tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032425922572524002024-03-13T05:30:11.862+00:00Watching The Security IndustrySimply to share information and opinion on the security issues and industry advances that we come across every day.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-64302023306173304922012-06-12T16:41:00.000+01:002012-06-12T16:41:15.720+01:00What is the Most Reliable Biometric Technology?<br />
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I was recently asked which biometric technology I thought was most reliable. This is a relatively easy question to answer until I considered the wider issues of using it as a form of identification for access management and then trying to work out which technology is best.</div>
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Physical biometric identifiers are the distinctive and measurable characteristics used to identify individuals such as facial recognition, fingerprints, palm vein, iris and retina patterns etc.</div>
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The reliability of a technology tends to be the inverse of the social acceptance of that technology. Fingerprints are socially accepted with some resistance from those that associate them with criminal behaviour but they have a relatively high false positive or rejection rate. Which may be fine on a small access control system to a comms room but in an airport with thousands of passengers passing through on an hourly basis, a high percentage failure rate is unacceptable. Facial recognition is quite uncontroversial but equally has relatively high failure rates.</div>
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It is generally regarded that eye scans are the most reliable form of biometrics. However, technology such as iris and retina scanning appears to have more social resistance due to its perceived intrusive nature. For this reason iris scanning is now more prevalent than the deeper retina scan. The reliability of iris scanning was born out in a study carried out by the National Physics Laboratory some years ago, where is competed against six other technologies and won with the best false match and rejection ratios.</div>
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The problem is compounded by the fact that biometric systems provide”probabilistic results”. It is possible to get variable results due to technical issues and degradation of data, such as fingerprint damage for example. There is also evidence of ethnicity, age, sex and medical conditions affecting rejection rates. Having poorly installed and maintained systems combined with the deployment of biometric technology at airports and other high volume portals without understanding the biology of the population being screened could lead to long queues.</div>
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In conclusion, no single biometric trait has been identified as fully stable or distinctive and biometric reading technology should only be deployed with this in mind. False positives and reject rates need to be considered in line with the number and the biology of the users of the system.</div>
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<br /></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-23711265652402497142012-06-03T09:21:00.001+01:002012-06-03T09:34:16.990+01:00Are varifocal lenses zoom lenses?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I recently realised
that although I knew that there is a distinct difference between varifocal and
manual zoom lenses, I did not know the mechanics of that difference.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When designing a
system where a range of fixed lenses is just not suitable, one has to turn to manual
zoom lenses to get the best field of view. By manual zoom lenses, I mean as
opposed to motorised zoom lenses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Most “manual zoom”
lenses are marketed as varifocal but there is a difference between these and a
true manual zoom lens. A verifocal, as the name suggests, shifts its focus with
every zoom adjustment. Whereas a true manual zoom lens adjusts the optical
array so that the focus is fixed to an acceptable sharpness throughout the zoom
range.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
One element of the
optical array moves either closer together or further apart as the zoom is
adjusted another element also adjusts to compensate for the focal shift. A true
zoom lens uses between three and five moving groups comprising of up to twenty individual
optics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In a varifocal lens
there is no attempt to maintain a sharp focus through mechanical or optical compensation.
This produces a cheaper zoom lens with the disadvantage of not being able to
maintain a constant focus throughout the zoom range.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In most applications,
a varifocal lens will be adjusted and “locked off” at the best setting to provide
a permanent fixed field of view. However, in a system where each camera interacts with
the next and fine adjustment of the field of view is necessary to get the optimum
overlapping views, a manual zoom lens is a far more useful tool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
These applications are
probably not encountered often but large high quality systems such as one
covering the perimeter of a high security establishment, for example may need
fixed focal length lenses that can only be achieved using manual zooms being
finely adjusted and then locked in to position. To set up such a system with
varifocal lenses would be unnecessarily difficult.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In any CCTV system, the
preference from a quality point of view would be to get the survey right, do
the calculations and provide a CCTV system with fixed focus lenses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I would like to thank
the members of several groups on LinkedIn for pointing me in the right
direction about the mechanical difference between these two types of manually
adjusted zoom lenses.<br />
<br /></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-37575529505735946522012-05-18T17:03:00.000+01:002012-06-03T09:25:52.704+01:00Choosing a CCTV Camera<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are many styles of CCTV camera
available but depending on the operational requirement, the best-suited camera
should be selected. Fixed cameras in housings offer the ability to have larger
lenses and wipers to clear away rain, whereas cameras in domes look more tidy
and are generally cheaper. The same applies to pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) cameras
where an overt version has the ability to have larger lenses and have bolt on
equipment such as a wiper and illumination that rotates with the camera. The
dome versions have the same advantages as the static domes, i.e. tidy and
generally cheaper but are limited if they have a tough operational requirement.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Cameras can produce colour images but
colour viewing is limited by the amount of light that it needs to operate.
