With the boom in Electronic Security Industry, we want to replace every manual system with the gadgets offered by this market. An Access Control System is the result of this phenomenon, where doors are locked and guarded by an electronic reader which on verifying the identity of a person gives appropriate signals to the electromagnetic lock for opening the door. Interestingly unlike a traditional lock, electronic locking security systems do not have the limitations on number of keys to be carried, as every person carries his smart card in which relevant data is stored about him in electronic form. This data is verified by the reader while swiping of card and then only the person is permitted inside the premises.

Loop Holes of Electronic Security System over a Manual Security System with Guards:-

One of the primary loopholes of such a system is that there is the possibility of a person entering the premises with someone else’s card. Places where there is a process of time attendance also attached with this security system– there is high likelihood of proxy attendance in the corporation.

 Above all, proper care has to be taken to handle the cases of power failures where a door may be accidentally locked. For addressing such cases there has to be a provision of panic switch to open the door in emergency, overriding all security measures.

Role of Biometric Access Control System in such a Scenario:-

 A Biometric Access Control System is able to address the issues and limitations of a card based electronic

system up to a large extent as here the presence of the person himself is necessary near the reader to verify his identity which is simply not verified merely by showing a card. Just like a card based security system which verifies the digital data stored on the card of a person, a biometric access control security system verifies the data pertaining to biometric features of a person. These features can be the parameters like the fingerprint impression, Palm Veins, Iris, Voice, Retina etc.

Various Types of Biometric Door Access Control System:-

Depending on the sensitivity of the place and its threat perception, various kinds of biometric access control systems are used in the premises. If it is just a matter of verification and attendance process, a normal fingerprint biometric security system is sufficient. With its minimum technological needs, a fingerprint access control system is a widely used biometric system in most of the organizations. It is very easy to get the templates registered on reader. Whenever a finger is shown to the reader, its impressions are then compared to the templates stores in reader and accordingly the data is verified.

Similarly there are systems where templates of palm veins, retina, iris & face are used deploying various technologies to detect the corresponding types of biometrics. Every technology has got its own pros and cons, and hence depending on the application the same is chosen in premises.

System Configuration of a Biometric Access Control System:-

A typical Biometric Access Control System consists of following main components:-

1. Main Controller
2. D.C Power Supply
3. Electro Magnetic Lock
4. Biometric Software
5. Reader

Here Main Controller is the brain of the system processing all information like entry and exit time of employees, visitors, their verification of biometric data, and then authorizes them to get an entry in the premises by giving suitable signals to the reader for releasing the lock.

At the same time Biometric Software apart from assisting the controller in all its jobs also takes care of other features as programmed and desired like keeping daily time records of entry and exits, maintaining salary records of employees depending upon their daily attendance etc.

At the same time a reader can anything like a retina scanner, fingerprint scanner, palm Vein sensor etc depending on the application. Sometimes readers also come along with inbuilt controllers in them. In such cases there is no need of a separate controller in the system design.

The picture below shows the typical system architecture of a traditional and widely used Biometric/Card Based Access control system:-

WHY BIOMETRIC DOOR ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE CRITICAL FOR ANY ELECTRONIC SECURITY is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

 Among the lot of wireless security camera solutions available in market, one should choose carefully the system keeping in mind the following parameters:-

1.      Ease of Security Camera Installation

The camera system should be easy to install. Today lots of wireless home security camera systems are available in the market with DYI (Do It Yourself) Guide. One should make sure that the kit purchased come along with this guide along with the easy to install mountings.

2.      Easily Configurable

The camera system purchased should be easily configurable and compatible with most the of current networking devices (routers) in the market. It is a general problem during a security camera installation, that the routers available are not compatible enough to enable features like remote viewing.

3.      Remote Viewing Capabilities

The system should be able to show live feeds from the camera even at remote location. Generally in an IP camera this feature is available. But even if one goes for a DVR based Analogue Security Camera System, it should be checked if the vendor is providing the remote viewing facility or not.

