Numerous critical infrastructure types are characterized by long linear spans (miles and tens of miles) and by relatively unrestricted access by the general public. Examples of these types of critical infrastructure include highways, rail lines, pipelines, bridges, tunnels, transmission lines, dock frontages and airport perimeters. Integration of data from numerous sensor technologies can improve significantly the information available to security organizations.
Typical technologies include video, infrared, radar, vibration, acoustic, magnetic, chemical, biologic, radiation, etc. In some cases, communications, networks, computers, storage and power in these broadly dispersed systems present significant challenges. Presentation of current information throughout the security organization and to management and to outside support organizations is vital to effective response. During the response phase, it is useful to collect, display and disperse information to and from mobile assets and responders.
The Concept of Operations Document (ConOps) should be prepared early in the project development stage. This planning document helps to define problems and opportunities in technologies; physical structures; information collection, display and dispersal; mobile assets; and responders. The Case Studies in this presentation will focus on rail line and airport security undertaken for the Department of Homeland Security by videoNEXT Network Solutions, Inc.
Learning Points:
1. Improved understanding of the challenges of providing security for dispersed critical infrastructure with relatively unrestricted access by the general public. Examples include highways, rail lines, pipelines, bridges, tunnels, transmission lines, dock frontages and airport perimeters;
2. Improved understanding of the broad capabilities of a range of sensor technologies and of systems that will permit the collection of data and the display and dispersal of information to all appropriate entities;
3. Improved understanding of the value in planning and designing systems and procedures for effective response with full involvement of the mobile assets and responders. Specific examples from operational cases will be included.