Page 19 - Campus Security & Life Safety, July/August 2019

"Having a well-maintained and easy-to-use SOC can mean the difference between a streamlined response and a missed opportunity..."
By Paul Reigner
Data Generation and Storage
Almost all of the latest devices and applications are driving big data; the amount of information available to command centers will only continue to increase, and as analytics improve, effective data aggrega- tion must follow. Command centers in the campus environment should include dashboards that can make sense of a large amount of information and put it in a digestible format to drive streamlined decision-making. For both this data that has been used and what remains unused, the next crucial step involves ensuring its protection and efficient storage. As more and more organizations turn to the cloud for remote access and flexibility, this also creates a greater pos- sibility for cyber threats, which must be considered alongside physi- cal security in today’s SOCs.
Lighting and Temperature
There’s a lot of research that looks at the effects of ultraviolet light and
blue light on humans, citing that these kinds of lighting can cause more fatigue. For a control room, activity must be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, meaning dispatchers must adapt to watching screens for up to eight hours a day, which can do a number on their circadian rhythms. Installing screens that are purpose-built to address this issue can be an important step toward building a healthier environment for controllers.
Additionally, both lighting and equipment radiate heat at higher levels than a normal room, so compensating for this is important to maintain the comfort levels of the security dispatchers in a campus setting. This can be achieved by minimizing the output of heat from various systems by relocating them to other rooms adjacent to the control room. Not only does this reduce the temperature, but it also reduces the noise level in the room for easier communication between dispatchers.
Dispatcher Line of Sight and Comfort
In many of the control rooms seen today, dispatchers have to shift from one program to another to collect relevant information, or only a single workstation is available for multiple people, greatly inhibiting the ability of dispatchers to keep critical information front and center in the event of an incident. Control room dispatch- ers must be able to achieve high levels of situational awareness at all times, which can be facilitated through the implementation of line-of-sight considerations.
Placing monitors, computers, and consoles within reach is para- mount. Ergonomics also plays a critical role: Security control room dispatchers must often work at a single location with minimal breaks to field incoming alarms and monitor a facility, but sitting at a desk for eight or more hours can negatively impact the body. Implement- ing an ergonomic console that takes into account eye-level informa- tion can help keep them comfortable and alert to react appropriately in any situation.
Technology Ease of Use
Having to sort through equipment racks or a rat’s nest of cords to access hardwired systems poses not only a security threat but also a hazard for users. Having a well-maintained and easy-to- use SOC can mean the difference between a streamlined response and a missed opportunity for addressing a threat on a campus. Integrators should make assessments based on these factors and keep equipment organized to avoid confusion when servicing or troubleshooting technology.
Campus environments rely on their SOC for continuity of opera- tions, the safety and security of students, patients, and staff, and in times of an emergency. As risks become more severe, a complete situational picture is necessary, leaving decision makers to look at a SOC as a critical part of the campus’s security plan. It is therefore important to note best practices and considerations in building such a center. In many cases, engaging with a partner that has a solid understanding of the needs campus environments require with regard to control rooms is imperative.
Paul Reigner is a Control Room Specialist at Vistacom.
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