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Keeping The Lights On
Wood & Douglas' Alan Wood describes how the latest developments in CCTV, alarms and wireless security transmission are ensuring that critical infrastructure remains robust and operational, no matter what the threat
Security on electricity and gas utilities is not just about preventing theft from a site; it needs to guarantee the supply of service to the public against the threat of mass protest or terrorism, as well as ensuring the health and safety of staff and visitors on site. Energy utility security has to encompass some of the most challenging infrastructure, both in terms of scale and remote location. This is why many utilities are looking to electronic security systems to augment human security on site.
Whilst machine-based security can provide a solution in any number of circumstances, much of the focus for electronic security is on power station facilities. The high cost of full time staffing, combined with the risk to patrolling staff if an intrusion occurs, means that non-human security solutions can provide a reliable and effective solution in a wide range of environments.
At energy facilities, it is not uncommon for perimeter approaches to be obscured by woodland or farm buildings. This can be a significant issue when sites are deliberately targeted in an organised fashion, by criminals, protesters, or potentially through terrorist threat. In these circumstances, the value of electronic security and surveillance systems lies in the ability to cover broad and remote areas and inform site security, at a safe and secure location, of the risk so that it may be evaluated and an appropriate response coordinated.
CCTV cameras provide a suitable electronic solution in these circumstances. They are best deployed in a combination of conventional and thermal imaging units mounted onto pan and tilt platforms, with zoom capability. Cameras can automatically switch between colour images during the day, and monochrome for improved night time visibility when deployed with infra-red lamps. The cameras can be strategically positioned around the perimeter of a site, at points vulnerable to intrusion, or in the best solutions, covering the entire perimeter. Thermal imaging cameras provide a wide overview and superior ability for a security operator or diagnostic software to identify potential intruders and the presence of vehicles.
Passive infra-red detectors can be used to detect movement and trigger an alarm. Contact alarms on gates and tamper alarms on CCTV towers can also be deployed. These can also produce a 'flag' in the recording software based on an alarm event, removing the need to review hours of footage.
Public address (PA) systems can be deployed as a useful scare tactic, as well as delivering public safety warnings. Upon detecting an intrusion, horn speakers located on the CCTV towers audibly warn the intruder, either by recorded, or live message, that they are being watched and that security officers/police have been notified.
The ground works required for laying cable across a wide and complex facility can be highly disruptive to operations on site, and prohibitively expensive. The long transmission distances required between camera locations and a site security office are generally too far for conventional co-axial or twisted pair data cable, necessitating use of fibre optic cable which elevates costs considerably. Furthermore, issues of timescale and site disruption often mean that the most efficient route to securing any site is to employ a wireless solution for transmission.
Wireless communications solutions enables fast installation at a greatly reduced cost, with no serious impact to site operations during installation. Multipoint wireless systems enable camera images to be transmitted back to the site security office, even from remote areas. A wireless system can also deliver data communications for control of the camera's pan, tilt and zoom functions, intruder detection and tamper alarms, and audio transmission for public address to the camera locations. Due to regulations for safety systems, wireless transmission is unlikely to be used for fire alarm/evacuation PA systems, but can still be deployed as part of an auxiliary notification system.
Critically, wireless transmissions can be encrypted to prevent unauthorised interception. The power industry demands a 'belt and braces' approach with encryption levels that often match or exceed levels expected of military solutions. Wireless systems can provide jamming resistant security features to counteract the threat of organised gangs or terrorist attack.
Beyond the environs of the power station, attention is turning to how to secure remote utility targets. Utilities still need to monitor and secure pipelines, reservoirs tanks and substations, often in remote areas where electronic security is the only realistic option. These environments come with a range of issues, not least, and most ironically, a potential lack of mains power supply.
Simple alarm signals, triggered by, for example, a gate being opened, are easily integrated with building management and SCADA systems, but CCTV and alarm sensors with low power remote transmitter units (battery or solar power) provide increased flexibility. It is not yet practical for CCTV cameras to record 24/7 from a battery or solar panel. But standalone camera units can be event driven, with passive infra-red solutions deployed to detect movement and to 'wake up' the camera for a pre-determined time period, instigating localised recording.
SMS, email, or alarm signals can alert the operator to unusual events. Such alerts can range from a simple text message to the inclusion of captured images, which can be sent by 3G, Wi-Fi, or stored on a memory device to be reviewed at a later date. In areas of high activity, where movement detectors may be susceptible to providing false alarms, intelligent analytics software can identify abnormal activity by comparing event images with reference images.
Though large and complex facilities, power utility networks can be secured to an exceptionally high level. The latest developments in CCTV, alarms and wireless security transmission are ensuring that critical infrastructure remains robust and operational, no matter what the threat.
Alan Wood, Managing Director, Wood & Douglas
www.woodanddouglas.com