4.      Recording and Viewing Options

The next parameter is flexible Recording and Viewing options available in the kit. Whether the system is having multiuser facility with various access levels. What is the capacity of the hard drive provided along with the kit if any and what will be the duration of recording covered with that hard drive? 15 days or even a 7 day recording is sufficient for home use. However it should be checked during the installation of security camera if number of recording days can be increased by changing the configurations in the system.

5.     Range of Distance

The range at which the camera is able to transfer the video signals should be checked. Ideal range offered generally is 300 feet without any obstructions.

6.      Covert Cameras

 One of the reasons one opt for a wireless security camera system in home is its ability to be hidden from public and do monitoring secretly. Although I prefer to let it be visible to public as a deterrent and not hidden. For that matter I even prefer to go for a dummy camera- not working at all, but just playing the role of a deterrent. So if one is planning for a hidden monitoring, it should be checked whether the cameras can be made covert.

7.      Other Important Parameters

Certain other parameters that can be checked before opting for a wireless camera system are resolution, maximum viewing angle coverage & capability to transmit audio signals as well along with video signals.

7 IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING A WIRELESS HOME SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

With the spreading awareness of desired security systems at home, popularity of wireless home security cameras is increased many folds. People have understood that it is not just the office complexes, or big infrastructure premises, that need robust security systems. But adequate attention should also be given to residential complexes to deter unwanted threats and to be prepared for any kind of intrusion in our absence at home. It is because of this reason wireless security camera systems for home are evolved as one of the primary product lines for any of the security camera manufacturer. Ease of installation, zero pains related to cabling are some good reasons for the increasing market of wireless security cameras.

A Wireless Security Camera is able to transmit video signals to another wireless device (also called receiver) which further connects it to the desired network. In this way without the need of high cost cabling one is able to get the live video feed on to his network and live video feeds can then be stored on a local hard drive for  future reference.

Benefits of Wireless Home Security Cameras:-

Following are some of the benefits derived out of wireless cameras making them popular in home segments::-

1.  Ease of Security Camera Installation:

Owing to its wireless feature a wireless security camera is much easier to install than its wired counterpart. Only with a little knowledge of setting up a wireless network one can install a wireless security camera system in a very short time period.

 2. Cheap Installation:

As there is no involvement of cabling: all the expenses pertaining to video cables/CAT 6               cables is actually a saving during the installation of a wireless home security camera.

 3. Convenience:

Wireless Cameras also prove its utility by giving convenience of making it mobile anywhere.  Now by mobile, I do not mean one can actually carry a wireless camera while traveling. Off course there are USB cameras available in market with inbuilt batteries or sometimes even with car adaptors that are truly mobile. But by convenience here I mean it is easy to shift these cameras as per requirement in a closed network, which is quite tedious in case of wired security cameras.

4.Remote Viewing:

Once the video data is fetched into a network it can be easily seen even at a remote distance though the router provided sufficient bandwidth and a static IP is available.

 Limitations of a Wireless Home Security Camera System:

With every new technology, there are benefits and as well as limitations are associated;: Wireless Technology is not an exception and comes with certain limitations as follows in the installation of Security Cameras:-

1.Frequency Limitation:

Wireless cameras run on certain limited frequencies of 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz & 5.4 GHz, making it prone to interference.

2. Limitation of distance:

Wireless cameras do have limitations in terms of distances to which the video signals can be transmitted. Some technologies even required line of sight for clear signal transmissio

3. Issues related to interference:

There are high chances of interference in wireless cameras with other signals if frequency of transmission is same and  there is no feature of data encryption in the camera system.

 4. Wireless Solution:

is not a successful solution in bigger premises with a large number of cameras. As it calls for a larger bandwidth and covering long distances with a lot of transmitters and receivers. Off course there are expensive solutions available for big commercial/critical infrastructure with technologies like Wimax., which are not feasible for home security systems.

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 Its because of this reason we can see Cameras and also DVR’s flooded in market with multiple streams having different types of image compression standards for different applications. An application which requires live monitoring will need signal streams high quality image, whereas for recording purpose or even for viewing in Mobile from a remote location, different streams are required with different compression techniques. There are DVR’s in the market with even five separate streams for five different kinds of applications.

