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Organizations
installed closed circuit TV (CCTV) almost exclusively for
security monitoring. CCTV, though, has many shortcomings. First
of all, it's expensive and disruptive to install. Second, once
installed, its capabilities are limited. CCTV records images on
videocassettes, so police and other emergency personnel can't
view the event live. Therefore, they often don't know an
emergency is occurring or how serious it is. If they are
informed of an emergency, these first responders can't
understand its circumstances or context through CCTV. They see
the event only after viewing the video, which is usually long
after it's over.
 In
some cases, authorities can't ever view the event. Savvy
criminals often take the tape with them as they leave the
scene. In cases of fire, it's frequently burned. Therefore, a
successor system is needed--one that delivers secure, real-time
images of an emergency as well as the flexibility to show both
full-motion and still images.
More and
more, companies are installing Internet-based IP surveillance
as a far superior alternative to CCTV. This technology offers
real-time delivery of video and still images from a crime or
emergency scene via a LAN or the Internet.
In a
nutshell, IP surveillance uses a company's existing network and
Internet technology to transmit images from analog cameras
and/or IP cameras over public networks. These systems allow
live streaming video and still image transfer (both one-way and
two-way) at an average of 30 frames per second into a standard,
easy-to-use Web browser, so video can be viewed in real time
from police cars and
 other
emergency vehicles.
IP-based
systems deliver a great deal of additional functionality. For
instance, they provide motion detection, auto time and date
stamps, easy transfer of visuals, and pre- and post-alarm
messaging. Business owners are notified immediately if an event
is occurring; they can then log on to the system remotely to
see what's happening in their offices and businesses.
An
enormous variety of organizations have already installed
IP-based surveillance systems to help secure both the interior
and exterior of buildings. A few examples include retail
stores, banks, law firms, gas stations, parking garages,
schools and government offices; but these systems provide
greater security to all organizations and businesses. Users
have found that IP surveillance:
-
Enhances
and expedites law enforcement and emergency services to
high-risk calls.
-
Contributes
to reliable identification of criminals and reduces the need
for eyewitnesses.
- Can be used
locally and remotely.
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Integrates
easily with CCTV cameras, thus preserving existing security
investments.
Most users also have discovered that IP surveillance is very
affordable, since companies already have many components of the
system in place (such as an IP
network and broadband connectivity). Other system components
include an 802.11 wireless LAN, an access router, a video
server, an IP camera (existing analog cameras can also be used)
and host PC surveillance software.
IP
technology is the next step forward for surveillance systems.
IP-based streaming video surveillance lets organizations
monitor, prevent and/or respond to emergency situations more
effectively and affordably, via the Internet. At the same time,
the technology allows law enforcement, security companies and
other emergency personnel to prepare better and respond more
fully to emergencies. Thus, the physical safety of a company's
vital human and business assets is far more secure and
protected. |
