Building a Robust Perimeter Security System: Why a Fence is Just the First Defence
Perimeter fences can range from a few symbolic strands of wire to an intimidating razor wire and steel behemoth. The common theme, of course, is the fence’s purpose: to tell others to stay out and to protect what’s inside, or vice versa.
While a robust and discouraging fence is a first line of defence, it isn’t where you should stop when it comes to a security solution. In fact, for some would-be vandals or intruders the higher the fence, the greater the incentive to surmount it. Lighting, signage and access control can all have a significant effect, but your site will still likely benefit from active deterrence to truly reduce crime risk.
A full perimeter security system can include active monitoring and deterrence: either security guards patrol, or motion-detecting surveillance or both. The first can be expensive and logistically challenging to station around an entire perimeter around the clock. The second can sometimes be limited in its function or, depending on configuration, set off countless false alarms, rendering the system virtually useless.
Particular challenges with large area perimeter surveillance
If you’re responsible for perimeter monitoring a large compound, shipyard, animal park, museum or manufacturing site, then you’ll already be aware of the many issues involved in active perimeter surveillance. It’s a tough job. Not only are you working under high loss prevention expectations, but you’re also likely to have been challenged by a lack of readily available technology.
Striking a balance between the correct staffing levels, camera positioning and security patrols can be costly, but perhaps the biggest issue is ensuring you have legible video surveillance during the nighttime hours. Lack of light is usually the issue in large areas, meaning site managers can be left without warning of breaches and even worse, without enough evidence to prosecute intruders should they be caught.
Choosing a robust perimeter fence security system is more vital than ever
Since 2005, plant theft from large sites across the world has continued to rise. You won’t be surprised to learn that all sorts of equipment are at risk of being stolen, from air compressors and loading shovels to mini excavators, dumpers and even forklift trucks from loading bays. It’s not just commercial properties at risk – even civil sites are in need of government security systems.
Across Australia, farms are also becoming victims to the ongoing threat of livestock theft. In 2021 alone, livestock theft in Victoria cost farmers a total of $2.8 million – up from just under $2 million in 2020.
Understandably, The International Association Of Engineering Insurers set up a research team to look for possible answers. Their recommended perimeter breach solutions include anti-theft measures like marking or tracking plant equipment to prevent resale, applying nightly restraints or immobilising equipment and even installing perimeter alarms. Surprisingly, one thing they don’t cover is the opportunity to avoid theft all together with thermal imaging remote security cameras and real-time intruder monitoring.
Important considerations when reviewing perimeter fence security systems
Unless you are running a prison, a perimeter security system is all about keeping people or something out. The last thing you want is for that boundary to be compromised – and if it is, you’ll want to know about it immediately. So how do you find the right solution to meet your needs? While there are plenty of perimeter intrusion detection systems available, not all offer the same capabilities or peace of mind. Here are some key tips for identifying the right technology.
Consider connectivity and location early in the process
Traditional technology-based perimeter fence security systems require trenches, cabling and creative solutions to keep the system wired – so why not choose a wireless system instead? This will give you greater flexibility in positioning cameras and allow you to cover every angle, all without the extensive cost of cabling and trenching. Spectur’s solutions, for example, are solar and battery powered and can operate for up to four days without sunlight ensuring that even in the darkest months of winter, they keep working.
Cloud connectivity is also a key consideration. The in-built modem in each Spectur perimeter security system enables connectivity even in remote areas where there is only a weak 3G or 4G signal. Spectur perimeter fence security systems can even be connected with satellite communications ensuring that there is no place on earth (outdoors) that a Spectur system cannot work. As well as temporary (up to a month) on system storage, camera footage and data is uploaded to the cloud via this wireless connection and therefore is kept safe and tamper-proof. Plus, these solutions are Australian designed and built to operate in the harshest of environments. Considering important location factors such as these can help you to quickly narrow down your perimeter surveillance system options.
