Security Caffeine

Fraud Scheme Hits Grocer

2011-11-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

OK, this is the first time I've seen a Skimming attack on POS registers. But the proof is in the pudding as they say. So far, two cases in which SELF SERVE POS REGISTERS serve as points by which criminals capture data illegally.

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4280

In this particular case, there appears to be no account data compromised. But, it reminds us that at ANY Point of Sale location can serve as a Skimming risk...

Interesting...

$1 Million ATM Fraud Scam Busted

2011-11-29T06:18:00.000-08:00

Zoweee! Some key aspects in this article.

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4274

First, ONE DAY of skimming yielded about 350K in losses. A single Sunday the criminals used a skimmer and pinhole camera to collect just 350 acct and pin numbers. Then they pulled about 1000 from each account.

Second, in many of these cases, it's the CUSTOMERS bringing attention to the cases, not the banks or law enforcement folks who solve the crime. Interesting that we are still relying on ourselves to solve this type of crime. Be very observant when you use your ATM machines.

Finally, it seems, according to the article that there is an explosion of ATM Skimming crimes with no real end in site. The crimes are small enough that legislation to combat the problem wont be reviewed for a long time. This means the problems will persist.

News 9 in Colorado on Skimming Devices in Area

2011-11-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

Interesting video article on the use of skimming devices recently in Colorado.

http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1265391195001&odyssey=modtvideoendslate

I think the hidden story here is how most manufacturers attempt to correct for the problem. Very costly to install, replace the ATM, replace parts of the ATM, or train the consumer. Hmmm..

Skimming Scam STOPPED by Bank and Merchants

2011-11-07T06:02:00.000-08:00

Good article on how certain merchants in Orlando FL helped stop a skimming scam from continuing over time. The most intriguing statement I read from this is

"It's almost like they can't stop themselves from doing it..."

The statement is referring to the fact that US-based Credit and Debit machines still use older magnetic stripe technology, which is outdated and has inherent security risks.

See the full article here:

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4218&rf=2011-11-04-ec&elq=6ee1ce687bca4b50ba1517aa85f0222a&elqCampaignId=765

21st Century Store Manager - Reseach Preview

2011-11-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

Great Article on Retail.

Key Points:

Customers are incredibly empowered with Mobile Technology, causing weakness to brick and mortar stores
Manager and Employees in the store are most important in overcoming weakness
Four main ways ALL retailers can implement changes for benefit:

Give Managers more access to information on goods and services they are selling
Give Managers access to operational metrics on whats happening "in the store" REAL TIME
Present this information WHERE the Manager IS and...
The Manage needs to be out on the floor of the store

Good information in this article...

http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/1363

Enjoy...

Radio Shack Back to its Roots?

2011-10-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Wow, now this would be a novel idea! I can recall so many times over the last two years trying to just go out to the local Rat Shack to try to find something as common as an Ethernet crossover cable, and being met with that tragic phrase "No, we don't carry that anymore..." and even worse for Radio Shack "You might try Best Buy down the road...".

It sounds like Radio Shack may be making some intersting changes in the near future...

http://adage.com/article/special-report-ana-annual-meeting/radioshack-s-journey-bring-back-a-forgotten-customer/230602/

Smishing Scam Targets Wells Fargo

2011-10-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

OK,

So a slightly different take on a familiar PHISHING attack. In this type of scam, a cell phone user receives a TEXT (seemingly from the bank) saying there has been a breach in security and they need to call or respond with specific information (account #, personal info, last four digits, etc.). Then the criminal takes that information and drains an account...

See full story here...

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4172

ATMs Hit by Cash Trappers

2011-10-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hmmm. Here's a not-so-new approach to an old crime. The cash trap has been a known crime for some time, but it's interesting that in EU, there is a DROP in skimming attacks at the same time an INCREASE in the cash traps.

In US, by many accounts, it seems the skimming is on the rise, along with several other crime (cash traps, smash and drags, etc.)...

See the full story here...

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4169&opg=1

NY Skimming Incidents may Be Linked

2011-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Kindof a general article again related to ATM Skimming. It discusses the several cases that have more recently occurred (Seattle, Florida, New York).

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4148&opg=1

Interesting factoid:

From one ATM Machine with ONE skimming device, the back could see losses of approx 50K!

Skimming Devices on the Rise - ABC2 in Baltimore

2011-10-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Great news report on the effects of ATM Skimming related to ID Theft in Baltimore. This plague is spreading quite quickly.

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/money/atm-skimming-ont-he-rise

ATM Skimming devices are gaining in sophisticated. Very descrete and attached to a Gas Pump...

Is it REALLY the Economy, Stupid?

2011-09-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

So, I can't help but get encouraged and frustrated at the same time when I see articles such as these. First, a Duane Reade drug store opened over the summer in NYC. Here's an excerpt:

"At 22,000 sq. ft., it is Duane Reade’s largest store ever. The cavernous former bank space has vaulted ceilings that rise two stories above the marble floor and retains the bank’s marble columns, pyramidal roof and French gothic spire. As the Bank of Manhattan Trust Building, it was the tallest structure in the world until the Chrysler Building opened in 1930. Donald Trump purchased it in 1995, but for 11 years the site was only used to host special events, Magnacca says. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee awarded it landmark status in 1998."

HOLY MOLY Batman! A DRUG STORE! That's encouraging for Duane Reade and Parent company, Walgreens, but really, a DRUG STORE? Hard to believe we're still having a real problem with the ecomony when companies are performing this type of monumental addage to their existing footprint.

Take that story and add it to this one... A Software Engineer, Stephen Huff, in MO builds PENSMORE (Loosely derived from "Thinking More), a 72000 sq ft high tech home.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44607760/ns/today-today_people/t/take-tour-billionaires-high-tech-castle/

Said to be one of the largest and yet most fuel-efficient homes ever, I reckon the project alone will keep hundreds of workers busy for the next two years.

I'm starting to think the problem's not really economocal in nature, but more POLITICAL!

6 Tips to Curb ATM Skimming

2011-09-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Again, due to the recent activities around the Pacific Northwest cases, recommendations are made on how Skimming attacks might be countered.

The basic list looks like this (I've commented on some standout points...):

Fraudsters are Savvy to Surveillance - The writer suggests the Fraudsters KNOW that live video is not being monitored. However, they do not address the use of RECORDED video. Also, this is not a serious issue as the Fraudsters might simply use a machine without Video Surveillance.

Incidents Occur Quickly - 2-3 hours to collect a bunch of Account Data. That's about what would be expected. And then I suppose they move onto another machine.