There are digital signal processing techniques that allow a colour camera to
see in relatively low light conditions but this processing has a price attached,
which is often quality of image. Monochrome cameras see at much lower light
levels and are sensitive to infrared illumination, which makes them ideal for
night operation. To overcome the need for a colour camera during the day and a
separate monochrome camera for nighttime, colour/mono or day/night cameras automatically
switch from one mode to the other dependant on the available light.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Cameras can be categorized by their image
sensors; the Charge Coupled Device or CCD chip is a light sensitive plate that
converts the light focused by the lens into an electrical signal for
processing. CCDs come in a range of technologies but the more basic criteria
for categorizing a camera by its CCD chip is the diagonal size of the receptive
area. The larger the CCD chip, the more light it can gather. In closed circuit
television system CCD chip sizes are generally1/4”, 1/3” or 1/2”. The larger
chips generally mean that the camera is more expensive.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The resolution of any CCTV camera is the
key to the performance of the system. Resolution is the measurement of the
picture quality in terms of how much electronic information is gathered. An
analogue CCTV camera measures its resolution in Television Lines (TVL). These
horizontal scans make up the video signal. The more horizontal scans there are
in the image, the more detail the system captures and the clearer the resultant
picture. The resolution is directly related to the number of pixels within the
CCD chip. A low resolution camera would typically be around 330 Television
Lines (TVL) and a high resolution camera would be from 480 to 540 TVL.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">CCTV cameras also vary in the amount of
processing that they do to the image before transmitting it to the control
equipment. A high quality camera would have a range of processing features such
as backlight compensation, which reduces the effect of silhouetting and
automatic gain control to boost the video signal when light levels drop. For
more demanding fields of view there are features that allow manual override of
the shutter speed and wide dynamic processing. Wide dynamic processing allows
the camera to produce high quality images in challenging conditions such as
high contrast lighting produced by flood lights.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">For true night vision there are thermal
imaging cameras which detect very low heat sources and displays the image in a
useable format.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">When it comes to choosing the best CCTV camera the important considerations are around what you need to achieve based on the operational requirement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-1245471908179684272012-05-11T18:28:00.000+01:002012-06-03T09:25:41.647+01:00Where do you start when designing a CCTV system?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To get value for money and an effective CCTV system you must have an understanding of what you need and how to achieve the desired results. The design process for a CCTV system can be quite complicated. I have been called in to many systems and asked why has it had little to no impact on the original problem. The answer is usually because the original problem was not clearly identified and the performance requirements of the CCTV system were not considered. The end result is a pile of CCTV equipment installed that does not do what is supposed to.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before
considering the implementation of any CCTV system, it is important to understand what the problem is and whether CCTV is the most appropriate solution. The
production of an operational requirement document will ensure that the key
points are considered, such as why do I want CCTV, what is its purpose, what
will it achieve and what will the performance criteria be.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Firstly make a statement of
need that defines the problem and assesses the potential impact of CCTV upon it.
