IP-based surveillance systems are incredibly useful for port authorities in enabling them to manage routine operations in a more efficient way. These technologies have a range of uses that help to improve efficiency and drive down costs in a port or maritime environment, including:
• Remote monitoring of container identification numbers, rail car number and other data, which was earlier inspected by foot
• Remote inspections for container and cargo damage
• Improved staff training, based on reallife incidents and live scenarios
However, harbour security is not just about protecting the vast amount of valuable cargo that passes through its premises every day. It is also about protecting the harbour itself as a key part of the critical infrastructure. Protecting and securing critical infrastructure poses a number challenges. Be it illegal trespassing, vandalism, copper theft or even deliberate sabotage, security systems need to be able to not only alert port staff to incidents, but also enable them to identify the type, scope and severity of an incident so that the proper action can be taken. Traditional security system components, such as microwave barriers, motion and trampling sensors all require an additional physical inspection of a site in order to properly identify an incident and rule-out the possibility of a false alarm (weather, wildlife; etcetera). Some perimeters are not easy to define or to cordon off. This is especially true for ports and maritime environments that tend to be quite open, expansive and have…
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