VidSys, the leading provider of Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software that allows organizations to resolve business and security situations in real time, announced that it collaborated with the United States Park Police (USPP) to protect the tens of thousands of people that attended the celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. The VidSys PSIM software system was leveraged to monitor for, respond to and manage potential security and safety threats throughout the National Mall area.
During the October 16 event, the VidSys PSIM software system integrated, correlated and analyzed data across the disparate security systems and devices in place throughout the National Mall and Memorials area, including the Sony's wide area monitoring solution, providing the USPP and other government agencies with the shared intelligence and appropriate standard operating procedures necessary to effectively work together to pro-actively identify and resolve situations. By providing one common operating picture, commanders had complete area visibility, enabling them to pro-actively identify potential threats as they arose, thereby providing the best possible protection for the President, world dignitaries and other event attendees.
“Having the ability to gather vast amounts of data and turn it into relevant, intelligent information that can quickly be acted upon is crucial to ensure the safety and security of world leaders, dignitaries, visitors and responders as well as our national monuments themselves,” explained Captain David Mulholland, commander of Technology Services, United States Park Police. “Software that delivers real-time information, analysis and situational awareness to our commanders and enables us to collaborate in real time with our partner agencies to provide the best possible protection is a critical need.”
The VidSys PSIM software in conjunction with the Sony's wide area monitoring solution was leveraged at the event as part of a yearlong technology trial. The trial began with the 2011 Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally held in Washington, D.C. during the Memorial Day weekend, attracting about 400,000 veterans who participate as a tribute to American war heroes. The software was then used during the annual Fourth of July Celebration. During each event, the solution has increased safety and security and reduced emergency response times, minimizing risk and lowering operational costs.
“This historic event served as a key test for our PSIM software working with the Sony camera,” said James Chong, founder and CTO, VidSys. “With the PSIM software, the USPP was able to monitor, respond to and manage potential security threats throughout the National Mall and Memorials area and, once again, proactively manage situations as they unfolded.
Additionally, they were able to effectively collaborate in real time with their partner agencies, which is critical to ensuring the safety and security of everyone in attendance – at any event.”
The Sony system monitors the entire National Mall and Memorials area from a single location and transmits image data over an IP network. Its centralized architecture helps to create a far less intrusive “footprint” to maintain safety across a wide area.
“High-profile events are the ultimate test for any surveillance system, and this event presented particular challenges intended to push the monitor's capabilities,” said Mark Collett, GM, Sony Security Systems Division. “The Sony wide area monitoring capabilities combined with the VidSys PSIM solution provided the USPP with unprecedented, real-time visibility and situation management capabilities ensuring preparedness – and ultimately a successful Memorial celebration.”