I.e. will the introduction of CCTV alleviate the problem? This statement shall clearly define the problem and
the solution.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The second part of the operational requirement will detail specific problem locations and the required performance specification, both technically and operationally. For example, a camera on the perimeter of a site may need to be able to “Detect” a person engaged in a particular activity under low light conditions. The performance
of a CCTV camera, in terms of operational requirement, can be defined within </span>five surveillance
categories.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Monitor and Control – A person occupies at
least 5% of the overall CCTV image height.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Detect – A person occupies at least 10% of
the overall CCTV image height.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Observe – A person occupies at least 25% of
the overall CCTV image height.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Recognise – A person occupies at least 50% of
the overall CCTV image height.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Identify – A person occupies at least 100% of
the overall CCTV image height.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This part also
details the operational issues of who monitors the system, where and when. A
recording archive quality and duration must be established and high-level
Standard Operational Procedures produced to determine the appropriate response
to any given scenario. It is also important to establish a method of
transmitting the procedures to the response team to ensure that the correct
response is initiated, bearing in mind that some scenarios will be rare and
procedures may not be instantly familiar to the team.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">With the
operational requirement document in place, it is necessary to consider the
technical specification to fulfill the requirement. A detailed specification
should be produced that can be used for the purchasing process and a system for
commissioning and validation of the system should be documented.</span></div>
</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-58705501845557838112012-05-06T08:45:00.000+01:002012-06-03T09:25:27.394+01:00What is transient suppression and do I need it?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Modern societies rely
heavily on electronics for every aspect of life. From health and economy to
entertainment and security. The basic fact about electronics is that it uses
wires or cables to transmit power and signals. Let’s put wireless to one side
for now because there is not yet a viable wireless power transmission technology,
which means that even wireless systems rely on connection cables at some level.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This fundamental
reliance on metal conductors means that one rule of physics is unavoidable.
This is that electromagnetic fields can induce electricity into an adjacent
metal conductor without physical connection. Therefore, an intense burst of power
near a cable can induce a damaging spike of electricity into that cable without
being in contact with it. This spike is likely to damage or disable the
electrical systems that the cable serves.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So what causes these
spikes? Lightning is the big one given its strength and the amount of cables that
are lying across the planet but lightning is not the only source of damaging
spikes. Spikes are more likely to be caused by heavy machinery switching on;
motors and appliances such as air conditioning can also cause damaging
transient spikes.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another name used in
connection with these spikes is overvoltage. The term transient overvoltage
literally means a momentary electrical spike. These spikes can overheat components
in the electrical system or breakdown the insulation that contains the signals.
Either way, system damage can be catastrophic.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You may have designed
the best security system ever but without adequate defence, it is at risk of problems
or complete failure if you don’t consider transient protection. The difficulty for
the system designer is to keep the amount of protection proportional with the
risk of induced overvoltage. You may consider that a domestic property in a low
lightning area would need far less protection than an industrial process plant
in a high risk lightning area. This assumption is probably correct but the risk
assessment for how much protection is required needs to consider the potential
should a system fail as well as the hazards that may cause the voltage spike.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Considering the
domestic property again. The property does not have heavy machinery turning on
and off but it does have air conditioning, which is quite old. It also has
domestic appliances such as refrigerators etc. The wiring in the property is
also old and is bunched up as it runs around the house. It’s a large house that
belongs to a very wealthy person that doesn’t trust the banking system so keeps
a quantity of bullion on the premises in a safe. Although the property is in a
low lightning risk area, it is not unheard of that lightning strikes the ground
occasionally. This person is often away on business and leaves the house empty
for days at a time, relying upon the security system to alert him and the
authorities if anything unusual occurs. The risk of transient overvoltage
affecting this security system is quite low but the potential for loss is quite
high. So the question is now, does this domestic property in a low risk area
need transient suppression to protect the security system?<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-32959164260817708852012-04-26T14:46:00.001+01:002012-04-26T14:54:04.339+01:00A DAY OUT IN LONDON - COUNTER TERROR EXPO<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent the day yesterday at the Counter Terror Expo in London.
