To IP or not IP - that is the question

According to market research carried out recently by Frost and Sullivan the Internet Protocol (IP) surveillance market’s predicted to grow from $435.8 million in 2005 to $6.48 billion in 2012.”

But is IP the right way forward? The answer depends on the wants and needs of a system. The UK has a long established pedigree in implementing analogue CCTV systems many of which have been successful and clearly satisfied most project requirements.

However, the world is a changed place since many of these systems were conceived. World events, international terrorism, home grown activists, criminal gangs, violent crime, anti social behaviour and the prevalent claims culture have created a need for more sophisticated surveillance systems and an increase in public demand for safer environments.

Clearly yesterday’s technology cannot address today’s security issues.

Security has never been more important - not just for the protection of people and property but for your reputation, brand and business success.

Traditional CCTV technology hasn’t really changed much over the past twenty years and it no longer meets the needs of many of today’s organisations who require more information, accurate data, accountability and the need for remote accessibility and secure sharing of real-time data event monitoring and recording.

The advent of IP CCTV addresses these points and provides three primary advantages:

• Transmission – once a video image is digital it can be transmitted over a structured cabling or IP network.

• Any live or recorded video stream can be accessed and controlled from any location in the world over wired or wireless network connections, even on hand held devices.

• Further benefits include lower cable costs, less containment, fewer power outlets by using PoE to power cameras and scalability

• System integration – IP surveillance technology provides an open platform for integrating:

1. - CCTV
2. - Access Control
3. - Intruder Alarm Systems
4. - External Detection
   
5. - Other Security and Safety Devices – such as Help Points
6. - Management data base and event reporting

Seamlessly connected and communicating to provide a holistic security approach. Based upon cause and effect

• Intelligence – this is perhaps the most exciting and powerful development. When coupled with Video Analytics, CCTV becomes a truly powerful and intelligent visual management tool. It can automatically alert the CCTV operator to unusual events. Intelligent software will alert the user to events as they unfold, so they are able to take immediate action and therefore prevent incidents, making operators more productive and providing an effective means of surveillance and monitoring of large systems. This event driven approach relieves burden from operators and lowers cost in terms of network, storage and staff.

Typical examples of video analytics include:

• Facial recognition
• Automatic number plate recognition
• Intruder detection
• Slip and fall detection
• People and vehicle counting
• Graffiti detection
• Theft detection
• Abandoned object detection in a crowd
• Suspicious behaviour analysis and tracking

In many IP systems intelligence is built in at camera level with many being armed with additional sensors such as temperature sensors, fluid detectors, door contacts, microphones etcetera. In the event of exceptions or incidents of concern the system can alert the operator.

The consensus of industry experts is IP surveillance is ideally suited;

where instant transmission of images is required any where in the world, on large sites or new developments were distance or cabling is an issue.

And where high definition surveillance and monitoring is desired and in multiple site organizations where remote centralised monitoring is desired. Typical market sectors to benefit from IP surveillance include education, health, retail, towns and city centre systems. Along with transport, utilities and infrastructure.