 Following are some of the ongoing and upcoming image compression techniques used in IP CCTV/Video industry:-

• JPEG Image Compression (Joint Photographic Expert Group
• M-JPEG Image Compression
• MPEG 1,2, 4 (Part2) (Moving Pictures Expert Group)
• H.264 or MPEG 4 (Part 10)

 Broadly there are two concepts which govern most of the Image Compression techniques – Spatial Compression & Temporal Compression. In Spatial Compression – all data compression is done on a single image frame without touching other frames- eg JPEG, Wavelet & M-JPEG, where as Temporal Compression deals with the changes in the previous and subsequent frames during transition- eg MPEG, H.264 etc.

Below are some more details on individual Compression Techniques:-

JPEG Image Compression:  

Finds its application in still photographs or a video with very low fps (Frames per second). The data is compressed of individual photographs.

M-JPEG:-

M-JPEG is similar to JPEG, where images are at a very high fps to give an illusion of a running video. The drawback here is  that its today not a standard, hence compatibility issues come into picture with different manufacturers.

MPEG 4 (Part2):-

It is most acceptable image compression in industry with its different versions. This technology focuses on the dealing with the change in previous and subsequent frames rather than on each frame itself. It saves only that portion of the frame which is changed from that of its previous state. Hence each frame also called p- frame or predictive frame is actually the composition of previous frame plus the changes in same with that of current frame.

MJPEG Compression

MPEG 4 Compression

MPEG 4 (Part 10) or H.264:-

Also called Advanced Video Coding (AVC) is more efficient in terms of maintaining the

Image via Wikipedia

quality of image as apart from P frames, it also has an I-frame or intra frame which do not refer to any of the precious or future frames but is independent of both of them and because of which it is a frame with complete information. I frames can also be used to implement fast-forward, rewind and other random access functions. Its because of this reason bit rate is 50% lesser than MPEG 4 (Part2) and H.264 proves its utility while saving of storage disc space is the main concern along with maintaining the quality of image.

Apart from the above, Wavelet Image Compression and Fractal Image Compression are two more compression techniques on images not followed as a standard practice.

What are different Types of Image Compression Techniques in IP CCTV Security Cameras is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

Explosives Detection Systems 

Technologies used in Explosive Detection System:-

Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Gas Chromatograph, Amplifying Fluorescent Polymer and Chemiluminescence are some of the technologies used in Explosive Detection Systems. Where Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) works on the principle of ion velocity in an electric field, where sample explosive are to be ionized with the help of a radioactive source. The drawback of this technology is safety hazards owing to the radioactive source for ionization. There are certain technologies like Chemiluminescence & Gas Chromatograph as well which do not involve a radioactive source inside the device for ionization.

Sensitivity of a Device:-

 The ability of an Explosive Detection Device to detect lowest amount of explosive matter is called its sensitivity. The lower it can sense, the better is the sensitivity. The unit of sensitivity is measured in femtograms, Pico grams or Nano grams depending on its sensitivity. As certain explosives have very low vapor pressure, emitting very less vapor- its important for the detector to be able to sense lowest of the vapors. Hence Sensitivity of the device plays a key role in its success.

Advantages of Explosive Detection Device:-

The main advantage of such devices is its portability and as well as its ability to sense multiple types of explosives. Unlike heavy equipment like Baggage Scanner which are not portable and unlike other gadgets like hand held metal detectors which can only sense metals (some times giving false alarms as well) , the explosive detectors comes handy when it comes to  portability as well as detection.

Disadvantages of Explosive Detection Device:-

Cold start up time and analysis time is one of the drawbacks of these gadgets in places with a lot of crowd and traffic throughput. Another issue with these detection systems is presence of radio active source in some of these devices causing safety concerns in public.

Above is the chart indicating various devices available in market along with the technology used in them for detection.

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

Application of a Barrier Gate Access Control in Security Systems:-

 Boom Barriers control the general traffic flow as its function is to keep a check on any unauthorized entry of vehicles. They are ideally suitable for high threat areas like Airports, Embassies, Defense Establishments,GovernmentPSUBuildings, Oil and Gas Plants, Temples & Palaces etc.