Choose a perimeter security system that sees far and wide
If you have a large perimeter to monitor, you’ll naturally want to minimise the number of cameras needed while maximising vision and detection capabilities to help recognise intruders, fires, safety incidents or other trigger events.
Consider the width of view as well as the depth of view to help you identify the ideal security and perimeter surveillance cameras:
- In terms of width, for perimeter surveillance the camera should provide a narrow view focussed strictly along either the perimeter and a small area immediately adjacent – with no physical blind spots.
- In terms of depth, it’s important to select the right camera and lighting technology to suit the application.
The Spectur STA6 Solar Sensing System is available in two configurations. The first is high quality 4k imaging which can detect even in ultralow light and at long range (up to 50m). The second is a two-camera system combining the optical camera with a longer range thermal camera, which can identify people more than 250m away in utter darkness. Neither option requires any lighting to see (or for you to see in live view mode), although clearly visible warning lights are illuminated along with a loud spoken warning should an alarm be triggered.
Invest in security and perimeter surveillance cameras that can actively – and effectively – deter
Why just monitor when you can actively deter intruders at the perimeter? While many perimeter surveillance cameras offer motion-detected sirens and alerts, these may be ignored or be responded to far too late to be of any real value. Often, alerts could even be ignored because of recurring false alarms.
Alternatively – Spectur senses, thinks, and acts on your behalf, using Artificial Intelligence to minimise false alarms and recognise human and vehicle activity. An alert is sent immediately while a warning light and customisable spoken warning is emitted onsite. You can also view the site live and in sharp detail, even in zero light conditions. A Spectur perimeter fence security system ideal for active protection of utilities and infrastructure, even in remote areas.
Assess the ability of a system to capture and categorise data
Of course, if you ever do have a perimeter breach you’ll want access to clear, crisp and searchable data for further action – be it for WH&S claims, legal or insurance claims, prosecution or an incident review.
That’s why we’ve developed our Spectur smart camera systems to capture time-lapse footage and data in the cloud, complete with categorisation and search capabilities. This line of security cameras has licence plate capture functionality available via cloud VMS now and directly within the Spectur applications in the near term. You can perform a historic search of movement events from the “CCTV mode” to see if a vehicle has been captured at any point in time, for example.
Spectur offers a real-time, thermal perimeter security camera system that does things our competitors can’t
Just as archers once actively protected castle walls, the right deterrence system can stop your perimeter from being breached. When it comes to keeping valuables or dangerous materials within a perimeter and people out, be sure to look past the fence alone. Perimeter intrusion detection systems from Spectur can see, think and act whenever you can’t be there and help to actively protect your site.
Artificial intelligence for accurate perimeter intrusion detection systems focusing on people and vehicles
There are many motion-detecting security systems out there, but Spectur is the only Australian solution using artificial intelligence (AI) to provide accurate and active perimeter intrusion detection systems that focus on people and vehicles.
The high quality imaging systems not only capture movement in a vast range of light settings, but built-in edge and cloud-based artificial intelligence for these security camera systems also distinguishes human and vehicle movement from that of animals, leaves, shadows or insects. The AI security camera system will ignore the latter but act on the former, sending an alert via email, mobile app or 3rd party video management system to the response team as well as emitting a bright light and a clear spoken warning from the onboard lights and speakers. This means as soon as intruders enter the camera’s vision, they’ll be strongly motivated to depart from the site.
Response teams can watch imagery live from their device and choose to dispatch personnel if follow-up is needed. Our perimeter fence security systems can also be integrated with other remote sensors to trigger the desired response.
Reduced cost and complexity
The other benefit is that Spectur’s cloud recording perimeter surveillance cameras are completely wireless and can be set up anywhere there is 3G or 4G reception. This not only reduces the cost and complexity of installing the system, but it also opens up the options when it comes to protecting a vast perimeter such as a farm, station or power or water infrastructure site. They can even be integrated with your existing wired (and usually internal) security camera monitoring system.