No Wireless Technology - This is interesting in that the writer does not mention the use of wireless video cameras, something more commonly seen in the past. But they refer to the actual skimming device transmitting data wirelessly. I think it would certainly add costs and risk for the criminal, but it seems the use of a camera is still fairly likely.

Branch ATMs Preferred - The writer points out very good reasons for the preference of Branch Bank ATMs over Retail or otherwise, off-site ATMs. Easy access and high traffic volume, most important.

Certain Makes Targeted - I would say the regular use of specific model(s) is more related to familiarity and costs. If the Fraudsters can simply build ONE facade and product it in quantity, tehy can more quickly get the thefts underway at more places quicker and for less costs.

Merchants Can Help Detect Fraud - I find this most troubling. FIRST, consider the issue that the Retail organization DOES NOT check IDs when a Debit charge is being conducted. But SECOND. indeed, why/how should they? The main point of using a debit card, specifically with a customer swiping access point, is so the employee never NEEDS to check the card and/ or ID. It would seem to me a little strange after I've swiped my card and entered my PIN that an employee would ask me for the card and my ID.

Here's the whole article...
http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4084&pg=1

2 ATM Skimming Suspect Jailed

2011-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

These are two additional folks linked to the same cases from last month in the Seattle area.
http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4077

Top Stealth Home Energy Hogs

2011-09-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

I saw this article and did a real quick once over in my house. Found a couple of spots where I can certainly make quick adjustments. With all the power outages recently, we often think about ongoing entertainment. So one of the things I do is setup our Portable DVD players under the regular TV with a library of DVDs. Each of the DVD players is plaugged in to keep it charged. I moved things around a little, so I can, at any point in time unplug the TV, the FIOS Settop Box, and all the DVD Player at one time when not in use. Looking forward to those millions of dollars in savings... Or maybe just a few bucks...

Here's the article...

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/113465/top-energy-consuming-items-forbes

ATM Skimming: How Effective is Jitter?

2011-09-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

This is an older article from 2010 regarding the "jitter" technology to provide anti-skimming protection. Overall conclusion is the jitter technology should only serve as a piece of the overall anti-skimming solution. I completely agree. Thereare many ways to protect an ATM or Gas Pump from skimming devices, but how does one prove ROI on a device and how much is one willing to spend on the device or overall anti-skimming solution - PER ATM?

Here's the Jitter Article

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=2667&pg=1

Hands Off - Gap’s apprehension strategy stresses safety

2011-09-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

I read this interesting article about Hands Off Apprehension. Nto super original really, but gives some ood ideas on what Retailers are doing to train AP folks properly.

Hands Off! STORES.org

3 Charged With 6-State Spree Linked to $550K in Fraud

2011-09-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Good article from CUInfoSecurity.com on another recent update in teh war on ATM Skimming. Three separate individuals brought up on charges.

Here's the whole story...

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=4031

Video Analytics - Business Intelligence or Infrastructure Security

2011-09-08T06:08:00.000-07:00

Just thinking today about the differences between Analytics in the video world, and in particular the business case for the additional costs. It seems there are two very broad categories of Video Analytics. First, Critical Infrastructure Security Analytics, might be considered those used to provide Asset Protection, Loss Prevention, and/ or secure an organization's infrastructure and resources. Most often these are marketed to Airports, Seaports, Government Buildings, and Corporate Offices, because this is the most likely area of an organization that can justify the higher price tag. These are the most popular in nature currently and the ones most of the industry is referring to when they speak about "Video Analytics". These might include items like:

- Setting tripwires
- Object (object might be defined as person or vehicle) left behind
- Object entering an Area Of Interest (AOI)
- Directional awareness
- Flow control

Second, there are what could be referred to as Business Intelligence Analytics. As the descriptor implies, this refers to those analytics in which provide additional business intelligence and by their nature are developed to serve that purpose primarily. Most often these are related to Retail-type of applications (Consumer Retail, Retail Banking, etc.). The analytics would enable the video system to provide items like:

- Conversion Rates - comparing and analyzing shoppers to purchases
- Directional Analysis - analyzing which direction customers move within a given Field of View (perhaps based upon in-store signage)
- Employee Performance - analyzing and comparing numbers of customers serviced by coworkers and providing performance metrics between employees
- Queue Analysis - providing automated response when queues are getting too long, or there is queue abandonment

Of course, the two broad types of analytics could overlap in certain ways. For instance, identifying an object (person) within a field of view and then identifying that object crossing a tripwire could allow an analytics to "Count" people entering a department or Area of Interest - giving the appearance of Departmental Conversion Rate.

But perhaps what is more important is how the analytics, and the overall software package included, can display a Return on Investment. Analytics to date have had a hard time justifying the higher price tags. Now, we're starting to see prices drop, but also quality, accuracy, and expectations drop also.

A brief look at typical Critical Infrastructure Analytics show the most popular, and historically the most impressive Return on Investment (ROI). Frankly, the CI analytics are touted to save lives and reduce loss. Setting up an analytics to detect a "suspicious bag left behind" in an airport can protect the patrons and employees of the airport as well as reduce the possibility of costly terminal shutdowns. Detecting a small boat approaching a larger vessel and triggering alerts can have a huge impact in protecting precious cargo and even even soldiers in battle. But the reality is in those markets, it is very difficult to show ROI as the endeavor is to stop dramatic, and potential very public in nature, events from occurring. In this case, a single "Failure" in a mission critical event such as this may not be acceptable (because it could cause loss of life and or expensive resources).

On the other hand, there is Business Intelligence Analytics. By using department/ product level conversion to identify why "X" number of customers enter an area and yet do not buy a specific product, one can make a very real and immediate change to the layout of the store to increase sales of that product (or replace the product altogether).

Also using a combination of Line Queuing Analytics, as well as, Real-Time Dashboard with Alerts and Forensics, a Store Manager could immediately affect Customer Service (by reducing wait times), and review and compare employee effectiveness.

In addition the risk of failure is insignificant in the overall plan. Missing one or two people in an Area of Interest during a 1 hour period will not cause dramatic, negative results.

Pay at the Pump Skimming Epidemic

2011-09-06T11:41:00.001-07:00

Great article on Pay at the Pump "Epidemic"

http://www.cuinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=3951

ATM and Gas Pump Skimming - On the Rise?

2011-09-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

Maybe its just me, but it seems there has been a rise in the number of Skimming cases across the US in recent months.