 The boom barrier can be either Electromechanical or Electro Hydraulic based on the manufacturer designs and its crash rating. The crash rating of a barrier is actually the ability to stop the vehicle of a certain mass with a certain velocity. The higher the crash rating – higher is the ability of barrier to withstand the collision of heavy vehicles coming with high speed trying to forcefully enter the premises.

 As it is supposed to control the traffic of vehicles at main gate barrier, it opens either with an impulse of a valid signal or automatically within a preprogrammed time period depending on the requirement. The valid signal can be given either manually by a switch or through some controller driven by signals of a proximity/smart card or biometric readers.

 The boom barrier basically comprises of housing – with drive unit inside it, a boom of varying lengths and a boom rest. The barrier housing is fabricated in mild steel, zinc coated for additional protection and powder coated with stainless steel base frame .The housing can be opened with a key. The boom is balanced by an equivalent counter weight.

The drive unit also have intelligent control mechanism that accelerate and decelerate the movement of the booms. Some of the boom barriers have booms that can also have articulation facility (foldable boom) as an optional feature which help in the applications where available height clearance is less than the required boom length.

BARRIER GATE ACCESS CONTROL SECURITY SYSTEMS is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

Below are the some basic differences between an IP Security Camera and Analogue Security Camera which can become a deciding factor while making a choice between them:-

FLEXIBILITY IN IP  SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM:-

• IP Security Camera unlike Analogue Security Cameras do not need any proprietary device like DVR and are able to send digitised signal over  an IP (Internet Protocol) network, where these signals can be processed in the desired manner with a lot of flexibility by using a Video Management and Video Analytics Software even in remote places via LAN, WAN  or Internet.
• There is no limitation in number of viewing stations as all the monitors/LCDs can be simply plugged to the network and can easily access the video in digital format. Where as in an Analogue Camera where viewing is possible only through DVRs output to monitor – number of viewing stations can be only one or at the maximum 2.

• An IP Security Camera network also provides flexibility in terms of its scalability ie the number of cameras can be increased even in multiples of one on a network. Where as an additional camera in case of analogue Security Camera network totally depends on number of channels available in DVR, amount of wiring required to be done and also the distance at which camera is to be installed.

TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP:-

• When the number of cameras is high, the amount of cabling in IP Security Camera network can be saved substantially since all the devices are simply required to be hooked to the network by assigning an IP address, unlike point to point wiring for each camera to the DVR in case of Analogue Security Camera.
• Since most of the IP Cameras come with the PoE enabled features- total cost of power cabling can also be reduced by getting the power from PoE switches.

GREATER IMAGE QUALITY

• Image quality of IP Security Camera is much greater than that of Analogue Security Camera as firstly image need not be converted for any processing at server level as its already in digital format, Secondly there is less loss of signals in digital format over a CAT6/optical fiber  cable which is not the case in analogue signal over a coaxial cable.
• Megapixel Cameras in IP Camera segment gives the type resolution and ultimately the picture clarity which is unmatched in any of the analogue cameras.

Superior Control while Monitoring:-

• IP Security Cameras also offers superior control while surveillance through their analytics features. If the number of cameras are high it becomes very difficult to monitor every screen and its there where analytics in an IP network proves its utility. The analytics can be at edge level through cameras DSP or even at server level through software.
• Most of  the IP Security Cameras also comes with various input/output controls, where the camera is not only able to take inputs from various sensors like smoke detectors, door contacts, but also can take action after getting these inputs in  the form of releasing doors, triggering an alarm or even sending the video of unlikely event on mail.
• Activity Controlled frame rate is another such feature where frame rates of recording are increased in case of some activity and then again decreased in case of no activity at the scene. This helps in saving storage space and thus provides more number of days recording.

However inspite of all the good things analogue cameras are preferred in cases where number of cameras are less, there is no network bandwidth availability, there is no option of optical fiber cable and distances are still larger. In such cases analogue camera is the simplest solution with RG 11 cabling.

