SightLogix- Experts & Thought Leaders

SightLogix has enhanced its thermal AI detection engine with AI Auto Zoning, another step towards a “Point and Protect” strategy that makes outdoor security easier to set up and manage.  AI Auto Zoning simplifies the process of creating comprehensive intruder detection policies with a single click. With a simple button, the SightSensor camera:  Automatically draws active detection zones tailored to the camera’s detection range. Defines multi-layered human detection policies and activates Thermal AI nuisance alarm filtering. Displays the true detection range and AI classification distance as lines against the camera's field of view. Intelligently disregards distant areas not relevant to security, such as the sky or traffic. The result is a powerful combination of simplicity and reliable performance. Enabling mobile and remote video applications As a bonus, mobile security towers can be easily relocated from site to site, hassle-free Anyone tasked with monitoring outdoor sites will appreciate the significant value of reducing the time and costs of deploying an outdoor detection system. With AI Auto Zoning, even complex detection policies can be defined in seconds. As a bonus, mobile security towers can be easily relocated from site to site, hassle-free: A single click resets the zones and the camera automatically adjusts its detection areas based on the new location. Available for Sightsensors The Auto Zoning feature is available to all SightSensor cameras purchased after 2018 via a simple firmware update.  This update also includes the latest Thermal AI classification model to enhance target classification accuracy. Building on a legacy of detection simplicity AI Auto Zoning is another SightLogix innovation that leverages its longstanding heritage of making outdoor video security highly reliable and easy to use. This includes: Thermal AI that reduces alarms during the day, at night, and in all weather. One-click geo-calibration, leveraging internal sensors that automatically determine target size, speed, direction, and distance from the camera. Massive coverage areas that protect outdoor sites with fewer devices. A web-based perimeter design tool – SightSurvey lets users design a virtual smart camera layout right in the browser, even before visiting the site.

SightLogix, the major innovator of outdoor video security solutions, is introducing thermal-based AI alarm filtering, an edge-based solution that significantly enhances outdoor performance. This development augments SightLogix's "above all, don’t miss" detection architecture, aiming to virtually eliminate outdoor nuisance alarms while maintaining the highest Probability of Detection (PD). For new and existing customers Designed for perimeters and outdoor areas, the thermal edge-based AI operates directly within the camera, delivering powerful and reliable performance 24/7. This technology is backward compatible for existing customers with Gen4 SightSensors at no charge through a simple firmware update starting in early Jan 2024 and will be included in all new SightSensors at that time. AI performance Once activated, users benefit from exceptional AI performance during the day or night, in all weather conditions Thermal AI is an enhancement to the SightSensor’s “One-Click” geospatial calibration and pre-defined detection rules. It is enabled on a per-zone basis with a simple checkbox. Once activated, users benefit from exceptional AI performance during the day or night, in all weather conditions, and without the cost and complexity of lighting that is required for visible-based cameras with or without AI. Seamless, easy to use, flexible, and highly reliable   SightLogix's innovation represents a significant leap forward in outdoor security technology. It offers unparalleled reliability and ease of use, building on SightLogix’s position as a longstanding innovator in advanced outdoor security solutions for protecting important assets and managing risks.

