There are various security risks to public utilities and critical infrastructure, and these risks carry greater consequences.
With such reliance on critical infrastructure services, security breaches are costly for both companies and any customers.
The Requirements For Critical Infrastructure Security
Critical infrastructure is faced by numerous physical and cybersecurity risks, with consequences leading to potential catastrophe such as, mass city power outages and loss of emergency communication.
In Louisville, Kentucky alone, the Deputy Mayor Nicole George shared that copper theft once disabled 30 to 50% of the city’s interstate lighting.
This is simply one instance, from one crime, and emphasizes the unique security requirements critical infrastructure have as a whole.
Due to this, critical infrastructure tends to suit a multi-layered surveillance approach, and below outlines the minimum security requirements for this:
- Restricted or limited access
- 24/7 surveillance and monitoring
- Cybersecurity measures
- Proactive security response
- Tamper protection on security equipment
- Video recording
- Regulatory compliance
- Remote access and control
However, to cover all security requirements for your critical infrastructure site, you’ll likely need to utilize multiple suppliers, creating management difficulties and costing inefficiencies.
Surveillance Trailers are commonly used for this exact reason, offering a wealth of benefits to your critical infrastructure sites.
What Are the Benefits of Surveillance Trailers for Critical Infrastructure Security?
Although Surveillance Trailers offer a cost-effective, all-in-one security solution for critical infrastructure, the risks presented to your site are a greater concern than any type of cost-cutting exercise.
Having supported critical infrastructure businesses and development sites with security for over 20-years now, we explore the key benefits Surveillance Trailers for the industry:
Portability and Rapid Deployment
Critical infrastructure hubs and development sites often expand over large, rural areas and this presents them with increased risks of crime, with limited or no access to mains power and internet for surveillance systems to utilize.
Surveillance Trailers can be deployed quickly and transported to various locations, without the need for an engineer.
Using alternative powering supplies, including solar panels and battery backup, Surveillance Trailers require no involvement from you.
This feature also benefits your site by allowing complete flexibility and temporary surveillance of emerging surveillance threats, most commonly presented during the construction stage of critical infrastructure projects.
Environmental Durability
Weather is unpredictable, especially in rural locations more exposed to harsher conditions where many critical infrastructure sites and projects are present.
Advanced Surveillance Trailers can be used in bad weather, from extreme heat to heavy wind and rain.
Manufacturers will take appropriate measures to protect the equipment from both tampering and poor weather conditions. This may include:
- Weatherproof design - Surveillance Trailers can be fitted with weatherproof enclosures, durable materials, protective coatings, and tamper proof technology.
- Site condition monitoring features - Often available as add-ons for Surveillance Trailers, site condition monitoring sensors can track weather conditions to help streamline your response to manage this.
- Power autonomous design - Any system relying on mains power or internet increases the risk of downtime, so by Surveillance Trailers powering themselves, your security coverage is better protected if a power outage occurs on-site.
- Remote live monitoring - This allows authorized individuals to check in and assess their critical infrastructure site during times of troubling weather whilst ensuring they do not endanger themselves.
Visible Criminal Deterrent
Unlike traditional security systems, Surveillance Trailers work as visible criminal deterrents to thieves, vandals, and trespassers looking to access your critical infrastructure site.
Standing taller than manned guards and many other security systems, their design is unmistakable and has a powerful deterrent presence that is unmatched.
The level of visible deterrence will vary from one manufacturer to the next, however, here at WCCTV, our Surveillance Trailers stand up to 20-foot tall.
Remote Access, Monitoring and Response
There are various features to look for in Surveillance Trailers to benefit your critical infrastructure security, however, many will be unaware of the importance of remote access and monitoring as part of this.
Not all manufacturers will offer this capability, however, having Surveillance Trailers backed by remote monitoring services and access will help maximize your critical infrastructure security.
Remote access to your cameras will let you view your live video stream of your site, assess recorded footage and provide peace of mind wherever you are, on any device.
Whereas remote monitoring provides you with the backup that a monitoring center of trained professionals will be live monitoring the video stream, assessing any triggers, and responding promptly to any risks presented.
Responses will vary, but with us, monitoring centers can utilize blue lights, sirens, live voice-down audio challenges, and call Law Enforcement if required to the scene.
This provides a proactive, reactive approach to security, providing you with the best chance of crime prevention, especially with growing crimes like metal and copper theft.
Support Regulation and Compliance
Due to the heavy reliance on critical infrastructure, there are clear regulations for these site types to help maintain a high-standard of protection that you must comply with.
