$7.7 million in stimulus funds for airport surveillance announced

The stimulus package committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and GSA; of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $700 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $300 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technology

DHS secretary Janet Napolitano announced approximately $7.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, aka stimulus funds) funding for the installation of new closed circuit television systems at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Spokane International, Gerald R. Ford International and Boise, Idaho airports. "State-of-the-art surveillance technology provides another critical layer of security at our airports," said Napolitano. "These projects will inject critical Recovery Act dollars into our local economies and create sophisticated security networks designed to detect threats and aid our emergency response efforts."

Closed circuit surveillance systems are an integral part of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airport security operations, helping in threat detection and enhancing emergency response and risk mitigation. CCTV technology is used at hundreds of airports across the United States, and TSA has collaborated individually with sixty-two airports nationwide to expand these sophisticated and integrated security networks to increase safety for airport facilities and employees.

To date, Napolitano has announced four projects funded by ARRA for new inline baggage handling systems that will improve airport security, travel efficiency and create jobs-totaling $62 million for technology upgrades at Orlando International, Jackson Hole, Philadelphia International, and San Francisco International airports.

In awarding ARRA funds, DHS says it prioritizes shovel-ready projects that infuse resources into local economies quickly while meeting critical security needs. DHS has obligated more than 20 percent of its ARRA funds to date, and is on track to obligate more than 50 percent by the end of September 2009.

ARRA, signed into law by President Obama on 19 February, committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA). Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $700 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $300 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technology.

Networked DVRS (Analog) V/S IP Cameras and VMS

Ram Natarajan Cradle Technology CTO talks about the advantages of Networked DVRS (Analog) V/S IP Cameras and VMS

Smart networked Analog Servers like enVigil incorporate efficient streaming of compressed video ( MPEG4 or H.264) using a matrix of cameras and streaming a single of channel of Video with multiple cameras embedded into it. This is accomplished by having a matrix composition in the memory at a high refresh rate ( about 10 to 15 frames a second), encoding using MPEG4 or H.264 and streaming it at anywhere from 200 to 500 Kilo-bites per second. The resulting user experience is much better compared to remote view of NVRs or consolidating IP cameras at the same bit rate. This is mainly because the IP cameras stream individual JPEG streams and because of the low Internet bandwidth available one ends up with a inferior quality of video with low refresh rates. Since it takes enormous amounts of processing power to composite the incoming IP streams in a matrix form (because it involves decoding the incoming JPEG/ MPEG4/ H.264 IP streams scaling down and composition), it is impossible to achieve the same smooth motion rendition video as with the networked Video Servers.

Also with IP Cameras the internal LAN bandwidth requirements significantly increase when the number of cameras exceed 32 and when you want to save the video data at high quality. You are forced to use a parallel network that will carry the IP Video Streams. So in affect the claim from IP Video Surveillance people that the customer will save on wiring is just not true. In terms of power supply the IP cameras and Analog cameras behave in the same manner, in that they need a power supply unit. Analog has an advantage since the power and Video, Audio and RS485 signals can all run on a single CAT5 cable.

Construction Sites and Video Surveillance

Construction Sites and Video Surveillance –

Why networked video surveillance is the best solution at the Construction Sites?

Having just the guards to monitor and keep your construction site safe and without theft is impossible these days. Construction sites are definitely one of the places which need video surveillance. In addition to hiring somebody who could help you secure the area at night time, it is easier to install networked Video Surveillance system and get an internet connection at site. This will help you track from outsider and insider theft since there is usually no activity at night time. They could help you check whether some of your workers or outsiders bring home the construction materials for their own consumption. This might sound strange , but this is a common occurrence in most building sites. Also when the construction is finished you can either convert the same system to the Video Surveillance of that site or you can move it another construction site.

If you use Networked Video Surveillance System like enVigil then not only you can monitor remotely from anywhere and get the alerts on your phone or PDA but also you can store the data on NAS somewhere else and protect it. You can get an alert if any cameras are disconnected at the site by somebody. So the thieves can not delete the data locally.

You might need larger no of cameras since the site is spread out and enVigil can offer upto 32 cameras and even more if needed. The construction site CCTV could always provide you concise evidences for interrogation purposes if the need arises. Also since you can monitor the site remotely and also as an administrator can change the settings also remotely you can avoid unnecessary visits to the remote site.

Here is how you should use your Networked Video Surveillance System to your benefit.

• Like the sign Beware of Dogs – and no trespassing signs one should add that the site is monitored by Remote Video Surveillance for prevention of crime.

• Do a professional site survey to figure out which gates should be covered. Find out the key spots from where somebody might try to enter. Please discuss this with your system installer so that together you can come up with a solid master plan for the actual installation.

• If the site is larger and has expensive materials you should use few PTZ cameras.
Also you should use night vision cameras and also cameras with good resolution.

• Also use the best in class Networked Video Surveillance system since this is the brain of your surveillance. This should have all the features that you need for remote monitoring.

• Networked Video Surveillance systems work well with the actual trusted guards since it becomes a tool for them also to catch the thief as well.
Since the construction site is spread out you will also need less guards to cover a larger area. The objective is to stop theft so combination of guards, dogs, Video Surveillance is the way to go. If you use the networked Video Surveillance Systems then more than just the guards can be watchful of your site. You can give multiple phone numbers to receive alerts. Also with the right kind of equipment like enVigil from cradle.com you can access multiple construction sites from your office and make your own Command and Control Center that you can manage from anywhere in the world without spending a fortune.