May 2009 - New York - Estimated 500K USD lost due to skimming devices
Sept 2010 - South Florida - ATM and Gas pumps found with devices
July 2011 - Houston, TX - 400K ATM Skimming Scam
July 2011 - Global ATM Skimming Ring Busted
Aug 2011 - Sacramento, CA - 2 men facing charges of ATM Skimming
Sept 2011 - Tampa Bay, FL - approx 44 customers defrauded at area ATMs
Sept 2011 - Seattle, WA - 3 Charged With 6-State Spree Linked to $550K in Fraud

There are of course many more than these, but it seems to be an increasing issue in the field. Some would estimate the problem of Card Fraud totaling over 2 BILLION dollars in recent interviews. This number is staggering considering the limited effort ATM manufacturers have put toward actually solving the problem. Some have attempted to correct the problem by adding jitter technology into the machines themselves, which can be a costly effort to outfit legacy machines. Others take a more unintrusive route with a combination of detection and jamming devices. Each has ways of providing parts of the solution, but it still seems pieces are lacking.

PTZ Versus Megapixel Shootout

2011-08-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

PTZ Versus Megapixel Shootout

Legal and Compliance help for Security

2009-07-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

The last couple of years, there has been so much discussion around Security and IT "convergence". I myself have sat in meetings with the reluctant IT team who, due to "Streamlining" and "Downsizing", has been placed in charge of a disparate video and access control system.

Issues can be raised on both sides. The Security Team loses control of very important assets in getting their basic jobs done. The IT Team has a better understanding of the underlying infrastructure required for many of the modern security systems. The Security Team should be open to the idea of not having to support a fully networked system because it frees them up to focus on their primary objectives. The IT Department ticketing system is cumbersome and difficult to get immediate answers to problems. These types of issues often raises walls between the teams, which seem impassable.

But consider for a moment who the internal customers might be of the security system (specifically CCTV), and how the ongoing argument and apparent gridlock might affect them. Consider the Legal Department first. Imagine a consumer filing a complaint that says they slipped in a back aisle of a store. The legal department calls upon the Security Department to show all video from the store's CCTV System that might prove or disprove the case. Security Department connects remotely to the in-store recording system, downloads the appropriate video, and centrally stores it for legal purposes. A timely presentation of video shows the consumer setup the scene and acted injured. Case closed. But if video system is not connected to the corporate network, the process becomes quite cumbersome and a risk of "chain of evidence" and time delays, becomes standard!

Compliance is another group often affected by a security system's remote connectivity. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of an organization may require that a branch maintain at last 90 days of storage in a retail bank's video recording system. With proper network connectivity, and centralized management software showing "Days on Disk" in a spreadsheet-type format, a regular check of the system for compliance, immediately, and by the Compliance Officer themselves, is natural and simple. Imagine attempting to accomplish the same goal requiring potentially hundreds of individuals (store managers, or technicians) with a written process of querying the recording system and reporting back to a central group of people in the hopes that, at sometime, the information can be compiled and put into a spreadsheet-like format with limited number of errors.

Take head Security Managers, maybe "discussions" with IT about the cost of them supporting your large roll out of NVRs is NOT such a huge issue. Perhaps gaining the ear of the Legal Department is another way to overcome these impasses and maybe even provide increased budget...

Security Caffeine...

Bandwidth Challenges and IP Video

2009-07-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

As the convergence of Security and IT becomes more prevalent, need for CCTV Video Review across an organizations network is becoming more and more available. For the Physical Security Professional, there is not much to be concerned about as thier interface to the video may or may not change. However for the IT Professional, the implications of putting video on an organization's network can be very intimidating, and is often resisted with great effort.

When faced with this possible task, there are a few things that should be considered which may make the decision-making much easier. First, consider how much video will actually be traversing the network. An IP Video system can be built such that the higher frame rates, higher resolution video (requiring much more bandwidth) is only used in alarm type scenarios and is only transmitted across a designated network pipe. This allows for much better control of the amount of video.

Second, to manage the bandwidth, give careful consideration of which spans the video really needs to traverse. If built properly, a Networked Digital Video system should have very little negative impact on the organization's corporate network. By utilizing distributed recording platforms wherever possible and dedicated LANs, separated by virtual private networks, the direction the video flows may be controlled quite comfortably.

Third, review the list of potential users and manage those users with the inherent throttling capabilities of the Recording System or with the network's own technologies, like QOS. This gives appropriate amounts of bandwidth to the critical users/ applications, and reduces bandwidth across those network spans.

Lastly, consider the many different types (by criticality) of video and where it should/ could be stored. In some environments and Recording Systems, video may be segmented and flagged for longer term storage (whether on the original recording device, or in an off site storage system). Consider storing surveillance video (24/7 video) for a few days and then have the system automatically remove pictures WITHOUT motion to free up HDD space. Then after another period of time, see if the system can automatically off load event video (alarms or transactions) to a centralized storage at a designated point during the late night.

Careful consideration and proper planning/ design will ensure a successful implementation of IP Video in an organization's corporate network. We have only reviewed a few thoughts related to bandwidth and IP video.

For more information, feel free to comment on the blog...

Sincerely,

Security Caffeine

Securing Utilities

2009-07-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

Securing a nation's utilities has become very important over the last few years. Here, we'll review The Why, The What and start getting into The How of securing an organizations utilities.

THE WHY and THE WHAT - Reviewing just the MAJOR Utilities, and what impact could be felt.

Water and Sewage - Not many think about Water and Wastewater as a significant target. However, in many cases a city's reservoir holds only up to 3 days of reserve for an entire community. Of course this means if any significant damage were imposed upon the major pumping stations, the community would be without water. It only takes a matter of days before lack of water can cause significant impact on health and social interests.Of course "significant damage" could be something as simple as injecting insecticides in key locations in the system, or something as dramatic as a bomb destroying an entire plant.

Electricity and Natural Gas - We have all grown accustomed to the warmth and cooling these two utilities provide to our homes and work spaces. Significant impact on either can certainly result in lack of creature comfort, but consider also the potential for toxic and physical damages to those living anywhere near the plants.

Telecommunications - Recent natural catastrophes have shown how difficult it can be to coordinate emergency efforts without telecommunications. Land lines, cellular, and even satellite communication can be disrupted during significant events. Without proper preparation, emergency response teams are effectively working with a severe handicap. Telecommunications is also interesting because there are some relatively unknown attacks performed upon these services without the general public knowing. Domestic and International Terrorism are typically referred to in Risk Analyses, but many overlook the more common occurrence of Copper Theft and weekend sharpshooters from local population.

