'Ordinary citizens have become agents of surveillance'

28 Apr 09

By Mano Kanthanathan

In the second part of the series on ‘Web Surveillance’, the author dwells on how the surveillance technology has transformed the security industry.

Today, video compression technologies have improved considerably, making it possible for high quality video transmission over the web at a low bandwidth. Compression technologies such as MPEG-4 reduce the bandwidth consumption by more than 50 per cent.

Because of the proliferation of the Internet as the means of communication in the workplace, and the use of email as a workplace tool – most employees have the necessary training on the use of a web browser to make use of web surveillance technology. As a result, ordinary individuals become agents of surveillance. We can therefore view incidents in real time or examine events that have occurred in the past in a distant location. It further enhances the possibilities of routing information immediately, facilitating action to be taken when the situation demands it.

Furthermore, recent innovations, such as the development of H.264 (MPEG-4 Version 10) compression technology have reduced the bandwidth consumption to more than 80 per cent. Innovations such as camera intelligence and motion detection allow cameras to use less bandwidth when there is no activity by toggling between a low frame rate and a higher one depending on activity viewed by the camera.

It is therefore, possible for an IP camera installation to provide sufficient performance for live viewing and recording at a bandwidth that is as low as 512 kbps per camera.

Web based surveillance technology

Users in a web based surveillance system conduct all operations, from viewing, recording, and administration of users and cameras through a web based interface. In this system, the user is first authenticated before being allowed to view the IP camera or view a video recording stored in the data base of the surveillance server.

Similarly, an authorized user like an administrator can configure user rights and privileges for live viewing and recording video images for various surveillance locations. This type of software is typically a highly scalable solution that can be used to provide surveillance for IP cameras located in several locations dispersed across a wide geography.

Web based surveillance systems can be administered remotely from a web browser, which means the administrator can add or delete a user, or can configure a camera situated in a remote location from any where in the world. Similarly, the rights and privileges of a user can be managed in this way.

This means a user can be restricted to view only a few cameras, and this restriction can be based on what the business or organization feels is necessary for a particular user. Administration can also be used for storing images and for retrieving through intelligent search the viewing of the stored video image from the data base. Consequently, advanced features can be used to alert personnel via an email or SMS when an alert situation occurs.

Bandwidth consumption

The amount of bandwidth required in an IP camera installation is an important cost consideration. Because, each IP camera produces and transmits live video images over the Internet - bandwidth consumption increases with the number of IP cameras used. A few key factors influences the amount of bandwidth needed and they are resolution of the image, frame rate for the video and the video compression produced by the camera. Higher the resolution used for the video image, higher is the bandwidth required.

Similarly, higher the frame rate for the video image, higher is the bandwidth required. To reduce the bandwidth required for a higher resolution and frame rate, it is necessary for the video image to undergo compression of the image before transmission.

Support for dynamic IP

A key resource for a web-based system is the need for IP address for the IP camera, as the web-based solution has to access the IP camera via its IP address. This is usually done by assigning a static IP address to the IP camera or the location of the server where the IP camera is installed. However, with the demand for IP addresses increasing day by day, it is necessary for IP cameras to reduce the need for static IP addresses.

It is therefore important for a web based system to create dynamic IP address for the cameras being accessed, instead of accessing the IP camera from a static IP address. By accessing the IP camera via a dynamic IP address instead of a static IP address, the business reduces its cost of operations, because static IP address are expensive and dynamic IP addresses cost far less. Advanced web based surveillance systems support Dynamic allocation of IP address using a DDNS server so that cameras can be accessed without the need for static IP addresses.

Scalable systems

Scalability is an important feature, as there is a continuous need to add users and cameras for large installations. Typically, Linux Systems are more scalable than a Windows based system, as the latter is known to crash under heavy loads, usually when user and camera numbers increase beyond a certain limit. Software built on Linux can therefore support thousands of cameras and users, which makes them ideal for very large surveillance projects.

Secondly, Linux solutions are more virus resistant and secure, as compared to Window based systems. Thirdly, Linux is an open source platform and free as opposed to Windows, which is Microsoft based and therefore more expensive to the end user.

Integration with other systems

Web based surveillance systems can be integrated with other systems to provide a comprehensive security solution. These peripheral systems can be access control, RFID, gate control or fire alarm systems. Through integration with other systems, it is possible to address a large range of custom requirements from Bank ATMs, Airport terminals, Railway stations to Retail outlets.

Added to this, is the capability of integrating video analytics solutions with IP camera systems, providing the capability of analysis in real time. These systems enable surveillance system to have the intelligence to alert security personnel when a particular individual is spotted or when a suspicious bag remains without being removed in an airport or railway terminal or when a particular space in a retail outlet is receiving a lot more traffic than other parts of the store.

Cost considerations

Web based surveillance typically cost more than CCTV surveillance systems, but offer a greater return on investment than CCTV systems. They cost more because IP cameras are typically more expensive than CCTV cameras, and web based surveillance software, and recurring bandwidth charges are an additional expenditure to the installation and running of a complete web based surveillance system.

However, these costs are offset through elimination of costs incurred via traditional security personnel. Furthermore, with a web based surveillance system, managers can monitor the workplace from any location in a far more effective manner, thereby increasing operational efficiencies that traditional CCTV like systems cannot provide.

