Infrastructure
An architectural approach to safety and security begins with the network. Use cases will determine what technologies need to connect, but the underlying network infrastructure should always remain consistent. Network design should be borderless so that the user experience is transparent, whether they are tethered to a workstation in a security operations center (SOC), moving in a vehicle or roving around a city campus.
That infrastructure should ensure secure and reliable communications. It should also provide a level of scalability that accommodates growth as the community expands. That infrastructure should be shared so that community services are enhanced and cost-reduced. In essence, the network enables technologies to peacefully interact, not just as a path for data, but as a platform for interoperability.
Consider the devices as IP end points. In safety and security, end points are typically network cameras, access control readers, alarm input devices, digital and analog radios, displays or GPS sensors. End points that conform to industry standards will help with initial interoperability and ensure the integrity of the solution remains validated throughout the solution life cycle. Without standards, updates of individual solution elements can wreak havoc on the integrity of the overall system. Standards such as ONVIF or PSIA are useful for devices, but standards by which applications share data are conspicuously absent.
Ideally, the network can act as an intelligent fabric between devices that deliver information to the network and the user interfaces that pull information off the network. The more intelligent the network, the less work needs to be done by the end points and the applications. Imagine the network containing a broad set of services above and beyond those today. If they were used by manufacturers, they would obviate the need to build heavyweight applications or end points. Scheduling, messaging, secure transport, analytics, transcoding and more could become part of the network. This would drive down the cost and maintainability of the applications and end points, enabling overall system intelligence to exist in the network. The result is faster innovation, more affordable products and richer content for consumers of information. An example where this works is with medianet.
A medianet architecture is a way to help customers build a scalable, reliable and cost-efficient infrastructure. Consider video surveillance, which can be particularly demanding on a network. HD cameras running 24/7 can consume significant bandwidth. A medianet approach adds a layer of intelligence to the network, the end points, the servers and potentially all applications. This enables the network to effectively manage requests for bandwidth based on availability and dynamic conditions. The significance of this is the cameras can be automatically configured on the network, reducing the time needed to configure cameras once they are plugged into Ethernet switches.
Designing Stable Networks
The network itself can present a challenge for many customers. Far too often the network is considered ubiquitous and its inability to support additional network traffic is overlooked.
Video is frequently the culprit when networks become oversubscribed, so a great way to start is with a video surveillance readiness assessment. This assessment helps customers properly plan and migrate to video technologies and applications, as well as networked safety and security solutions. It also ensures the technologies selected can be installed with the least amount of disruption.
This creates a win-win-win situation for the system integrator, the equipment manufacturers and the end user. The system integrators win because they have an opportunity to add value and differentiate by offering this assessment as a service. Manufacturers win because they are less likely to be dragged into customer support situations that are not product-related. The end users win because they are able to know up-front if their infrastructure can support the traffic; if not, they can properly plan to upgrade the network elements so their deployments are trouble free.
IP App lications
With increased levels of interoperability, application developers can build more compelling user-facing applications. They can have richer content and provide better information for efficient and effective decisions. Physical security information management is a good example where, through integration, end users can visualize situations consolidating data from multiple sources, correlating that data and adding layers of business intelligence. Qualified system integrators are able to offer better solutions with more value.
So with all this interoperability and seamless data flow, what are some of the examples on how communities might benefit? One example might be a city subway station, where a camera containing video analytics monitors the platform area with virtual trip wires to detect people intentionally or unintentionally wandering into restricted areas. If a person crosses the virtual boundary, an alert is created and sent to the SOC. Automatically, cameras can be positioned to zoom in on the GIS coordinates detected by the trip wire.
Video from critical cameras are given priority in the network so that operators can accelerate resolution and frame rate. Simultaneously, the system may lock down certain doors or gates to prevent unauthorized entry to sensitive areas.
Transit police can be dispatched with a description of the alert, as well as receive snapshots and video clips of the person activating the trip wire. Radio-cellular phone-IP phone communications are patched together to help responders. Should operators determine that the suspect is a known threat, evacuation instructions can be sent to platform digital displays.
Today, city authorities are looking at how to do more with less: to effectively coordinate and deliver services to their communities and give citizens better access to those services. Providing a safe and secure environment is the foundation for these communities to be successful. Thus, the network is critical for enabling communities to create this environment.