There are very few exhibitions that I enjoy because generally I am
"salesman intolerant" or indeed, sales woman intolerant. I would not
want to be accused of being sexist with my prejudiced opinions of
people whose job it is to sell a product and not let a few minor negative points get in the way of a sale such as "this really isn't the technology
I am looking for" or "that doesn't actually work, does it?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The CTX in London
was different to my usual experience at exhibitions in that none of
the technology was "being launched" or "on the road map for
development". One or two stands grabbed my attention as I
wandered past trying to take everything in and as I approached I was set upon with the sales patter of a seasoned professional. But generally I was unhindered
in my quest to get familiar with the technology that is available and who is
manufacturing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a vast
array of heavy security equipment on show. When I say heavy, I mean blast
resistant, bullet proof and solid as opposed to all of the whizzy gadgets that
you may see at other shows; no names of course. There were very few
conventional CCTV cameras and very little network feature rich products such as
access control or video management. The show was packed with solid and proven
technology that is fit for purpose. Remembering that you have to first establish what
that purpose is in your operational requirement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess the tag
"Counter Terror" suggests that we cannot afford to mess about with
new gadgets, which really came through in the show. It is a shame that some
people don't take the same view when dealing with security that doesn't have
the "Counter Terror" tag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This show is possibly not for the everyday security project and
does concentrate on the more unique or specific issues associated with
terrorism. Thermal imaging, robust video content analysis, robotics, security
screening, armoured vehicles and more 358 weldmesh fence than I care to mention
were amongst the exhibitors. Although why there was so much 358, I am not sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A good day out in London, I met some friends and made some new
ones. I might even go again next year.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-76601578614254746332012-04-19T07:25:00.005+01:002012-04-19T09:05:18.281+01:00THE IMPORTANCE OF FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TESTINGWhen trying to establish why an installation
or individual products don’t perform as they should I have to consider which step of the design and delivery process has failed. Very often the problems are created in the early stages of design. The operational requirement document is the key to getting a project set on the right track. However, there are many other stages in the project delivery process that can negatively impact the end result if due diligence is not paid at the right time.<br />
<br />
Whether you are designing a complex system that involves new technology, high levels of integration, multiple levels of programming or a system that you have deployed many times before it is important to consider the role of the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) in the project delivery process.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A factory acceptance test is a documented procedure that is carried out prior to system deployment to determine whether the system will operate to its performance specification.
This test procedure should cover all aspects of the system functionality under all scenarios.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the systems that I review have obviously not been fully tested prior to deployment. When I am asked to evaluate a system to determine "what went wrong" I often receive a project history that lists problem after problem during installation, commissioning and then through the defects period. I don't think that I have ever visited a system that has suddenly started to play up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I look in to the details of such a project history, I find that the installer had problems getting system A talking to system B or that a certain piece of equipment struggled to achieve what it was there to do. Camera 27 has never had a usable image etc. etc. All of these problems could have been eliminated prior to installation with a good factory acceptance test.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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The FAT does not only eliminate the risk of design or interface issues, it is an opportunity to pre-program systems and let engineers get familiar with the project long before it hits site. After a good factory acceptance test a project installation should be smooth without unexpected problems. This fact does not only ensure that the system meets its operational requirements or performance specification, it has the potential to save a lot of money. Installation programmes can be reduced, on site commissioning can be reduced and loads of expensive time and resource used up by reacting to problems can be eliminated.</div>
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Spending a little time and money on a factory acceptance test prior to installation can save you a lot of time and money during (and after) installation.</div>
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Of course, the FAT is only part of the project design and delivery process but in my experience it is one that reaps many benefits if carried out correctly.</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-21734589625511998372012-04-15T12:01:00.000+01:002012-04-19T07:27:08.710+01:00THE BASICS OF DESIGNING A CCTV SYSTEM<span style="text-align: justify;">In order to maximise the benefits of your CCTV system it is important to
establish some basic criteria as a starting point for the system design. The
first of which is to define the problem and consider if CCTV is the most
appropriate response. Given that the answer is “yes”, it is critical to
establish the Operational Requirements (OR) of the system.</span><br />
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The basic model for an OR is to establish the following information.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Site Plan – to identify areas of concern.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Statement of the Problem.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Stakeholder Liaison.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Risk Assessment.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Success Criteria.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Determine the Technical Solution.</li>
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With the OR in place it is then possible to design the most appropriate
CCTV solution. The second level of the OR must identify observation category of
each camera. I.e. is it to monitor the area, detect a figure or recognise a
known individual. There are five surveillance categories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When this has been established, other factors need to be taken into
considerations such as image quality, target speed, lighting and environmental conditions
etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, the response to CCTV information needs to be considered. Who
will monitor it, where from, will they be dedicated to it. What training do
they need and are there any legal issues associated with privacy and data
protection.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With the Operational Requirements in place, it is important to establish
the most appropriate technology to use. Does it need to be wall or ceiling
mounted, vandal resistant, static or fully functional? Does it need to work in
low light conditions or are there challenging lighting conditions such as high
contrast areas?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dependant on the camera choice a suitable lens needs to be selected.
