The perimeter security challenge

The rising threat of global terrorism in the last decade has undoubtedly increased awareness of perimeter security and security in general especially for key sites such as critical infrastructure, airports, train stations and borders to name a few.

Global terrorism is not the only threat. Sabotage, vandalism and other criminal activities continue to challenge site security. An example of such an incident occurred when Greenpeace activists broke onto the grounds of a Dutch nuclear reactor and painted a giant crack on its outer shell, a protest aimed at exposing the danger of nuclear energy. Around 30 demonstrators climbed a fence and scaled the walls of the high-flux Borssele reactor, the focus of decades of protests in the Netherlands.

In terms of military applications, perimeter security both at home and on foreign lands, is of vital importance. Most U.S. installations in Iraq and Afghanistan are heavily guarded with rings of razor wire, huge sand-filled barriers, blast walls and security cameras. It is rare - almost unheard of - for insurgents to breach such defenses and get inside. However, this did happen in early October of this year when insurgents conducted one of the deadliest attacks against American troops in Afghanistan when they breached the perimeter of a U.S. outpost before being repelled.

These examples of perimeter intrusions demonstrate how easily a security breach can occur in even the most sensitive of sites.

Complicated Tasks

The main challenge facing perimeter security applications is the fact that these sites typically encompass a wide area and pose a physical challenge to security personnel as the perimeters require efficient monitoring to enable a rapid respond to any security breach.

However, each application differs enormously in their individual security requirements. Here are three examples:

1. Airports - Multiple jurisdictions (federal, regional and local), a large number of stake holders, and lack of extensive and specific mandates from TSA make airport perimeter security a daunting task - a task which many airports are yet to address effectively
2. Borders - Disputed borders, smuggling, economic migration, sabotage and threats that jeopardize national security, are activities that need to be countered whilst successfully managing the legitimate flow of people and assets.
3. Ports & Harbors - Ports are inherently vulnerable to terrorist attacks because of their size, generally open accessibility by water and land, location in metropolitan areas, the amount of material being transported through ports, and the ready transportation links to many locations within our borders.

In addition, perimeter security solutions have to deliver on the following requirements:

• Accuracy
• Ability to adapt to customer requirements
• Easily integrate with auxiliary systems
• Low False Alarm Rates
• Integrate with all communication configurations
• Operate under extreme weather conditions

Rising to the Challenge

Maj. Gen. (Ret) Herzel Iosub, Co-Owner and Manager of El-Far, points out that a multi layered protection approach to perimeter and intrusion detection systems could have prevented or at least, alerted authorities to potential threats before they happen. El-Far's solutions meet the full spectrum of security challenges facing any military or civilian facility and have been successfully implemented in and are ideal for Aviation, Tunnel, Rail, Port and Critical Assets security applications worldwide. In 2003, El-Far's systems were authorized by the Israeli Defense Force's Technological Unit, having undergone rigorous testing in radical environmental conditions and severe operational scenarios. El-Far's industry-leading patented technologies, real world experience, impressive install base and application of advanced technologies, make them a world leader in their field.

According to Maj. Gen. Iosub, multi layered protection solutions offer data fusion that enables real time management of critical data from multiple sources including sensors, videos, radars, etc., providing a complete overview of the situation.

Integrated Site Protection Solutions

Increased efforts to protect critical infrastructure have led to increased budget allocations to combat security threats and protect site perimeters. Accordingly, a proactive approach is being adopted to install integrated security solutions that will be interoperable with new emerging technologies, as well as legacy security systems. Maj. Gen. Iosub believes El-Far maintains a competitive edge across its product line. "Our products are designed to provide customers with reliable, accurate and cost effective perimeter protection solutions. The products are presented as modular systems that allow for efficient installations or integrations with existing infrastructures." For each product, he said, there is probably competition, but while there may be increased budget allocations, clients do not want to replace perfectly good equipment due to compatibility issues. "There may be other products, but El-Far's technological leadership and expertise and our vast experience in implementation provides us with a substantial competitive edge," he said.

El-Far ranges of products includes smart fence solutions that are capable of detecting any attempted intrusion of the fence whether by climbing, cutting or opening of the structure within a +/-10 meter resolution, and provides visual and audible alarms against any such unauthorized access.

Making sensors work in the outdoor environment is the hardest challenge. To maintain uninterrupted coverage with a low false alarm rate, outdoor sensors must face up to extreme environmental conditions like temperature change, precipitation of all kinds, birds and animals, seismic disturbances, broken terrain and traffic. 

"While the environmental challenges have not been completely solved yet, El-Far offers a range of smart sensors including vibration, seismic and ultrasonic sensors that add a significant protection layer to any existing solution," says Maj. Gen. Iosub. "The amalgamation of technologies and the ensuing data fusion with other sensors results in data that is more accurate, complete and reliable," he concludes.

Over and above smart fences and sensors, El-Far offers a range of perimeter security products to provide a complete solution to a wide range of applications. Products include:

• Command and control software
• Video management, analytics and recording
• Access control systems
• Biometrics
• License plate recognition
• IR and Microwave poles
• Water conduit protection system
• Hydraulic barriers and gates
• Perimeter infrastructure

El-Far is a global company that delivers its advanced perimeter security technologies and integrated solutions to customers around the world, in a range of military and civilian applications.

El Far is committed to the continued improvement and development of cutting edge solutions to provide global customers with a wide variety of security products and advanced technological solutions to meet their evolving needs.

Maj. Gen. (Ret) Herzel Iosub is Co-Owner and Manager of El-Far. Maj. Gen. Iosub held senior executive positions in the Israeli Police Force and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security. As Head of the Planning and Budget Department at the Homeland Security Office and Israeli Police, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Iosub was responsible for the budgeting and planning of security for a wide range of installations and projects.