Challenges in integrating emerging technologies in electronic security
The field of electronic security systems is very broad and ranges from intrusion detection, access control, tracking and surveillance to screening technologies and explosives detection. Michael Dever explores some of the possible challenges facing security managers when it comes to the integration of new or emerging electronic security technologies into new or existing physical security systems.
The security industry is constantly evolving and developing new electronic security technologies.
Electronic security systems have undergone rapid evolutionary changes in the past decade, driven by the needs of the public and private sector to respond to new and more dynamic threats, to reduce the cost of ownership (based on a defendable business case), to improve systems reliability and to provide better interoperability with other related systems such as building automation systems. Emerging electronic security solutions such as IP-based CCTV surveillance systems have leveraged off the significant and ongoing advances in electronics in the general market place, particularly in display, computer, memory and network-centric capability and capacity.
There is increasing customer demand for coherent solutions for core building technology systems such as information and communications technology (ICT), building automation systems (BAS) and electronic security systems to utilise a high degree of common communications infrastructure, common user interfaces, multipurpose hardware and aligned installation effort. However, some parts of the traditional security industry can be slow to adopt new technologies, but as more and more of the enabling technologies, infrastructure and solutions are rolled out, IT and BAS companies are now competing for electronic security systems projects, challenging the traditional security industry that must adapt to become IT savvy or partner with an IT savvy systems integrator in order to compete effectively.
Valid concerns have been raised by the traditional security industry about the security issues associated with control of electronic security systems by an external system (e.g. BAS), open protocols and loss of effective trusted control of critical security functionality. These issues currently tend to limit the level of interoperability of electronic security systems with ICT and BAS that end users are prepared to accept, especially at the high security end of the market.
Despite these limitations, there remains a compelling technology-based argument and increasing business pressure to maximise the utilisation of standard network, computer and related infrastructure in a range of security, building automation and core ICT systems.
Apart from the pure technology and functional aspects of the available electronic security solutions, there remains the challenge facing security managers to successfully navigate the maze of new product offerings to find the range of measures that in combination delivers the best value for money outcome to meet the requirements of the end user.
Employing the correct measures means a feasible and cost-effective solution that is viable over the life cycle of the equipment. Choosing the correct measures is determined by an operational requirements analysis starting with credible threat, vulnerability and security risk assessments followed by risk mitigation options and cost/benefit analyses.
Systems integration
Historically, each electronic security sub-system component (e.g. security alarm systems (SAS), electronic access control (EAC) systems and CCTV surveillance systems) was specified, procured, installed and commissioned as a ‘stand alone’ system without little consideration given to integration or interoperability. So-called ‘high’ level (e.g. software) or ‘low’ level (e.g. hardware) links between the various sub-systems may exist, but essentially the sub-system components are independent of one another.
Systems integration is about the ‘links’ or connections between various sub-system components such as SAS, EAC systems and CCTV systems that vendors are now offering as discrete capabilities. These links are designed to improve the interoperability of each sub-system, improve efficiency of utilisation and provide greater situational awareness and response as well as providing the end user with a simplified and consistent common operator-machine interface.
Whilst the discrete components and the particular functions they provide may be acquired separately from separate vendors, the systems integration approach allows them to be interconnected electronically and functionally with other components to deliver a more holistic and capable security solution.
Security equipment integration has many benefits for the end user such as: standardisation of components, simplified and uniform training, operational and maintenance benefits.
Operational benefits include, for example, the ability to view alarms from all sub-systems (SAS, EAC, CCTV) at a common single user interface. This type of integration might allow the end user the opportunity to reduce operating costs by using the CCTV surveillance system as an alarm verification/assessment tool, thereby reducing the need to send response personnel to every alarm and reducing reliance on personnel resources.
The ability to select the best product for a particular security application from different vendors and to integrate it into a larger security systems solution ensures a commercially competitive environment during system acquisition. This approach also provides ongoing flexibility to change and upgrade components of the system independently as requirements and security risks change, equipment becomes obsolete or new solutions to requirements become available.
On the other hand, the lack of integration of electronic security systems can lead to operational conflict issues between the various functions - for example, when a door is monitored by an EAC system and an SAS at the same time. In this example, care has to be exercised to ensure that the EAC and SAS are able to ‘talk’ to one another to avoid costly nuisance alarms that could be caused by someone using the EAC system to access an alarmed door and inadvertently triggering an alarm on the SAS.
Design integration
A physical security system (PSS) is defined as the combination of policies, procedures, personnel and technology into a system for the protection of people and assets against security threats. The core functions of a PSS are: deterrence, detection, delay and response. Each of the core functions of a PSS could involve a wide variety of technologies from electronics to mechanical devices. Integration in the PSS context refers to building each sub-system and combining them in a way that makes the whole system operate more effectively. An effective PSS will result from the correct design of each sub-system and their integration with each other to allow them to operate synergistically.
Security system design integration is the process to select the various discrete security functional technologies and combine (design) them as an appropriate and effective PSS. This ultimately ensures that each sub-system (e.g. SAS, EAC, CCTV) is carefully analysed, assessed and designed to perform its function effectively so that the overall PSS operates as required. The objective of the design integration process is to ensure the security effectiveness of the overall system is greater than any of its components in isolation.
For high security and high reliability systems, it is critical for the designer to be able to objectively measure or estimate the performance of the PSS under various attack scenarios to ensure compliance with strict standards.
The system and design integrated solution
Regardless of the scope, range and/or complexity of the electronic security system being considered, a wide range of challenges exists for the security manager. To get the best value-for-money electronic security system outcome a combination of both system and design integration strategies needs to be employed. The following ‘checklist’ provides a list of the sorts of issues and possible challenges facing today’s security manager as they navigate the specification and acquisition of electronic security systems.
Challenges checklist
- Operational requirements definition
- Technology assessment
- Avoiding a proprietary solution
- Finding a technology partner who can satisfy operational requirements
- Migration planning and management (from old to new)
- Implementing appropriate policies and procedures
- Recruiting and training any new security personnel required
- Making sure each electronic security sub-system works seamlessly with other technologies
- Ongoing, timely and comprehensive maintenance support.
Sometimes, the security manager may require independent technology advice or assessments. For example, any system that would be considered a significant expenditure should be subject to at least an independent technology assessment.
Finding appropriately qualified and accredited (not just licensed) security professionals to carry out this work can sometimes be complex and time consuming. Fortunately this situation will improve in the middle of 2011, with the introduction of the ‘Australasian Register of Security Professionals’ under the guidance of the Australasian Council of Security Professionals (ACSP). The Register will provide a national listing of professionally qualified and accredited security professionals who can assist the security manager with expert advice on technology or protective security issues generally.
Conclusion
The level of integration of a PSS may vary depending on a large number of variables, some of which can be almost completely beyond our efforts to control. However if the security manager follows well-established security processes then the outcome should satisfy the immediate security objectives and most importantly be capable of cost-effective change and adaptation as circumstances change.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael J Dever CPP PSP is a Canberra-based independent protective security consultant, and is Security Risk Management Australia's advisor on technical security matters. For more information visit www.deverclark.com
This article first appeared in ASM Jan-Feb 2011 edition.