Video surveillance - Expert commentary

As per DHS, Tier 1 facilities will go through a preliminary round of site inspections called pre-authorisation inspections (PAI) In October 2006, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007 became law in the US. Section 550 of the Act ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to “...issue interim final regulations establishing risk-based performance standards for security of chemical facilities and requiring security vulnerability assessments a...

The choice of the right security technology is one of the primary considerations for implementation or upgrade of a video surveillance system or other security system. Industry professionals making this critical decision often have to choose between a ‘bleeding edge’ technology, i.e. one that is in its infancy but offers great potential, and a leading edge proven technology. In this article, Stephen Malia - Vice President of Engineering Services and Marketing at North A...

An integrated security system needs to fulfil user's security objectives and needs To meet a user’s specific needs, a truly integrated security solution must include video surveillance and other security systems on a single platform. Although this is a high criteria for any system designer to meet, it is now becoming increasingly possible. Integration solutions require a commitment and expertise on the part of systems integrators as well as security product manufacturers...

Ambient lighting in hospitality environments pose major challenges for video surveillance Variable lighting conditions pose a persistent challenge in video surveillance applications such as large retail locations, banks and financial institutions, and hospitality environments.Challenges to lighting quality Typically, retail locations, banks and hospitality venues include an abundance of windows. The resulting excessive light can damage video image quality, by flooding the ima...

Innovative surveillance technology, relaxation in UK Data Protection Laws and shared resources are key to curb rural crimes The significant rise in crime in rural areas in recent times in the UK has led to growing calls from security and crime prevention experts for government to make it easier for communities and law enforcement to fight back. “In our areas, every farm within a 5 mile radius has had trespass, some kind of theft of property, plant or livestock in the las...

Networking is a powerful way to effectively converge and integrate security In an ever-changing world, business organisations require efficient security partners in order to focus their expansion towards growing economies. This physical expansion leads to a need for expanded and enhanced security programs to protect a growing network of people and facilities. In this article, Renae Leary, Senior Director, Global Accounts, at ADT Worldwide, provides an insight into cost-effecti...

Fibre optic technology offers the most efficient means of transmitting video in the digital environment In Part II of this article on the role of fibre optic transmission in network IP video surveillance systems Jack Fernandes, President and CEO of American Fibertek takes a deeper look at the critical needs of a reliable transmission system in the evolving age of digitalization. There is no doubt that fibre optics will play an even bigger role in modern security...

Fibre optic transmission has played a crucial role in the rise of IP video surveillance The advances in video surveillance technology have seen the increased adoption of network IP products over analogue systems. A key constant to this shift has been the critical need for reliable transmission of video signal. As the transition to network IP video continues, the need for the widely used coaxial cable is wavering in favour of Cat-5/ UTP cable and high-speed Ethernet connections...

 Selecting the optimum power supply for a system is critical to an installation  When it comes to selecting power supplies, knowledge is power. Determining the power requirements of every systems product, taking into account their integration with one another is critical to ensure that you are selecting and installing the power solutions most appropriate for your installation. Such information will enable you to select the power supplies that will be required to keep your security sys...

Video surveillance systems can be used in a variety of ways within the mining industry The development of specialised, integrated video security systems for specific environments has vastly increased the benefits they deliver to users. However, the mining industry has considerable scope for exploiting the more sophisticated functions provided by integrated systems with data mining techniques which have added significant value in other business environments. In this article Jan de Be...

  Migrate to a better system by adopting an all-IP video surveillance solution With declining prices for IP cameras and advancements in video compression technology such as the latest H.264 compression standard, IP video surveillance is increasingly becoming the preferred security solution. The convergence of voice, video and data in the world of surveillance has truly  arrived, a fact amply highlighted by the projected growth of the network video market to over $2.6...

Environmental implications are important considerations in surveillance system designs Rising energy costs are compelling many organisations to optimise their computing environments. In fact, energy costs have quickly become the fastest growing operating cost, propelling many corporations to embark on new conservation and "green" initiatives. Marc Holtenhoff, CEO of Aimetis, explores ways to reduce energy consumption within video surveillance applications, that could pave the...

   Are we about to see the first truebreakthrough for video analytics? Daniel Wan, Channel Marketing Leader UK at Honeywell Security Group, assesses the development of video analytics from a perceived premium add-on to a cost-effective and key component in video surveillance and several other security applications. Its proven benefits in perimeter protection, increasing the efficiency of manned guarding services and the ROI it delivers, particularly in preventive...

  Bridging the gaps in wired infrastructure with wireless broadband Today, public and urban business organisations have sophisticated geographically dispersed infrastructures, which require centralised supervision and the deployment of global security and surveillance networks. As the necessity for public and personal safety increases, the market and demand for multisite surveillance solutions with rigorous, video-based security standards is growing. One of the most recent...

Thermal surveillance cameras have numerous security benefits All network cameras have a basic physical limitation: they need light to work. Phil Doyle, Regional Director, Northern Europe at Axis Communications examines the key benefits of thermal imaging cameras in surveillance.  Some network cameras have night and day vision capability that allows them to operate in very poor lighting conditions, down to fractions of a lux. And of course, if natural light is not availab...

