room which is 6 kilometers away from the location of the HRC-S MS. Although this was giving excellent results, we are replacing the wireless signal with a fiberoptic cable. This will even further increase the image quality of the HRC-S MS.”, says Miss Minghelli. “The Port Authority is not operating the HRC-S MS itself. Once it was installed the control was handed over to two important authorities within the port of Ravenna: the Coast Guard and the Port Pilots organization.” Coast Guard Responsible For Port Security The Italian Coast Guard is a branch of “Marina Militare" (Italian Navy) that has tasks and functions connected mostly to the use of the sea. The Italian Coast Guard has exclusive responsibility for search and rescue missions. It systematically examines the entire national merchant fleet, fishing and pleasure boating and through the activity of Port State Control, also the foreign flags that are calling at Italy’s ports. Other tasks include the protection of the marine environment and control of maritime fishery, pleasure yachting. "Our task is to ensure that the port of Ravenna is safe.", says Captain Roberto Rufini, head of the Coast Guard at the Port of Ravenna. “We not only control and maintain the safety and security of the ships that come to our port; we also have the responsibility for the entire port security as well.” Vessel Traffic Monitoring With HRC-S MS "Every vessel entering or leaving the port of Ravenna has to give an “arrival notice” at least 24 hours before it plans to enter the port. We can monitor their movements with the automatic identification system (AIS). AIS is a very effective way to track and monitor commercial traffic through a flow of information and data. It helps to identify the ship, see its location, direction and speed, type of cargo and its "relationship" with other nearby ships and Marine Traffic Control Stations.” “Although the vast majority of ships have AIS on board, not all are equipped with it. Off course we can still monitor these vessels by radar. But now, especially for the sensitive sea area that affects the entire harbor, we have a new tool as well. With the HRC-S Multi-Sensor System we get a visual, real-time image of these vessels. During the day, we use the daylight camera. But more spectacular, when it gets dark we switch to thermal. The HRC-S MS is really turning night into day. This allows us to monitor all ship traffic, 24 hours a day." International Ship And Port Facility Security (ISPS) “The thermal imaging camera also helps us to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) regulations. A comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and ports developed in response to the perceived threats to ship and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.”, adds Captain Francesco Frisone of the Ravenna Coast Guard. "The HRC-S MS has such a long range performance that we can see what is going on close to the platforms", adds Captain Francesco Frisone of the Ravenna Coast Guard More Coast Guard Applications  "The HRC-S MS is used for more for than vessel traffic monitoring only," continues Captain Frisone. "In front of the coast of Ravenna there are several offshore platforms that extract natural gas. The nearest are located three miles from the coast while others are located approximately 10 miles away. With the HRC-S MS we are able to monitor what is happening around them without any problem. If we see that vessels, which have not announced their presence beforehand, are close to the platforms, we are able to intervene immediately. The HRC-S MS has such a long range performance that we can see what is going on close to the platforms. Even in total darkness”. "Another application is the control and supervision over everything that is happening on the beaches. During summer there is an increased inflow of tourists and there are more beach activities. With the FLIR Systems HRC-S MS we can see clearly what is happening on the beach. Day and night. If there is a problem that requires activation of the planned emergency procedures, such as swimmers or recreational boats in distress, we can act immediately”.  Spotting A Diver At A Distance Of More Than 1,500 Meters "Recently, thanks to the HRC-S MS, we observed a sports diver inside the port, while snorkeling at a distance of more than 1,500 meters away from the camera, near the docks of the south dam. We noticed his head when it was above water. On the thermal image we also noticed that hanging on his belt was a fish that he had caught illegally, in a prohibited area. We immediately intervened to end a potentially dangerous situation. Dangerous not only for the port but also for the diver since he was swimming in an area that is frequented by large ships and motor vessels.”  "For us this is just one example of the great benefits of thermal imaging and particularly of the HRC-S MS. Here at the Coast Guard we are convinced that there is a bright future for thermal imaging and its applications.", concludes Captain Frisone. Port Pilots Organization: Seeing Objects Which Are Undetected By Radar  Another user of the HRC-S MS is the "Corpo dei Piloti del Porto di Ravenna”, the Port Pilots Organization. It is composed of 13 maritime port pilots. These qualified seafarers operate 24 hours a day with 3 pilots per shift. A Vessel Traffic Service guarantees safe piloting and traffic assistance in the outer and inner waters of the Port of Ravenna. "The Port Pilots Organization is responsible for carrying pilots to the ships. The pilots go to the ships with small boats and they guide and control the entry of the vessel in port.", says Captain Andrea Maccaferri, Head Pilot. "We share the use of the HRC-S MS with the Coast Guard. Although they are the main users of the system, we can request control of it at any time and use it to our benefit. We use it to see that large ships can maneuvre safely. Often there are small sail boats and yachts around the ships that are not being spotted by the radar. With the HRC-S MS we can see them seamlessly. If this is the case, we can warn our pilots in order to make sure that the small vessels are not overrun by the huge container ships.” Thermal Imaging In Foggy Weather A.ST.I.M installed the HRC-S MS on a 14 meter high mast in order to have an excellent overview over the area  “During daytime we use the daylight camera. But on foggy days, we are happy that we can switch to the thermal imaging camera. Also in daylight. The FLIR Systems HRC-S MS is a tremendous help in foggy conditions. Although the range performance of the thermal imaging camera is affected by the fog, it still allows us to see considerable farther than with any CCTV camera. Even in heavy fog, when we can see barely with the naked eye, the thermal imaging camera of the HRC-S MS allows us to see small vessels at a distance of about 2 kilometers away.” FLIR Sensors Manager Software The FLIR Systems HRC-S MS is being controlled by the FLIR Sensors Manager Software. This out-of-the-box software offers powerful and efficient management capabilities for any security installation with FLIR Systems thermal imaging cameras. "FLIR Sensors Manager is extremely easy to use.", explains Mr. Claudio Fuzzi, one of the Pilots operating the HRC-S MS. “It allows access to numerous useful features. Not only can I pan/tilt the system, I can switch between thermal and daylight video or look at both at the same time. I also have access to features such as the Digital Detail Enhancement. This ensures a clear thermal image, in all weather conditions.” Sharing Control Of The HRC-S MS “FLIR Sensors Manager also allows to share the use of the HRC-S MS with the Coast Guard.", continues Claudio. "They are the main user of the system and usually they have the control, but any time I need to use the HRC-S MS, I can send the request through FLIR Sensors Manager to the operator at the Coast Guard. A small message will appear on his screen so that he knows that I am requesting access to the system. He can allow or deny the access to the HRC-S MS depending on the situation. If he wants to continue chasing a target he will deny the access, otherwise he will permit it,” Claudio says. Future Improvements: Radar And AIS Integration  "Once the wireless signal will be completely replaced by the fiber optical cable, the goal is to integrate the HRC-S MS system to the VTS system consisting of Radar and AIS, so that if the Radar detects an object the HRC-S MS immediately turns in the right direction so that the users can see what the "blip" on the radar really means. The HRC-S MS will also be connected to the AIS so that it will be possible get a visual image of the movements of a ship when necessary. Both during the day and the night," concludes Miss Minghelli.

Higher pixel count is better. It’s a basic tenet of the video surveillance market, or at least it is the implication as manufacturers continue to tout their latest products offering ever-higher pixel counts. But the reality is more nuanced, as our Expert Panel Roundtable panellists explain this week. Pixel count shouldn’t be seen as an end unto itself, but rather as a factor in determining what camera is applicable to which application. Pixel count is just one factor of several to consider, and the needs of the application must rule all decisions. We asked this week’s panel: How many megapixels are enough? At what point does additional resolution not matter, or not make economic sense?