Genetec — Blog — Peter Cavicchia

Routinely, whenever top physical security priorities are mentioned, airports number at the top of the list of major concerns. Over the past two decades, the post-9/11 world has emphasized innovations in security protocols for major airports — this includes everything from shifting protocols for how people are screened before going on a flight to shoring up safety once aboard.

Now, a leading security tech provider is partnering with London’s Heathrow Airport — the busiest airport in Europe — to pave the way for a future of security innovations to keep the leading transportation hub’s passengers safe.

A piece for SecurityInformed.com, outlines how Genetec Inc. is launching a multi-year initiative with the airport to offer Heathrow a “unified view across large-scale airport operations to secure people and assets.” This is all being done while “bringing efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience while ensuring data privacy and cybersecurity compliance,” reads the article.

One of the big pieces of this robust security program is Genetec’s Security Center, which will strengthen the airport’s ability to manage the roughly 14 million tons of goods and 80 million people who pass through its doors and onto its planes each year. Additionally, the article states that 76,000 people work at the airport each day. Genetec’s security hub will help Heathrow manage all these disparate moving parts to ensure that not only operations run smoothly but also respond to the multi-factor threats the airport faces every day.

“Heathrow initially deployed Genetec Security Center to bring all its IP security systems on to one unified platform. What began as a 2,000-camera deployment in 2016 has since more than quadrupled in size, incorporating everything from video and access control to LIDAR, analytics, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and more,” the article states.

Danny Long, IT Product Owner for physical security products at Heathrow, told SecurityInformed that “we’re essentially running a small city operation that happens to be called Heathrow.” He states that the massive airport is responsible for keeping tabs on its retail space, surrounding roads, a bus terminal, three train stations, offices, a church, a high-voltage electrical network, and fuel stores in addition to monitoring internal and external threats.

Part of Genetec’s capabilities include tools to monitor passenger flow and provide real-time notifications “when security lines grow too long,” according to the article.

The partnership between Heathrow and Genetec is in many ways a test case for other major airports and transit stations. Travel security means more than just metal detectors and passenger background checks today. For locations as complex and sprawling as Heathrow, security stakeholders must make use of every modern tool at their disposal. This could entail private partnerships with entities like Genetec, as well as beefing up existing systems so that they don’t get out of date.

The security and safety of the world’s travelers depends on it.
For the full article, head to the link here.

When it comes to modern physical security approaches, the necessity of the cloud can’t be minimized. Tried and true traditional models for on-site security options are needed, too.

This is where modern innovation enters the conversation.

In a new piece for Security Magazine, Laurent Villeneuve writes that cloud technology has created “faster, easier, physical security deployments,” which have meant that hybrid-cloud programs are becoming the norm. Villeneuve, of Genetec, points to research from his firm that reveals 60% of today’s companies “are moving towards a blend of on-premises and cloud-based solutions.”

The benefits of hybrid models

This blended approach has several benefits. First, hybrid-cloud models give companies flexibility in bringing their plans for security to fruition. Villeneuve writes that businesses that have several locations must harness the cloud to offer tailored approaches to each building’s unique needs.

“They might run some larger density sites on local infrastructure, monitor global deployments in a. Fully hosted environment, and set up smaller remote sites with direct-to-cloud devices,” Villeneuve adds.

If there are multiple systems stemming from local devices or tethered to the cloud, companies can streamline them all — connecting everything to a “central head end.” This improves efficiency and gives security managers a greater sense of control and peace of mind, knowing everything goes back to one central hub.

“With hybrid-cloud solutions, security teams no longer need to travel to various locations to manage infrastructure or check system health. Cloud-based physical security software providers invest significant time and resources in cybersecurity, upholding various standards and certifications around the world,” Villeneuve writes. “They monitor the latest threats and initiate regular third-party penetration testing and auditing. Thus, operators get immediate access to the latest updates and benefit from continuous innovation. This helps teams quickly address issues and strengthen their organization’s cyber posture.”

Yes, the cloud is safe and secure

Among the many myths and concerns potential cloud adopters have is the inaccurate perception that the cloud just isn’t safe. Villeneuve writes that this isn’t the case.

“Cloud solutions come with myriad built-in cybersecurity features and tools that help automate processes and stay on top of threats,” he writes. “Hybrid-cloud systems allow organizations to leverage their investment in [on-premises] security devices and infrastructure, while adopting cloud technology such as video and access control as-a-service at their own pace, and to accommodate specific sites or use cases. They provide a cost-effective way to leverage the benefits of both technologies and stay flexible to changing requirements across an organization.”

For more of Villeneuve’s recommendations for applying a hybrid-cloud approach to modern physical security, read the full article here.