Having a closer look at integration of IP and physical security

THE integration of IP networks and physical security creates new potentials for security operations staff to better defend assets and human lives. However to be able to take advantage of the opportunities, security operations must get rid of fear, hesitation and suspicion that often encircle operating a physical security on a IP interface.

Cracking the rumors
The first rumor: The security network will get congested with incoming data. The restrictions and limitations of Network bandwidth represent one of the biggest mythical arguments against integration. The reality of the matter is that, many physical security system devices, such as access management badge scanners, consume an insignificant amount of bandwidth space. The technology demands, at most, a few kilobits per second on a LAN, which has the ability to sustain 10,000 times that amount of data flow.
If the issue comes to surveillance video, even the most basic Ethernet switches utilized by millions of small and medium-sized businesses can sustain thousands of MPEG4-compressed video flows. If a company happens to have a large number of security cameras, there is a good chance it will utilize even larger and faster Ethernet controls, which has the ability to support tens of thousands of incoming video inputs.
Transferring video to or from a remote site through utilizing a WAN is more demanding for the reason that the bandwidth is less abundant across longer ranges. Nevertheless, it is considerably more feasible than utilizing an analog-based CCTV interface. The process of video compression aids in minimizing bandwidth usage, as does reducing resolution and frame rate. On top of that, IP network equipment provides quality of service mechanisms that can be utilized to prioritize event-driven and video that is sensitive to latency.
The second rumor: Putting physical security information on the network will leave it vulnerable to intruders form the public. The routers and switches that create the basis of IP networks already divide the resources of the network, enabling and restricting access to confidential information based on employee and other private information. That particular ability is what puts a stop to most people from accessing their companies’ confidential human resources and financial information through utilizing networks of the corporate branch. Surveillance operations can take advantage of the same separation techniques in order to limit unauthorized workers from viewing video surveillance files or other restricted information.
The third rumor: security and Surveillance information will be susceptible to computer viruses and other intrusions. Without a doubt this particular worry is justifiably a cause for distress. Nevertheless, lots of incidents are a consequence of poor password administration or simply not utilizing security features integrated into network utilities. Through carrying out the best practices of the security network, the transmitted data can be secured. Assume financial networks, banking and stock transactions to be protected.
The fourth rumor: The department of IT technologies will be the main operator. If this was really the matter then manufacturing, human resources, finance, sales, and almost every other networked application user group would not exist today. Without a shadow of a doubt, the physical security will continue to exist in spite of of what box or wire type is utilized for prevention and supervision. Is it really possible that you will miss working out a connectivity hindrance or performing general system preservation techniques? These routine chores can be carried out by the IT group, which already takes care of them for other sectors.

The real truth
The first truth: Network utilities convey higher interface uptime to physical surveillance. The IP networks present redundant transmission connections and special protocols that allow failover, or backup utilities, to directly take over the operations of a device that ceases functioning. The networks can also dispatch real-time announcements of connectivity loss to security operations employees. The features help keep security interfaces available with a high scale of resiliency, supplying users with more time to center their attention on the safety and security of an organization’s staff and resources.
The second truth: integration supplies greater authorized accessibility to surveillance video footages and information. Protection and security supervision as well as alarm/event notification are no longer restricted to a neighboring central operations station. Through utilizing an assortment of network security features, the users can recover video and receive event notifications from virtually any location with network access using a variety of wired and wireless utilities, in addition to mobile electronic devices. The users can also supply first responders with access to vital security data during the occurrence of an event, with enables for a higher degree of effective teamwork and cooperation.
The third truth: Incorporation of technologies drives greater interoperability for state of the art surveillance. Despite the fact that numerous analog physical security utilities utilize vendor-proprietary signaling running through a contrasting infrastructure, the IP utilities are more open and based on specific guidelines. In the light of that, multi-vendor, best-of-breed security deployments can be established based on what is considered to be proper. In addition to that, IP gateways, such as decoders and encoders, have the capability to even allow hybrid analog and IP security interfaces to be installed. As a direct result of that, network becomes the bases for communication and collaboration between security deployments and physical protection, along with devices and operators. Undoubtedly the physical security convergence will bring down the price of installations.
The fourth fact: Integration or convergence of technology enables tight incorporation between security and other interfaces. Despite the fact that video and access management applications are an apparent incorporation opportunity, at some point, fire alarms and other safety systems benefit from data generated by the access management interfaces. For instance, the worker’s badge swipe or other permit confirmation event can be utilized to illuminate the route from the access point to the employee’s office and even turn on the heater or air conditioning system, instead of having to activate lights and HVAC fans on an entire floor for power preservation during holidays and weekends.
Through associating physical security access management and its logs into network management authentication and enforcement interfaces, a company has the ability to set a policy that all workers must badge-in or provide other credentials at a building’s entrance in order to attain electronic access to network resources and gain physical access to the property. As soon as the network becomes aware of an individual’s physical presence in the facility, physical security policies and posture transform into another layer of protection for network surveillance. As a an offshoot product, illegal entry/tailgating into facilities also can be truncated when every staff member has to swipe their badge to attain access to the network.
The utilization of video surveillance by new user assemblies is also made possible through convergence of physical and IP security technologies. Many of the physical security operations, such as retail loss deterrence, can grant retail store management with access to live and recorded visual footages. The users of the system can easily keep an eye on the length of checkout queues and redeploy idle sales representatives. Clients and vehicle counts, Dwell times in front of displays as well as traffic flow can all be examined by merchandising and other assemblies. System convergence converts physical security interfaces into business utilities.
Integrated physical security supplies greater placement with organizational missions and represents a new business device, not merely an operational expenditure article. After all the previous discussion it is easy to realize that networked physical security not only supplies a higher level of flexibility to security operations staff, it also makes them more productive and enables them to center their attention on the main mission responsibility which is to protect and safeguard human life and resources.