17 July 2007
Integrated security systems are used for everyday surveillance in airports, commercial buildings, retail outlets, hotels, schools and hospitals
Closed Circuit Television or CCTV refers to a visible or covert video system, most commonly used for surveillance. In a Closed Circuit TV, the picture is viewed or recorded, but not broadcast.
Initially developed as a means of security for banks and casinos, CCTV today has been developed to a point where it is simple and inexpensive enough to be integrated with home security systems, and for everyday surveillance in airports, commercial buildings, high level penetration retail outlets, hotels, schools and hospitals.
In the last few years the CCTV industry has seen enormous fast paced developments, thanks to a multi-user tasking environment that has reduced the need for expensive man guards.
Network video surveillance technology has gained in popularity as a result of three trends: the convergence of security and computer technology, the growth of digital video recorders and digital surveillance cameras, and video distribution over the internet.
Other benefitsThe non-security benefits of CCTV include more efficient use of security staff in larger organisations, identifying staff training needs for store management and monitoring sales floor activity to assist in management and merchandising.
CCTV is also used as a means of monitoring performance in the workplace. In the United States more than 55 per cent schools use CCTV due to the increased concern about school safety and security by parents and school officials.
Also contributing to the increase is the fact that technology has lowered the cost of CCTV, while providing increased reliability and performance.
In hotels, which are increasingly being seen as soft targets by terrorists, smaller, unobtrusive Internet Protocol (IP) cameras observe key access points such as lift entrances and corridors and vulnerable areas such as bars.
Footage can be saved directly onto a hard drive, which eliminates the need to replace tapes and improves image quality. The CCTV industry is predicted to experience a complete conversion from analogue to digital technology by 2010.
The use of CCTV security solutions is on the rise in all areas across the Middle East. In fact in 2006, the United States Department of Commerce stated: "The safety and security industry is booming throughout the Middle East".
Countries of the Gulf Cooperative Council (Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) have unique market conditions that make it ideal for this industry.
"In the UAE, particularly, the boom in construction has led to an increase in the demand of CCTV and security systems," said Sanjay Tendulkar, Marketing Specialist Middle East of Johnson Controls, which provides a comprehensive selection of selection of security and fire protection technologies and services designed to provide safe, comfortable, and efficient facilities.
The Middle East also has the most significant average annual increase in tourism. The region has, therefore, increased its security to cater for and monitor larger figures. Also, as crime evolves in the Middle East, retail storeowners are turning to CCTV for greater security.
Biometric systemsThe Gulf region is increasingly adapting biometric security systems to confirm the identity of individuals in the workplace and at government sites, including airports and border points.
The Dubai Bank, for instance, has introduced biometric security systems, where lockers are offered to consumers in different sizes at different annual rates.
Cash can, therefore, be stored safely and can only be accessed through several security checks, including a palm print biometric scan. At present this market is estimated to be worth $500 million.
According to Tendulkar, "Today security systems are integrated with building management systems. For instance, if an intruder enters a building, the proximity sensor sends out an alarm to the building automation system, which triggers the camera of the security system."
Johnson Controls has provided complete building automation services at several prestigious projects in Dubai, including security and access control in Burj Dubai, the different building of Etisalat and the Dubai International Financial Centre.
"The hospitality industry here now uses the voice-over IP, a LAN-based system that provides security solutions in a hotel. Usually in the hospitality industry the security and the air conditioning systems are integrated to provide customer solutions.
"Many hotels are now providing their employees with smart cards and proximity cards, which have all the information stored in them and allows staff entry at different points of the hotel."
Johnson Controls and Pacific Controls' offer comprehensive Integrated Security Management Solution, designed to address a range of application areas such as card access control, CCTV, fire and elevator alarms, intrusion detector and 24-hour monitoring services.
Security measuresIt has several years of experience in installing automation solutions for the hospitality sector and the expertise has been utilised in the installation of guest room automation system for Dubai hotels such as Shangri-la and Sheraton Jumeirah, to name a few.
Pradeep Nair, Division Manager of Specialised and Integrated Systems, a Dubai-based low voltage systems integrator said, "CCTV cameras can either be the PTZ (Pan Tilt and Zoom) cameras, which can rotate up to 360 degrees, or fixed cameras, mounted either on the ceiling or the wall.
"They are all wired to a digital video recorder. There are also the high-end Internet Protocol-based cameras, directly connected to an IP network. Such cameras are mostly used at the Dubai Airport."
Traditional CCTV systems require fixed cables, whereas a wireless CCTV system has no geographical restrictions, is simple to install, has dual transmission capabilities and is not an expensive exercise.
Experts have said that the introduction of IP CCTV surveillance will bring new light to security measures within society.
According to Ian Fowler, Technical Training Manager of Norbain SD LLC (a UK-based distributor for all leading brands of CCTV, access control and intruder products), "The success of an IP-CCTV system depends on the ability of the network to guarantee the timely, fast and affordable delivery of high volume, robust and accurate images."
By Esha Nag
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
