Fiber Optic Sensing for Perimeter Security
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Fiber optic sensing solutions have been used for some time in a wide array of perimeter security applications to detect suspected intrusions.
The slightest deviation in the beams of light that are sent through fiber optic cables, which are made up of thin strands of plastic or glass, makes them ideal for detecting vibrations above ground or along a fence.
The recently launched Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA) in the US, which is devoted to educating industry and government leaders about the benefits of the technology and its various applications. The association was formed by a group of technology companies that had a common interest in making their solutions known to a broader market, according to securityinfowatch.com.
Lynn Mattice, managing director of management consulting firm Mattice & Associates says there are myriad applications for fiber optic sensing technology when it comes to the corporate realm even beyond installing it on a fence line or burying it under the ground. “In a port, for example, you could put this under water because fiber optic cable works well under water and you could put sensors on it, so now you’ve got acoustic and all kinds of activities that you can monitor coming into your port,” Mattice explains.
Mattice says that security integrators need to have an even more thorough understanding of client environments and conduct governance, risk and compliance (GRC) reviews so they can make technology recommendations that flexibly address these concerns.
Because fiber optics will be running over corporate networks, Mattice says it is also critical that manufacturers take cyber risks into account as they’re building their products to ensure they are “hack-proof” and not creating another problem for the business.
“That’s one of the things we ran into with IP cameras. Some IP camera manufacturers haven’t taken into account the things that they need to do to ensure these things can’t get hacked,” he says.
“The costs associated with fiber optic cable have come down dramatically and the ability to deploy solutions is phenomenal. The nice thing about it is you can have multiple technologies running on the same fiber optic cable and couple it in with your camera system and as you have a sensor deployed, you can utilize other types of technology to investigate (alarms),” Mattice explains. “It truly becomes the opportunity for a fully integrated system and a smart system. As this technology of sensors evolves, the focus on communicating with other sensors, devices and managing software will allow this kind of interoperability that I believe will become a holistic solution.”
Perimeter security will be the focus of iHLS next conference and exhibition: Strategic installations, offshore rigs and border security, which will take place on June 25th, 2017 at the Lago Conference Center, Rishon LeZion.
Booth/sponsorship: Keren Kalderon [email protected] +972-52-3653165
