Page 32 - Security Today, April 2017

On the Horizon Covering the length of the border
BWy Robert P. Mitchell
ith new border security initiatives on the ho- rizon it will take an innovative approach to provide a higher level of detection. In the past border security was deployed at “known” areas of incursion, which once discovered led smug-
glers to move to another area.
Now we are following the dictate of covering the entire border in
an effort to identify, memorialize and capture those that breach the “No Man’s Land,” - a swath of land that detection would capture an individual(s) in order to begin tracking; if the individual(s) do not breach and head away from the border tracking would then release and look for the next target.
There are many methods of detection that can be utilized for human and vehicular tracking. However video data by far provides the most actionable intelligence the CBP (Customs Border Patrol) will use video data to stem the tide of contraband and human incur- sion depicting how many, where they have come from, where they are heading and visual imagery which provides a description of the individual(s) involved in the incursion. In contrast a wall provides a physical barrier but it is non-intelligent.
When coupled with best practice utilizing vibration sensors, ther- mal devices and CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nucle- ar, and Explosive), nothing can replace night capable video imaging.
Video imaging is by far the most cost effective and actionable in- telligence that border agents can use due to low false “positive” rates. Other sensor types are sensitive to false positive, such as vibration sensor, which can be effected by temperate contractions of soil or sand; nor can vibration sensors differentiate between human and ani- mal traffic.
Video imaging provides a more robust solution for the dollar spent too; a thermal imaging unit that costs 10 to 20 percent more per unit compared to a long range 4K illuminated pan, tilt and zoom unit, granted when these technologies are coupled into a fully-inte- grated solution, border protection becomes more robust and usable.
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Thermal works better though in the morning hours and evening hours experiences “Thermal Inversion” meaning the background temperatures i.e. hot rock obscuring a human figure, still need real time video to verify a thermal hit.
There are other technologies that will provide another level of de- tection such as cellular detection. Cellular detection works quite well as another layer, when people perform illegal acts they will leave ID home yet they will carry their cell to snap pictures, send texts or post to social media, no one said that the bad actors are smart.
Being able to capture a cellular signal and track it in real-time while providing those coordinates to an intelligent camera system to capture a visual is a new and innovative approach to border protection, it also provides deeper intelligence for authorized agencies to track the phone and start building a pattern as well as tracking to whom they have been speaking with leading back to the bigger operation.
Creating Private Cellular Networks (PCN) that can communicate, without external interruptions, the actionable intelligence both audio logically and video logically that will create a real-time atmosphere where incursions can be detected and stopped by providing real time video and audio where and when it is needed. When the operator and ground personnel get the information simultaneously the process becomes a win, win situation.
IC Realtime has vast experience working with consultants and installers in the arena of border protection. To name a few, types of projects include border security, military bases, citywide surveillance projects, stadiums and special events.
Specialized Situational Awareness Surveillance Technology
IC Realtime has developed several new technologies that enable security professionals to achieve continuous situational aware- ness. I’m specifically referring to the company’s IC720 360-degree x 360-degree video camera and Persistent Low Altitude (aerial) Sur- veillance system platform.
BORDER SECURITY
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