IEN: Have strides been made in: Risk management? Integrated systems design? Emergency response? Hazard controls? Computer security? Crisis management? Please explain.
Berardi: Since 9/11, not just the security industry, but the entire world has adjusted to the potential risks and vulnerabilities that were not even considered possible before this major catastrophe. Both the private and public sector have made many adjustments to compensate for areas of infrastructure weakness. Here are some of my thoughts, observations, and experiences.
Risk Management: Since 9/11, many physical security consultants have been hired to conduct risk assessments for major corporations and local and state municipalities. The obvious high-risk targets, such as airports, bridges and tunnels, nuclear power plants, power-generating facilities, water supplies, and toxic chemical manufacturers, have all gone though risk assessments and security upgrades. Likewise, telecommunication and network infrastructure providers have incorporated redundant systems and measures that will instantaneously deploy upon a catastrophic event.
What was once considered not to be a threat or a weakness, or was at most a low priority on the risk avoidance scale, has now been elevated and monies have been allocated to reduce the risk. Today, in cities and suburbs across the county, major buildings that used to have free access now have a sign in/out desk, access control, turnstiles, and video cameras. Corporate offices and local and federal government buildings that ignore the risk by not providing some means of physical security are leaving themselves wide open for major litigation in the event of a terrorist or hostage situation.
Integrated System Design: The security industry has constantly been improving the integration of systems. Improvements in the integration of access control, intrusion detection, fire evacuation and, most recently, IP video have all come about through software integration and faster computers. Now, wireless networks will open the door even more with the ability to deliver data, video, and audio to remote command centers and even to police vehicles. If this technology had been available on 9/11 or in Colorado when the Columbine School incident occurred, maybe more lives could have been saved. The ability to look in and see exactly what is happening during an emergency can be a very powerful tool in controlling a hostile environment.
The integration of building automation and the control of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment from a remote command center or police vehicle will enable authorities to shut down air-handling systems remotely in the event of an anthrax or toxic chemical spill, thus preventing the spreading of the disaster. See following graphic for an illustration of how this can work.
Emergency Response: Mostly in the public sector we have seen improvement in emergency responsiveness. Federal and local authorities have combined efforts, developed plans, and have conducted drills on emergency preparedness. Homeland Security money has been allocated to improve and develop better mobile communication equipment. One of the shortfalls on 9/11 was that the communication infrastructure fell apart, and no redundant systems or backups were in place. We have seen big improvements in wireless technologies, which were not available pre-9/11, that are now being deployed. This includes a redundant wireless emergency system for police, fire, and emergency personnel, for example.
Hazard Control: We have seen some improvements in this area, but most of it has been thrown on the shoulders of private corporations. New and more stringent requirements have been deployed, but the manpower for the federal and state agencies to police the new requirements is lacking.
Computer Security: Improvements in physical security, like biometric readers and smart card technologies, are being implemented, but only on systems that require higher levels of security. Improvements in virus software protection have been deployed and upgraded as needed. Redundant servers and network communication hubs, routers, and switches are being implemented because of 9/11. The ability to instantaneously redirect a communication path in the event of a fire or explosion is critical to many companies and federal and local governments. Improvements in wireless technology now have the bandwidth capability to deliver data and video over long distances.
Crisis Management: Pre-9/11, this area was given as much attention as an elementary school fire drill, but that has all changed. Many corporations have partnered with federal and local agencies to develop and implement crisis management plans. Just about every day the Homeland Security Agency and local authorities, in conjunction with state and local agencies, are conducting emergency preparedness drills. Corporations today are better prepared, but many still have a long way to go to reduce the potential number of casualties in the event of a disaster.
IEN: What innovations can be expected in security equipment and systems, software, training, and elsewhere?
Berardi: Over the next few years, as wireless technology begins to get better, faster, and more cost effective, I think it will begin to open the doors for the next generation of integrated security systems. The ability to deliver bidirectional voice, data, and streaming video to laptops and PDAs will change the way that security command centers will operate. For example, the implementation and integration of RFID and GPS satellite tracking will provide us with not only the ability to determine who is trapped in a damaged facility, but also their exact location. Vital medical information along with video can be sent to a hospital or a medical emergency response team so that they are prepared with the proper equipment when they arrive on the scene.
Great improvements are on the horizon with video analysis or "intelligent video." The ability to pick a terrorist out of a large crowd at an airport through facial recognition combined with body motions and mannerisms is very close to reality. The U.S. border patrol is testing this technology along the border to catch illegal aliens trying to cross into the U.S. in the middle of the night. The technology is able to recognize human characteristics, versus those of an animal, in total darkness.
This technology will enable retailers to immediately detect known shoplifters who have entered their stores again. Once the shoplifters are detected, the camera system will go into "follow me mode" and every camera in the store will track their actions. This technology can also be applied to identify known terrorists in airports. Once they enter an airport, their actions will be simultaneously tracked and recorded. It will even be possible to transmit the video via wireless to PDA or notebook computers so that police can respond instantly.
IEN: Which R & D areas are closest to commercialization?
Berardi: As I have stated, wireless broadband networks and intelligent video are the latest in security technologies. Speed and cost have been obstacles, however, to full deployment. Currently, a cost-effective computer/server running 3 GHz and 1 Mb of Ram can only process so much information. The current prediction is that when computers reach about 5 to 6 GHz, then the technology will be fast enough to implement a cost-effective deployment. We are also hearing that some new R & D coming out soon may make it cost effective to operate on current technology.
IEN: How significant a role will the web play in security? Wireless? Why?
Berardi: As previously mentioned, the future will all reside around the web and wireless, such as encrypted web-based applications combined with encrypted wireless networks. New R & D will bring more robust redundant wireless networks. Currently, hardwired networks are used with a wireless backup to provide seamless communication in the event a line is out or cut. In the same way, if a wireless router or antennae should fail or be destroyed, a smart wireless redundant system can redirect the signal to another point and thus provide no downtime in the event of a single point of failure.
Most security systems platforms, such as access control, video, intercom, fire, and intrusion detection, have web-based clients and those that don''t, will not survive in the future. We are a mobile society and we all need access to information. The ability to remotely monitor and control critical security and building functions has been around for the last 20 years through telephone dial-up configurations. Now the web allows us to transmit more information at faster speeds.
IEN: Are companies integrating security technologies with industrial operations? How?
Berardi: Manufacturers are increasingly using video in industrial applications; especially to watch critical manufacturing processes and view flow of operations. Previously, if a manufacturing line or conveyor belt shut down due to a malfunction or a safety issue, an employee nearby would walk over and check out the problem.
Now, to reduce costs, these employees have been replaced with video cameras. These cameras are integrated with the computers that control the manufacturing process. When a shutdown occurs, the camera turns on and simultaneously broadcasts and records the event. In some cases, the video is sent over a network to an engineer who could be hundreds of miles away. Relying on the video, the engineer analyzes the situation and decides whether to restart the manufacturing process or to implement an adjustment.
In the future, as intelligent video or video analysis becomes better, the software controlling the camera will be able to analyze the problem based on a set of parameters. Then it will send the information back to the computer controlling the manufacturing process. The decision to restart or adjust the process will be made without any human involvement.
Another emerging area is Voice over IP phone systems, developed by telecommunication companies like Cisco and Verizon, which integrate with a building''s security and HVAC systems. Essentially, the technology turns the telephone at a desk into a web-based IP client with both voice and video. The phone can then be used to adjust the temperature in a single office or on an entire floor and even to turn the security system on or off. Tour Andover Controls is in the early stages of developing interface for these type systems.