Situated on a quiet hillside of Ein Karem, southwest of Jerusalem, Israel, the Gorney Convent of Russian Ecclesiastical Mission is recognised with its unique architecture and rich biblical history. The construction of the main cathedral was started in 1911 but was not complete until 2003 due to the interruption of war and lack of funding. In addition to the daily services, the church has become an attraction to which religious visitors pay pilgrimage.

YMA, a local Messoa partner and a system integrator with extensive experience in IP surveillance installation, opted for Messoa network cameras, namely the NCR870 and the NDF831, for this project. YMA also deployed a video management system (VMS) from Huperlab to help the administrators at Gorney Convent oversee all the cameras from a single, centralised location.

The NCR870, a compact infrared (IR) camera with exceptional night visibility for as far as 25 metres (82 ft), is used for securing the outdoor surroundings where there is no lighting present at the jobsite. The NCR870’s 2 megapixel full HD resolution provides exceptionally clear images and wide-ranged views with the least possible amount of cameras required.

The IP67-rated all-weather waterproof, aluminum casing of the NCR870 also provides an ideal outdoor solution for securing the premises. The compact profile allows a discreet installation. Meanwhile, cables and junction boxes also cleverly placed in a non-intrusive manner without interfering with the solemn exterior look.

The NDF831 full HD day/night dome cameras are used inside the church. Featuring 2M image quality and intelligent network capabilities, the cameras meet the detail-demanding needs for detecting movements or identifying persons in case of break-ins or trespassing.

Since the installation, it has allowed the administrators leverage the advanced network technology to secure this religious institution. “The Messoa cameras help us safeguard the pilgrims, visitors and nuns who live here, as well as the church property so that we can preserve this consecrated place for the community,” said one administrator of the Gorney Convent.