Today, all aspects of physical security, including perimeter and intrusion detection systems have gained considerable momentum in adoption from a wide range of sectors. Traditionally, establishments owned and operated by military or government bodies were the primary users of physical perimeter and security measures. However, now most corporate and business entities worldwide are increasingly stepping up security measures within their premises to eliminate threats and stay safe.
From a business point of view, assets like data centres, R&D facilities, labs, etc., are involved in high-end business and operational support activities. These assets are being increasingly targeted by state and non-state actors who know their strategic importance. Hence, critical investments are growing in security infrastructure to guard these prized possessions.
As more mission-critical facilities come under the radar, security measures themselves are rapidly evolving into smarter entities to mitigate newer forms of threats lurking in the malignant dark.
The major strategic imperative for security measures to turn smarter today is the adoption of technologies like IoT and data analytics to redefine their operations. Let us look at five ways in which perimeter security can re-engineer its outlook with IoT and analytics:
In the past, security fencing was the primary mode of creating border security for critical infrastructure. But it has always been prone to intrusions by skilled criminals or can even be potentially damaged by stray animals if facilities are built near their habitats.
Over time cameras helped in adding an extra layer of protection by relaying live feeds from these border areas that would be monitored by human staff. But with IoT and data analytics, this setup reaches a new dimension.
With intelligent intrusion sensors connected via powerful fibre optic networks, security systems can identify even the most subtle intrusions by analysing data such as mechanical pressure, acoustic movements, etc. The insights relayed by IoT sensors can be used to pinpoint the exact locations of intrusions through data analytics. This is extremely useful for facilities with large border perimeters.
Adding to the above point of being able to pick up even the slightest movements across border perimeters, smarter intrusion systems can help recognise the exact agent causing the intrusion. By analysing the behaviour of threat movement near the borders, the system can help determine if it is a genuine external threat or a wild animal. This can help in activating secondary lines of defence like high voltage electric fences in densely forested areas to prevent innocent animals from being subjected to heavy shocks. Instead, they can be scared away with mild shocks or sound alarms.
Critical assets guarded by security systems are often located in remote areas and can involve activities where staff come in close contact with high-risk environments within the facility.
Security systems can double up as safety enforcement tech thanks to IoT-enabled sensors whose data can help in identifying the potential entry of humans into danger zones unknowingly.
The system can automatically alert staff or prevent them from accessing an environment when it is operating under risky conditions. A prime example would be reactor rooms of nuclear power plants which humans should enter only under very specific environmental conditions. The security systems could detect heat within the room and prevent the opening of doors as it will seriously harm staff with radiation burns.
By connecting sensors and video cameras to border security infrastructure, critical high-security establishments can continuously monitor and log surveillance across the entire facility.
When intrusions are detected, cameras and sensors can work in tandem to capture as much information as possible from the source. Further analytics can reveal crucial data to help with investigations.
This will help formulate best practices for perimeter security infrastructure when new establishments come online. It can also be used as a reference for training personnel about different kinds of threat situations.
Many high-security facilities have tolled gates that control vehicular movements in and out of the perimeter. It is one of the major areas that must be constantly monitored. And any risky behaviour must be thwarted before it escalates into a security breach.
IoT sensors coupled with cameras can help in capturing and transmitting live video feeds of movements across such security points. With data analytics, vehicles that have not cleared access checklists can be easily identified and prevented from entering the secured premises.
Building a smarter security ecosystem for critical facilities will be a challenge for most enterprises if they continue to rely on the traditional security infrastructure.
With IoT and data analytics, such facilities can depend on a highly efficient and precise electronic pair of eyes that will constantly protect their borders without bias.
What matters here is the selection of the right security systems, and this is where Athena comes into the picture. Credited with building high-end, intelligent security systems for clients ranging from the military to major cloud players, Athena offers a range of smart solutions for protection of critical assets. These systems embrace innovations like IoT, AI, ML and data analytics at their core.
Get in touch with us to know more.