What size lens is required to achieve the surveillance category detailed in the
OR? Does it need to be IR cut to work with infrared illumination?<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is important to establish which methods of signal transmission most
suit the Operation Requirement. For example, fibre optic for long distance and
secure transmission or IP on a LAN for integration.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lighting is one of the fundamentals of CCTV design. Although with the
advent of wide dynamic processing it is possible to get usable images in a
range of challenging conditions, it is essential the scene illumination and
reflectance is understood to achieve the best possible results. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The display monitors need to be selected to best display the received
images. The size and position needs to be selected to enable the operator to
use the system both safely and comfortably.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally the recorded evidence needs to be established in terms of image
rate, quality of compression, resolution and duration. How is the data to be
exported, should it be required in a criminal case?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-8067505605401334732012-03-19T13:27:00.000+00:002012-04-19T07:27:38.773+01:00A NOTE FROM ME<br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wrote the following blog about control room design after another frustrating visit to a facility asking “why does my security system not work very well?” All too often I find system interfaces, monitors, computers etc. shoe horned in to rooms that should only really be used as a cupboard. Or possibly even worse, on a reception desk where nobody is tasked with or trained to operate the system. The best you are going to get from this situation is a chance notice of something untoward going on.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These systems are little more that evidence gathering machines. By this I am referring mainly to CCTV but unless you are monitoring an access control system you will not see a door held or door forced alarm.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The current thinking is to avoid banks of monitors displaying all of the CCTV images. This is partly due to space allocation and energy efficiency but mainly due to “operator blindness”. This is not a health and safety issue but psychological problem that may lead to an operator missing the glaringly obvious due to constantly looking at the same images. Si if you don’t have loads of monitors and an operator that can attentively watch each and every one of them, how do you make the system proactive? Video content analysis and PSIM go a long way to resolving these issues but the control room needs to be designed with a proactive security approach in mind so that operators have all the tools they need to receive and act on information pertaining to the security of the facility. I have seen many discussions on the pros and cons of integrating other disciplines in to the control room such as BMS, Fire etc. In principle this is a good idea if the control room is properly designed but could be a disaster if the equipment sits in the corner and the operator has other distracting duties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is horses for courses when it comes to control room design. If all you need is an evidence gathering machine then fine, locate it in an equipment room somewhere. If you need a fully managed and proactive system then consider the most efficient methods tailored to your needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My final point for this note is to consider the Data Protection Act when you have the control equipment on the reception desk!</span></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-76894434392703855842012-03-19T12:50:00.001+00:002012-04-19T12:46:22.555+01:00CONTROL ROOM DESIGN<span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">A suitable and proportional control room along with its associated areas is essential to the implementation of a robust security strategy. Operators will undertake a mixed range of tasks from VDU/GUI operation to producing reports and documentation. In order to achieve the most success from a security system, the control room must be designed with the operators in mind. Consideration should be given to the following.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
<ul class="list1 list_color_orange" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Security Policy</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Security Procedures</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Security Mechanisms</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Task Identification</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time and Motion Analysis</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sociotechnical Interfacing</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proportional Accommodation</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Resilience</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disaster Recovery</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compliance with regulation and standards</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DDA Assessment</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The control room suite should be located in a position where it cannot be isolated or compromised, as it must be able to continue to operate in the event of a serious disturbance. A Briefing Room may be necessary for management during a serious disturbance. The location of this room needs to have safe access for emergency personnel and services.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Access to a restroom/kitchen should be available. The staff toilets should ideally be separate male and female, but unisex toilets may be considered when space is at a premium. A disabled toilet facility should be available as required by the DDA assessment. A staff shower room should ideally be provided incorporating sufficient dry area for changing and storage of clothes whilst showering.