  Cutting costs on security investments puts small businesses at the risk of criminal activity During tough economic times, many small businesses can be found guilty of neglecting investment in their on-going security protection.  Naturally, this can prove to be problematic as the impact of break-ins and criminal activity greatly affect the accounts and day-to-day running of the business. Luke Martyn, SMB specialist at ADT Fire and Security provides practical, cost-ef...

High Definition technology - leading the way for new video security innovations With new technological developments and innovations constantly being made, consumers are able to enjoy the benefits of higher quality products. Better technology means better gadgets and appliances for entertainment such as televisions but more importantly, it also means better security.  Simon Nash, Senior European Marketing Manager, Video Security for Sony Professional presents the case for...

  Resolution quality must be considered when assessing surveillance effectiveness Surveillance cameras are becoming more and more commonplace, especially in busy metropolitan locales. Police and detectives hope to reduce crime rates by keeping a watchful eye on civilians but CCTV has only been helpful in solving a small percentage of crimes. Mike Lewis, Country Manager UK for CCTV manufacturer MOBOTIX AG, highlights key considerations for improving the efficiency of ex...

   XML, API and web server offer the ability for interoperability between proprietary software Today's facility executive wants to purchase systems and components from various manufacturers and have those components work together as one system. They want "open systems" that allow the manufacturers to offer new features and add value without locking the owner into a single vendor's proprietary protocols. In short, they want Interoperability.Hirsch Electronics...

  Metadata saves on resources required to store large amounts of data Yu Kitamura, Product Manager, Network Video Monitoring, Sony Europe explains the facts about metadata, and their benefits.All organisations have to face the costly challenge of the storage and management of their valuable data. In the sphere of security, where visual data is indispensable, any avenues that make the capture, storage and retrieval of that information more efficient will command budget...

 Well defined spec key to cost-effective CCTV installation A report from the West Midlands Police suggests that the quality of up to 80% of CCTV images is so poor that they can't be used for evidential purposes. But it doesn't have to be that way, as Alistair Enser of Siemens Building Technologies explains. To design an effective CCTV installation, it is first necessary to decide what the installation is supposed to do. For example, in a stadium or a shopping c...

  Security threats keep the demand for advanced security measures high in different industries Terrorism and other security threats around the world are generating high demand for advanced video security solutions that can help detect threats, and protect lives and assets. Elan Moriah President of Verint Video Intelligence Solutions and Verint Witness Actionable Solutions, explores some of the key technologies and trends that are helping reshape the security industry....

Integrated systems solution - The future proof option Does the key to a successful long-term investment in security systems reside in integration? Patric Meyer, SDK support manager, Geutebruck answers 'yes'.If you are only interested in a stand-alone CCTV system for screening and recording video - full stop - then this article is probably not for you. However, most CCTV users these days want much more for their money. Many want their video surveillance system to communicate wi...

   Megapixel and HDTV resolutions produce higher quality images What are the benefits of Megapixel and HDTV resolutions? In part 2 of this article, Phil Doyle, Managing Director (UK & Ireland) of Axis Communications continues with an in depth explanation of their key advantages. (Read part 1 of this article on standard video resolutions)Megapixel resolutionsA network camera that offers megapixel resolution uses a megapixel sensor to delive...

New technology now means that security cameras can be used over an IP network, Sony Professional Solutions Europe explore the benefits of IP based security technology. The world of IP-based technology is constantly evolving and the video security market has leaped forward in tandem with this. In light of both cost and ease of installation, we   Move towards Power over Ethernet encouraging use of network IP products are seeing a huge technological shift towards video&nb...

Which video management software platform is the right solution? Markus Kissel of leading CCTV distributor Videor, provides a summary of the most important selection criteria. The number of commercially available software solutions for IP-based video surveillance is increasing. But the complexity of systems, numerous features and the required IT skills  Choosing the "right" video management software solution is key make it difficult to choose the "right" product. Th...

How do video compression standards affect the encoding process? Katharina Geutebruck, managing director of Geutebruck GmbH  which manufactures and develops intelligent video security solutions, explains. It's probably fair to say that few buyers of video security systems are experts in video encoding. And why should they be? It's enough to The encoding process is defined by the developer's expertise rather than the video compression standard know that data...

Yu Kitamura of Sony Professional Solutions Europe explains the benefits of H.264 - the latest video compression technology.   Video compression as a subject matter may seem really dull, but the real-world benefits of using the latest technology can radically increase the flexibility of your IP network. Put simply, better compression means greater flexibility - the more efficiently data  H.264 requires less bandwidth, while delivering better quality is handled, the m...

Axis Communications is seeing strong demand for its network video products in the retail sector following an extended period of engagement with a range of retail solutions providers.  Phil Doyle, managing director of Axis Communications (UK), points out some of   Network video provides ideal solution for retailers faced with rising shrinkage the more successful and practical applications of network video in the sector. The natural focus of any discus...

Kevin Shahbazi, CEO of Avocado Security explains the growth and advantages of new Business Intelligence (BI) technologies. Society is constantly striving for better security, especially with the heightened concerns for safety in both the public and private sector.  Whether those concerns include protecting your business, securing your work environment or home, each of these concerns are contributing to the ongoing demand for video surveillance technologies that are simple, reliable an...