THE HOW - Reviewing how organizations might approach Security for Utilities

First, establish a Physical Perimeter. The easiest, and usually most convenient way to do this is to build a fence. Whether a large, plant-like installation, or a small pumping or transfer station, the logic is the same - install a fence to restrict entry. With new technologies, an alternative or supplement may also be considered - a Virtual Fence, using CCTV cameras and an alerting system. Specifically in small, remote locations where building fences may not be an effective use of budget, or where existing fences may need additional security practices applied, the end user may consider using IP CCTV, Alarm and Access Control to protect the sites. Strategically located cameras, integrated access control, wireless communications and Digital Video Recording Platforms can be built to establish a highly effective alerting tool, which can be monitored and manged centrally. Upon illegal entry into a restricted area, a system can respond with a multitude of tasks:

- Automatically upload multiple snapshots to a central monitoring station, and/ or law enforcement

- Automatically enunciate an on-site alert, notifying the potential aggressor that pictures have been sent to local authorities

- Automatically trigger additional security procedures, such as alerting local law enforcement or move PTZ Cameras to defined presets

In larger, plant-like environments, additional cameras with perimeter analytics (like tripwires, objects approaching, object left behind, and object taken away) would certainly provide increased security for a very reasonable financial investment. As well, it might not be financially prudent to trench up the ground to add new cameras, access control, or even just new buildings. This has been an issue in the past considering all the logistics involved. But using new wireless technologies, simple point-to-point and point-to-multi-point platforms provide a means by which networking (video, alarms, audio, web, LAN/ WAN) may be added quickly and cost-effectively. In fact, wireless applications, if designed and implemented correctly, provide a tremendous advantage in time and overall cost when considering traditional means of networking. This is one of the reasons why in most buildings today wireless networks are installed (whether we see them or not, they are there).

Once Physical Perimeter is established, next consider Critical Assets and how they might be protected. In a Water/ Wastewater Plant, Critical Assets may be define by the larger pumps and control stations inside buildings, or by overflow channels where a person might approach and inject hazardous materials into the Water System. Integrated Access Control and CCTV cameras at strategically located can accomplish most deterrent as well as prosecutorial effect.

In Electric, Natural Gas and Telecommunications Stations and Plants, the issue starts to become more "cyber" in nature. Providing security to those Critical Assets inside the building and on a network become very important. On May 29, 2009, President Obama presented a stirring speech referencing the many risks and challenges we as a country face in securing these Critical Assets. Many federal efforts are being put in place to provide additional budgetary dollars for this purpose. Included in this will be dollars for adding physical security to protect the cyber interests. Very good news to those impacted so severely by the recent economic downturns. Still, providing fully integrated systems of Access Control, Alarm and CCTV become incredibly important. No more is it acceptable to simply add a few cameras or Access Control points to hopefully be deterrents to criminals. By integrating Access Control, Alarm and CCTV, the organization can be made aware immediately of changes and respond appropriately with accuracy. The organization can also manage these system over readily available IP Networks if the correct solution is applied.

There are many different items to be considered when securing utilities. Fundamentally, those making the decisions should consider organizations experienced in just that and have a Risk Assessment performed to give an adequate well thought out plan.

Happy Protecting...

Security Caffeine

Analytics - To Lead or Not To Lead...

2008-09-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Analytics - To Lead or Not to Lead... I'm not much for Shakespeare, but this is a good question. Over the past few years, many security companies have been leading into an Enterprise IP Video project with analytics as the main driving force. In a presentation, they BEGIN by trying to show the exciting stuff of analytics (bags left behind at the airport, tripwires at water treatment plants, facial recognition at a soccer game, license plate recognition at the toll booth, etc.), and leaving out the entire video management platform upon which those analytics would run...

The truth is, there are several underlying considerations that must first be discussed before a project should consider even the NEED for analytics. Unfortunately, this is not often the case.

Here's the basics in my humble opinion:

Legacy Analog Video - If the project needs to incorporate existing analog camera infrastructure as it moves forward into the IP video world, they need to be considering encoders into the project to ensure the can simply get the video onto the network.

network Infrastructure - Do they even have a network resilient enough to transmit the video to and fro. Or will they be building a private network just for the IP Video?

Recording Architecture - Consider how to get that video OFF the network and onto HDDs (or other storage, like EMC, SAN, NAS, etc.). A Commercial Off The Shelf, server-based recording platform is often better, but in some cases actual NVRs or even DVRs have a better architecture.

Centralization - Now we start to consider the "brains" of the operation. Consider if the system will have a database for all the configurations (framerate, resolutions, bitrates, alarm configuration, integrations, etc.). By centralizing this, it allows the end user to build many different configuration and push them out to individual recorders, encoders, IP cams, etc.

Workstation Application - Next is the software application for reviewing video. Most Enterprise Video Platform providers have their own ready made version of a video retrieval software. Other rely more heavily on integration software applications (like Orsus or Proximex) to give a central retrieval app for all users.

IP cameras - Now that the legacy cameras are taken care of by the encoders above, the end user can consider the plethora of IP cameras in the market place today (Axis, Sony, Verint, IQInvision, Arecont to name a few). Some serious thought needs to go into this section as much of the market today is going toward Multi Mega Pixel Cameras for replacement of multiple Standard Def cameras.

Video Walls (IP and Analog) and other display techniques - Next the End User may have a need to build a Security Ops Center with an existing Analog Video Wall, or even a newer IP based video wall (like Barco or Christie). Knowing how to incorporate a truly digital IP based video wall or even a simple guard shack environment becomes a significant consideration. Will that older guard who's used to using that Pelco Keyboard really be excitied about now having to use a workstation and mouse to watch video? Perhaps not!

FINALLY, we get to Analytics... Loitering, Tripwires, People Counting, Object Tracking, Objects left behind, Objects taken away, License Plate Recognition, POS Trending, Slip and Fall and Endcap Fullness. So many options, and even within each category there are even more SUB-categories. Day and Night time views can change the configuration depending on the location of the sun. Objects blocking the scene can ruin a view at any time, if this is not considered up front. The main point here is, as many reading this article already know, Analytics can be extremely complex to understand and plan for...

So, I guess I look at it this way, BEFORE one even introduces Analytics to the project, there should FIRST be a discussion of the video platform, IP Cameras and more, upon which the Analytics will reside... Then take that customer confidently into the exciting realm of analytics...

Just food for thought...

SC

Buying Packages or Solutions a Danger? Nay, says I!!

2008-08-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

A recent article was written on one of my favorite sites to monitor, www.ipvideomarket.info. Click here for the article. In it, the 'ipvideomarket' community was discussing the inherent "dangers" of providing a Packaged Solution for video surveillance for the end user. I read through the article, and was surprised, initially, with the number of people agreeing with the arguments.

Here are the basic arguments. It is "dangerous" to package together cameras, encoders, and video management platforms to sell the end user an end to end solution. Why? Three reasons:

1. Packages are too general.
2. End user is out of luck if they choose a market lagging package.
3. End user is controlled if they choose a market leading platform.

Although I respect the 'ipvideomarket' team's comments, and do understand some of the basic thought, they are generalizing too much in the article.

