Hikvision helps Steehold to deliver total security for

West Africa’s oil & gas company

sourcesecurity.com/news/hikvision-helps-steehold-deliver-total-security-co-3425-ga.1646822042.html

Total Ghana, an oil and gas company with over 200 service stations in Ghana, is
one such business that needs around-the-clock security not only for its premises
based in Accra but also for its many service stations.

Total is dedicated to delivering quality petroleum products and serving its

customers in innovative ways. This means Total’s consumer operations involve a
concentration of vehicle and pedestrian activity with people fuelling vehicles and
moving between the retail outlets. This leads to complex security and safety
challenges and keeping track of it all is not possible without an effective security
system. 

The challenge 
Strengthening security

With the continuing growth of its business, Total needed a solution that would
strengthen the security of its premises and new service stations being opened
across the country. The safety of Total’s workers is paramount and, in addition to
securing its premises and stations, the company wanted to automate the
monitoring of its operations to ensure compliance with safety procedures. 

Steehold was tasked with not only installing a new security system but also
ongoing security monitoring and management
Total turned to Steehold, a security solutions provider in Ghana renowned for
protecting companies across industries including financial services, mining,
petrochemicals, and telecommunications. Steehold was tasked with not only
installing a new security system but also ongoing security monitoring and
management across Total’s operations in Ghana.

Imaging and monitoring tool

“From the moment we engaged with Steehold, we knew they understood the
security challenges facing our business. For example, petrol stations operate day
and night so video cameras need to provide excellent imagery in variable lighting
conditions and we need to monitor areas both inside and outside.”

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“If cameras lack certain features, then the images they record may be insufficient
for analysis, or use as evidence, should it be required. Steehold knew how to
combat these issues while also providing an effective monitoring tool for
operational efficiency and worker safety,” explained Total executive.

Video surveillance system

Steehold needed a video surveillance system that would cover Total’s premises and
service stations from all directions and it knew exactly which solution would meet
Total’s needs.

“We choose Hikvision as we knew its video cameras were grounded in innovation
and quality, providing the best video footage in the widest range of conditions to
help Total’s business,” said Samuel Tawiah, executive director, Steehold.

Hikvision provides superlative surveillance

The cameras also include capabilities such as object tracking, line crossing,
intrusion detection, and motion detection
Following extensive consultation with Total staff, the final design of the
surveillance solution at the facility and new services stations consisted of 120
Hikvision IP cameras to enable high-quality 24/7 surveillance across Total’s
premises and its new service stations in Ghana. 

The Hikvision Easy IP 3.0 cameras feature a wealth of innovative technologies to

combat low-light, bright-light, and extreme weather conditions, while still
providing superlative image quality. The cameras also include capabilities such as
object tracking, line crossing, intrusion detection, and motion detection, with the
ability to trigger alerts and make security staff immediately aware of any suspicious
behaviour. 

Recording footage with NVR

At the heart of the solution lies Hikvision’s NVRs, which store up to 12 terabytes of
recorded footage from all cameras. While Total wanted to upgrade to an IP system,
it had already invested heavily in CCTV cameras and wanted to retain the cameras
that were functioning well.

Steehold installed Hikvision’s video encoders which convert the existing cameras’
analog signals into digital. These encoders are connected to the NVR, and the
system treats them like the other IP cameras. Steehold installed the IP cameras
itself as the cameras are PoE (Power over Ethernet) which means that power and
data are supplied over a single Ethernet cable, making installation much easier
because they don't have to be located next to a plug socket.

Security covering all angles

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 The deployment of Hikvision’s innovative technology into Total has been
essential to detect intrusion"
Total is already reaping the benefits from the newly installed Hikvision video
surveillance system. It provides the ability for Steehold to monitor Total’s entire
facility and new services stations in real-time remotely from its control center
located in Accra.

“The deployment of Hikvision’s innovative technology into our surveillance

solution for Total has proven essential for our security operators to detect
intrusion, theft, and damage across Total’s operations. With crystal clear images
day and night as well as advanced features that alert security operators of any
suspicious behaviour, we are confident we can help Total respond quickly to any
breaches,” said Mr. Tawiah.

Watchful IP eyes for operational safety

Hikvision’s video surveillance system also helps Steehold operators to remotely
monitor processes across Total’s premises, enabling supervisors to enhance
processes to improve workflow and ensure the safety of workers.

“At Total, the safety of employees is of utmost importance. Data from Steehold
generated by Hikvision’s video surveillance system plays an integral role in
helping us keep our employees safe and our operations compliant with safety
policies. It provides a definitive way to ensure safety policies are being followed
and that there are no hazards presenting a harmful threat to our employees,” said
Total executive.