Costs are also comparatively minimal with Spectur because our perimeter surveillance cameras don’t require extra recording equipment or hard-drives for storage. The Spectur team sets the cameras up using the available 3G or 4G coverage, and you will log in to see the footage through the app on either Apple or Android devices. Easy set up, easy ongoing management.
Thermal imaging for surveillance
When choosing a perimeter security system, it’s critical to consider the camera’s applications and how they can enhance your property’s security. Technology continues to advance, and Spectur now offers a real-time, thermal camera system that works day and night watching the fence line for you. You can preview the Spectur Thermal imaging system in this comparison video, featuring surveillance footage shot with both standard CCTV and thermal picture quality. The difference is astounding.
A Thermal perimeter security camera system detects infrared energy (or heat), meaning it can accurately detect humans, animals and running vehicles. This is particularly useful for remote properties with long perimeters, limited visible lights and numerous places where intruders could potentially hide. Spectur’s Thermal imaging system can detect humans and vehicles up to 200 metres away – even in complete darkness.
Perimeter fences can range from a few symbolic strands of wire to an intimidating razor wire and steel behemoth. The common theme, of course, is the fence’s purpose: to tell others to stay out and to protect what’s inside, or vice versa. While a robust and discouraging fence is a first line of defence, it isn’t where you should stop when it comes to a security solution. In fact, for some would-be vandals or intruders the higher the fence, the greater the incentive to surmount it. Lighting, signage and access control can all have a significant effect, but your site will still likely benefit from active deterrence to truly reduce crime risk.
Full perimeter security can include active monitoring and deterrence: either security guards, or motion-detecting surveillance or both. The first can be expensive and logistically challenging to station around an entire perimeter around the clock. The second can sometimes be limited in its function or, depending on configuration, set off countless false alarms, rendering the system virtually useless.
The ideal balance for full perimeter security
We figured there had to be a more effective, affordable and flexible way to protect a perimeter, which is why we developed Spectur surveillance systems. These include the best of both worlds: an accurate record of what’s happening on site, as well as an active deterrence system, without the false alarms, to genuinely send away onsite threats without needing to have a physical presence there 24/7.
What does the system offer that others can’t?
There are a few key differences. There are many motion-detecting security systems out there, but Spectur is the only Australian solution using artificial intelligence (AI) to provide accurate and active perimeter intrusion detection systems that focus on people and vehicles. The high quality imaging systems not only capture movement in a vast range of light settings, but built-in edge and cloud-based artificial intelligence for these security camera systems also distinguishes human and vehicle movement from that of animals, leaves, shadows or insects. The system will ignore the latter but act on the former, sending an alert via email, mobile app or 3rd party video management system to the response team as well as emitting a bright light and a clear spoken warning from the onboard lights and speakers. This means as soon as intruders enter the camera’s vision, they’ll be strongly motivated to depart from the site. Response teams can watch imagery live from their device and choose to dispatch personnel if follow-up is needed. Systems can also be integrated with other remote sensors to trigger the desired response.
This type of system provides the best of both worlds: a rapid response to genuine intrusions, and accurate notifications to support your security team in doing what they do best.
The other benefit is that Spectur’s cloud recording security cameras are completely wireless and can be set up anywhere there is 3G or 4G reception. This not only reduces the cost and complexity of installing the system, but it also opens up the options when it comes to protecting a vast perimeter such as a farm, station or power or water infrastructure site. They can even be integrated with your existing wired (and usually internal) security camera monitoring system.
Great security is far more than just a fence
Just as archers once actively protected castle walls, the right deterrence system can stop your perimeter from being breached. When it comes to keeping valuables or dangerous materials within a perimeter and people out, be sure to look past the fence alone. Perimeter intrusion detection systems from Spectur can see, think and act whenever you can’t be there and help to actively protect your site.
