Page 12 - Security Today, July 2017

INDUSTRY
VERTICAL
Protecting Airports SAecurity is still a challenging goal to meet because of accessibility
With Bruce Czerwinski
irports are the nation’s most highly secured public visitors are approved, the gate can be opened with the touch of facilities. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the federal govern- a button. A card reader can be either separately mounted or em- ment has spent billions of dollars protecting air- bedded in the video intercom to allow employees to use a cardkey ports and planes. Scanners, metal detectors, guards to enter without assistance.
and no-fly lists have done a remarkably good job at Other measures, such as bollards—sturdy concrete blocks or stopping terrorists from turning airplanes into weapons. barriers—can stop vehicles and protect terminal entries and pe-
Yet airports are still a major security challenge. Major hub airports openly welcome more than 200,000 passengers daily and large areas of all airports of any size remain easily accessible to the public.
Domestic and foreign terrorists have caught on and now tar- get those public, less-secure areas. Long lines of people through- out the front half of an airport offer easy targets.
In January 2017, a lone gunman needed less than 90 seconds to kill five people and wound six more at the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood (Fla.) International airport. Another 53 people were taken to the hospital for injuries suffered in the ensuing panic. The shooter, a former national guardsman, checked a gun and ammunition before boarding a plane in Alaska. He collected it in the Fort Lauderdale baggage claim area, went into a restroom to load the weapon and came out shooting.
The answer to keeping these areas safe incorporates the same best practices used to secure other facilities, such as hospitals and stadiums that attract large crowds.
Protecting the Perimeter
Perimeter security is the first line of defense. The best place to stop intruders is before they reach their targets. Many airports in- stall perimeter fencing with fiber optic sensors. Light is sent down the length of the cable and sensors analyze the light’s behavior to detect intrusions. The system can interface with software con- trolling video surveillance cameras and other devices to help first responders formulate a response to alarms.
Fencing should be set in three-foot deep trenches—then filled with concrete—to prevent anyone from digging their way into the airport property. Any trees near the barriers must be removed so they cannot be used to climb over the fence. Waterfront airports can take advantage of anchored and floating fences consisting of stainless steel rope and the same fiber optic cables.
Terrorists also use vehicles to deliver an explosive payload. Specialized fencing incorporating the same type of steel cable used to stop fighter jets on aircraft carriers can halt a 15,000-pound truck traveling at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. This type of fencing is given a K-rating, a measure of how much kinetic energy—or speed plus weight—it can resist.
Gates can be fortified to withstand a high-speed vehicular impact and should be designed so airport police can open them after remotely verifying the identity of the driver and passengers. Video intercoms are ideal here as they allow security personnel to safely view and have two-way conversations with drivers. If the
destrian pickup points from taking a direct hit. Bollards can be designed to serve as planters or benches to blend into the airport’s landscaping plan.
A few countries have even set up security perimeters several hundred yards from the terminal to inspect incoming vehicles. Those with suspicious passengers or contents are directed to a designated site for more thorough inspection.
Outdoor Emergency Stations
Parking lots and garages may not be a typical terrorist target, but they are the site of sexual assaults, robberies and thefts. Emer- gency stations offer assistance and an immediate connection to airport police. Stations are typically topped with a bright blue light making them easy to spot from a distance. Once the station is activated, the light begins to flash, drawing additional attention to the site. Built-in audio intercoms immediately connect worried patrons with airport police.
Stations equipped with video intercoms provide police with real-time video. Intercom cameras activate when a call is placed from the station or when called by the master station typically housed in the security command center. Mobile apps allow an officer to use a smartphone or tablet to remain in control of the system while on patrol. The units can also be integrated with ex- isting airport surveillance cameras for a broader view.
Emergency stations offer several other advantages, can be scaled up to 5,000 or more units, which may also include indoor emergency stations and intercoms.
Video Surveillance
Video surveillance cameras provide airport police with real-time views of the facility. Recorded video is useful in reviewing inci- dents and identifying criminals. Numerous studies have shown just the presence of cameras is enough to deter many criminals. IP-based cameras can connect to the airport network and be monitored by multiple departments such as police, customs, fire and paramedics, baggage and operations.
Cameras need to be positioned at all public and employee access points to provide video of everyone entering the airport grounds and buildings. They should also be installed at check-in areas, boarding gates and along terminal corridors. Light-rail or other modes of transportation between terminals require cam- eras, as do baggage claims areas. Cameras providing views of re- stricted areas help ensure only authorized personnel gain access.
Indoor and outdoor signage throughout reminds people they
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