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adequate space must be provided for the services that are essential for the operation of the control room. Adequate height must be provided to allow for raised floors. Raised floors and ceiling voids must be secured within the envelope of the control suite.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lighting should be appropriate for all the tasks being performed. However, consideration needs to be given to reflection and glare on monitor screens.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The control room should be designed as a low noise environment with sound absorbing ceiling tiles, etc. The use of cross talk attenuation may need to be considered where ducts pass between separate rooms.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ergonomics of the room needs careful consideration with respect to the positioning on monitors and display technology in relation to the operators. Headaches can result from and signle or combination of the following.</span></div>
<ul class="list1 list_color_orange" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Screen Glare</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor Image Quality</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stress and Anxiety</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long Periods of VDU use</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/images/list_styles_orange.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -340px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 28px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor Posture</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sociotechnical interfacing considerations should take in to account all of the above along with issues relating to watching images that don’t change very often, which can lead to “change blindness”. Black screen technology and PSIM solutions increase operator efficiency.</span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fefefe; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Control room design has many facets of consideration, from ergonomics to integration. Control room design, whether large or small must form part of the overall security strategy and mechanism.</span></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-91019777585039620302012-03-05T13:42:00.001+00:002012-04-19T07:28:18.983+01:00JAILBREAK CHALLENGE<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">On Friday we spent the day raising money for charity on behalf of Crimestoppers Sussex. Fantastic day out, fun, team building and exhausting. Team c-hq came through and rescued me from a cell in the Brighton Police Museum. A huge thank you to our sponsors that generously gave up some of their hard earned cash for Crimestoppers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vYZ8CTsAMnbO62WcPFYzmLF4u0c6pQXP5qMFRp_89AQ-Q959vSjbha8OWp1Y2wII-JyljboER2tFoNryH1D6Swy4S_kNhovSDWybP7ymLW4d4b5FKWaaTRV7C-41idUelWr7ZoGVRzcp/s1600/old+police+cells+museum+looking+fairly+happy+about+it+email+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vYZ8CTsAMnbO62WcPFYzmLF4u0c6pQXP5qMFRp_89AQ-Q959vSjbha8OWp1Y2wII-JyljboER2tFoNryH1D6Swy4S_kNhovSDWybP7ymLW4d4b5FKWaaTRV7C-41idUelWr7ZoGVRzcp/s320/old+police+cells+museum+looking+fairly+happy+about+it+email+size.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-15258037180430526152012-02-21T15:40:00.002+00:002012-04-19T07:31:07.261+01:00DIGITAL SWITCH OVER<span style="text-align: justify;">The UK switch over to digital TV has prompted an increase of burglaries by using the distraction to commit the offence. An increased number of legitimate engineers in the area may lead vulnerable people into a false sense of security when somebody knocks on their door.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It may be prudent to check on people you know to make sure that they understand that the switch over team NEVER cold call and ALWAYS carry ID. There is a telephone number that anybody can call to verify a person claiming to be part of the process. 0800 40 85 900. This can be called whilst they are at the door, a legitimate caller will not mind waiting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a help scheme available, for more details contact the same number above.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
By way of a credit, this info has been released today on a Sussex Police Bulletin.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">A REMINDER FROM ME ABOUT DISTRACTION</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The wider issue here for the security community is the reminder that security can be easily compromised through distraction. Whether vulnerable people worried about their television or professional personnel that are responsible for a facility; if you become distracted by superficial events you can leave yourself open to miscreant activity.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having focused personnel, the correct environment and supporting intelligence from technology is key to a successful security operation.</div>
<br />