24/7 accessible cameras

Total’s heightened security has kept its facilities and service stations protected
against trespassers, theft, and vandalism
By deploying Steehold’s security solution based on Hikvision’s video surveillance
system, Total’s heightened security has kept its facilities and service stations
protected against trespassers, theft, and vandalism, and in particular, have
minimised losses caused by theft in its service stations. 

In addition, Hikvision’s security cameras deliver a live and recorded view of the
facility which is accessible 24/7 and has helped ensure safety protocols are
followed. For example, it has significantly increased employee compliance with
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) rules at Total’s sites resulting in a direct and
immediate improvement in safety.

Cost-effective monitoring solution

Easy installation and integration with Total’s existing CCTV enabled Steehold to
deliver a cost-effective, efficient, high-end video surveillance solution. 

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 Steehold is also planning to use Hikvision’s cutting-edge video monitoring systems
as part of its security and emergency response solutions for its other customers,
helping them minimise security threats and maximise operational safety and
efficiency.

In case you missed it

Fresno Police Department enhances safety management with Pelco surveillance

solution

The City of Fresno, in California, USA is surrounded by some of the country’s most
beautiful national parks. Fresno has a lively arts scene and a budding technology hub,
along with an established large-scale agricultural community.
Fresno Police Department
serves the City and surrounding area, which covers approximately 115 square miles and
has a population of approximately 515,000 residents. The department comprises five
policing districts, supported by an auto theft team, mounted units, air support, tactical
teams, canine units and a video policing programme.
Pelco video surveillance
For more
than 10 years, Fresno PD has utilised Pelco video surveillance in the video policing
programme, in order to help ensure a safer and more secure community. Images from
the cameras installed throughout the downtown area in Fresno were monitored and
archived at the city’s Communication Centre.
As technology advanced, the City of Fresno
kept up with the changes, with new IP high definition cameras phased in to replace
aging analogue cameras and the programme was expanded to cover additional areas of
the city.
Pelco camera technology
Pelco camera technology also provided new
opportunities for improving situational awareness
Pelco camera technology also
provided new opportunities for improving situational awareness, but the department’s
existing system configuration could not take full advantage of the technology.
Cameras
were not monitored 24/7 at the Communication Centre, they could not optimise use of
the new panoramic cameras, and monitoring multiple scenes from multiple cameras on
multiple platforms to quickly assess or investigate incidents was time consuming and
inefficient.
Operational enhancements
The system was also closed in so the department
could not view images from cameras installed by local businesses or schools.
The Fresno
Police Department's move from the Communication Centre to its new Real-Time Crime
Centre (RTCC), and the addition of a new Regional Training Centre (RTC), provided the
opportunity for Fresno PD to initiate further operational enhancements and expand
their video policing programme.
Pelco Spectra® and Spectra® Enhanced cameras
With
the move to the new RTCC, Fresno PD system operators can now monitor approximately
200 video surveillance cameras, which include both Pelco Spectra® and Spectra®
Enhanced PTZ dome cameras, along with Pelco Optera® Panoramic multi-sensor
cameras, on a 24/7 basis.
These newer cameras feature Pelco SureVision™ technology
for improved Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) performance and smart compression

