While individual locations within the existing system continued to maintain highly effective deployments of video surveillance and other technologies, these systems could not share data or work cooperatively and importantly, these incompatibilities made cost effective centralised operations all but impossible. With corporate offices and substations spread across several states, it was crucial that the company gain a stateof-the-art, unified security system that provided more than just central monitoring for surveillance cameras. It also needed to include alerts and information from other physical security technologies to deliver enhanced situational awareness, efficient operations, and centralised reporting.

Security operations at headquarters use the Flir solution to monitor and manage security operations at all facilities from a single command-and-control centre. Each facility uses Flir visible light and thermal imaging cameras, linked to access control and audio sensors, to provide real-time threat identification and visual verification to eliminate false alarms.

Flir’s security solution uses IP-based network infrastructure to deliver HD quality video, even during difficult lighting conditions or adverse weather. Fixed, dome and PTZ cameras can be configured and managed remotely, lessening the need to send staff into the field for minor operational issues.

Flir’s IOI analytics provide early audible alerts of potential intruders in the vicinity of a boundary fence. Casebuilder, Flir’s incident reporting and management system, rounds out the solution. Casebuilder automatically gathers security data from security deployments at every facility. It uses this information to define the severity of an event and determine if an alert needs to be issued to law enforcement and other agencies. If so, Casebuilder packages the relevant information (photographs, video clips, data file, etc.) into a digital archive and contacts the relevant authorities.

The power company now leverages its video surveillance, access control, and other physical security sensors to trigger alerts, automate device actions, and present real-time, actionable video to internal clients. In addition, it uses the Flir system to maintain close collaboration and open communications between and among its various departments.

Legacy systems have been enhanced or replaced with open systems compliant upgrades that work seamlessly with each other, and with the Flir management infrastructure.

Additional improvements can be deployed quickly, without extensive – and costly – proof-of-concept testing. Data from the Flir solution helps the company, its integrators, and other technology partners provide the documentation required comply with government regulations. These reports, combined with the company’s ability to manage physical security operations for all its facilities from one centralized location, help the company demonstrate NERC compliance far more effectively and efficiently than in the past, as well as maintaining its status as a leading innovator in protecting critical infrastructure.