It should be noted that the cost of IP cameras varies a lot, and depends on the camera brand and the camera type used. Secondly, IP camera models address a wide range of uses and the following questions can help in determining the camera type and therefore the camera cost to be used.

• At what distance is the object that needs to be under surveillance from the camera?

• Do we need to change the monitored distance at times?

• Is the camera going to be installed outdoors or indoors?

• Is the camera going to be used in an environment with good lighting?

• How sharp do we need the image to be? Sharp enough to see the characters of a license plate?

• Does the user have a need to aim the camera to different locations during surveillance?

• Is there a need to record images during certain time periods or when some condition is met like motion detection after 11:00 pm?

A key part of web based surveillance is the cost of software to be used in managing the cameras and the users on the system. The cost of web based surveillance software will depend on the number of cameras that need to be supported and whether the system is a centralized or a de-centralized system.

Secondly, factors that will influence the cost of software is the degree of customization required, such as integration with other surveillance platforms and the amount of wiring required to connect the cameras to the surveillance software server.

Web based surveillance uses

Because, web based surveillance is a new approach to business operations, it has mushroomed into several areas of business activity - some of which are mentioned below.

Banking and finance

Banks and financial Institutions have always been subject to criminal activities; as a result they require constant monitoring and investigation. Furthermore, with the advent of ATMs, it is even more important for banks to depend on a remote surveillance system.

Criminal activities, usually occurs either inside the bank, such as in a teller counter, or outside, where people withdraw cash from an ATM, and customers can easily become victims of robbery. To ensure safety, and to solve any unavoidable incidents quickly and accurately, web based surveillance is critical for operational excellence.

The reliability of network video reduces the risk in bank operations and this includes reducing internal crimes also, such as fraud committed by bank employees. Because, IP cameras produce high quality images, it leads to easy identification of people and a clear view of transactions at ATM machines, deposit boxes and at the cashier station in the bank.

Government

Because of the rise of terrorism, public security has become a major concern for governments around the world. IP camera solutions for government offices and infrastructure can not only be used to secure government assets and ordinary citizen, but also play a role in investigative efforts of terror related crimes.

For instance, video surveillance was successfully used in tracking down the culprits in the London bombings. Similarly, web based IP solutions can also be used to inform ordinary citizens of traffic situations in various key traffic points in the city, airport or railway terminals.

Healthcare

Hospitals need to monitor operations around the clock for several reasons, such as, safety, patient traffic, emergency services, patient care in ICUs, staff training and parking lot safety. Because, IP cameras provide the means for remote monitoring, it enables hospital staff to view their workplace when they are away from the hospital location.

Secondly, IP cameras provide high quality imagery which makes it possible for doctors to share knowledge of surgical procedures with other doctors in different locations. As a result, this technology can serve as a valuable training tool, as it can also be used to record the surgical procedure for later study.

Thirdly, web based surveillance can be used to improve hospital operations, as it can be used to determine ways of managing patient traffic at different times of the day at various locations of the hospital. By allocating hospital staff appropriately, the hospital can increase profits by reducing cost of overall operations.

Transportation

Transportation companies regularly use IP camera solutions to monitor truck fleets by viewing their arrivals and departures at key points in the traffic network. When truck movement is integrated with Radio Frequency Identification and Detection (RDID) sensors, it is possible to increase safety of goods moved by trucks as tracking of trucks and goods via video and RFID makes it possible to reduce loss of shipment and better monitoring of truck drivers across a large traffic network.

Similarly, web based surveillance can be used in railway and airport systems to increase safety of passenger traffic. The other advantage of a web based system is that IP video images can be shared by the general public to help them make better decisions on a daily basis when deciding to get into traffic situations. With the current capability of IP video images to be viewed in a mobile phone, video images of traffic data can be seen by ordinary citizens in a real time basis.

Retail surveillance

The introduction of network video has revolutionized the way retail professionals work with loss prevention, store optimization, fraud detection, security and customer service. Overall, network video provides a whole new set of tools to reach operational excellence.

Whether it is a single shop or a large retail chain, IP Camera Solutions make a noticeable impact on retail bottom lines by providing them with a very high return on investment. The retail industry faces tough challenges. Theft and inventory shrinkage are obvious causes of lost profit that are traditionally fought with surveillance systems.

Retail surveillance using network video solutions offers instant benefits to retail businesses. Not only by helping manager win the battle of protecting their businesses, and by preventing crime, but also by making major positive contributions to planning and maximizing their profits in so many other ways.

Industrial operations

Managing industrial operations is a challenging task. IP Surveillance is an essential tool that is being implemented for monitoring manufacturing lines, industrial or pharmaceutical processes, automation, warehouse and stock control systems. Efficiency can be greatly enhanced through the use of IP Camera Solutions, as they can used to view and control supply chain and manufacturing operations.

Conclusion

Web based surveillance has created a paradigm shift, as it changes the way surveillance is conducted and work is carried out. It enables personnel from all aspects of a business to be involved in monitoring the workplace, be it for performance or for safety reasons.

Furthermore, this technology stores video images in a database, enabling investigations to be carried out and evidence to be studied in a video, instead of relying on less reliable data. In all, web based surveillance is a new benefit derived from the widespread use of the Internet.

With improvements occurring daily in IP camera, video compression, browser and software technology respectively, web based viewing will soon become a way of life for the average citizen, increasing safety and convenience for all.

Credits :

Mano Kanthanathan is vice president for BSW Soft Pvt. Ltd.