CCTV: Keeping Data Safe
07 August 2008
Tasked with implementing a major security system upgrade at the London headquarters of one of the UK’s leading information storage and management companies, the facilities management company, FMS Limited, approached Raysil for assistance.
After evaluating the site’s existing systems and finding them to be unsuitable for updating, Raysil recommended a completely new installation based on the latest equipment from Siemens. Although the site has a large concentration of valuable computer equipment, making it a prime target for intruders, Raysil quickly discovered that the existing monochrome CCTV installation, despite being linked to an intruder alarm system, only provided partial coverage. In addition, the image quality was so poor that facial recognition was virtually impossible, and the cameras responded too slowly to allow the tracking of moving targets.
Faced with this combination of limitations, it was decided that a complete new system was the best solution, from both technical and cost points of view. Since the existing wiring could not be reused, the company also decided to adopt a completely digital solution with all links between cameras, monitors, recorders and other equipment implemented as IP network connections.
The solution developed by Raysil incorporates 15 cameras, eight of which are Siemens Solaris full-function domes. Between them, these cameras give full coverage of all critical areas within the building, and of the external car park. The cameras are complemented by a Siemens digital video recorder (DVR), and a Visilynx 3 video matrix that allows both realtime and recorded images to be selected for monitoring.
In view of the building’s valuable contents, a key requirement during the installation of the new system was that the highest possible level of CCTV coverage should be maintained at every stage of the project. This was achieved by setting up the DVR, the matrix and the viewing facilities at the first stage of the project. The old CCTV system was then decommissioned in sections. This approach meant that CCTV coverage on the site was interrupted for only one hour during the whole period that the work was carried out.
“Our clients are very happy,” said Mick Lawlor of FMS. “They are impressed with the Siemens equipment itself, which is proving very easy to use, as well as delivering vastly improved performance, with excellent pictures under all lighting conditions, combined with much lower running costs.”
Within a week of commissioning, the new CCTV system proved its worth when an intruder entered the premises late at night. The intrusion was immediately detected by one of the motion sensors, and the security guard was alerted. The guard was then able to take manual control of the cameras in the area that had been penetrated, to capture excellent images, despite the low light levels. These images ultimately led to the intruder being positively identified.
“We invariably choose Siemens equipment for major projects like this one,” said Pete Stewart, managing director at Raysil. “Since the Siemens range is wide enough to give us all the flexibility we need, the equipment is reliable and easy to work with, it offers excellent results, and it is also exceptional value for money. In addition, on the rare occasions that we need it, Siemens back up and support cannot be faulted.”
