CheckMySystems' 24/7 CCTV health checks offered to Visual Verification's customers

12 Dec 11

CheckMySystems – the CCTV diagnostics software specialist - has signed an agreement to enable Visual Verification, the Cheshire-based monitoring station, to become a CheckMyCCTV service provider. Brian Sims reports.

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By Brian Sims

The deal means that Visual Verification can offer its end user customers advanced CCTV health, status and operation monitoring using CheckMyCCTV as part of its comprehensive portfolio.

For Visual Verification's customers who opt for this service there's the reassurance that remedial action can be taken immediately when an issue arises in the field (whether it be to do with the failure of a camera, hard disk, detector or network connection).

Crucially, this intelligent, proactive approach is not reliant on time-consuming manual checks or problems being noticed by the end user (where delays may leave sites unnecessarily vulnerable).

In operation, the sophisticated CheckMyCCTV software has been devised to be as intuitive as possible for the operator through its on-screen 'traffic light' warning system. The warning system can be customised to offer pop-up boxes, audible alerts and e-mail messages as required, and can send a daily status report to customers.

For the Visual Verification solution a dual-screen operation has been set-up in the Control Room with one screen displaying the global status of sites and the other featuring an interactive map to give the status and location of each installation covered by the CheckMyCCTV software.

Enhanced integrity and security

"With the roll-out of the CheckMyCCTV service we are able to give our customers who subscribe to the solution an industry-leading system for enhanced integrity and security above and beyond anything that was previously possible," explained Steve Nelson, the managing director of Visual Verification.

"Ensuring a CCTV installation is fully operational is, not surprisingly, a critical concern for us at Visual Verification given the record level of criminal activity we have seen on our monitored sites this year. To date, the number of arrests since the start of 2011 stands at 73."

Nelson continued: "Thankfully, once CheckMyCCTV was implemented, labour intensive site checks that were previously undertaken manually are now automatic and conducted around-the-clock. This checking process is also much more extensive, so rather than being confined to simply checking that a site is connected it can drill-down to look at hardware and configuration issues on the CCTV system."

In conclusion, Nelson told Info4Security: "Encouragingly, the response from customers who have signed-up has been extremely positive once they see the practical benefits. We expect the number of CheckMyCCTV subscribers to increase significantly in the coming months."

What the solutions provider says...

Darren Rewston, the managing director of CheckMySystems, believes that this "revolutionary software" is proving its worth by providing an important safety net for monitoring station's like Visual Verification and their connected sites.

"A key driver for the take-up of CheckMyCCTV is the fact that it ties-in with the widespread recognition by monitoring stations and their customers of the need to have an effective, economical and simple method of constantly monitoring the status of security-critical CCTV equipment," stated Rewston.

"By flagging up any issues automatically, CheckMyCCTV provides the peace of mind that there are no critical gaps in surveillance left by undetected failures."

System compatibility to date

The CheckMyCCTV solution is currently compatible with CCTV systems from the following manufacturers: Dedicated Micros, Heitel, Vista, Adata, Dahua Technology, QNAP and Videoswitch. New brands are being added all the time by the development team at CheckMySystems.

Hikvision affords Kyoto University a culturally and technically relevant solution

05 Dec 11

This year, Kyoto University's security team made the decision to upgrade its existing Katsura Campus security infrastructure. As Brian Sims finds out, Hikvision has played a major part in the move.

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By Brian Sims

In 2003, a third campus was opened at Kyoto University in Japan. This new area, labeled the Katsura Campus, is notable for the distinctly forward-thinking mentality in which its tutors and learners approach education.

Nicknamed a 'Techno-Science Hill' this campus architecturally blends both Kyoto’s natural beauty with the university’s modern technology to foster a unique learning environment for its graduate students.

For any school, let alone such a scientifically-intensive one as Kyoto University, security is a major concern. Added to this is the fact that the Katsura Campus is composed of five distinct areas – or 'clusters' as they are referred to – and the total area provides a number of significant security challenges.

Originally, a comprehensive analogue CCTV solution was implemented to secure the Katsura Campus.

However, this year, with a desire to move from analogue to an IP-based CCTV technology, Kyoto University's security team made the decision to upgrade its existing Katsura Campus security infrastructure.

A uniquely Japanese solution

Unlike many CCTV upgrades, the new solution at Katsura Campus would be mitigated by a number of important decision-making factors.

From the onset, the fact that the original analogue CCTV system was still relatively new had important budgetary ramifications. In essence, university officials decided that any upgrades would need to be largely compatible with the already existing components.

In turn, this would eliminate wasted financial expenditure and the needless replacement of still operational security apparatus – both hallmarks of a larger Japanese mentality to fight waste.

Furthermore, on a more practical level, a surgical rather than a wholesale upgrade would help the university save funds through a notoriously difficult economic period.

