The Indian government has targeted creating 220 new airports given the importance of the aviation industry to support the Indian economy. As the number of airports proliferates, it becomes essential to pay close attention to the security support that these spaces require. Over the years, India’s airports have seen bizarre security incidents.
The media reported a man scaling the wall of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai to go close to an aircraft that was about to take off. There was a security breach at Indira Gandhi Internationalairport in New Delhi just two days after the Uri attack when a man scaled the boundary wall and jumped towards the runway bag in hand. He was unnoticed for half an hour. In Surat, we heard of aplane hitting a buffalo on the runway. A pack of 25 to 30 golden jackals was found wandering in the newly opened Chipi Airport in Sindhudurg.
These incidents sound hilarious and make for some funny conversations. They however are extremely serious as they expose the vulnerabilities of our security infrastructure. Thankfully these incidents did not result in any major catastrophes, but the fact they took place hides the potential for very different outcomes.
A perimeter breach can allow an individual access to secure areas where planes are parked. They can gain accessto active taxiways where planes containing passengers may be in transit. Things can suddenly become out of control if these individuals have malicious intent.
Preventing security breaches across airports that have long perimeters is a challenge. While CCTV footage helps provide real-time visuals, robust perimeter detection systems are the need of the hour to take a proactive, instead of reactive, stand towards airport security.
Perimeter detection systems are the need of the hour.
A perimeter detection system identifies the presence of an intruder attempting to breach the physical perimeter of a specific area. Be it buildings, airports, or international borders, robust perimeter detection systems enhance the security value of systems such as fences and prevent unauthorized physical intrusions.
Perimeter security systems consist of systems and technologies that prevent and detect intrusions and provide a multi-layer perimeter protection stand. While BCAS developed a PIDS specification, it leaves out many new age technologies. Fortunately the powers that be took a visionary leap in permitting perimeter monitoring using stitched camera feeds from high-end cameras rather than insisting on fixed 50 mtr zones at one of India’s leading airports.
Electric Fence serves as a good deterrent in a primary layer while other smart sensors including edge based Electro-Optics, fibre optics vibration sensors, Infra-Red and other intrusion detection technologies collectively assist in developing a multi-layered and robust security stand. That apart, these technologies are resilient enough to withstand tough weather conditions and ensure that they are working as designed even in rough weather.
Perimeter security is used for deterrence as well as an early warning system to enable effective & timely response to a threat. By reducing False Alarms and increasing the Probability of Detection, they reduce the demands on human resources while not compromising reliability.
While most of India’s airports have perimeter detection systems, the spate of unauthorized activities shows that there is more than enough room for improvement.
As we look at increasing the number of airports to drive better connectivity and contribution to the economy, preventing disruptions by amplifying the security posture will be of critical importance. We now need to make sure that our security posture at airports is at par with international standards and ensure that these sensitive places are secure at all times.
There is too much at stake to allow such vulnerabilities to continue to exist especially when there are technologies and solutions to accurately detect intruders over large areas with great reliability. While the front door is locked heavily with security checkpoints inside airports that work with precision, it is the back door, the airport perimeter that in many cases remains open. We need to make perimeter breaches a thing of the past and the entire airport area completely secure by using robust perimeter security systems in place. Talk to us to know more.