There are too many end users out there who simply don't know what they want, and they don't have the time to do a huge investigation into all the possible technologies. What they do know is they often have existing analog cameras (and possibly DVRs) and they want to move into the IP Video world without too much headache and cost. They also may not have the expertise on staff to support the complex environment often occurring when dealing with a fully networked, IP Video System. Packages (like Nextiva EZ36 or Basic 64 from Verint), although often very general, are a perfect solution for this type of application. It provides an entry point into the IP video market with a complete kit (video platform, servers, storage, encoders, network switch and cables). This is simple to install for the Integrator (comes pre-configured), and simple to use for the End User (a 2 hour webinar gets them where they need to be). There's also only one phone number to call if there's a problem.

So, let's say an end user starts with one of these packages and the customer, in the near future, wants to add 30 more, brand new, IP cameras, from Verint (or Axis, or Sony, or Arecont, or IQ Invision). Can they do this? Of course! Or what if they want to add 10 more IP Cameras with Analytics (like Object Video, or Agent VI). Can they do this? Certainly! Need to add storage, or another remotely located recorder server? No problem!

I'm finding it hard to understand the danger here. Yes, of course, the vendor, Verint in this case, sees a benefit, but so might Axis, or Sony, or Object Video, or Agent VI. Hmmm. Not really a problem.

Finally, what happens if the Customer Service Support structure falls on its face with that Vendor, and the end user says "I hate this product, get rid of it!" Do they really have to "get rid" of it? Nope. They keep what's worth something tangible - Servers, Storage, Encoders (as long as those encoders work with other platforms), Switches, and install a new software platform on those servers.

I'm finding it hard to see the "dangers". What about you?

Just food for thought...

Owning a City - Good News

2008-07-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Another fine installation of the Verint Video Management Platforms...

New York and LA have really taken to the whole concept of "one throat to choke". Although perhaps not on purpose. Because of the relationships between Verint, Integrator and End Users, these two cities have really grown to have the largest metropolitan area installations of IP Digital Video in the US. Tunnels, Bridges, Seaports, Corporate Centers, Piers, Train Stations, Airports, and, of course retail stores like Wal-Mart and Home Depot. All using the Verint Video Platforms. The advantage for Verint should be very apparent - Owning a City!

Using Verint's Nextiva Enterprise Video Management Platform allows the end user to use their own selected Commercial Off The Shelf servers and storage (like Dell, HP and EMC). The end user can also use Verint's line of single and multi-port encoders to take legacy CCTV video into this new IP Video system. Using Verint's IP Cameras (fixed and PTZ), allows the end user to grow into some of the newer capabilities of IP video streaming and review. Finally, using Verint's wireless transmitters, access points, bridges and repeaters allows the end user to get from point to point in some of those hard to reach places or quick additions without major construction.

The advantage for the Integrator is also pretty simple - fine design and deployment prove to the end user the Integrator is committed to moving into the newer technologies. Showing this allows the Integrator to solidify their relationships with the End Users.

Consider the advantage for the End User(s) though... With collaboration, these end users can really be at the LEADING edge of technology, growing and changing their systems with newer technologies. Bringing the end users together into small "Think Tank" type of environments really opens the door for them to express their concerns and to share their praises of the new technologies. This certainly allows the end users to "Own" their system and effect the changes in the future of the video surveillance and security markets. Finally, it allows the end user to always have one number to call to correct an issue.

Owning a City - good news for all it seems to me...

Just food for thought.

Security Caffeine

Not Just Your Old Man's Traffic Cams...

2008-06-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Wireless Video! What a wonderful phrase! To think you can build an IP Video CCTV System almost completely without wires, and open it up to the masses or keep it as controlled as you need it…

A major state in the Mid-Atlantic area has recently undergone a phased approach to improving their traffic camera system. They have been placing more and more cameras along the major roadways for the purpose of traffic safety and as a secondary purpose to provide a means by which the public might see a snapshot of the cameras (at 5 minute intervals). Answering the age-old question… How long will I be stuck in traffic this morning?

Nothing new here, right? For years, states (and companies) have been providing traffic cams for emergency purposes, and for traffic reports from your favorite news stations. Except one thing, MOST of those cameras have required a long strand of fiber laid before they can be implemented. This can be a costly endeavor, not to mention time consuming. In addition, consider the major investment requirements to trench and bury fiber, or to carefully pull the fiber through existing underground piping.

Enter Wireless traffic cams. The speed at which these cameras can be added to an existing network is extremely high. A single lift truck, and the right permits, allows a company to mount the camera and associated wireless transmitters or access points (like Verint’s Wireless 5.X equipment, or Motorola’s MotoMESH) to the existing poles along the roads. Using Verint’s Turbo SPCF Protocol, up to 28 Mbps ACTUAL bandwidth is likely, and Motorola MotoMESH, has great redundant path capability. These are just two examples of how technology is making great strides for Wireless Video.

But be careful when considering which product(s) to use! Not all products are the same, and not all products should be used for Wireless CCTV. There’s a little known issue with wireless technology called “Hidden Node” that can cause significant problems for the end user. When collisions occur, the Master Unit says, let’s slow things down a bit, dropping the bit rate to very low levels. This can be disastrous for a Wireless CCTV System. Verint has a technology that organizes the nodes to give recognition to all, so collisions rarely occur. If they do, the Master steps in and re-organizes, and lets everyone continue at their regular speeds. If one camera shows a higher level of activity, the Master allows more openings for it to send its packets. Not many other products deal with the Hidden Node well.

Motorola has a means by which a MESH can be used, so if a failure happens within a system, a redundant path can be immediately routed, and the loss of connectivity is almost eliminated. This is great for a city wide solution where you may have many users trying to access the video system.

Using MESH to get video INTO the network is perhaps not a good move. Mainly because, if a wireless network is built to handle a certain amount of video traffic, and then you try to put a whole bunch more video on that particular leg, jams, and collisions occur more frequently. Now, put these two applications (Verint to get the video into the network and Motorola to serve it out), and you have a GREAT solution, which is highly reliable.

Just food for thought…

- Security Caffeine

Copper Thieves Beware – Part 2

2008-06-15T18:59:00.000-07:00

In the previous post, we considered how cell phone and utility companies have experienced a large increase in copper thievery over the last couple of years. Mainly due to the increased worth of copper, and the ease by which it can be illegally obtained.

Consider construction sites, not typically known for their security, and how they have become a huge target. Large amounts of copper coils are stored at construction sites while waiting to be installed. Security Guards may be present on site, but they can’t be everywhere, all the time. The Copper Thieves quickly drive their trucks up to the coils, load them into the back of the truck with special equipment and off they go.

