Network / IP security - Expert commentary

Financial focus for security

When it comes to the application of sophisticated security techniques in the banking environment - to keep assets, staff and customers safe and secure - financial institutions are looking carefully at how they can seamlessly integrate advances, such as High Definition CCTV and the monitoring of their cash machines, into their existing infrastructure.  Pauline Norstrom, Director of Worldwide Marketing at Dedicated Micros, discusses the challenges. A key issue for banks is to ensure that the...

Taking a view on Tunnel Smoke Detection

D-Tec's MD, Ian Moore, explains the importance of smoke detection systems in the early detection of tunnel fires. Fire in the context of tunnels has been brought into sharp relief in recent years, as a result of a number of high profile tragedies.  Most notably the Mont Blanc Tunnel in 1999, which claimed the lives of 39 people.  As a result, there has been increasing interest in the application of CCTV cameras in conjunction with video analytics technology, specifically Video Smoke D...

Challenges and developments in "intelligent video surveillance"

Security analysts IMS Research have charted a 65% annual compound growth in the video analytics market since 2004 and predict that the sector will be worth £215 million in 2009.  Here, Chris Gomersall, Chief Executive Officer of London-based analytics provider Ipsotek, outlines the technology, describes on-site challenges and considers likely developments. Referred to variously as "intelligent video surveillance" or "intelligent scene analysis", video analytics employs algorithm...

Specifying IP Video CCTV systems for casinos

Casino operators are among the most pro-active and demanding users of CCTV surveillance. IP Video systems are an ideal solution for this industry, but it's important to specify a well-designed system warns Oliver Vellacott, IndigoVision's CEO. A quality casino surveillance system is an essential business tool used to resolve gaming disputes, monitor public safety and detect fraud, cheating and theft.  The very nature of the gaming environment where patrons and staff intermingle and handle...

Interoperability in the security market

Nicolas Richter, Head of Security Products for Siemens Building Technologies, looks at the increasing importance of interoperability in the security market. In trying to identify the greatest driver in the security market at the moment, I would have to say interoperability.  If you look at intrusion, for example, it is no longer just intrusion, particularly in the commercial sector.  The access control system operates during office hours but then out of hours, yes, you have the i...

Axis Communications considers the future for the security industry

SourceSecurity.com took the time to catch up with the CEO and President of the company that invented the network camera more than 10 years ago, Axis Communications, to ask him whether the era of IP-based surveillance had arrived and what obstacles remain in the way of more widespread adoption. SourceSecurity.com: Do you think IP-Surveillance has finally come of age? Ray Mauritsson: Yes and it is not just Axis saying this.  You only need to look at the growth of sales of the network...

Video analytics - understanding their limitations

In this article, Oliver Vellacott, CEO of IndigoVision, warns against setting too high an expectation for what video analytics can deliver. Analytics will detect 'suspicious movement' from people walking along a street.  Analytics will detect terrorists walking round a hillside a mile away.  Analytics will pick an offender out from a sea of faces.  These are just some of the misconceptions about analytics today.  Was there ever a technology that was so 'over-promised and und...

Moralise, berate and stare: CCTV doesn't talk...?

"You, in the black jumper.  Put that traffic cone back where you found it." A reasonable statement.  But slightly unnerving if spoken from the heavens at a great volume.  Just as John Reid would like it. "Talking CCTV" - a system allowing control room operators to speak directly to those being watched - is the new black, the must have for the latest season of surveillance.  Making its way to a council near you. The system, Reid says, is a sensible means of dispelling such...

Migrating to IP Video

Dr Oliver Vellacott, CEO of IndigoVision, outlines how investment in existing CCTV systems can be safeguarded when migrating to an IP Video solution. The IP Video market is growing rapidly, having been accepted as a mature technology with a field proven record.  IP networking of CCTV, access control and intruder alarms will eventually penetrate the majority of the market - it has too many cost and performance advantages not to do so.  But what does this mean for legacy systems? How ca...

People, processes and potential

Martin Roberts of NICE Systems discusses current and future security challenges of processes, people and technology. The political, social, business and technological environment is changing the mandate of the modern Security Manager.  Recent events have placed security firmly in the spotlight and are forcing everyone from the board down to ask the following questions: Do we have the security processes, people and technology in place to meet current and future challenges?  A...

Wireless IP video

Oliver Vellacott, CEO of IndigoVision and Ronan Smith, CEO of Wavesight discuss the many advantages that wireless technology brings to IP Video Solutions In the last decade there has been a massive growth in the use of license-exempt radio technology to carry data, voice and video across networks, moving away from the traditional cable route. Inside many organisations, wireless technology is being deployed as extensions to traditional wired infrastructures - e.g. wireless access points connect...