Types of Security Camera Systems- Comparison between Analogue and IP Security Cameras is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

For beginners we can divide any CCTV system in basically three major units-

1. Cameras
2. Channel of signal transmission
3. Recording or Live transmission station

Depending on the technology, budget and applications, all three of above changes drastically. It is not only a Camera that plays  major role in giving an edge to the performance of an overall surveillance system, but also other units like channel of signal transmission and recording & live transmission station are also of the utmost importance. A degraded or wrongly chosen Communication System can very easily contribute to hamper the performance of any CCTV Security System in spite of the best of the Cameras being deployed.

To start with the very basics of the CCTV Security Systems: we shall start with the overview of classification of all the three units as mentioned above.

1. Cameras:- They are broadly classified as IP Cameras and Analogue Cameras, where an analogue camera gives video signals in absolute value as continuous waveforms which as a result can be carried to considerable distances upto 100-800 meters, but being an analogue, signals are prone to a lot of attenuation. At larger distances the signal distortion is too much to give clear picture. In such a scenario in spite of the best image resolution and picture quality given by the camera the user is not able to enjoy the same resolution and quality at monitoring station as analogue signals cannot be carried without any distortion.

An IP Camera gives digital signals in the form of high and low pulses, which means there is no absolute value and either a signal is low or high which helps in preventing the distortion of signal. The only drawback with such signals is that it can be carried up to a distance of 100meters only. One can stretch these signals by deploying multiple boosters/switches at every 100 meters. However more than two boosters are not recommended to stretch these signals. There are various other suitable networks to carry these signals at larger distances.

The utility of an IP camera lies in its ability to give signals which can be sent across a LAN/WAN network/internet or any other network where the cameras can be accessed at any place on PC/Mobile/Laptop and the recordings can be stored/analysed even without any proprietary recording device.

2. Channel of Signal Transmission:-Depending on the choice of types of camera the channel for signal transmission is chosen. Standard Video Cables are used if the cameras are analogue camera. For long distances RG -11 cables are being used to carry the signal from an Analogue Camera. On the contrary if the camera is an IP camera or if an encoder is being deployed after the camera, UTP/CAT VI cables are used to carry digital signals. For longer distances Optical Fiber Cables are used where first the electrical signals are converted into optical signals with the help of LIU ILight Interface Unit) and Media Converter, these optical signals can go up to kilometres of distances and used in city surveillance sort of applications.  The Channel can also be a wireless medium deployed with the help of wireless radios where a transmission link is being established between the camera and the monitoring station.

3.Recording or Live Transmission Station:-The recording can be done by a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) in case of an Analogue Camera where the DVR also facilitates the live viewing of the cameras at a monitor. Number of channels required in a DVR depends on the number of cameras deployed. However number of monitors has to be one as DVR takes the input from cameras through its various channel ports but it gives one single output to the monitor.

In case of an IP Camera since the cameras are connected in a network there can be as many viewing points as desired. All that is required is to connect the monitors to the network.  Similarly recording is also done at a server connected to the network. The amount of cabling reduces drastically in case of IP camera, since all the devices can be connected to a network through a single wire and network switches.

The below picture indicates the flow chart depicting the basic classification of CCTV Security System:-

BASICS OF CCTV SECURITY SYSTEMS is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY

Typical Alarm Systems for Homes

A typical alarm security system is composed of four major units – a central control system (panel), Sensors, Anunciators, Central Monitoring System. Out these four units, the former three are most important and are indispensable for any alarm system to work.

Central Control System: It is the main control panel where all the processing takes place and hence should be kept at a safe location. It is connected to input detection devices and out put anunciators. In case of any alarm event the detestation devices send the signals to control panel and then the panel on the basis of programming done by user, process these signals and if required send an alert signal to activate the anunciators and alert the central monitoring system.

Types of Detection Devices:

• Magnetic Door Contact: – is most widely used the detection device for safeguarding the entries through doors and windows of
  

  Magnetic Door Contact

  the house. It consists of a switch, and a magnet, where magnetic field helps in maintaining the electrical contact of the switch, the moment magnetic field is removed the electrical contact also is broken resulting in an alarm event. The device is installed at frame and shutter of a door or a window, the moment the door is opened, magnet moves away from the switch and the electrical contact is broken because of the removal of the magnetic field.

