The UK boasts around 4.2 million operational CCTV cameras/systems, making us the most watched nation on Earth. Undoubtedly, over the past few years the growth in video surveillance has been boosted by the boom in cameras attached to Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
By definition, traditional CCTV is ‘closed circuit’ (meaning that the pictures generated never leave the site unless the police or a member of the public initiates a request). One of the key advantages of an IP camera is that live or recorded video may be accessed at any time by authorised users, whether they are local or remote, but what would happen if an unauthorised user were to access the system? Could a hacker really take control of a company’s security cameras?
These are but two of the essential questions that will be addressed by security experts at this year’s IFSEC Exhibition, which takes place from 12-15 May at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.
The IP and Networks area is all set to showcase the latest command and control software, visualisation systems, data storage, IP cameras, network-based access control and intelligent video processing, making it the ideal arena for IT professionals, systems integrators, value-added resellers, consultants and security managers to source new products and services (while at the same time gleaning salient advice from the leading manufacturers and suppliers in the industry).
Exhibiting companies booked to date include Computer Network Ltd, IBM, Milestone Systems, NTL and Seagate Technology. All will be on hand to offer information on IP-based solutions.
Speaking to info4security.com about IFSEC 2008, Mark Wojtasiak (global marketing manager for video surveillance at Seagate Technology) said: “The protection of a company’s physical assets is of the utmost importance. Many IT and security managers may not realise the value of implementing physical security within their IP networks in respect of the total cost of system ownership. For example, today’s video surveillance storage solutions enable IT and security managers to leverage existing network infrastructures in implementing physical security.”
Wojtasiak concluded: “IFSEC represents an ideal opportunity for IT and security professionals to learn how using IP can enable the protection of physical assets.”
IFSEC 2008 adjoins The Facilities Show and Safety and Health Expo. For more information and/or to register for free entry, please visit www.ifsec.co.uk/ipnetworks
Companies interested in exhibiting at the event should contact Nick Rastall (tel: 020 7921 8072, e-mail: [email protected])
