The Hindu Business Line : Take off on a safe note

Be it computer systems or public places, all it takes is but one moment and one weak opening for a focussed attacker to unleash havoc – and destroy precious lives or programs.

How does one take guard, especially when it comes to wide areas such as airports?

Mark Mancuso, Deputy Director (Public Safety), Houston Airport System, has said “the best way to achieve a secure airport is not by simply reacting to incidents after the fact or by jumping on the latest trend, but by really taking a hands-on approach to understand the needs of the airport.”

He was referring to George Bush International Airport, located 20 miles north of downtown Houston. This is said to be one of the busiest airports in the US with more than 700 departures daily with nine domestic, 12 commercial, 40 cargo and two charter airlines.

After the 9/11 attack, the Department of Homeland Security offered a $3.5 million grant to improve the security at Houston Airport. Honeywell Security Systems, a $2.5-billion enterprise, has provided the integrated security solution for Houston Airport.

Its Head (sales) for the Asia-Pacific region, Deepak Thakur, claims that Honeywell Security is the only player with security solutions for the entire spectrum — ‘be it efficiency, energy, fire protection, any security product — it is all integrated’.

Excerpts from an interview to eWorld:

Deepak Thakur

Airports, unlike other areas such as bus depot, railway station or temples, have security systems in place. What is unique about the solution that you offer?

Yes, airports have automated systems, cameras, everything. What is required is a security solution that prevents an act that causes danger, is managed well, and one that aids investigation.

There are three priority areas: Hypersensitive, critical and low security. Hypersensitive areas can be say, the perimeter, runway, baggage screening, entry-exit gates, etc. Security hold, hangars and check-ins can be categorised as critical areas and parking lots, escalators as low-intensity areas. Each area has its own, different security needs. One security solution can’t suit them all. One needs to understand the complexity and parameters before designing a security solution. We are currently installing cameras in vital locations.

We protect more than 200 airports throughout the world. For an airport, you require surveillance systems, perimeter controls, access systems. But all these would have to be aligned so that it can be managed from one point.

The manpower required to operate all these systems is going to be enormous. We have integrated security management systems with Central Graphical Patrol that allows the user to manage the show from a single monitoring station.

Take the integrated security solution that we’ve provided for Houston Airport — There may be 50,000 access card holders, digital video management systems, perimeter controls and about 700 flights a day. These card holders will be different categories of people — passengers, ground staff, cabin crew, VIP, guest, etc. Now, you don’t want the right person to enter the wrong area. Our integrated solution starts with the access control system. This acts like a platform and everything else — perimeter control and others — acts from here. Security has to be perfect.

What about surveillance equipment?

Surveillance equipment are most popular in the security gadgets market, followed by access control and alarm systems. The visible development today is the video surveillance or access control or perimeter control system. But with these stand-alone gadgets the operator will not be able to see each and everything on the screen.

Our software will allow the user to graphically draw out a security area, map a hypersensitive area and if there is any suspicious activity in that area, the alarm goes off automatically.

How do you track the developments leading to the alarm?

Say there are 10,000 people in a room and one unidentified baggage. It can be very difficult for the operator to recognise it. The software will trap the baggage from the particular corner and the detection alarm will go off.

One can do auto tracking — if one person is identified, you can track his movements across cameras.

Can you share details about your next big project?

We’ve put up a very powerful city surveillance system — video monitoring, alarm management, cameras, etc, for the biggest event of this season — The Beijing Olympics. We have created a solution for the entire city.

The awareness level for such solutions and the security market…

Reports reveal that the market for electronic security equipment in India could grow at 25 to 30 per cent over the next five to ten years. The mushrooming of MNCs in various sectors has catalysed the growth process as most companies consider automated security systems a necessity.

lnr@thehindu.co.in

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Take off on a safe note