• Glass Break Sensor: – They are installed at outer periphery of the house at window glasses, sometimes even inside the house if percentage of the glass used in windows, doors is high. Such sensors majorly use two kinds of technologies to detect the glass break. First is through Shock wave, where as when some one tries to break the glass or make hole in the glass through some cutter, the detector senses the same by its vibrations. The limitation of such sensors is that they have to be installed at the glass itself through some adhesives.

Another technology, through the the detection is done, is by sound discrimination. Sensors identify the sound of the glass break and detect the same. Here although there is an advantage that the at a time more than one glasses can also be protected by install ting the sensors in the midway on the wall, but there is a limitation that it may give false alarms on some other sounds well like that of wind chimes. Hence it is always best to use the detectors which detect the glass break only when both the events of vibration and sound happen.

• Motions Sensors:- They are the most critical part of any security systems as they play an important role when  an intruder ahs already crossed all the security measures outside and at the periphery and is now inside the house. Most commonly used Motion sensor today is Passive Infra Red Sensors (PIR Sensors), which detect the movements of an intruder by the slight changes in temperature due to infra red radiations.

Anunciators and CMS:- These can be categorised as output devices of Central Control System, since the panel after getting the signals of alarm event from its input devices, activates its anunciators which are generally hooters, alarms etc. At the same time if there is a provision of sending the pre-recorded messaged to some of  the numbers, it also send these messages so that proper and timely action can be taken. These pre-recorded messages can be of neighbours, police stations or CMS (Central Monitoring Station). There are certain companies which provide the services of monitoring the Alarm Security Systems and are capable enough to take suitable action in case of any alarm event/emergency.

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As such even the main door of your house is also a security device in a way as it act as a barrier between your home assets and outside threats but as rightly said -Security is just a degree of protection and the peace of mind associated with it, which can never be ensured even after the installation of gadgets of most advanced technology. It is at this stage that Home Security Systems comes into picture to play a major role in providing and increasing that degree of protection.

Home Security Systems can broadly be categorized in following types of prominently used Alarm Systems:-

• Fire Alarm System: – secures all your valuable assets against fire hazards. It has got a main control panel which is connected to various sensors and sounders. The control panel is installed at some safe location of the house from where the administrator can control all the devices connected to it. It has got a keypad which is alphanumeric and acts as an interface between the user and the other input and output devices. The input devices are generally fire sensors, manual call points etc, which gives input to the control panel on the basis of which it activates its output devices like strobes, hooters, voice evacuation system etc. The fire sensors depending on the technology can be of various types like smoke sensors to detect smoke, heat sensors to detect temperature etc. There are certain specialised sensors as well available in the market for addressable panels. On the other hand the signal for any type of fire can also be given manually to the control panel through manual call point installed generally near exits.
• Burglar Alarm System: Simplest of the Burglar Alarm Systems if installed properly can prove to be the most reliable of all the Home Security Systems. Like Fire Alarm System, it also consists of a panel with keypad for interface and various input and output devices. PIR sensors for detecting movements, Vibrations sensors, Glass Break Sensors, Magnetic Door Contacts (for detecting opening of doors and windows) are few devices which act as input devices for the panel. The panel after receiving signals from input devices about any event of intrusion activates the output devices. The output devices include hooters, panic alarms and sometimes even a phone line – separate or inbuilt in the panel, which send pre-recorded messages to few emergency numbers of police, Central Monitoring System.
• Other Security Systems: – Home Security Systems apart from Fire Alarms and Burglar Alarms also include products like Video Door Phones, Access Control, and CCTV etc. Apart from it Physical Security Products like fire rated Safes; Lockers are also used prominently in homes to protect cash, jewellery, important documents from theft and fire.

All these security measures as stated earlier as well may act as a deterrent /hurdle for various kinds of threats but can not be taken as a threat proof system as with the advancement of technology  when threats change its forms, the existing systems technology becomes obsolete. A periodic upgrade of home security systems is advisable to keep pace with the new threats and hazards.

HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS – A MUST TO SECURE YOUR HOUSE is a post from: THE SECURITY SYSTEMS ACADEMY