Mark Cosgrave has been in the alarm and detection industry for nearly 25 year and with Optex for the last ten years. So he is a very experienced man in the field of perimeter security and definitely the right person to interview on the subject.

Mark, perimeter protection has been around for centuries, but how has it evolved over time?

“Perimeter protection has always been the first line of defence, going back to the days of walls and ditches safeguarding entire towns. Though the threats have evolved, the need to secure our boundaries is just as crucial today. Whether it’s protecting high net worth individuals or securing vital infrastructure, perimeter protection plays a key role. Yet, one challenge persists across all environments, managing the issue of false alarms.”

Can you explain the complexities of perimeter protection today?

“There’s no single solution when it comes to perimeter protection. Each site is unique, with specific challenges depending on its location, size, and the nature of the threats. For instance, the security needs of an ambassadorial residence in a bustling city centre differ greatly from those of a remote data centre or military facility. To create an effective security solution, we must understand the environment in detail, and this is also essential to reducing false alarms, a persistent issue in many systems.”

False alarms seem like a straightforward issue. Why are they so challenging?

“At their core, false alarms are alerts triggered by non-security threats. However, the reasons behind them can vary, technical faults, incorrect installation, environmental factors, or simply using the wrong technology for the site. Each false alarm doesn’t just add operational costs, it can also erode trust in the system, risking a lack of response to genuine threats.”

What are the most common causes of false alarms in perimeter security systems?

“In many commercial applications, the issue often lies in the technology itself. Even a reliable system can cause problems if it’s installed in the wrong location or doesn’t account for the surrounding environment. This can lead to unnecessary alerts that impact overall effectiveness.”

What about the environmental factors?

“Environmental factors play a significant role. Car headlights, moving foliage, and wildlife can all trigger false alarms if the system isn’t properly set up. In rural areas, large animals like deer often cause alarms, resulting in costly responses. While better planning, technology choices, and site surveys can help address these issues, the challenge is always finding the right balance between accuracy and minimizing nuisance alarms.”

What are the financial and operational impacts of false alarms?

“False alarms come with high costs. Beyond the direct expenses, like deploying teams to investigate, they can damage the reputation of both the customer and the technology provider. Worse still, too many false alarms can lead to complacency, where real threats are ignored.

In more serious cases, false alarms can lead to tragic outcomes. For example, a protestor or trespasser could be injured or killed while inadvertently entering a hazardous area. Additionally, the failure to respond to a genuine threat could result in theft, vandalism, or even deliberate sabotage, potentially affecting vital services like water supply or energy distribution.”

How do you propose addressing these challenges?

“The most effective approach to perimeter security today is multi-layered. Rather than relying on a single system, multiple technologies are deployed at different points along the perimeter to increase detection accuracy and reduce false alarms.”

Can you exemplify with technologies to be used?

“Sure, at the outer perimeter, advanced technologies like Echopoint fibre optic Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) offer reliable detection over large distances. These systems can pinpoint a detection in perimeters of up to 100km. Being able to identify the exact location of an intrusion and track an intruder’s movements around a site significantly enhances the speed and effectiveness of the security response. As the sophistication of intruders grows, so too must the capabilities of the systems designed to counter them.”

Are there any other technologies that help mitigate false alarms?

“Yes, Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) is another technology that’s gaining popularity. It creates invisible ‘walls’ that are unaffected by weather or lighting conditions, making it a dependable option for various environments. Lidar sensors can be programmed to detect specific types of intrusions based on the size or behaviour of the object, which helps minimize false alarms caused by animals or environmental factors.”

To conclude, what does the future of perimeter protection look like?

“Perimeter protection is always evolving, adapting to new threats and challenges. While false alarms will continue to be an issue, they can be reduced with careful planning, the right technology, and a multi-layered approach. As advancements in AI, Lidar, and DAS drive innovation, the industry will become better equipped to tackle these challenges, leading to more reliable and efficient security systems in the future.”