It’s taxing, and some would say impossible, for security staff to monitor the entire perimeter of a building or outdoor space. Video surveillance cameras, equipped with video analytics, can handle a significant amount of perimeter surveillance and reduce staffing requirements.

Smart video surveillance cameras strategically placed around a perimeter fence, property line, or outside of a building, can alert security personnel when specific virtual lines are crossed. These virtual lines are programmed directly into the cameras or video analytics software.

To prevent small animal and wayward branches from tripping alarms, minimum intruder size can be programmed as an alarm requirement as well. The specific behaviors can be very detailed. For example, many systems allow you to program multiple lines that must be crossed, minimizing nuisance alarms. Direction of travel across the virtual line can also limit unnecessary alarms. Nuisance alarm reduction is critical. Repetitive alarms will cause the system to be ignored, or worse, turned off.

It’s critical that all lighting and weather conditions be considered prior to, and during, the installation process. Site surveys, on-site demonstrations, and proof of concept are a must.

Challenges

Although video analytics are quite advanced, several challenges can make it difficult for basic cameras. Challenges include:

* Low or no light conditions

* Camouflaged intruder

* Environmental conditions

Low or no-light conditions can be offset with a variety of high-performance camera technologies. Infrared illumination can be used to shine “invisible” light onto the scene that only the camera can see. By using this lighting method, the movement of an intruder can be captured by the smart camera system. If an intruder attempts to breach a perimeter with camouflage and the facility is particularly critical, thermal imaging cameras may be desired. However, both of those scenarios can be overcome in many cases by simply adding visible floodlighting.

Lastly, environmental conditions may hamper the ability of camera analytics to catch and trigger alarms properly. Fog, snow, rain, blowing leaves, and other abnormal scene conditions require cameras and analytics that can meet the demand of outdoor surveillance.

Matching the right camera to the right challenge is critical to the deployment of a successful solution.

Other Technologies

Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) can be deployed on and along fence lines. These systems typically use a cable attached to the fence that can detect disturbances along the fence with great specificity. The primary challenge of a fence mounted system is nuisance alarms. A system that generates unnecessary nuisance alarms may become ignored.

Personnel Safety

When staff and visitors are walking to and from a facility, it’s also important to consider their safety. While walking from a parking lot toward a building, an emergency can be called in by activating a “blue light” stanchion or call box. These are often found in parking lots and along walking paths. They’re a great way to alert security in case of emergency. When activated, a voice communication connection is established

with the security team and cameras can be focused in on the area around or near the emergency call box.

Alerting

Alerts from any of the systems we discussed can be received at a security command desk where cameras are viewed, or even on a mobile device carried by administrators or security officers. Each of the systems can be integrated into a single, unified solution for ease of operation. The sooner alerts are received, the faster a response can be organized to investigate the potential threat.

Contact the Vision team immediately to discuss the benefits of properly and professionally securing your building.