Whether they are schools, Further Education Colleges or universities, all ‘seats of learning’ share common security issues. There’s an overriding need to protect large numbers of students and their tutors in an environment that’s often vulnerable to petty – and occasionally more serious – crime (‘From pets to threats’, SMT, August 2007, pp28-30).
In this regard, the University of Leeds is perhaps no different, but how its management team has gone about tackling this issue is particularly imaginative, the overriding solution harnessing the very latest in IP video surveillance technology.
The University of Leeds is the second largest university in the UK, boasting 30,500 students and 8,000 staff located on a single campus within walking distance of the city centre. Investment in its facilities is ongoing, with a GB pound 359 million development plan for buildings and infrastructure over the next ten years (including the completion of a new landmark building that will bring key student services under one roof).
It was set against this context that, last year, a project team was established to review existing internal security arrangements – and, in particular, address the need for safeguarding the many hundreds of computers and other technical equipment used by students and staff throughout the university. To this end, the project was assigned to ISS (the university’s IT Department) under the stewardship of project manager Simon Mulholland.
‘Clusters’ of new technology
“The project was prompted by discussions between ourselves and our colleagues responsible for The Brotherton and Edward Boyle Libraries that focused on better surveillance to protect what we call ‘clusters’ of new technology, as well as the archive material and precious manuscripts to which our students have access,” explains Mulholland.
“We had an existing analogue, black and white camera system, but image quality was poor and coverage wasn’t as extensive as it needed to be. In any case, technology has moved on considerably since the original system was installed. We wanted to explore the option of making use of our existing network, and the advantages we might realise with an IP-based surveillance solution.”
Mulholland’s first move was to seek funding for the installation. Once this was in place, the project was then put out to open tender. “We met with six potential installers before deciding upon the Quadrant Security Group,” explains Mulholland. “It was an easy choice. Of course they had the pricing structure and the system specification that we needed but, more importantly, Quadrant seemed to be the only company tendering that actually appeared to understand the university sector and what we required. Indeed as part of the process, they actually highlighted issues and solutions of which we weren’t aware, so the combination of performance delivery and the knowledge of the education sector gave us confidence from the start.”
Mulholland’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. Although a primary purpose behind the installation was to protect expensive assets, it was as much to ensure the safety and well-being of the university community – students and staff alike. “We have a considerable Duty of Care within the campus,” continues Mulholland, “and that extends well beyond just looking after computers. That’s why it was so important to appoint a partner that understands the sensitivities of an academic environment, and the fine balancing act between providing appropriate levels of surveillance and not being intrusive or inhibiting freedoms. Universities are, essentially, creative environments and places of learning, and it was important that this balance was maintained.”
Enterprise-wide IP video
Post-contract award, it was then that the real detail of the specification began to emerge. Indeed, there were more than five manifestations of the specification before the final plan was agreed, with the installation based entirely around a Nextiva Enterprise-wide IP video surveillance and management solution courtesy of Verint Systems.
Nextiva is a robust platform and suite of software applications built on a standards-based, open architecture, engineered for scalability, rapid deployment and ease of use in IP network environments. The system captures video, audio and data from a wide variety of devices transmitted over wireline and wireless networks. Its rules-based engine and analytics enable effective follow-up action by rapidly distributing video, data, alarms and events to the appropriate security and operational personnel.
This solution combines enterprise and security data with mission-critical video, with the purpose of leveraging existing investments in IT infrastructure, security and business systems.
“The idea of opting for this solution had immediate appeal,” suggests Mulholland (pictured, right). “The technology came highly recommended and was already proven in the field, but we also liked the idea of only having to deal with a single provider and single points of contact, which greatly eases the process in terms of ongoing systems support.”
Mulholland opted for the new Nextiva S2700e dome cameras that are capable of delivering dual stream, DVD-quality video at 4CIF and 25 frames per second (fps). In low-light conditions, the cameras automatically adjust to black and white mode for optimal image clarity.
Triple axis rotation system
A triple axis rotation system helps with the cameras’ siting and adjustment, allowing them to be installed virtually anywhere – a fact that was particularly advantageous in this installation.
No less than 146 internal colour dome cameras have been specified and installed in the first phase, with cameras located around 25 identified ‘clusters’ where students enjoy access to technology on campus and, indeed, beyond. The system monitors activity not just on the main site, but also at the Halls of Residence located at Bodington Hall, Wakefield College and the world-famous St James’ University Hospital (one of the largest teaching hospitals anywhere in Europe).
As well as covering the main entry and exit points to each ‘cluster’, cameras have also been installed to look after area surveillance. “The area surveillance cameras provide us with proof that an incident has occurred, and what has transpired, whereas the other cameras generate detail for potential use should an incident need to be brought to the attention of the external authorities,” adds Mulholland.
Management of the recorded images is facilitated through the Nextiva video management solution and an easy-to-use management portal – Nextiva Control Center – that enables the cameras to be configured and administered from a single location and application. In addition, Nextiva’s HealthCheck applications continuously monitor the performance of the S2700e units, with automated diagnostics and problem correction assisting greater uptime and lower service costs.
Complete audit trail
“We can store a minimum of 28 days of recorded footage, more if we want,” suggests Mulholland. “Accessing relevant images should an incident occur couldn’t be easier. We can search by date or time, or by a particular camera and instantly retrieve the information we need. We’re also able to review multiple cameras to give us a complete audit trail for an incident should that be a requirement.”
Image recording is controlled centrally on a server within the main Communications Centre, while separate servers are present at four other locations.
Mulholland is quick to acknowledge that IP-based video might not be suitable for every application, but in this case it has proven to be the ideal solution. “Of course it means you need to have a reliable network, but the university’s network is particularly fast and extremely powerful, with a ten gigabyte capacity across the core, and one gigabyte from distribution to the edge, so our network is more than capable of handling large volumes of image traffic.”
Mulholland goes on to say: “The CCTV system is spread across five logical networks. Four manage the cameras, and the fifth manages the servers. This meant the project engineers had a far easier task. Given the tight deadline and the ‘challenge’ presented, this made a great deal of difference.”
Advantages of open protocol
The deadline to which Simon refers was one of the principal issues confronting Quadrant and the Verint engineers. With the library effectively ‘off limits’ during term time, and access to certain clusters seriously restricted, nearly all of the work had to be completed within the holiday periods. Necessarily, this involved some concurrent engineering.
“In the library,” opines Mulholland, “we already had a handful of IP cameras as well as the old analogue devices. Usually, we would want the network in place before we did anything else but that wasn’t possible in the timeframe, so instead we used the existing cameras and cabling to test that the images were being effectively recorded. Here, we enjoyed the advantages of using open protocol – the fact that it would integrate with what was already installed, whether it was IP, digital or analogue.”
The ability to expand the system in the future was also a concern. “We are now looking at our external surveillance,” adds Mulholland.
Already, Simon and his team have added more cameras to the existing project – taking the total up to 180 – and there are no plans to stop there.