Additionally, any IP-based improvements were required to do more than simply improve the quality of security provided: upgrades must also streamline efficiency and provide stability – all requirements that echo a larger Japanese value system.

Simplifying and improving the existing set-up

Haoze Lu, a technical support advisor for Javatel (the authorised distributor and integrator for Genetec Inc, the firm that partnered with Hikvision to administer the Katsura Campus Project) remarked: “This was an interesting case. We needed to provide quality, but within a framework that both simplified and improved upon the existing CCTV solution.”

Options including new IP cameras were quickly ruled out based on the stated criteria.

Instead, Lu turned to Hikvision to meet the customer’s needs. “Earlier, I had tested a number of Hikvision products," he explained. "I was extremely impressed with both their reliability and their easy-to-use functionality. I felt Hikvision’s reputation for quality perfectly matched the requirements called for in this Kyoto University project.”

Specifically, Hikvision’s DS-6101HFI-IP digital video server was selected. This solution addressed a number of major security shortcomings about which Kyoto University had recently voiced concern. Chief among them was the space required for storing analogue data.

The DS-6101HFI-IP immediately solved this pressing issue with its state-of-the-art digital technology. When compared to the original, which utilised an MJPEG/MPEG4 compression algorithm, the Hikvision DS-6101HFI-IP’s improved H.264 compression algorithm greatly minimises video stream data and helps save on storage space.

Furthermore, as Lu explained: “Like other Hikvision products this unit is extremely stable. There were no technical concerns that might arise when working with other components – both pre-existing and into the future.”

High performance DSP hardware compression

The DS-6101HFI-IP DVS is able to accomplish this by using a number of Hikvision technological improvements, such as high performance DSP hardware compression, H.264 video compression, dual stream technology and the ability to support both variable bit rate and frame rate.

Importantly, all of these improvements were achieved not by adding additional burden to security personnel at Kyoto University but instead by simplifying their work-related efforts.

“Now,” as Lu explained, “it was much easier and far more efficient to both store and retrieve data.”

Furthermore, Lu related that security staff on the Katsura Campus “were both surprised and relived to find how easy the switch from analogue-based video recording to IP digital-based actually was in practice. This was in large part due to Hikvision’s easy-to-use functionality.”

In Japan, the decision-making process is often noted for its deliberate and careful pace. In effect, it's considered imprudent to quickly decide upon a relatively unimportant issue, let alone something as significant as a university’s security.

Instead, a process of deliberation and analysis is valued. However, the success of Hikvision technology has made this decision-making process much easier for Kyoto University’s administration.

Both proven benefits and problem-free functionality have laid the groundwork for the DS-6101HFI-IP to be introduced across the university’s other campuses in the near future.

Further information about... Hikvision

Hikvision Digital Technology Co Ltd. is one of the world’s leading suppliers of video surveillance products and solutions.

Established in 2001, Hikvision has grown from a small company with 28 people into a global enterprise with more than 5,000 employees – including 1,400 R&D engineers.

Hikvision’s product offerings include hybrid DVRs, NVRs, standalone DVRs, digital video servers, compression cards, high definition IP cameras and speed domes. These products are used in more than 100 countries to secure various security applications around the world

For more information: Check out Hikvision's excellent security solutions on the company's website

Headquartered in Hangzhou, China, Hikvision has expanded to a global operation with regional branch offices in Los Angeles covering the Americas, in Amsterdam covering Europe and Dubai for the Middle East. There are joint ventures in India and Russia as well as a maintenance centre in Hong Kong.

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Esser launches new fire alarm control panel in India

The modular hardware and software concept allows customized fire alarm system by expanding and scaling its performance through additional hardware modules or software upgrades depending on the need.

Esser by Honeywell recently announced the launch of FlexES Control, a new generation fire control panel which offers a reliable fire solution via hot redundant processor and power supply. The control panel complies to the best-in-class innovative detectors and the other field devices which are capable of voice-evacuation in case of fire.

FlexES Control is a modular system which facilitates customized fire solution as per the customer’s need. Different hardware modules and software upgrades offered as various packages offers absolute flexibility of choice as per the need. Esser is the global market leader in fire industry and has been pioneer in fire detection technology for last 35 years.

Redundancy of operation, smart detection of fire events and rejection of nuisance alarms are the main USPs of FlexES control. These capabilities make the system suitable for versatile application, from small to large area protection and from clean commercial environment to the harsh and challenging industrial environment. The control panel comes with a 5.7” TFT display with night design which enhances the visual clarity on the screen and facilitates intuitive and easy operation.