<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-87622572312824521052012-02-17T09:38:00.001+00:002012-04-19T07:28:51.124+01:00A NOTE FROM ME<span style="text-align: justify;">The article below "DEFINING PSIM" posted on the 16th Feb was collated to try and cut through all of the "buzz" around PSIM. It seems that there are many companies out there that claim to be a "PSIM" provider. The problem I had was getting to the bottom of what PSIM actually means and how it can benefit an organisation. The term PSIM is attributed to Steve Hunt but Frost & Sullivan have done a good job of categorising three tiers of PSIM companies. In my own opinion only the top tier should be considered as PSIM because they integrate and analyse data from disparate systems to identify and categorise security events.. The other companies that claim to be PSIM tend not to be as flexible as the Tier one products because they have been developed specifically to support a core product such as CCTV video codecs or a perimeter detection system. These systems do integrate with other security systems but are very limited on the range and capability of drivers available.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The PSIM market is evolving very rapidly and various forums are discussing the capabilities and next evolution of the concept. Join me on LinkedIn for one of these groups, or if you have a comment please let me know.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I look forward to hearing from you.</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741690049549792095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303242592257252400.post-30678925372809363242012-02-16T16:44:00.000+00:002012-04-26T14:17:37.551+01:00WHAT IS PSIM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/includes/timthumb.php?src=http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CCTV_WALL_LOWRES-copy-copy-copy2.png&h=250&w=628&zc=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/themes/striking/includes/timthumb.php?src=http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CCTV_WALL_LOWRES-copy-copy-copy2.png&h=250&w=628&zc=1" width="450" /></a></div>
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<h1 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ff9900;">
</span></h1>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
PSIM as
a concept emerged because end user managers of security environments
cried out for better management of their security information. They
wanted to be able to do with security data what every other business
unit does with the data from their respective business units – that is,
to make intelligent business decisions.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
PSIM is
a better, more flexible and much more useful way of managing security
events and the information needed to respond to incidents than
traditional command centre solutions.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
PSIM is simply the security version of the
larger, more important business tool of Information
Management.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">THE CHALLENGE</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Currently,
improvisational, fragmented and off-the-cuff security management is the
norm. It's common to find security operations and traditional
command-and-control centres using paper-based processes and not sharing
information. Business units and IT departments rarely have access to
data in corporate security departments. Events are managed separately.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Access-control-related
events are monitored and managed separately from intrusion detection
systems, and separate also from environmental sensors and other alerting
systems. Often the people and systems are not even located in the same
facility, inhibiting information sharing and correlation.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">THE CONSIDERATIONS</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Converged
security and IT networks need to be managed to mitigate any risk of
negative impact through the flood of data induced by an IP CCTV system.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Ensuring
interoperability across different vendors' devices/systems is a
challenge. The physical security market as a whole lacks common, open
standards. Thus, virtually, any deployment requires the development of
new drivers to integrate various systems.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Choosing
the right system. The capability to intelligently analyse and
cross-reference incoming data represents a further challenge, most PSIM
systems, still process individual alarms.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">THE BENEFITS</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
PSIM
principles may be used to produce better situational awareness,
prompting better security and business decisions. Situation management
software creates useful information out of raw video by contextualizing
it (unifying video, alarm and sensor data) which improves situational
awareness and makes incident responses more efficient.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Data
management best practices are more pervasive now. Regulatory compliance
and management best practices dictate that computer systems and data be
handled in standardized ways. Security departments are, in general, not
compliant with these best practices.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
The
PSIM system will aggregate, correlate and analyse data from various
sources, including alarms, environmental sensors, intrusion-detection
systems and video surveillance to …. </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<li>Present a situational view of data.</li>
<li>Guide standard operating procedures by documenting efficient best practices for every situation.</li>
<li>Identify trends by searching through data from current and past events to create reports.</li>
<li>Audit operator behaviour by recording all responses to all alerts for later analysis.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">CONCLUSION</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Physical
Security Information Management systems provide specific security
information based on intelligent analysis of data from a range of
sensors from what would traditionally be disparate systems. It enables
an organisation to manage risk and ensure that standard procedures are
carried out at an enterprise level.<br />
<br />
<br />
Credit:<br />
Steve Hunt http://www.huntbi.com<br />
Frost & Sullivan http://www.frost.com<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chqconsulting.co.uk/">chqconsulting </a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0