2 November 2018

WEB

Ensuring video surveillance data is safely stored

Rainer Käse, Senior Manager at Toshiba Electronics Europe explains how to ensure your HDD choice meets your surveillance storage needs. The selection of storage for surveillance systems has different requirements from other, large storage applications. With the demand primarily on the writing side, storage needs to be capable of simultaneously handling dozens of video channels. In addition, the storage medium needs to be ultra-reliable without ignoring typical mass-storage challenges, such as heat generation and power consumption. This article looks at some of the trends in the surveillance industry and how Toshiba’s HDD technology has been implemented to create a family of disk drives that target surveillance applications. Global challenges in surveillance In our ever more security conscious world, demand for professional-grade video surveillance is growing rapidly. Combining state-of-the-art camera systems with intelligent software means that anyone can have security that never sleeps, never misses a thing and does not demand a salary. According to research firm IHS Markit, less than 10 million cameras shipped globally in 2006. However, ten years later that had grown ten-fold to 100 million and is forecast to be 130 million in 2018. However, as sales volumes grow, so prices are coming under pressure. The 30% unit growth between 2016 and 2018 is only forecast to increase revenue by 6%, indicating a significant drop in per-unit revenue. The biggest consistent challenge being faced by manufacturers and operators of video surveillance systems is that of security. As systems become more open and interconnected into wider building management systems in smart buildings, so they become network connected, exposing them to malicious external attacks. While systems are inherently secure, as the number of cameras deployed per system increases, shortcuts such as assigning the same access credentials to every camera, or storing suites of passwords in insecure spreadsheets – both of which makes the hacker’s job easier. With the new European GDPR legislation coming into force imminently, the processes surrounding the collection, use and storage of video surveillance data become more rigorous with the prospect of significant fines for not following the rules. As systems become larger with more cameras attached then system bandwidth and data storage becomes an issue. The need to identify individuals and things such as vehicle licence plates from video is leading more operators to upgrade to 4K video systems, which will demand more powerful surveillance systems with greater bandwidth and storage. Key challenges in storage systems The data being generated by video surveillance systems is somewhat staggering. In 2014, around 566 petabytes of data was produced in a single day, according to estimates by IHS Markit. To put that in context, that is over 11 million Blu-ray movie discs, or twice the amount of user data stored by Facebook. In the following four years to 2018, that amount has almost quadrupled with over 2,000 petabytes being generated every day – all of which requires storage. As surveillance systems operate 24/7/365, so do the storage systems connected to them, which creates a particular set of challenges for the selection of storage media. As most systems these days are based on digital cameras, HDDs are most commonly used for storage. Innovations in speed, capacity and interfaces have all contributed to a continuously reducing cost-per-gigabyte. Any video surveillance system is only as good as the storage that it records to. Without reliable storage, some or all of the data recorded can be lost. While individual drive reliability is a key factor in selecting surveillance storage, data reliability and availability is further enhanced by the use of RAID arrays. As data is stored redundantly on several drives, one or more drives can fail with no loss of data and, in many systems, the failed drive can be ‘hot plugged’, meaning that it can be replaced without the need to power off the system. As video surveillance storage systems are operating 24/7/365 so power consumption is also a key challenge, not only for the power that is consumed but also for the heat generated in what are often densely packed arrays of drives. As elevated temperatures are often linked to reduced operating life, keeping the array cool is a key challenge for storage designers. A number of factors determine the size of the required storage. Firstly the number of cameras connected will determine the amount of data being delivered, this will also determine the write speed of the drives as they need to record data at the rate it is produced. The type of data being stored will also have an impact on the size of the storage – for example if there is legislation that stipulates that a particular type of data has to be stored for a certain time. Businesses may also choose to store data for longer periods as a way of evidencing that they have complied with legislation. As an example, the recently-legalised marijuana industry in the USA is increasingly using (and storing) video surveillance data to prove compliance with stringent legislation governing their activities. While the failure of a single camera in a system is relatively minor (and key areas may be covered by more than one camera as a backup), the failure of a storage system can be far more significant. There may be a direct cost (a fine from an authority or even the loss of a licence to operate) for lost data or an indirect cost as the loss of data hampers business activity. Is SSD an option for video surveillance storage? The way in which video surveillance data is written defines the type of media that is preferable for a given application. Modern SSDs are smaller and lighter than HDDs, and they consume less power. They are also generally faster than HDDs, especially at random access – so, to many, they would seem to be a natural choice. However, given that the nature of video surveillance data is sequential, with almost no need for random access (which contrasts with an enterprise database application) an array of HDDs can be even

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Ensuring video surveillance data is safely stored