Aurora Cannabis, a pioneer in global cannabis serving thirteen markets internationally, has deployed SightLogix smart thermal intruder detection cameras to provide robust physical security over expansive grow operations. Aurora Cannabis has created a diverse portfolio in both the consumer and medical markets which has increased access to safe, high-quality cannabis worldwide. As Aurora’s growth facilities were developing, their need for reliable physical security overgrows operations became paramount. Vandalism, theft of plants, and destruction of property can severely impact business operations. Given the unique characteristics that are part of cannabis grow operations – large applications, often outdoors, where lighting and conditions are difficult to control – Aurora turned to SightLogix to help solve their cannabis security challenges. Perimeter security As Aurora was beginning to set up for an outdoor grow site, they needed to address their perimeter security as part of their licensing requirements. Health Canada, the governing Canadian body for cannabis, has many regulations for growing sites. According to one of their requirements, cannabis sites must be able to detect and verify human intrusion in all weather conditions with 100% coverage, 100% of the time. As part of compliance, all alarms are required to be catalouged and investigated, so maintaining low false alarms was key In addition, as part of compliance, all alarms are required to be catalouged and investigated, so maintaining low false alarms was key to all stakeholders. Given Aurora’s perimeter security needs at the site, SightLogix smart thermal cameras offered the most robust solution to meet all the requirements, under all conditions, all the time. SightLogix SightSurvey tool The SightLogix team was able to work directly with Aurora’s Sr. Director of Corporate Security, Mike Soberal, along with Aurora’s integrator to understand their requirements. Together, they developed a complete solution for perimeter security to protect the site from intruders and meet Health Canada’s requirements. Utilising the SightLogix SightSurvey tool, they were able to create a detailed perimeter design that selected the optimal lenses, displayed intruder detection ranges along the perimeter, ensured the absence of blind spots, and created a blanket of automated protection across the site. The SightLogix cameras selected for the Aurora application were SightSensor HDs, smart detection cameras that include both thermal and visible imagers. They also employ Dual-Sensor Analytics (DSA) to enhance detection performance under difficult outdoor conditions. DSA detects targets from both thermal and visible sensors simultaneously, allowing Aurora to reduce nuisance alerts and increase intruder detection reliability. Outdoor intrusion detection Once the SightLogix system was installed, Aurora was able to meet all their outdoor intrusion detection requirements at the grow site.  These include: An ability to detect intruders at all areas of the perimeter – inside and outside the fence line Reliable intruder detection 24/7 in the presence of wind, snow, fog, and complete darkness With SightLogix’s Dual Sensor Analytics, they were able to filter out the movement of small animals, blowing debris, and other false alarm causes Ease of integration between SightSensors and Aurora’s VMS system Long-range detection that reduced devices, infrastructure, and bandwidth otherwise required by less capable solutions. Cost-effective all-in-one-resolution Properly securing any outdoor asset from unauthorised intrusions starts at the perimeter “After an extensive search for a solution for our unique perimeter security needs,” said Mike Soberal, Aurora’s Senior Director, Corporate Security, “SightLogix not only provided an all-in-one resolution, it came at a cost-effective price and the support during implementation and since has been second to none.” "Properly securing any outdoor asset from unauthorised intrusions starts at the perimeter, and cannabis facilities are no different. These sites need to know in real-time the instant an intruder enters anywhere along the perimeter so you can intervene and stop the event in the act." SightSensor cameras SightSensor cameras are designed for security applications where detection matters. These are the reasons cannabis sites across the world have turned to SightLogix smart thermal cameras to address outdoor security challenges, including: The system’s unmatched video analytics detection performance, which won’t miss intruders or trigger excess nuisance alarms The power of the system to provide early warning of intruders over large areas perimeters Dual-video thermal and visible systems that provide a layered solution that delivers results 24/365 Built-in stabilisation ensuring reliable detection in the presence of wind or vibrations Operating in complete darkness without expensive lighting and infrastructures

Intelligent solutions, such as those derived from artificial intelligence, help critical infrastructure organisations make sense of vast amounts of data. These integrated applications, such as advanced video analytics and facial recognition, can automatically pinpoint potential breaches and significant events, and send alerts to the appropriate personnel, departments, and agencies. These solutions can be powerful in unifying disparate command centre technologies, fusing critical data input from emergency calls and responder activity to enhance situational awareness. Electrical substations are particularly vulnerable (and in need of extra security) due to their role in power distribution and the nature of their equipment. The challenge power utilities worldwide are facing is finding an affordable solution, which can help detect, deter and facilitate an informed response to a substation security event. Data capture form to appear here! U.S. regulations In the United States, this need is furthered by the physical security mandate CIP-014 issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), calling for identification of security issues, vulnerability assessments and deployment of appropriate processes and systems to address. CIP-014 identification of security issues, vulnerability assessments