Regulations will depend on your critical infrastructure type, however, generally there core compliance values your business should follow:
- Clear incident reporting of any physical or cybersecurity breaches
- Implement risk management to target and control specific threats presented to your site
- Secure information sharing to help protect any sensitive or company information
- Develop a comprehensive security plans to address all types of security risks
- Build training and awareness on the protocols for your critical infrastructure security
- Adhere to regulatory compliance standards throughout all operations
Surveillance Trailers can support regulatory compliance by offering an effective security solution that protects against the various unique security risks, all within one unit.
High-Quality Security Coverage
Most advanced Surveillance Trailers will have availability to be fitted with multiple high-quality cameras that provide you with crystal clear imagery across a large space.
This is ideal for critical infrastructure as these sites tend to expand over vast spaces and this can be difficult to cover at a high standard and maintain the same quality of security for.
Key features you should look out for with any video surveillance camera are:
- PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) capabilities
- HD quality video imagery
- Video analytics
- Near 360-degree coverage
- Tamper-proof protection
- Weather-proof
- IR (Infrared) capabilities
These features can make the difference between capturing a criminal and causing a complete catastrophe with customers.
With our Surveillance Trailers, the mast can manage up to 4 cameras mounted onto them, allowing them to be customized for maximized coverage.
Enhanced Situational Awareness
The combination of remote monitoring services and high-quality camera capabilities on advanced Surveillance Trailers provides enhanced situational awareness.
This is why many critical infrastructure sites are turning to mobile surveillance, like energy companies and electrical substations.
Unlike other alternative security solutions, Surveillance Trailers provide expanded monitoring and recording coverage, even at night.
Our Trailers utilize IR PTZ cameras which can provide clear video up to 200-metres in complete darkness.
The Dangers of Alternative Security Solutions for Critical Infrastructure
So, what makes Surveillance Trailers different from other security solutions? And what are the dangers of these alternative options for critical infrastructure security?
For critical infrastructure there tends to be two other security options; perimeter fencing and security guards.
Below we compare these options against our Surveillance Trailers regarding the key security features you should be looking for:
|
Key Security Features |
Perimeter Fencing |
Security Guards |
Surveillance Trailers |
|
Live monitoring and recording |
Unless fitted with cameras, perimeter fencing CANNOT provide this |
Security guards have no method of recording unless provided with one and their monitoring will be limited to the human eye and the patrol route set for them. |
Our Trailers are fitted with cameras, offering live monitoring and recording capabilities. |
|
Visible Criminal Deterrent |
Fencing's main prevention technique is through physical prevention, especially when fitted with barbed wire. |
They provide a visible criminal deterrent factor, but if they are not regularly present, criminals may be able to overcome this. |
Standing up to 20-foot tall, our Surveillance Trailers provide a powerful visible criminal deterrent. |
|
Security Coverage |
Perimeter fencing can only provide coverage around the location it is placed around, not outside of that. |
Guards can cover large areas on patrol routes, but do not have view of all areas at all times and vision may be limited in darkness |
Our Trailer’s cameras offer coverage for the site itself and external to that if placed in the correct position on your site’s perimeter. |
|
Rapid Response |
Unless fitted with additional alarm systems, perimeter fencing alone cannot respond if an incident occurs. |
Security guards can respond quickly if they capture crime, but they can only intervene to a certain extent and there is a chance that crime may be missed if not spotted. |
Backed by remote monitoring services, security professionals can track and respond to potential threats and incidents in an effective and prompt manner. |
|
Relocatable |
Fencing can be adjusted, but depending on the type of fencing used this may require assistance or be more difficult to move yourselves. |
Security guards are a flexible security solution, however, are a more expensive option for 24/7 security coverage. |
Our Trailers can be easily moved by yourself without our assistance and secured into the new spot, causing minimal disruption. |
Why Choose WCCTV’s Surveillance Trailers for Your Critical Infrastructure Security
Having supported critical infrastructure sites for over 20-years with their security and preventing crime, our Surveillance Trailers are tailored to help ensure maximized coverage whilst offering peace of mind to your company.
Our units can be deployed rapidly to your critical infrastructure site or development project, only requiring one engineer and 20-minutes (for standard setups) to install.
These Surveillance Trailers are perfect for temporary projects or for sites requiring targeted support, in which critical infrastructure tends to be faced with.
Backed by high-quality technology and fully-managed service, WCCTV offers a surveillance package that is unmatched by our competitors.
And as we continue to innovate our service, our customers will have access to this following creation. This ensures you’re always receiving the most up-to-date support and protection as a business.
We understand the demands and needs of critical infrastructure security and our experts are more than happy to help you along your journey with us.
