Airport Shutdowns Cost Millions
In the last two months of 2001 there were 30 airport shutdowns in the United States alone. Breaches in security resulting in shutdowns, cost the airline industry millions of dollars. Over 1,000 flights were delayed and 434 planes had to have their passengers exit for re-screening.
In the past, shutdowns have typically been the result of a security breach at the checkpoint. These breaches have mainly been caused by:
- A person running through the airport without stopping at the checkpoint.
- Confusion caused by a passenger who was selected for secondary screening, but moved through the checkpoint into a sterile area.
- A person entering a sterile area through an exit lane, moving in the wrong direction
Integrated Alarm Systems: key to success
Detroit Metro, like other airports in the U.S. and around the world, suffered shutdowns from breaches long before the incidents of September, 2001. By integrating the surveillance system with alarm systems, Detroit Metro Airport has alleviated costly shutdowns and saved both time and money. Using the Verint Networked Video Solutions, airport security is notified immediately of any breach at a checkpoint and is able to immediately notify other checkpoints to stop the processing of additional passengers.
Beyond these automatic alerts, the system also enables cameras to go to pre-defined pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) positions down hallways, helping the control center to visually follow an individual causing the breach. In addition, the control center personnel have the capabilities of setting the alarms. For example, a control center security official may see a suspicious action on the security monitor that was not noticed by the checkpoint official. The security official can then send an alarm and help detain the individual causing the breach. With this integrated solution in place, security officials can increase their speed in resolving issues to just 15 minutes per incident.
Implementation of the Verint solution and integration with other third party systems at airports helps airports like Detroit Metro reduce shutdowns, comply with government regulations and respond rapidly to incidents.