and deployment of appropriate processes and systems to address CIP-104 specifically calls for implemented security plans that include measures to deter, detect, delay, assess, communicate, coordinate and respond to potential physical threats and vulnerabilities. Manufacturers of video and other systems are designing products to serve the critical infrastructure market. For example, Dahua Technology offers explosion-proof cameras with a combination of rugged reliability and superior optics that is a fit for surveillance of explosive and corrosive environments, including chemical plants, refineries, and other facilities in the oil and gas industry. This explosion-proof series of cameras are housed in enclosures that are certified to the ATEX and IECEx standards for equipment in explosive atmospheres. Each explosion-proof camera features Dahua’s Starlight technology for ultra low-light sensitivity and high-definition sensors that deliver clear images in real-time. They are IP68-rated to prevent water and dust ingress. Each explosion-proof camera features Dahua’s Starlight technology for ultra low-light sensitivity and high-definition sensors that deliver clear images in real-time Video footage in extreme temperatures Another manufacturer, Videotec, offers a range of cameras and housings that provide video footage regardless of aggressive external factors, such as ice cold, scorching heat, desert sand, the force of sea or wind, total darkness, pollution, corrosion and even explosive agents. SightSensor thermal systems enable a utility to detect and respond to substation security incidents across multiple sitesSightLogix smart thermal camera systems have been deployed to protect substations for electric utilities and other critical infrastructure facilities. SightSensor thermal systems enable a utility to detect and respond to substation security incidents across multiple sites, ranging from copper theft to vandalism while also meeting regulatory compliance. At each substation facility, Thermal SightSensors are positioned along the perimeter, and are paired with a high-resolution pan-tilt-zoom camera for alarm assessment. When a Thermal SightSensor detects an intruder, the target’s location information is sent over the network to a SightTracker PTZ controller, which automatically zooms and steers PTZ cameras to follow the intruder. The target’s location is also displayed on a topology site map to provide real-time situational awareness. Alarms are sent to the utility’s 24-hour security operations centre, which will contact law enforcement in real time when unauthorised intrusions are detected. Integrated intrusion detection and lighting systems The Senstar LM100 hybrid perimeter intrusion detection and intelligent lighting system is simplifying security at one U.S. electrical utility company. For years, the utility company had integrated its perimeter intrusion detection and lighting systems. The company has now installed the Senstar LM100 which provides detection and lighting in one product and saves them over $80,000 per site. The savings are a result of the reduction of electrical requirements, conduit, grounding, and associated labor, as well as the removal of certain equipment from project scope that are required for the two-system integration. The Senstar LM100’s perimeter LED-based lighting acts as an initial deterrent. If an intruder persists and an attempt to cut, climb or otherwise break through the fence is detected, the closest luminaire begins to strobe, and an alert is sent via a security management system. The intruder knows immediately they have been detected and that their exact location is known by security and others in the vicinity.

Thermal cameras see heat rather than light, so they are a perfect “human detector” Safeguarding outdoor assets in a reliable and cost-effective manner often comes down to a single requirement: Accurate intruder alerts and timely information about the unfolding event. While there are many technologies available for outdoor security, smart cameras with video analytics have emerged as the solution of choice for detecting intruders in real time outdoors. Yet the best technology will be handicapped if the alerts generated cannot be trusted. Repeated false alarms can eventually condition security operators to ignore real intrusions, undermining trust in the perimeter security system. High accuracy with low false alerts In most cases the short-sighted response is to single out the security force as scapegoats, which ignores the real problem: alert fatigue. After responding to hundreds of perimeter breach alarms that turn out to be nothing more than small animals or windblown branches, even the most conscientious security guards lose confidence in the system and start to ignore its warnings. There is no longer any reason for this situation to exist. By following best practices of product selection and deployment, it is now possible to use video security cameras to protect outdoor assets with high accuracy and low nuisance alerts. As costs continue to fall, many organisations are now able to choose thermal cameras as the foundation for their outdoor detection applications Smart thermal cameras Viable outdoor security must start with a sensing system that is accurate, 24-hours per day. For this reason, conventional wisdom asserts that smart thermal cameras are the best system for detecting intruders outdoors. This is because thermal cameras see heat rather than light, so they are a perfect “human detector,” and will ignore headlights, reflections off water, and other light-based activity, expanding their usefulness from their traditional role as night vision cameras to 24-hour intrusion detection solutions. Smart thermal cameras with built-in Video Analytic software offers several advantages: They detect in the dark with no need for costly artificial lighting They work 24 hours/day They ignore reflections, shadows, moving headlights, direct sunlight, and other light-based phenomena that can trigger alarms in a visible camera detection system Because humans give off heat, thermal sensors are far more effective in spotting a person than visible cameras They detect body heat of intruders over large areas In the past, the higher