30 November 2020 - Aude Desbrieres
Featured in: Intrusion detection, Visual verification
OPTEX and Genetec’s unified approach to enhance perimeter security at airports
All airports face a common challenge: security. There are numerous incidents which can happen at an airport from illegal immigrants being smuggled onto a cargo aircraft, to an unauthorized vehicle smashing through a perimeter fence and colliding with an airport vehicle.
A large number of incidents are in fact linked to unauthorized access onto the airfield, either runways or where aircraft are being loaded or refuelled posing an extremely high risk.
In setting up a perimeter protection solution for airports, a multi-layered approach can be used setting different areas and starting beyond the perimeter fence to warn, in advance, of a potential threat. The second area to protect is the actual perimeter fence, where a combination of multiple sensors and technologies is common providing a double or even triple confirmation of an alarm. While this is more effective to ensure no intrusions are missed, the huge level of information presented can become a hindrance, rather than a help.
This common scenario for many airports was the trigger for Genetec to develop its Restricted Security Area (RSA) Surveillance module as an extension of its Security Center platform. It has been designed specifically with a view to providing wide-area protection and integrating with wide-area surveillance technology, including radar and laser detection devices.
The solution allows security staff to determine the level of threat for each area, map them, and utilise OPTEX technologies to identify and locate quickly and precisely the point of intrusion: for instance, with Fibre optic fence sensors, zones can be 100m-200m long and will identify people cutting through a fence, crawling under or climbing over. Newer fibre technologies provide point location.
A particularly intelligent feature of the system is its ability to ‘fuse’ data (known as ‘target fusion’) coming from multiple sources and confirm an event as a single (i.e the same) activity rather than a multiple threat. This presents a more meaningful picture to the operator and serves to maximise the benefit of each sensor’s performance characteristics.
Thanks to further integration of Genetec’s RSA with OPTEX’s LIDAR laser scanning detectors, an intruder can not only be detected by pinpointing the exact location but also tracked precisely feeding the X and Y coordinates and guiding cameras across different zones so the intruder can be intercepted faster by the security authorities. This deeper integration of OPTEX’s Redscan Series of LiDAR security systems into Genetec’s RSA platform enables intelligent tracking and event categorisation for both vertical (virtual walls) and horizontal detection areas, making it a very precise security system.
Tackling Rural theft
While the criminality rate, in general, is higher in urban areas, the level of theft in rural communities remains high and continues to rise. Farmers, producers, agricultural companies as well as homeowners in rural areas used to suffer from the occasional, opportunistic theft, but they are now being targeted by organised crime, stealing expensive equipment, fuel and livestock.
Agricultural vehicles are getting more sophisticated, featuring expensive GPS devices which unfortunately have become a popular target for thieves. The vehicles themselves are getting stolen for multiple purposes. The most common is to be sold on the black market in the country or out of the country, which is easier in mainland Europe with open borders between countries. In Italy, for example, it is reported that organised criminal groups are stealing vehicles in order to hold owners to ramson. Another reason to steal equipment is to use it to perpetrate other crimes, such as breaking through buildings, crashing through shop windows or pulling ATM machines out of the walls.
In the UK, insurance company NFU Mutual reported a 25% increase in the value of agricultural vehicle theft in 2018.
Machinery and equipment are not the only targets, farm animals are being stolen too. This is a global problem ranging from thieves stealing a couple of sheep, calves etc, to organised gangs stealing truckloads of livestock with some cases showing 100 animals being taken in one go. Such crimes are distressing and put farmers’ livelihoods at risk.
Damage is another issue facing the agricultural industry. There have been cases involving Animal Rights Activists, for example, using force to intrude on private land and damage culture or equipment. For instance, over 1,000 intrusions led by activists were recorded last year in France. In many countries, the police force is helping the rural community to identify risks and help put measures in place to increase security.
Detecting intrusion on the property and in fields where the livestock is kept, is one of the recommended measures to help prevent theft. OPTEX is pleased to work with a network of security installers who are designing security systems that utilise our outdoor sensors. Many use the benefit of flexibility of wireless systems, connecting our battery-operated PIRs and active beams, to wireless alarm systems. These could be self-monitored or centrally monitored with the option to send a security team on-site. Other systems combine wireless sensors and access control systems to classify whether the person or vehicle entering the land, farm or field has the right credentials and will raise an alarm if not.
Where access to main power is possible, a system combining our outdoor sensors and cameras gives this additional benefit to visually verify what is happening on site. Designed to perform in all kinds of environments, our sensors will also accommodate wildlife, to ensure relevant intrusions are being reported to the security systems and help avoid nuisance alarms. You can read more about some of our successful installs here.
Winter safeguards for outdoor sensors
Winter is arriving in our Northern Hemisphere and if you are using OPTEX intrusion sensors, you are in good hands, as they are designed to perform in all weather conditions. To keep the performance to its maximum, here are some key housekeeping tips.
Detector lens
If the lens of any of our sensors is soiled or dirty, it may affect their performance. The cleaner the lens, the better the performance. If there is mud or dirt on your OPTEX sensor’s lens, it should be cleaned. The best way to clean it is with a soft cloth and water, or with antistatic foam cleaner. Detergents shouldn’t be used as they can deteriorate the quality of the lens.
DQ circuit for our active detection devices
Our active infrared beams and LiDAR security systems both use active detection technology, constantly emitting a signal. In some instances, the quality of the signal emission can be altered by thick fog or a snowstorm. To be alerted of the lower performance of the sensors during that time, it is important to utilise the environment disqualification circuit or DQ circuit. If the intrusion system is using an alarm panel, ensure the sensor’s DQ circuit is physically or wirelessly connected to the panel. If the sensor can’t emit its signal properly due to extremely bad weather conditions, the alarm panel will be alerted. Depending on the level of risk, a backup system can be put in place to take over temporally.
The DQ circuit is featured in our REDSCAN Series, SL series and AX series (AX-100/200TF).
Heaters
To offer the best performance even with very low temperatures, several of our sensors feature an integrated heater. This is the case with our REDSCAN RLS-3060SH and RLS-2020S; and our pre-built beam towers. For our infrared beams and our long-range PIRS the SIP series, heaters can be purchased as accessories.
- Heaters for IR beams
The HU-3 heater will suit all our hardwired beam models, from the AX series to the SL series. Wireless beams can’t use heaters due to current consumption constraints on the batteries. When installed the heater will be always on. The best way to check that the heaters are working properly before the temperature plummets are to check the power on the power supply.
For the pre-built beam towers, a thermostat is fitted and will only action the heater when needed. To test if it is all working properly, use the Thermostat test switch. Click here for more information.
- Heaters for the SIP series
The SIP-HU is the heater that will work for all our SIP models. Once installed, it will be on constantly. Similarly to the IR beams, you can check the heater is working by checking the current.
Snow Shield for SIPs
Another accessory that could be useful for the winter (and summer) time is to install a metallic hood on top of the SIPs to avoid snow to accumulate on the PIRL.
- SIP Mini-hood: for the SIP-3020/404/4010 series and SIP-3020/404/4010-IP-Box
- SIP Mid-hood: for the SIP-5010/100 and SIP5010/100-IP-box
In summary, winter checks are simple. Check the cleanliness of the lens for all your sensors. If your sensor has got a heater, best to test it. For active detectors, the DQ circuit will alert you if the sensors are affected by weather conditions.