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technology for reduced bit rate usage and storage savings. Pelco Spectra® Enhanced
cameras feature a full suite of built-in analytics and single cable Hi-POE installation.
Pelco Optera Panoramic cameras
The Optera® Panoramic cameras capture superior
images in difficult lighting conditions
The cameras also feature HD optimised dome
bubble technology, a revolutionary solid pendant design to eliminate vibration noise,
20X or 30X optical zoom, and precise 360° PTZ control. Pelco Optera Panoramic
cameras provide completely stitched, seamless and blended 360°, 270° and 180°
panoramic views with electronic PTZ capability across the entire panoramic image.
With
Pelco SureVision technology, the Optera® Panoramic cameras capture superior images
in difficult lighting conditions, where highly contrasted lighting sources exist within the
same scene.
Enhanced monitoring and response capability
“The advanced technology
and imaging quality in our new Pelco cameras has significantly improved our
monitoring and response capability,” said Sergeant Steve Casto of the Fresno Police
Department, adding “In some locations we have both an Optera and a Spectra camera
installed. This gives us a bigger picture and allows us to view what the PTZ may have
missed.”
He continues, “If something is noticed, we use the advanced optical zoom of the
Spectra camera to zoom in and get more detail. The two cameras complement each other
and heighten situational awareness.”
VideoXpert™ VMS
Control of the video
surveillance system was upgraded from the Pelco Endura VMS to the company’s
VideoXpert™ VMS, at both the RTC and new RTCC.
Improvements over the previous
VMS solution include a united user interface for improved centralised system
management, incident management to easily and quickly correlate related video files,
improved event management to customise event alerts with real-time visual notification,
and immersive viewing of 180°, 270° and 360° panoramic images from Pelco Optera®
Cameras.
Third-party applications for operational improvements
The VideoXpert’s open
platform allowed Fresno PD to cast a wider net for monitoring and response
The
VideoXpert’s open platform allowed Fresno PD to cast a wider net for monitoring and
response, by allowing video sources from local businesses, retail centres, schools and
hospitals to be integrated into their resident VMS.
It also allows Fresno PD to
incorporate third-party applications for additional operational improvements. For
instance, by integrating a mapping application within VideoXpert, the Department was
able to simplify and speed up the process of addressing and responding to various and
multiple alerts and calls.
Benefits of 24/7 real-time monitoring
The benefits of 24/7 real-
time monitoring and better video management and control has been an increase in
officer safety, according to Sergeant Casto. When officers are in the field at a scene,
operators at the RTCC can quickly and easily pull up a video feed of the scene to assess
and offer assistance.
He says, “In one instance where an officer was in a physical
altercation with a suspect and wasn’t able to broadcast that he needed help, the officers
at RTCC could see the situation and dispatched help to resolve the situation safely.
Additionally, by seeing and assessing the situation beforehand, we can provide details
and warnings to the field so they know what to expect when they arrive on scene.”
Pelco’s simple migration process
VideoXpert was installed first at the Regional Training
Centre and then at the RTCC. Both locations have the capability for monitoring and
control of the installed cameras. The changeover was simplified because Endura
components map nearly one-to-one with VideoXpert.
Pelco’s simple migration process

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transferred user names, roles, permissions and the associations from Endura to
VideoXpert, so that all user data would be maintained in the new system. The migration
process also transferred all existing camera names, numbers, groups, and locations to
VideoXpert, which made the transition faster and less susceptible to manual input
errors.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with this upgraded Pelco surveillance system,” said
Sergeant Casto, adding “Law enforcement’s first job is safety, and not only are our
officers and community safer, but we are more efficient and effective as a police
department with the new Pelco cameras and VMS.”

What will be the impact of 'hot desking' on the security marketplace?

With fewer employees working in the office, and more of them working from home,
it is no longer necessary for each employee to have his ‘own’ desk. Rather, desks may be
used by various people at different times, as needed on an ad hoc basis. This
arrangement, known as ‘hot desking,’ maximises space efficiency and reduces unneeded
office space. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What will be the impact of
‘hot desking’ on the security marketplace?

Anviz provides its biometric identification solution to Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS),
run by the Bangladesh Army

Biometrics may not be new, but they are entering a new era of utility among government
agencies, and beyond.
Anviz identity verification technology and management solutions
are bringing biometrics to a variety of environments, from government and healthcare to
financial services and on-site enterprise security.
Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS)
Sena
Kalyan Sangstha (SKS) is a trust owned and operated by the Bangladesh Army. As the
largest industrial and welfare organisation in Bangladesh, it is devoted to the welfare of
released, retired and discharged personnel of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and their
dependents.
Sena Kalyan Sangstha was already using a management system to track
attendance, so they considered installing a card reader, but were concerned about the
cards being lost, misplaced, or forgotten altogether. They were also hoping to reduce
check-in waiting time, so they preferred to select an alternative solution that would offer
an affordable, rapidly deployed identification system for their employees.
Anviz VF30
Pro standalone access control reader
Anviz VF30 Pro is the new generation standalone
access control reader equipped with flexible PoE and Wi-Fi
Anviz VF30 Pro is the new
generation standalone access control reader equipped with flexible PoE and Wi-Fi
communication.
Powered by Anviz’s latest biometric fingerprint algorithm and powerful
1GHz quick CPU, VF30 Pro provides the world’s fastest matching speed of up to 1:3,000
match/sec. It also supports web server function, ensuring easy self-management and
professional standalone access control interfaces.
VF30 Pro, powered by embedded
system architecture and embedded biometric algorithms, not only protects the user
biometric information, it is also more suitable for running on embedded systems.
The
benefits
Faster Processing Time
VF30 Pro‘s capacity to handle 3,000 users and 100,000

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 logs adding its speed of authentication optimised the times on controlling the entry and
exit of employees.
Flexibility of Installation
Featuring PoE, versatile interfaces and Wi-
Fi communication, VF30 Pro provides Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS) with lower
installation cost, simpler cabling and lower maintenance cost.
Improved Security Level
The Sena Kalyan Sangstha issues special access cards to military personnel and common
cards to civilian personnel. These can be used together with fingerprints to enhance
secure access control.

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