Worth a Look

In today's advanced day and age, security is the key watchword. In the light of higher levels of crime and terrorism, the need for alert is greater.

Compared with 50 years ago, security systems have come on leaps and bounds. These days, greater advances in technology have led to more sophisticated surveillance cameras and systems, whether they are used for town centres, private use or, of course, ports.

There are many reasons as to why port surveillance devices are vitally important. They can help to tackle the aforementioned risks of crime and terrorism.

IP cameras can detect any possible activity of a criminal kind - for example, the theft of cargo. Video surveillance devices can also prove invaluable in stopping potential terrorist plots. Indeed, the International Maritime Organisation's International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code states that governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port/facility personnel are obliged to "detect security threats and take preventative measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade".

So with that in mind, not only do good security systems help to prevent theft of goods and terrorist threats, they also add extra security when it comes to transporting millions of containers that pass through national ports. They can also help to protect passenger vessels such as cruise ships and ferries. Because activity is closely monitored on security systems, this increases the levels of safety for both the vessels and the passengers.

So what should a good port surveillance system include? Jorge Martin Diaz de Espada, technical director at Terminales del Sudeste in Malaga, says: “The most important aspects of quality port surveillance systems are: good integration among components, reliability, low total cost of ownership and products that are easy to upgrade.”

Natasha Bukhari, global corporate communications manager at DP World, adds that quality port surveillance systems allow for the practical interpretation of the cycle of ‘continual improvement’, which is a requirement for several standards and best practice guides such as ISO 28000 series of standards (Standards for Supply Chain Security), various international Security Codes of Practice and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Guidelines for Security in Ports, including the ISPS Code.

“Additionally, by using security technologies, most, if not all, areas of auditing criteria demanded by these and other management systems in use can be met. This is particularly important given our commitment to achieving ISO 28000 certification across our portfolio – a task which has seen 30 of our 50 terminals certified to date.”

When defining security surveillance in ports, this relates to a remote observation of port activities by electronic equipment or other technological devices - for example, closed circuit television, radar and intrusion detection. The most common sort of technological device used by ports is the CCTV system, since it can record any observations and incidents on digital media.

With that in mind, the capabilities of CCTV technology have grown during the 21^st century. Natasha Bukhari comments: “We have seen the move from analogue to digital technologies that have facilitated more powerful and flexible security systems in terms of improved data storage capacity, including costs for storage, increasing application of CCTV’s in a networked environment, and new methodologies to analyse images automatically, ranging from automatic number plate recognition to analysing patterns of behaviour.

“For example, through cargo data and access permissions, a marine department manager can observe berth activity from his office while an operations manager can observe elements of operational workflows such as box movement within stacks and traffic flows within operational areas of the port.

"Business continuity teams can also monitor and analyse incidents live and post-incident down time, assessing reaction times, checking of situation control, physical clear up monitoring and so on. These indicate some of the multiple value adds that security technology solutions bring to a port environment, moving security away from the often perceived locks, guards and gate' culture.”

It isn't just the technology that is a crucial element of surveillance systems. The operators need to be up to speed when it comes to maintaining the highest level of security. Ms Bukhari says: “CCTV operators are, we believe, the people best positioned to spot patterns of incident occurrence whilst monitoring the facility, even though these may not always be strictly classified as security issues but may relate to safety or operational efficiency.”

Ms Bukhari adds that CCTV operators can use their expertise and experienced powers of observation, so that they can observe and record incidents which can then be collated and presented to departments within the port like operations and health & safety for analysis and corrective action when and where necessary.

“Properly collated and analysed, visual data can be of great value to port management teams for managing operational efficiencies that require all elements of business to work in synergy to achieve peak efficiency - as well as meeting principles and standard requirements for security compliance - thereby providing best value to customers,” says Ms Bukhari.

So although technology is constantly being improved and updated for the most effective results, this is only part of the bigger picture in port surveillance. “Effective port security is the amalgamation of three core elements: people, processes and technology,” says Ms Bukhari.

“While having the most advanced security technology may be the choice of many terminal operators, it is essential that the technology is operated by well trained people capable of effectively operating it so that, as I mentioned, it not only serves the port’s requirement of maintaining effective security but also drives more operational efficiencies when and where needed.”

The future looks secure for port surveillance systems - by using top-quality products and equally high standards of service, ports can be assured that safety and security standards are being maintained. As both Ms Bukhari and Mr Martin Diaz de Espada point out, systems need to be in tune with regulations and standards. “Port surveillance systems will always need to stay aheda of any new regulations that come into force,” says Mr Martin Diaz de Espada. “This means that it will make it easy to implement the latest law enforcements.”

“Security technology will continue to develop,” concludes Ms Bukhari. “Improving the types and capabilities of surveillance systems - and one of the major challenges I see is the legislation and industry standards on public surveillance. This calls for a balance and clarity on the extent of permitted surveillance including how the rules and standards are monitored and maintained.

"And, I can’t underline enough how important it is that the highly advanced technology is matched with highly trained people and defined processes/procedures. Without all three, effective security is difficult to achieve, and the ability to maximise operational efficiency is wasted.”

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