Maximum Security Facilities

John Honovich has another interesting article over on IPVideoMarket.info. He takes a look at the security detection requirements for ‘maximum security facilities’. Like most people, the first thing I thought of when I read that description was a prison holding the worst prisoners. John quickly cleared that up by explaining that a maximum security facility is one where “systems must be designed to stop adversaries before they reach critical assets”. I think that it is clear that high-risk chemical facilities, particularly those with toxic, flammable or explosive release COI, can easily be seen to fit this definition. Not Video Alone While John is mostly interested in video systems he does note that video alone will not provide adequate security for maximum security facilities. He identifies the additional security measures required this way:

“Barriers must be employed (fences, doors, gates, etc.) to slow the movements of adversaries. Guards must be able to respond quickly. Indeed, guards must be able to respond in less time than it takes to identify the threat and for the adversaries to pass the barriers.”

Video System Requirements John goes on to explain how video surveillance system can be integrated into a security system. Since the goal of the security system is to impose security personnel between the attackers and critical assets, the video surveillance system is designed to help that force track and intercept the intruders. John goes on to list three types of systems that support that objective:

“2D and 3D Mapping systems that embed the locations of cameras can help the guard determine where a suspect is and where they might be headed”; “PDAs/Phones with video monitoring applications can be used to help the on-foot responders locate and track the adversary”; and “Physical Security Information Management systems can be used to coordinate response and trigger other systems (like locking doors or turning on lights).”

The link in the above quote is typical of John’s articles. It takes the reader to a page with a listing and description of companies that provide such systems. It also provides John’s analysis of the strong points and weak points of the systems supplied by each vender. John also provides a link to a security reference book on Amazon.com that describes more fully the security system requirements for maximum security facilities. Recommended Article From time to time John slips up and does not explain an acronym (in this article ‘VMS software’ which I guess stands for ‘video mapping system’), but that is the only real fault that I can find in this article. It is short and readable, and well worth the time it takes to read it. As with all of John’s articles, this will not enable you to go out and design a security system for a maximum security facility, but it will help you to understand a consultant that is helping you with your site security plan.