Rainer Käse, Senior Manager at Toshiba Electronics Europe explains how to ensure your HDD choice meets your surveillance storage needs. The selection of storage for surveillance systems has different requirements from other, large storage applications. With the demand primarily on the writing side, storage needs to be capable of simultaneously handling dozens of video channels. In addition, the storage medium needs to be ultra-reliable without ignoring typical mass-storage challenges, such as heat generation and power consumption. This article looks at some of the trends in the surveillance industry and how Toshiba’s HDD technology has been implemented to create a family of disk drives that target surveillance applications. Global challenges in surveillance In our ever more security conscious world, demand for professional-grade video surveillance is growing rapidly. Combining state-of-the-art camera systems with intelligent software means that anyone can have security that never sleeps, never misses a thing and does not demand a salary. According to research firm IHS Markit, less than 10 million cameras shipped globally in 2006. However, ten years later that had grown ten-fold to 100 million and is forecast to be 130 million in 2018. However, as sales volumes grow, so prices are coming under pressure. The 30% unit growth between 2016 and 2018 is only forecast to increase revenue by 6%, indicating a significant drop in per-unit revenue. The biggest consistent challenge being faced by manufacturers and operators of video surveillance systems is that of security. As systems become more open and interconnected into wider building management systems in smart buildings, so they become network connected, exposing them to malicious external attacks. While systems are inherently secure, as the number of cameras deployed per system increases, shortcuts such as assigning the same access credentials to every camera, or storing suites of passwords in insecure spreadsheets – both of which makes the hacker’s job easier. With the new European GDPR legislation coming into force imminently, the processes surrounding the collection, use and storage of video surveillance data become more rigorous with the prospect of significant fines for not following the rules. As systems become larger with more cameras attached then system bandwidth and data storage becomes an issue. The need to identify individuals and things such as vehicle licence plates from video is leading more operators to upgrade to 4K video systems, which will demand more powerful surveillance systems with greater bandwidth and storage. Key challenges in storage systems The data being generated by video surveillance systems is somewhat staggering. In 2014, around 566 petabytes of data was produced in a single day, according to estimates by IHS Markit. To put that in context, that is over 11 million Blu-ray movie discs, or twice the amount of user data stored by Facebook. In the following four years to 2018, that amount has almost quadrupled with over 2,000 petabytes being generated every day – all of which requires storage. As surveillance systems operate 24/7/365, so do the storage systems connected to them, which creates a particular set of challenges for the selection of storage media. As most systems these days are based on digital cameras, HDDs are most commonly used for storage. Innovations in speed, capacity and interfaces have all contributed to a continuously reducing cost-per-gigabyte. Any video surveillance system is only as good as the storage that it records to. Without reliable storage, some or all of the data recorded can be lost. While individual drive reliability is a key factor in selecting surveillance storage, data reliability and availability is further enhanced by the use of RAID arrays. As data is stored redundantly on several drives, one or more drives can fail with no loss of data and, in many systems, the failed drive can be ‘hot plugged’, meaning that it can be replaced without the need to power off the system. As video surveillance storage systems are operating 24/7/365 so power consumption is also a key challenge, not only for the power that is consumed but also for the heat generated in what are often densely packed arrays of drives. As elevated temperatures are often linked to reduced operating life, keeping the array cool is a key challenge for storage designers. A number of factors determine the size of the required storage. Firstly the number of cameras connected will determine the amount of data being delivered, this will also determine the write speed of the drives as they need to record data at the rate it is produced. The type of data being stored will also have an impact on the size of the storage – for example if there is legislation that stipulates that a particular type of data has to be stored for a certain time. Businesses may also choose to store data for longer periods as a way of evidencing that they have complied with legislation. As an example, the recently-legalised marijuana industry in the USA is increasingly using (and storing) video surveillance data to prove compliance with stringent legislation governing their activities. While the failure of a single camera in a system is relatively minor (and key areas may be covered by more than one camera as a backup), the failure of a storage system can be far more significant. There may be a direct cost (a fine from an authority or even the loss of a licence to operate) for lost data or an indirect cost as the loss of data hampers business activity. Is SSD an option for video surveillance storage? The way in which video surveillance data is written defines the type of media that is preferable for a given application. Modern SSDs are smaller and lighter than HDDs, and they consume less power. They are also generally faster than HDDs, especially at random access – so, to many, they would seem to be a natural choice. However, given that the nature of video surveillance data is sequential, with almost no need for random access (which contrasts with an enterprise database application) an array of HDDs can be even