So, how can a company protect the construction sites from Copper Thieves? Wouldn’t it be cool to have a mobile platform, with a small security system embedded in the base of the platform? The system could have a bank of 4 – 6 cameras (IP or analog), pointed in different directions, all attached to a retractable mast. These cameras can be networked (with an inexpensive switch to an embedded, multi-port encoder, and a small commercial, off the shelf server with a 300 GB Drive. Or, even bring the cameras into a small form factor embedded DVR. Attach this little setup to a wireless transmitter, or other wireless device (EDGE, satellite, etc.) to make the video accessible remotely. In addition, create virtual trip wires, and camera tampering alerts to generate alarms. These alarms, similar to the cell tower solution, could be coupled with relay outputs to trigger lights and speakers with warnings to the potential copper thieves. Something like “attention, your picture has been taken and uploaded to a central monitoring facility… law enforcement has been notified… please leave the premises immediately!”

The Copper is Protected, the thief is sent off without the loot, and all this with an inexpensive solution that is MOBILE! This means it can be used over and over again!

Copper Thieves Beware - Part 1

2008-06-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

It’s a warm, stormy evening in the middle of Nowhere, Alabama, the clouds are rolling in with the seasonal thunderstorm. Fifty miles from Nowhere, a truck backs up to the gate surrounding a cell tower on a small rise. Trees surround the area, so the chances of someone seeing this little adventure are slim to none. The driver quickly backs up to destroy a section of the fence. He backs further into the fenced area directly to the copper grounding plate partially buried under ground. A few quick, strategic cuts and some heavy lifting into the back of the truck, and they have their loot. This piece should get them at least $100 (maybe more). “No real harm dun… These big cell companies can just replace it any ol’ time…” says the passenger as they drive off before the storm gets there.

Copper Theft. Doesn’t really seem like a big problem, until you recognize all the possible ways it can be illegally (and easily) obtained – not to mention how much it’s worth these days. In 2006 and 2007, a dramatic increase has been noted in copper worth, as well as its theft! So much so, that the US Department of Energy puts the estimated amount of loss at $1 Billion per year.

A little research online shows many stories of differing ways copper is stolen. Yes, grounding plates from cell towers is one of them. What is an apparently low cost loss to the “big cell companies”, turns into multiple thousands of dollars in service, retrofit, and replacement costs. That’s just to replace one of these grounding plates. But another major concern is the potential for a lightning strike and the damage that can be caused without a grounding plate. ALL equipment in the station is now at risk, with a potential loss in the tens of thousands up to $100,000.

So how can this type of copper thievery be proactively battled? Many would say by installing an alarm system on or near the cell tower. Would an alarm system really be of any help, except to notify the company that the theft had occurred? Not really a deterrent though, because the thieves get away with no risk of being caught. What if the company coupled the alarm system with a video system to capture images of the robbery in progress? Take it a bit further now, and attach the alarm output to the video system. Then, take a relay output from the video system to an alarm flashing light, an area light, and speaker. The alarm flashing light alerts the thief the area is in alarm. The area light, turns on (if it’s after dark), and the video system takes a number of pictures from all the cameras. The video system then sends the captured pictures across the network (very low bandwidth requirements) back to a central site. The speaker, of course, is to tell the potential criminals, “pictures have been taken, and uploaded to a central database… law enforcement has been alerted… please leave the premises immediately”.

Of course, this immediately tells the thieves many things. Number one, pictures have already been taken and sent somewhere off site, so it’s no use trying to find a video recorder to destroy evidence. Number two, they will think again before stealing anything from this site. Number three, they will re-consider any future endeavor in the field of copper thievery, at least, from THIS Company’s cell sites.

Meat Packing Recall Could Lead to Increased Surveillance

2008-06-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a good one. I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine from the USDA. He mentioned a major food recall from a large meat packer called Hallmark:

"...this month, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company recalled 143 million pounds of meat, following a videotape of plant workers treating cattle cruelly and violating federal regulations. Most meat has likely been consumed; at least 37 million pounds were used for school lunches—the company is a top supplier to that program—and federal nutrition programs. "
- http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/2648#more-2648

During our conversation, my friend gave some details as to how companies violate regulations. One regulation says if the steer is "down", due to sickness or injury or else, the steer cannot be "processed". So the workers at the packing plant would do cruel things to the animal to make it appear the animal is walking before the "process" it. The trouble is, the workers always had a lookout. When the Inspectors are seen, all activities are halted. When the Inspector leaves, the cruelty resumes.

As a recommendation, the USDA is trying to get congress to make Video Surveillance a requirement for all meat and poultry packing plants in the US. The theory is if there is video always present, this would deter the workers from violating the regulations. Now we get into the "meat" of this argument...

If the incredibly tight margin'ed industry of meat and poultry packing were relegated to have "Video Surveillance", I expect the response would be to obtain the cheapest possible video equipment (perhaps a Sam's club special), and call it done. All this does is allows the folks who WANT to violate the rules a means by which they can meet the minimum federal mandate and still break the rules.

Of course, if a congressional law stated some specific guidelines as to where cameras must go and with what types of cameras and recording systems, better safety standards might be ensured. But then, we quickly would be faced with outdated policies made by non-security-minded folks. Not a good idea.

WHAT IF... The proposed law were augmented to include a means by which the Inspector can, over remote connection, link into the installed security system. So at any time, an Inspector can monitor the activities at the site WITHOUT having to travel to the site. The Inspector could also do a random search to ensure cameras are being recorded properly and are properly covering the areas where violations might occur.

WHAT IF... The proposed law were augmented to include a means by which the 100+ Inspectors may have access to a group of mobile cameras and wireless transmitters. What if a half mile away from the packing plant, the Inspector could drive up with a mobile platform, make a couple of adjustments, raise a camera and wireless transmitter up a stationary mast and leave it. Do this in a few places around the violator's plant to get different angles and then set up in one central place to view, record and control those camera. Cameras could be night vision and or thermal in nature allowing for catching the night time violations. Cameras could be Pan, Tilt, Zoom capable to allow for moving around and targeting special areas. With some software, the user may able to quickly create automated, Virtual Tours of the plant to give them constant review if the scene. Once they get the "data" or "evidence" they need, they pack everything up and return to process the video into case files.

Just food for thought...

- Security Caffeine

Campus Security - A New Plan

2008-05-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

Campus Security - A New Plan

I had the recent pleasure to take part in an information exchange with a large university in the Southeast US. The folks from the University were IT-centric in experience as opposed to the typical security-focused end user. Mainly, they were driven to the discussion by their vehement dis-satisfaction with the currently installed product. Of course they had needs as they were passed on by their customers, the actual users of the system. These would include the typical security based needs, like recover stolen property, video as evidence in an assault or other violent crime, and parking garage security.

