City implements VidSys PSIM software to manage security at major international events

VidSys PSIM is easy to use, has quick implementation approach and features an open architecture and platform

An international city hosts numerous global events throughout the course of a year from major sporting events to political meetings. The events range in attendance with the largest event attracting over 250,000 visitors from around the world. In addition to the actual event, there are pre and post-event activities that draw additional spectators and dignitaries, and take place in numerous city locations. The events are complex and resource intensive and require support from multiple agencies as well as private organisations to ensure smooth operations.

The challenges

With over a dozen agencies including police, emergency management and crisis management, involved in ensuring the safety and security of the public at each event, The City needed a way to share information among the various organisations. Additionally, the City needed a way to coordinate security efforts with hotels and other private businesses in the area immediately surrounding the event location. With thousands of video cameras and various NVRs and DVRs spread throughout the City, there was no way to correlate data from the disparate systems in to one intelligent security system that could automatically identify, manage, resolve and track potential situations.

In addition to the interoperability challenge, each event is typically set up in a matter of weeks. A temporary event command center is built in this timeframe to physically bring together the various first responder organisations - a task that typically takes six months to a year depending on the complexity.

Lastly, due to the city location, crime and terrorist activity is possible with each event. These threats coupled with ordinary event management safety issues such as entering and exiting the facility, personal property thefts, and fire or medical emergencies, required that the City plan for numerous situations. As a result, the City had to develop automated monitoring procedures for identification as well as standard response plans, if a situation occurred to ensure the most effective, timely, and safe resolution.

The solution

Agencies could connect different physical security systems into a common operating picture

The City selected the VidSys physical security information management (PSIM) software system to manage the security operations for the various events. The commercial off-the-shelf software was chosen for its ease-of-use, quick implementation approach, and industry leading open architecture and platform.

The platform enabled the City agencies to connect and leverage any number and variety of disparate physical security and information systems across agencies and private organisations in to one common operating picture including legacy hotel security systems without having to purchase new or additional hardware or implement custom coding. Since the VidSys PSIM software is a true web-based solution, the City was able to leverage its existing IT network and provide each agency with access to the centralised, intelligent security system, regardless of location.

With the VidSys PSIM software, the City had not only a common operating picture across physical security devices, it had an automated approach for identifying situations so that operators could focus on managing the situations not the underlying technologies. This automation coupled with the intuitive user interface made it easy for operators to quickly learn the new software prior to the scheduled event. More specifically, all critical details pertaining to a situation - video, alarms, map views, and action plans - are immediately displayed for the operator when a situation is identified. Additionally, detailed instructions that aligned with the City's standard event operating procedures were presented to lead operators through the response plan for a specific situation - who to contact, what/ who to dispatch, etc.

During each event, the VidSys PSIM software effectively identified, in real-time, suspicious activity including illegally parked cars in a valet area, individuals dropped off in non-sanctioned drop-off areas, and individuals attempting to bypass metal detectors. Once the situations were identified and visually verified by an operator, the information was immediately distributed to the first responders closest to the situation. The exact location of the situation, video, and response instructions were provided to enable an effective and timely response.

The results

With the VidSys PSIM software the City was able to effectively manage each event's security operations and security requirements. The City had a common operating picture across physical security devices, was able to integrate and correlate data to intelligently identify situations, and facilitated collaboration and coordination among public and private organisations.

The real-time information provided by the PSIM software, accelerated response times such that first responders were on-site within minutes of a situation being identified. All in all, each event was successfully executed without major incident by leveraging world- class situation awareness and management software.