price for thermal technology limited their use in commercial applications, but as costs continue to fall, many organisations are now able to choose thermal cameras as the foundation for their outdoor detection applications. A smart camera needs to ignore the animal while alerting on distant person, even though the animal will cover more of the camera’s field of view Accurate detection with geo-registration Smart thermal cameras are designed to detect movement, but outdoors, everything moves. A smart camera must be able to tell the difference between small objects such as leaves or debris and a person entering a secured area. One of the best ways for a camera to make this determination is through “geo-registration” which enables a three-dimensional capability. Geo-registration is a critical technology for accurate video analytic size rules that increase accuracy and reduce false alerts. Consider how human vision works: Our eyes give us depth perception – we can tell which object is close and which is far. But a “one-eyed” camera can’t, unless it’s geo-registered. For example, a small animal near the camera will look much larger than a man at 300 meters away. A smart camera needs to ignore the animal while alerting on distant person, even though the animal will cover more of the camera’s field of view. Eliminate camera movement with stabilisation Many intrusion detection systems are deployed along open areas that are naturally impacted by high winds or vibrations from planes, trains, weather and machinery. Without image stabilisation, these applications can be overwhelmed by nuisance alarms or worse, outright misdetects. It is difficult for smart cameras to detect movement in a scene when the whole field of view is also moving from camera shake. The best way to overcome the impact from wind or vibrations is to choose smart cameras that stabilise the image electronically, before the video analytic rules are applied. Look for cameras that use electronic or gyro-based stabilisers as a foundation for their detection capabilities. Outdoor on-board video analytics Cameras which employ both a high degree of image processing and on-board video analytics have a great advantage in accuracy and detection distance over solutions that employ analytics on a server, outside of the camera. Cameras without embedded analytics must compress the video data for transmission over the network. That’s a problem because compression removes most of the finer scene details—up to 99% of the original data—seriously degrading a video analytic system’s ability to accurately detect and recognise targets. In fact, on days with restricted visibility due to rain or fog, data compression has caused smart cameras to miss virtually all intruders in a scene. On the other hand, when the uncompressed imagery is processed by video analytic software directly in the camera, 100% of the raw scene data is available for analysis. With on-board image processors examining the full visual detail of every video frame, you can achieve a much greater degree of accuracy in detecting motion and recognising potential threats. With on-board image processors examining the full visual detail of every video frame, you can achieve a much greater degree of accuracy Increasing probability of detection Smart thermal cameras are a great way to protect outdoor assets. But the system has little value if people can enter a secured area undetected. Here are some pointers to avoid gaps in coverage and make sure your system detects every time. A perimeter security system based on video analytics operates by “seeing” targets that move into a camera’s detection area. Knowing the camera’s true range lets you design a dependable system with no coverage gaps. Unfortunately, some manufacturers specify camera ranges that overstate their detection capabilities. This means it’s up to the integrator to determine the camera’s true detection distances. Otherwise your perimeter solution may leave gaping holes that can allow intruders to pass through undetected. Determining true detection range The best practice to determine a camera's true detection range is to measure the farthest distance at which the camera can automatically detect a person walking “inbound” or directly toward the camera. Inbound detection is always less than crossfield because a person moving across the camera's field of view creates a larger amount of motion, which is easier to detect. In contrast, a person walking toward the camera produces very little motion, making the target more difficult to detect. In the real world, intruders can enter a perimeter from any direction, so it’s important to design the system for all situations. For complete coverage, the view of each camera must be designed to cover the adjacent camera’s blind spot Addressing blind spotsA camera’s field of view doesn’t begin where it’s mounted. Instead it can only detect at a measurable distance in front—this is the blind spot. Every security camera has a blind spot, and this must be considered in the perimeter security design, or someone will be able to walk right under a camera undetected. To provide complete coverage, the view of each camera must be designed to cover the adjacent camera’s blind spot. Perimeter design software Some manufacturers offer design tools that can help you model a camera layout using a Google map of the area under consideration. This is a good practice to check detection distances ahead of time and ensure that blind spots are properly addressed. SightLogix offers such a tool, called SightSurvey. Smart video solution Today’s smart video is an ideal solution to the new challenges in site protection that confront security professionals. It outperforms older technologies by a wide margin. It often costs less. Installation is less disruptive, and the technology is highly reliable. Essentially, a smart video security system is a force multiplier, taking the burden of monotonous surveillance off regular security staff. Instead of just watching endless video feeds, the staff gets information that lets them do their jobs better. When deployed using best practices of product selection and installation, smart thermal video is the obvious choice for outdoor site security applications.  