In addition, these folks were also thinking about the typical means by which funding for a project like this might be had. Namely, a mediocre budget approved by committees mostly removed from the actual project.

With the help of a pretty knowledgeable team of experts, the discussions quickly took on a new life. Consider first, E-Learning. All the rage in some higher education circles, and especially those who have been doing distance, and online courses for some number of years. But the typical “brick and mortar” university would have a hard time justifying purchasing a camera system solely for the purpose of E-Learning, when it’s not their primary focus. However, what if, while the university was entertaining the idea of a new IP video security system, they also pooled budgetary dollars from general education to add a camera (and audio equipment) for many of the lower level lecture halls. These cameras, and audio could simply be added into the IP Video System. As a regular process after the class the Professor’s Assistant could export the video as a standard AVI clip (able to be played on any AVI player, like MS Media Player, or Quicktime). This video could be then uploaded to a central repository, like products offered by EMC, and made available for students of they miss a lecture.

Also thinking outside the box, many educational institutions have book stores and Student union buildings, which have Point of Sales (POS) registers, or ATM machines. Why not marry the transactional data (from POS and ATMs) to the video? Indeed, many retail facilities like Target, Home Dept and Walmart have been doing this for years. Why? To combat internal theft (AKA shrinkage) and give a more likely chance to give video evidence in the case of a robbery or other altercation at the register. What about training for new employees? Again, budgetary dollars for a system that was initially just a perimeter protection becomes pooled by other interested departments.

Of course, the typical campus wouldn't be alone in needing wireless cameras transmitted across campus lakes, parking lots (to save the campus from costly trench-digging), and building wireless bridges from building to building. For events, mobile video units could be set up for large festival and sporting events. Video Systems can be set up on towable trailers to drive to a site, turn it on and leave it to transmit video back to the central head end. These pieces can be realized with the Verint line of products.

Finally, when a university considers how it might obtain more budgetary dollars for immediate solutions to their Security and Surveillance needs, they should consider working with larger organizations to help lobby state and local legislators. Some of these larger organizations, like CDW and EMC, are already vendors of the university and already have the connections to the lawmakers.

By the end of the discussions, the university folks had some great usage ideas to take to the committees to build credibility for the new projects. These are the exciting parts of what I do, because by educating the university as to what CAN be done, it increases the likelihood a proven product will be chosen and the students, faculty and families around the university will be protected…

Just food for thought…

- Security Caffeine

CCTV for Vandalism and Pooping a bad thing? I Think NOT!

2008-05-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote on my blog asking the question about CCTV Security and whether it can be useless. And in truth, it CAN be if improper expectations are set. In that post, I was trying to get to what causes a CCTV Video system to fail to achieve its original purpose - typically changing expectations, and lack of education.

Now a new threat to the CCTV Security Industry is growing. More and more articles have been popping up about the misuse or uselessness of CCTV Video, once its been installed. The troubling part of this trend is they are using things like vandalism and littering as reasons why the security system has failed. Granted, in many cases, it is federal money which funds the larger CCTV projects. But this shouldn't mean the CCTV system can ONLY be used to fight terrorism.

Let's be real here, Security Directors of corporations and municipalities are required to provide security for an area or group of people, and are many times given a limited budget with which to do so. These folks are often forced to make very difficult and often frustrating choices because of that limited budget. But then, they are offered up a substantial bank of additional funds with federal dollars "to aid in Homeland Security". This can be a great way to, cost-efectively, augment the system originally intended to protect the local community or organization.

In a recent article, "U.K. turns CCTV, terrorism laws on pooping dogs", the author has some discouraging words about the misuse of the CCTV System. He mentions several media points in which the CCTV System is used to investigate smaller issues like pooping dogs, people littering and vandalising, misuse of parking spots and false claims for damages.

In the article above, the gentleman refers to a number of articles coming out of the UK that seem to hold a similar view that the growing use of CCTV Camera Systems is in misuse. Frankly, why should we consider littering (illegal in many areas), false claims for damages (aka protection from liability), and vandalism (yep, also illegal) as MISUSE of a camera system? This is not misuse, this is opportunistic law enforcement - and a GOOD THING!

OK, OK, I realize checking to see if a dog poops on a lawn, or looking down a woman's blouse is certainly improper use, but there can easily be protection against this from within the system. With a properly installed IP Video System, a secondary "Supervisory" work area can be established. In this "Supervisory" location, the "watchers" are watched. Any improper use can be constantly monitored, and can be immediately reprimanded. This is just common use of checks and balances.

I find it interesting how people from outside the CCTV Security Industry, with no knowledge of the actual workings of deterring or halting criminal activity using video, find it easy to lay false claims themselves about how a system SHOULD be used...

Just food for thought...

Matt Marshall
Security Caffeine

City-wide Wireless CCTV for Police

2008-05-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

I've had a number of recent discussions with end users (particularly Police Deptartments and Municipalities), regarding City-wide Wireless CCTV Systems. The desire here is to protect an area in the city with a group of WIRELESS CCTV Cameras. The secondary purpose, but often becomes the biggest purpose, is to allow an officer in the police cruiser to view the video (wirelessly) as he nears the area. This is a great concept, but it's important to set expectations of what CAN be done with reliability and stability.

Consider first the amount of bandwidth a typical CCTV Camera would require to send video to a central or semi-central location. At 15 FPS and 2CIF resolution, the bitrate might be 1024 Kbps. Multiply that times 10 cameras to cover an area in the city and you might have 10Mbps pretty quickly. Now, put that on a wireless link at a maximum of 54Mbps, it seems there is no problem. Right?

Correct. No problem, that is, if that's all that will ever go across the wireless link. But what about VIEWING the video (how many connections to the cameras)? Will the cameras ever be opened to John Q. Public? If the cameras are IP, what about sending a second encoder stream to an analytics server for server based analytics, or a secondary recorder for that matter? There are many factors that can change the bandwidth requirements across the wireless network, and they should all be considered before the solution is provided.

One great way to manage the bandwidth is to separate out wireless network infrastructure for different purposes. Consider a Wireless network with directional antennae bringing the video back to a central point. Then a second Wireless MESH network with Omni-directional antennae making the video available to vehicles and other folks as permission allows. This way the stability of the wireless network is much greater, AND a network failure on the MESH side does not interfere with the recording of cameras, or vice versa. Of course this is a costly endeavor, and wireless network saturation might become an issue in some cities.

In addition, to control the wireless stream, consider products that can be implemented in a multicast function. This way, one stream is send to the network switch. The Switch then makes available many client streams to be tapped into, rather than Unicast mode in which the encoder itself must deal with the multiple clients.

