Airport operators attach a great importance to perimeter security, without which the airport may suffer dire consequences. This article looks at some of the essential security solutions to protect perimeters at airports.
Perimeter security serves as the first line of defense for airports. As such, airport operators attach a great importance to perimeter security, without which the airport may suffer dire consequences. This article looks at some of the essential security solutions to protect perimeters at airports.
Airports service millions of passengers each day. That's why airport operators highly prioritize security, which essentially begins at the perimeters.
“Airport perimeters present a unique set of security challenges due to their vast size, critical importance, and the variety of threats they face. One of the main challenges lies in intrusion detection and response. Airports must safeguard against unauthorized access, whether by individuals, vehicles, or even wildlife. The consequences of breaches can be severe, ranging from operational disruptions to safety hazards,” said Jared Mossman, Account Executive for Airports at Genetec.
To help protect airport perimeters, various products and solutions are employed. These include physical barriers, video surveillance and intrusion detection systems. Below we take a closer look.
Physical barriers
Physical barriers such as fences are vital in keeping intruders away from airport perimeters.
“With any security solution, the three primary effects you want are: detect, delay and respond. Physical barriers act as a deterrent but also have a delay effect. Fences at airports are usually anti-climb and often need to meet government stipulated requirements in terms of height and being fitted with barbed wire, for example,” said Noah Price, International Academy Director at G4S. “Physical barriers often have hostile vehicle mitigation effects built into them, following a number of incidents in recent years where vehicles have been used as a weapon. They can be placed within a green wall or similar so it looks more pleasing on the eye.”
Price adds that barriers often serve dual purposes, such as providing support for surveillance equipment, guiding pedestrian traffic, and delineating access zones.
Video surveillance
Another important element in airport perimeter security is video surveillance, in which video cameras and analytics play a key role.
“There are all types of cameras on the market to suit: fixed, straight line, zoom, thermal, 360° cameras. Having a high pixel camera which can look at large areas and still see movement is important at airports,” Price said. “Built-in analytics are essential, especially in low-light environments common near airport perimeters due to regulatory requirements. Thermal imaging technologies can significantly enhance detection in such conditions by providing clear visuals even in complete darkness. These analytics enhance operator efficiency by flagging anomalies for further investigation, allowing personnel to focus on actionable intelligence."
“Key security challenges at airport perimeters include monitoring vast areas for unauthorized access or hazards, detecting suspicious activities, and ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, aircraft, and other assets. Video technology that’s integrated with AI addresses these challenges by providing real-time monitoring and alerts that enable operators and ground teams to respond quickly to events, with contextual insights that improve their responses. For example, AI analytics can issue alerts for left luggage or a suspicious item which security teams can then investigate,” said Kevin Müller, Sales Director for the Nordics at Milestone Systems.
Meanwhile, Jason Crawforth, CEO of SWEAR, cautions that certain tools are needed to verify the authenticity of video.
“Video surveillance systems are one of the most essential tools at an airport security team's disposal for identifying threats and conducting forensic investigations, yet the rise of AI content manipulation and other video tampering has called into question the validity of surveillance footage, making authentic video content paramount for identifying threats and conducting investigations,” he said. “Thankfully, there are solutions available today that can be integrated at the VMS or camera level to provide proof of the authenticity of video and security data, ensuring what you see is what happened. Video authentication tools reduce or eliminate the risk of compromised evidence, ensuring reliable surveillance content.”
Intrusion detection
Intrusion detection systems and the associated sensors can also play a key role in airport perimeter security.
“There can be many forms of perimeter intrusion detection systems at the outer edge of airports. This includes fence-mounted or buried cable sensors, microwave barriers and infrared beams. These sensors can then be integrated with video surveillance and access control systems,” Price said. "Seismic ground sensors are now very sophisticated and can determine the difference between humans and animals. This reduces the frequency of false alarms which breeds complacency among security staff that could be exploited by threat actors.”
Mossman, meanwhile, cautions against certain challenges when using airport perimeter security solutions. Besides high false alarm rates associated with traditional intrusion detection systems, there are also the issues of data overload and AI inaccuracy.
“Monitoring and analyzing massive volumes of data from security systems (such as cameras, sensors, and access control logs) is resource-intensive. Without effective analytics tools, distinguishing between legitimate threats and false alarms can be time-consuming and error-prone,” Mossman said. “While AI and machine learning are being leveraged to improve detection capabilities, these technologies are not foolproof and may need significant tuning to reduce false positives and improve their accuracy in detecting intrusions.”
Mossman suggests airports can look for integrators who understand these challenges and select technology that unifies disparate systems and enhances situational awareness. “Platforms like Genetec Security Center provide a single interface to integrate and manage data from multiple sensors and devices,” he said.
Greg Colaluca, GM of Intellicene, echoes Mossman’s remarks. “Airport security control room operators rely on a combination of security solutions that each fill a specific niche, but this approach can create challenges when systems aren't working together effectively. With each solution operating independently and generating a vast amount of data, security personnel may find themselves spread too thin when switching between various applications and programs, limiting their efficiency,” he said. “To create a more comprehensive view of operations, airports must take an integrated approach by compiling mission-critical data into one streamlined interface for rapid insights. By unifying video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, and sensor data into one comprehensive platform, airport security teams can gain an in-depth view of their environments to identify and respond to developing situations quickly and effectively.”
Product Adopted:Transportation