The modular hardware and software concept allows customized fire alarm system by expanding and scaling its performance through additional hardware modules or software upgrades depending on the need. The modules of the control panel are easy to assemble, replace or supplement according to the plug-and-play principle. This modular concept covers all present and future needs. The solution is perfectly coordinated - not over-sized yet expandable at any time in the future. One FlexES Control accommodates up to 18 nos. of intelligent analogue addressable loops, with 127 detectors and devices per loop in any combination.

According to Sudipto Datta, marketing leader, South Asia, Honeywell Life Safety, “Many of the fire breakouts turn into hazardous ones, causing heavy damages to life and property, as they are not detected at an earlier stage where necessary steps could have been taken to curb the fire. With products like FlexES Control with its compatible detectors in place, any potential fire hazard can effectively be controlled and managed."

FlexES Control is a product under the ESSER brand which has been with Honeywell for more than 35 years. Esser is a supplier of intelligent building systems and provides economic and efficient solutions in fire alarm technology for superior demands. Throughout the world, Esser’s products make buildings safe, convenient and productive places for the people who use them - in hotels, public buildings and banks, as well as in large industrial plants and airports.

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G4S Wins Major Ministry of Justice Contract

28 September 2011

G4S has been awarded a contract to provide integrated facilities services to the UK's Ministry of Justice (MoJ), worth up to £300 million over five years

This is one of the first contracts to be awarded by the MoJ within a new framework agreement set up as part of a nationwide review of how it manages its courts and related buildings. G4S is one of only seven companies on the new framework, which is expected to incorporate some major new facilities services programmes.

The core contract, which starts on 1 February 2012, is worth around £35 million annually but also offers the potential for up to £25 million in project work each year. Under the contract G4S will provide more than 150 maintenance, catering, cleaning, security and energy management services to over 340 court, tribunal and administration buildings across the Midlands, Wales and the North of England. G4S will employ around 800 staff to fulfil the contract, the majority of whom will be transferred from existing service providers.

The G4S commitment to industry and professional standards, partnering and continuous improvement was a key factor in securing this new contract. This contract builds on the company’s position as the UK’s fastest growing facilities services provider, with other major wins in 2011 including the Birmingham Heartlands and Liverpool Women’s’ Hospitals, and security services at all RBS locations across the UK and Ireland.

David Taylor-Smith, CEO for G4S in the UK and Ireland, said:

“G4S has been a major provider of custodial and justice services to the Ministry of Justice for many years, through our prisons and court escorting contracts and we are delighted to have been selected by MoJ to provide a comprehensive range of facilities services to its broader UK estate.

As a major provider to Government, we are committed to helping it deliver the savings it needs in the current financial climate. We are confident that we will be able to deliver the MoJ these essential services effectively and efficiently, and at significantly less cost than the current multiple providers.

The outsourcing of facilities services is a growing trend both in the UK and overseas and we expect governments and corporations to continue to look to the private sector to outsource many of their non-core functions.”
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First installation of Gallagher D21 Sensors completed at correctional facility in Indiana, USA

The sensor can measure and analyse the impact on the security fence when disturbed

The first installation of the Gallagher D21 Sensors at a correctional facility in Indiana, USA has been completed successfully.

The D21 Disturbance Sensor, which is offered as part of the Gallagher perimeter security solution, can measure and analyze the impact on the security fence when disturbed. The sensor only proceeds to signal an alarm event when certain limits are exceeded, preventing any nuisance or "false" alarms caused by wind or rain, for example.

When Gallagher certified channel partner Security Automation Systems, Inc was approached by the Indiana Department of Correction to propose a perimeter detection system, the D21 disturbance sensors were proposed for two primary reasons.

"First, the D21 sensors integrate seamlessly with the Gallagher Command Centre software, which was a key factor in the decision process. We were already integrating non-lethal electric fencing, door control and video systems with Command Centre and the state preferred not to add another, separate system. The second reason we chose the D21 sensors was cost. Compared to other technologies considered by the state the D21 sensors were the most cost-effective solution," says Ryan Tomlinson from Security Automation Systems.

Mr Tomlinson had confidence in Gallagher and its products to carry out the job successfully. "Although this was to be our first installation of the D21 product, we were confident that between the technical ability of our staff and the support from Gallagher, we would be able to provide a successful installation," he says. "The D21 sensors were simple to install. They easily mounted to fence posts and other structures the system was monitoring and installing the communications backbone was low-cost and straightforward."

"After the initial process of setting the address of each sensor, we were able to power-up each new zone of sensors and get them on-line with the Gallagher Controller 6000s. Next, we were able to individually adjust the parameters of each sensor, and monitor real-time data in Command Centre according to the particular characteristics of the structure the sensor was affixed to. Overall, I was impressed with the ease of installation, the adjustability of the sensors and how well the sensors integrate with the Command Centre software."

Approximately 1000 feet of interior chain link fence around the facility's administration building was successfully protected with the cost-effective, yet highly secure perimeter security solutions offered by Gallagher
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