Page 118 - Security Today, July/August 2022

Video surveillance is your ally in early detection of active shooter events. Leverag- ing analytics and pre-incident intelligence yields early warnings to retail organizations of potential weapons on the premises, in addition to acoustic gunshot detection that identifies the discharge of a firearm. Shotgun and weapon analytics determine the sound of a discharged weapon. Separate analytics actually identify a weapon based on its con- figuration.
Analytics identifies weaponry and pro- vides a quick-reaction management sequence so users can alert local law enforcement, other responding authorities or staff or com- pany management while providing as many specifics as possible to mitigate potential loss associated with the event.
When a weapons threat is detected in the camera’s field of view, the attendant or oper- ator managing the system receives an auto- matic pop-up alert and can immediately click on the camera view for greater detail, along with directions, phone number, con- tact person or other next steps. For brick and mortar stores without a Security Oper- ations Center (SOC) or dedicated command center, the system can be adapted and the software scaled specifically to the retailer, and the alert sequence required to notify remote staff or other company staff can be customized.
Make It Your Own — Configure and Customize Alerts Specific to Your Facility and Decide How You Want the Response
to Play Out
No retailer or location is the same. Some are massive distribution centers, while others may be simple pop-up stores or “shop and
Ad Index
go” grocers. There may be SOCs, or a desktop computer fielding alerts and notifications. Each location has different needs, challenges and pain points and users need the ability to determine how to navigate and clear the alert, based on their unique operations, facil- ity and other risk factors.
Open architecture video management software tailors the collection and dissemi- nation of data specific to the user and their facility for a more targeted response. Retail- ers need software that can seamlessly acceler- ate and enhance an existing or future emer- gency response program, whether localized at the store level or handled nationally.
Ensure a Flexible and Customizable Approach to Incident Response
The VMS detects or determines a threat, takes the data and then presents it to whom- ever is designated by the retailer to receive the alert. Retailers often need to layer in a web of responders trained in what to do to validate the threat, remove people from the threat area and execute the steps that have been already outlined by the retailer.
These responders can include store man- agers or others at the store level, operators at a regional or centralized SOC or local authorities, so retailers need a VMS system that provides a maximum of flexibility in the types of alerting and response. For example, a store manager is likely not always at the front of the store to visually see an incoming active shooter enter from the parking lot, but the VMS system can detect the threat and send a local alert from the VMS.
The system can provide a visual picture of the threat, and also potentially crucial infor- mation to aid in contacting local authorities directly or send an advisory from the regional
SOC that first responders are already en route to the store or warehouse location.
Alerts and notifications are crucial, but technology can’t effectively stand alone and needs to fit seamlessly into the user’s overall emergency response program or protocols. Challenges remain for retailers in active shooter incident prevention and response, including the responsibility to protect mas- sive open environments that often have no physical security presence; the potential for an active shooter to be a customer or employ- ee (front and back of house); and other facil- ity vulnerabilities that vary dramatically by type, size and location of the retailer.
Retailers should also look for a VMS ven- dor with the in-house expertise to assist them with the design and development of an emergency response program in concert with their video surveillance solution and active shooter detection.
As active shooter incidents tick up, video surveillance and analytics yield both the technological data and the tools to minimize threats and prevent risk proactively. VMS vendors that employ an open architecture approach, and who maintain multiple integrations with different threat detection systems are more able to offer a flexible and customizable approach that allows retailers to deploy multiple or single threat detection solutions.
While we can’t predict crises, we can plan for them and active shooter detection is a key example of how retailers can marry technol- ogy and internal policies and procedures to make their environment safer for customers and staff.
Keith Abuele is the chief security officer at Salient Systems.
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campuslifesecurity.com | JULY/AUGUST 2022
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