In it's new line of Wireless Products (5.0), Verint offers up some new technologies and configurations, which are specifically designed for the transmission of video to a central point. Radios are preconfigured to ive preference to upstream transmission, knowing that the grand majority of data flow is upstream (the streaming video). Using SPCF, allows the Access Points to avoid any automatic reduction in bitrates due to the common "Hidden Node" issue experienced in many of today's wireless networks.

Finally, when there is a need for multiple levels of client access to the cameras (eg, police cruiser connects at 512Kbps, wireless handheld connects at 128Kbps, and a desktop computer connects at 100Mbps), the end user might consider using an application like AirVisual's Intelliviewer and Orsus' Situator to provide a centrally located video streaming server, which can receive video from encoders, IP Cameras and DVRs, and push the video back out via a separate video stream. Some of these can also provide custom mapping features, which will show zoomed in maps, sized to fit PDA or Laptop screen resolutions. This enables the officer, on foot or in a cruiser, to quickly view the video by clicking on the camera icon on a Map.

It's easy to see how technology IS capable of doing what the end user is asking, but to do it reliably, can cost a bit more than what they are expecting.

Just food for thought...

- Matt Marshall
Security Caffeine

Can you have Useless IP Video Security?

2008-05-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

"Massive investment in CCTV cameras to prevent crime in the UK has failed to have a significant impact, despite billions of pounds spent on the new technology, a senior police officer piloting a new database has warned. Only 3% of street robberies in London were solved using CCTV images, despite the fact that Britain has more security cameras than any other country in Europe."

An interesting thought considering how much money was spent, and how much money IS spent every year on CCTV in the US. The truth of the matter is that, YES, CCTV Security can be useless. We have seen many times in The Industry a customer make extravagant requirements in the RFQ/ RFI, and throw MUCH money at the project with no clue as to WHY they need it.

The truth is, an educated end user is a happy customer. If an end user has made decisions based upon knowing the reality of the technology and its capabilities, then when the system is installed, they are happy with those decisions. Success, and specifically success for a particular technology, breeds success. This means the end user population will talk (or perhaps, boast) about there great new IP Video System (that WORKS!), and the Security Insdustry will grow.

In contrast, if the manufacturer or installer (software or hardware) has made false claims or tried to hide certain limitations for which they know the customer is looking, then when the system is installed, it fails to meet expectations. The customer is dis-satisfied and, basic rule of retail here, they tell 10 others. Next things we know, the Security market is trying to re-educate the customer in what really can be done with new technologies.

One simple case of this is with some of the new wireless technologies, many assume that since wireless is becoming all the new craze in the internet market, that it's natural to use that same bandwidth to carry IP Video systems for traffic, and city surveillance. True, it COULD be done, but the sacrifice Joe Q. Public would make on his Internet connection would likely not be worth it. Perhaps a better suggestion for the Cities and Counties looking to add Surveillance and Traffic Cams, is to add a designated Wireless infrastructure for that purpose, and leave the Public Wireless Infrastructure alone.

Another case where the industry saw some tremendous buzz, but in addition, large amounts of false data, was with Analytics. Based upon initial speculations, many companies tried to jump ahead of the curve and tell people what could be done with Analytics. Unfortunately, by letting the mind imagine what could be done, the industry started trying to press wrong technologies into impossible scenarios. Analytics failed terribly, and the IP Video market took a beating due to this issue. Some things in Analytics are easy to deal with; Tripwires, Objects left behind, Loitering, and People Counting. On the other hand, Analytics cannot distinguish between a person being attacked in a park, and two people playing Football or Rugby in that same park.

Back to the original question "Can you have Useless IP Video Security?" Absolutely! But what usually causes this is an end user who does not know what they are really trying to get out of the system, so they install one system cheaply and expect it to do everything.

Recommendation: Always make a camera have a purpose. Get the end user to focus on that purpose of the camera(s) being installed. It's even OK to make a camera have multiple purposes, just as long as those purposes align properly. For instance, in a bank, a teller camera, should be focused on a teller. Don't try to use the teller cameras to also capture activities going on in the lobby of the bank. By focusing the camera on the areas around the teller and that teller's customer, the bank has a much higher likelihood of capturing the necessary images to catch a theif, or prove a fraud case.

Another example is a group of PTZ Cameras to cover a City Park area. Consider each camera's placement, yes, but also be sure the camera has the ability to "return to HOME" after a certain period of inactivity. Many Analytics (like loitering, people counting or tripwires) can be run, even on PTZ Cameras, as long as they have a preset or home position to which they return in a tour, or time-based event.

Just food for thought...

CCTV Video for Hospitals

2008-05-07T05:16:00.000-07:00

I happened to see a News Article this morning in the TV regarding a woman who gained access to the Newborn Ward at a hospital in Sanford FL. She walked in, grabbed a baby and left. Just like that! Many hospitals take great care in protecting the baby with wrist bracelets, alarm systems and locked doors. But even with those securities, there are still things that can be done to protect against this type of things from happening.

One of the great things about security these days is how it can be implemented with relative low impact on the a person's freedom and on the environment. If video systems are implemented or augmented using newer features (like integration to access control and alarm systems, as well as, some analytics), then responses to these types of cases become much more immediate and effective.

In Sanford, FL, the door alarms were triggered immediately, and the woman who stole the baby was tracked down quickly by the police. CCTV Video was used to get a definite and immediate picture for the police force to know for whom they were looking. The baby was returned to the parents unharmed.

Consider some other reasons for security in hospitals - the mother who is sick after giving birth who gets taken advantage of by a person on the ward, the people who claim the nursing staff is abusive or neglectful, or how about giving the hospital a clear way to see activity within the different areas to adjust staffing, heating or lighting. These are all ways video can be used, with minimal human effort to protect people and reduce costs in our hospitals.

Just food for thought...

Matt Marshall

Post 20080502

2008-05-02T07:09:00.001-07:00

I wanted to say today is a brilliant day. I had a great evening last night with a small group of friends playing guitar and discussing amazing things. Then I returned home and had a fantastic evening with my family. Evenings like this don’t happen very often, but when they do, they are so important to hold onto.

Matt Marshall, Verint Information Systems

443-799-6773

matt.marshall@verint.com

http://www.verint.com

http://securitycaffeine.ecom-data.net

New Roles, New Goals

2008-05-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

I have a new adventure ahead. I recently accepted a new position within my organization which will test my detrmination to succeed. I am making the leap from backing up the sales team with my technical expertise to a purely sales role.

This is exciting and a bit nerve racking. This is a very uncertain time in the US. Folks are talking about recession, and frankly I wonder how much that will effect an organization's drive to purchase enterprise security systems.

Any thoughts?

M