Seeing the bigger picture

When considering the application of CCTV as a remote ‘watchman’, it’s best described as a combination of alarms, perimeter detectors and body heat sensors linked to CCTV cameras and integrated alongside a video transmission system that will send images of intruders via an ISDN line (or Internet Broadband connection) to a remote centre where that incident may be managed.

Let’s review a typical incident. Late one evening an intruder scales a fence at a commercial fleet depot with the intention of breaking into a vehicle parked up in the adjacent yard area. Before his feet even touch the ground, he will have broken a perimeter beam. The CCTV camera covering that particular section of fence stores his image, and equipment is already transmitting his picture to an operator at a Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC).

Even though he or she will be situated many miles away, the operator is able to issue an audio warning to the culprit over on-site speakers, and continue to watch the incident on his or her monitor as the intruder leaves the site empty handed.

In this case, as a result of using advanced CCTV technology, the operator has been able to pre-empt any on-site losses. This incident could just as easily have required the intervention of the emergency services. Here, the operator’s response and guidance are going to be crucial. In practice, each event is recorded automatically by the RVRC such that video evidence can be provided as and when it’s required.

Tailor-made security solutions

The sheer versatility of remote monitoring has already been amply demonstrated in numerous installations across the UK, protecting a multitude of premises including office developments, industrial sites, Local Authority depots, motor dealerships and even rock and pop concert venues.

As no two sites are the same, the transmission equipment installed on site needs to be configured to meet these requirements. It should be possible for the service provider to program-in features such that, for example, gates may be opened automatically if certain events occur, or perhaps staff are able to enter a site via a specific route at key times without compromising the overall security management of the given location.

Ideally, sites should also be broken down into specific zones or areas reflecting the levels of risk, and delineating when individuals should (and shouldn’t) be found in a specific area. Our own classification moves from green for external areas in the early evening adjacent to a site where there may still be members of the public legitimately passing by through to red as the most secure area (typically an office development out of hours). In reality these ratings can vary with time, moving to a higher level as night falls.

By installing networked video-compatible transmission equipment, through simple connections to a site’s computer infrastructure (as well as remotely monitored CCTV), authorised personnel such as the on-site security manager can use the system to provide rapid, desktop access to real time and stored images during working hours from PCs connected to the network. This can be applied as a management resource to help monitor specific building and business processes.

There’s also the potential for managers to view their site via PC from anywhere in the world. This is extremely useful overnight, when RVRC operators may wish to clarify whether an intruder has criminal intent or is a worker returning to collect something.

The economics of remotely monitored CCTV have also changed for the better, with potential users now able to take advantage of ‘free for use’ transmission equipment if they sign up for a monitoring contract. It’s perfectly feasible to purchase a complete, professional quality picture transmission system for under £1,500, as prospective users only need to cover basic camera, detector and installation costs. This will vary, of course, depending on the size of the site under construction.

Hopefully, this should drive take-up and bring remote monitoring within reach of smaller sites that may have previously shied away from this technology, relying instead upon conventional intruder alarms where false activation is a recurring problem for security managers and the police service.

A question of standards

How might the potential purchaser of such a security set-up be confident that the operator is trained to handle incidents wherein split-second decisions are needed to ensure the correct response to an incident? At the end of the day, even if the operator is on the ball the original alarm and CCTV installation may prove to be inadequate.

It’s now perfectly feasible to purchase a complete, professional quality picture transmission system for under £1,500, as prospective users only need to cover basic camera, detector and installation costs

For sophisticated, detector-activated or remotely monitored CCTV, until relatively recently there was no all-embracing standard to pull together the key elements associated with this type of security. Thankfully, that gap has been bridged with the unveiling of the long-awaited British Standard BS 8418:2003.

The introduction of this standard is a good thing. In the future, if security managers decide to opt for remotely monitored CCTV, there’s at least an effective standard in the public domain against which the overall capabilities of any potential service provider and system may be judged. This makes much more sense than the piecemeal situation that existed previously, whereby reference had to be made (in isolation) to specific Codes of Practice – whether it be BS 5979 for remote centres receiving signals from security systems or BS 7992 for exterior detection systems – without any real indication of the ‘bigger picture’.

What are the key questions which security managers should pose to help distinguish between a professional installer and a less-than-adequate service provider? How many operator consoles are manned at the RVRC? Depending on how many sites they monitor, a good answer is at least three. Any less and a call could be ignored during busier periods. BS 8418:2003 requires at least two operators to be in situ at all times when the monitoring service is being offered.

Are all detectors fitted with tamper-proof alarms? These should alarm to the RVRC at any time (many criminals disable or steal cameras during normal working hours).

Does the equipment used monitor telephone line failure? Would the key holder actually find out if the line had failed?

Will the camera system adequately cover a site? Are there any blind spots? If the RVRC monitoring staff cannot see the intruder(s), a real incident may be viewed as a false alarm.

Can the alarm system differentiate between human targets and wildlife? RVRC operating staff often watch foxes and dogs!

Police and insurance matters

For their part, the police service – through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) – has been a strong advocate of BS 8418:2003. They have a vested interest in the success of the Code of Practice, immediately recognising the potential it offers to drive down unnecessary call-outs – a considerable burden on their limited resources – with false alarm rates of 5-10% now a realistic prospect.

Today’s intelligent, event-driven approach to CCTV also ties in with the overriding priority of insurers to prevent damage from being caused to property. The truth is that, unlike it is for the police, catching criminals leaving the scene or using images for evidential purposes isn’t a pressing priority for insurers if losses have already been suffered.

For insurers, CCTV is seen as being most beneficial when it’s used in conjunction with other security measures such as access control or local monitoring, or when it’s linked to an RVRC. With CCTV as a ‘remote watchman’, the latter is increasingly finding favour with insurers because of its event-driven nature. It tends to be regarded as preferable to continuously-recorded CCTV.

Insurers are also enthusiastic about measures such as an audio challenge to trespassers, again actively attempting to stop attacks before they really start.

When it comes to securing sites from attack by opportunists or hardened criminals, the flexibility and economics of ‘intelligent’ remotely monitored CCTV seems certain to win more and more converts from within the security management sector.