This article looks at how ZKTeco’s integrated security solution, powered by the ZKBioCV Security software, has helped enhance security at a desalination plant in Hong Kong.
Water treatment facilities are critical to municipal operations, and security is of utmost importance. In this regard, an integrated solution that consolidates various security systems on a central platform can greatly benefit operators. This article looks at how ZKTeco’s integrated security solution, powered by the ZKBioCV Security software, has helped enhance security at a desalination plant in Hong Kong.
What is ZKBioCV Security?
ZKBioCV Security is an all-in-one, web-based security platform that addresses diverse security needs. The platform includes multiple modules including time-attendance, access control, visitor management, parking and elevator control that encompass all areas of security at the end-user site. The solution aggregates data from all subsystems and present it through a visual dashboard to facilitate managers’ decision-making.
Securing a desalination plant
ZKBioCV Security-enabled integrations can support a range of end user entities, particularly critical infrastructure facilities, where keeping premises safe and secure is crucial. One such example is a desalination plant in Hong Kong. The plant has a water production capacity of 135,000 cubic meters (m3) per day during its first stage, with plans to expand to 270,000 m3 per day.
Given its critical nature, the plant needs an advanced solution to meet its security needs. To that end, ZKTeco deployed an integrated security solution powered by ZKBioCV Security at the site to meet the plant’s security requirements. Below are the key solution components:
Access control
To secure access points throughout the plant, ZKTeco installed 100 units of ZKTeco ProID10-BM Access Control RFID Card Readers and linked them to 100 units of ZKTeco InBioPro160 Access Control Panels. All the access control devices are centrally managed by ZKBioCV Security. This setup provides a centrally managed, effective solution that meets the plant’s requirement for maximum safety.
“As the plant occupies a large area for its daily operation, which requires numerous staffs who are diversely distributed in different areas for various operation procedures, verifying every accessing person manually incurs heavy cost of both time and human resources,” said Jerry Lee, Solution Manager of ZKTeco Hong Kong.
He added, “With ZKBioCV Security, a more precise and effective system securing the access to the buildings becomes possible. All staffs can register their information, such as their personal data and access rights, in the platform. Each staff is issued an RFID card, which must be presented to the ProID10-BM card reader for identity verification. Upon successful verification by ZKBioCV Security, the staff will be granted access.”
Multizone multi-time access control
ZKBioCV Security also enables flexible access control settings by area and timeslot. This addresses some of the difficulties plant operators face in their multi-zone and multi-time access control effort.
“The plant has an extra-large group of employees dispersed over the premises in different departments. Conventional attendance management systems involving complicated administration procedures only increase inefficiency of work, especially for those having numerous workplaces and departments. With ZKBioCV Security, staffs are registered with their specific access rights so that they are only allowed to have access to their related workplaces and work time to prevent any inappropriate access,” said Rocky Chan, Sales Manager at ZKTeco Hong Kong.
Global anti-passback
The integration of the readers, panels and ZKBioCV Security platform enables global anti-passback, a security function that prevents unauthorized reuse of credentials. If an employee enters a restricted area without properly exiting, the system denies re-entry, ensuring credential sharing is prevented and unauthorized access is minimized.
Interlock functionality
Another key feature is interlock, which ensures multiple access points can only be opened under specific conditions. “Once the interlock function is enabled, opening one door will automatically lock other related access points, preventing simultaneous opening. Only when specific conditions are met can the interlock function be released, allowing simultaneous opening or closing of these doors,” Lee said. “This is meant to prevent individuals from entering or exiting restricted areas without authorization and helps deter unauthorized activities through the access control system.”
Video surveillance
ZKBioCV Security has a video surveillance module that can integrate with third-party security cameras and NVRs through ONVIF and private protocols. This allows the system to automatically receive line-crossing signals directly from the cameras via TCP/IP, private protocols, or the IO of the cameras and output alarms accordingly.
Unified access control and video surveillance
The integration of access control and video surveillance with ZKBioCV Security forms a cohesive, multi-logic security system. The advanced e-map displays the entire deployment and distribution of all the security devices – including access control readers, access control panels, door locks, video surveillance cameras, network video recorders, alarms and sensors – in real time. In case of security incidents, such as device tampering, unauthorized access or line crossing, the location of the security incident will instantly show up on the e-map, with alarms instantly triggered and sent to security staff via SMS or WhatsApp. Live video streaming of the corresponding cameras will be displayed with 15-second pre-incident video automatically recorded for further security actions.
Ensuring reliability with ZKBioHA
ZKBioCV Security is also highly integrated with ZKBioHA, a high-availability solution providing security and business continuity protection. Such integration meets the plant’s demand for absolute reliability.
“As the desalination plant is a critical infrastructure, any malfunction with the security system could cause severe consequence. The plant thus requires absolute reliability of the system. To this end, ZKTeco installed the ZKBioHA (high-availability) System to monitor and protect the server’s IP, applications and data I/O via HA technology. When an application or server encounters failure, ZKBioHA automatically and quickly switches to the standby server in less than 60 seconds to guarantee continuous and seamless operation of security protection measures,” said Raymond So, GM of ZKTeco Hong Kong.
Conclusion
ZKBioCV Security has been instrumental in safeguarding the desalination plant in Hong Kong. With features like multizone access control, global anti-passback and interlock, it meets the plant’s security, reliability and management needs. ZKBioCV Security offers a comprehensive and reliable solution, making it ideal for critical infrastructure facilities like the desalination plant.