Thermal cameras with video analytics detect with great accuracy in bright sun,fog, rain and other conditions Smart thermal cameras are rapidly becoming the intruder detection solution of choice for securing outdoor assets. Whether for smaller-range applications like protecting entranceways or gates, or securing large perimeters around energy, utility, chemical, or transportation assets, thermal cameras paired with video analytics offer an accurate detection solution that provides instant notifications in real time. Thermal video incites speedy response A number of automated detection technologies including coax and fibre fence sensors, microwave, seismic sensors and radar can provide a level of intruder detection. However, smart thermal cameras combined with video analytics provide substantial advantages over these alternatives. One advantage is speed, which is so important when trying to stop an intruder. Only video provides the detail to display and record the “what and where” of an alert without need for additional verification systems. Knowing the size, location and nature of an event as it unfolds is the best way to mobilise a fast response. Thermal solutions reduce nuisance alerts Another advantage for thermal solutions is accuracy. When an intruder strikes, triggered alerts must be believable and actionable. Nuisance alerts completely undermine your security system. This is where smart thermal cameras excel. Thermal cameras are a perfect “human detector” for the outdoors because they sense the heat of objects within their field of view, while ignoring the lighting challenges that cause nuisance alerts for visible detection cameras (like headlights or reflections off water). Exceptional day/night surveillance While thermal cameras have long been known for “seeing in the dark,” today’s more advanced thermal cameras also show tremendous advantages during daylight applications, which had once been a real challenge. For example, during the day, a person can be cooler than the background, as pavement, buildings and other infrastructure absorb heat from the sun. When the scene background temperature becomes uniform in a given area, the result for older generation thermal cameras was an image with large areas that look “whited out” and undefined, leaving intruders to go undetected. Now, through advancements in thermal imager sensitivity, along with a greatly increased level of onboard video processing, thermal cameras with video analytics can detect with great accuracy in bright sun, fog, rain and other conditions. These capabilities have expanded the usefulness of thermal cameras from their traditional role as “night vision” cameras to 24-hour intruder detection solutions. Smart thermal cameras can differentiate the heat from moving humans and animalsfrom the changes of heat and light in the environment, resulting in fewer‘nuisance’ alarms Smart detection and analytics Smart thermal cameras also provide an excellent option for applications which require “detect and assess” functionality. Some smart thermal cameras can automatically control a PTZ camera to zoom onto a detected target, giving an up close view of the alarm so it can be quickly classified. By combing thermal detection with automatically steered PTZs, you gain complete situational awareness over the entire perimeter. Combining better thermal images with video analytics drives new levels of cost-effectiveness as well. The same image processing used to create better thermal images during the day can also provide more information for making video analytics more reliable. Today’s smart thermal solutions can provide reliable intruder detection regardless of wind, weather or the movement of small animals, trees or blowing trash. Such a system delivers the necessary “security awareness” around the perimeter and internal site assets needed for even the highest level of security reliability. Cost-effective perimeter security While perimeter protection is essential to critical infrastructure security, it’s obviously more expensive to protect an entire perimeter than a smaller section. As a result, many sites which are unable to secure funding for a comprehensive perimeter detection system will often stick with whatever system they have in place, regardless of how susceptible it may be to nuisance alarms or how limited its ability to provide reliable detection. Given this reality, in situations where budgetary limitations simply won’t allow for systems that protect the entire perimeter, an emerging approach focuses on securing the most vulnerable areas within the perimeter using accurate thermal detection solutions first, and then expanding to cover more of the perimeter as budgets allow.  Such a strategy limits detection to specific, vulnerable areas. Rather than the entire perimeter, often consisting of miles of fencing, you can start with defined areas where the most critical incidents may occur. For example, you can start by protecting main gates or entranceways first, solving their most important outdoor security problems quickly and affordably. This is where recent innovations play a big role. Today, a single smart thermal camera can detect intruders with great accuracy over huge areas covering hundreds of square metres. In this way, sites can immediately address their security challenges with great effectiveness for the cost of a few cameras. Fewer cameras are needed to protect the same location, reducing the infrastructure like poles, power and communications otherwise needed, lowering overall project costs accordingly. Providing cost-effective outdoor security is a common need among security professionals tasked with protecting critical assets. Thermal cameras can see more, detect more and operate 24-hours per day, providing clearer images and more accurate alerts for trusted situational awareness. Rounding out the benefits, lower costs open up new opportunities to improve protection of critical assets in any environmental condition.