PSIFebruary2018

SECURITY
Security in 2018
“Drones are not a
replacement for 24/7
CCTV cameras in any
building or facility,
they are ideal tools
to work in tandem
with CCTV”
Security & Counter Terror Expo (SCTX) 2018 showcases the capabilities,
technology and knowledge to protect nations, businesses and people from
terrorism and serious security threats. Here we talk to two experts ahead of
their presentations at the London event
n addition to the exhibition areas SCTX also
features an educational programme that
Idelivers insight into current issues and how to
combat new challenges. Ten free-to-attend
conference streams, which will run on the
exhibition floor, will cover border security, the
cyber threat, protecting national infrastructure,
policing, major events security and security
design. Ahead of the event we spoke to two
experts who will be presenting seminars which
will be of specific interest to installers.
The role of drones
Firstly we met with Andrew McQuillan, director at
Crowded Space Drones, to find out how the new
‘eyes in the sky’ fit in with fixed surveillance
systems. At SCTX, Andrew’s presentation is titled:
“Securing Crowded Places from Drones and
utilising their Technological Benefits for Security,
Safety and Counter Terrorism”..
How do drones enhance the use of
existing CCTV systems?
Drones are not a replacement for 24/7 CCTV
cameras in any building or facility, they are ideal
tools to work in tandem with CCTV, especially in
the days of austerity in security budgets with both
public and private sector organisations.
Many people talk about autonomous drones
and it is technically and legally possible to have a
drone patrol the perimeter of a large complex that
is secure from public access and not located in
the middle of a town, city or otherwise congested
area. This is a much more efficient use of a
Security Officer’s time than exterior foot patrols
and can track any unauthorised persons found
onsite.
A benefit for public places is the ability to
respond to fluid and dynamic incidents. CCTV is in
fixed locations and history has shown many
terrorists and criminals will tailor their activities
to avoid fixed location CCTV. With drones you are
able to dynamically follow such activity and in a
much higher resolution than CCTV systems allow.
This includes keeping evidence continuity by
tracking suspects continuously and not having to
move between cameras when they are leaving a
field of view.
The legislation for the use of drones makes it
very hard to fly drones overhead people not under
their control (i.e. public spaces) and hence it is
unlikely in the near future Security Officers could
deploy such a tool themselves. This is purely
down to the risks imposes on the unknowing
public on the ground from an emergency situation
with a drone.
Are there any basic restrictions
surrounding drones compared to fixed
cameras?
On a base level, all use of surveillance with
drones has to comply with the relevant legislation
34 www.psimagazine.co.uk