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WEB

Pyronix takes its Total Wi-Fi Security Solution on the road

Pyronix is taking its Total Wi-Fi Security Solution on the road across the UK in November and December to meet and greet the security installer and system integrator communities. Visiting selected distributor outlets nationally, “Enforcer on tour” will give security installation experts the opportunity to get up close to the Enforcer control panel and see exactly what has made it a popular choice for wireless security system installations. As part of the tour, Pyronix Account Managers will be on-hand to explain the features and advantages of the Enforcer control panel. According to the manufacturer, this includes how its simplicity can make installers and integrators lives easier whilst continuing to delight end-user customers with its ease-of-use and effectiveness. “We want to clearly demonstrate to installers and integrators how the award-winning Enforcer control panel can really help their business grow by being fast to fit, reliable and both easy to program and use,” said Laurence Kenny, Marketing Manager for Pyronix. “We know that installers are very busy people and time is money, so those interested in learning more about the Enforcer who book an appointment and meet with their local Pyronix Account Manager will be able to claim a free Pyronix Wi-Fi Camera (T&Cs apply). We’re sure they’ll find the time will be well spent and it’s our way of saying thanks!” With 1,000 cameras available in the Enforcer on tour national giveaway, demand is expected to be high so Pyronix recommends early booking to avoid disappointment. www.pyronix.com/uk

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Bodytech Aruba deploys Boon Edam turnstile to ensure ‘members only’ access

Entry solutions specialist, Boon Edam Inc., has implemented its Speedlane 300 entry system at the Bodytech Fitness Club in Aruba. Located in the Caribbean, the resort island attracts millions of tourists looking for rest and relaxation as well as a large number looking to maintain fitness while on holiday. Offering a spacious, air-conditioned gym and modern fitness equipment, Bodytech is open seven days a week giving daily access to between 200 and 400 guests. The Boon Edam Speedlane 300 optical turnstile will allow fast and easy access to the gym, providing a stringent level of security coupled with a modern and functional design. Consisting of two elliptical cabinets with angel wing barriers that retract into the units to allow passage to authorised users, the Speedlane 300 barriers turn green when the lane is ready for use and red when the barriers are closing or when an alarm has been triggered. The solution also provides biometric access control with fingerprint readers, enabling the club to determine which members have paid, allowing the club to better control access to the facilities. Jason Gerlin, co-owner of Bodytech Aruba, commented: “It’s a very good product and we’ve never had any problems with it – it is very stable and does the job it needs to do effectively. All the employees like the fact that they don’t need to spend time monitoring dates of the membership; it’s all automatic. “It’s also a very easy system to operate and within a year it has already delivered an outstanding return on investment.” Fernando Metz, commercial director of Mexim Aruba, the installer of the entry solution, added: “I’d highly recommend Edam entry systems – the quality and performance of the products is unlike anything else on the market.” www.boonedam.co.uk

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New four-in-one camera offers 360-degree view in all lighting conditions

Axis Communications has announced the launch of AXIS P3717-PLE Network Camera – a multidirectional, high image resolution camera, which provides flexible positioning of four varifocal camera heads. Offering a panoramic 360-degree overview or a combination of overviews in zoomed in detail, its IR illumination with individually controllable LEDs helps capture clear images even in low light or darkness. The cameras, fitted with an integrated weather shield, are suitable for indoor or outdoor use, from shopping centres and warehouses to hallway intersections and outer corners of buildings. The four-in-one camera also enables a lower overall cost for cabling and installation services and includes a redundancy system between the SD card and server should the connection with the server fail. The AXIS P3717-PLE Network Camera was named the winner in the Video Surveillance Camera of the Year Award category at the first inaugural Intersec Awards in Dubai. Ettiene Van Der Watt, Regional Manager, Middle East & Africa, Axis Communications, commented: “Innovation has always been key to our success and with the AXIS 3717-PLE, we have built an exceptional multidirectional camera with IR illumination. “In comparison to the single sensor fisheye cameras, these multidirectional cameras do not spend resolution on irrelevant areas or suffer from optical distortion. It’s an honour for our team to receive such a prestigious award and the accolades from the industry, all of which are a testimony to our commitment to innovation.” AXIS P3717-PLE was made available in October 2018 and is available through all AXIS distribution channels. www.axis.com

New four-in-one camera offers 360-degree view in all lighting conditions Read More »

Pyronix takes its Total Wi-Fi Security Solution on the road

Pyronix is taking its Total Wi-Fi Security Solution on the road across the UK in November and December to meet and greet the security installer and system integrator communities. Visiting selected distributor outlets nationally, “Enforcer on tour” will give security installation experts the opportunity to get up close to the Enforcer control panel and see exactly what has made it a popular choice for wireless security system installations. As part of the tour, Pyronix Account Managers will be on-hand to explain the features and advantages of the Enforcer control panel. According to the manufacturer, this includes how its simplicity can make installers and integrators lives easier whilst continuing to delight end-user customers with its ease-of-use and effectiveness. “We want to clearly demonstrate to installers and integrators how the award-winning Enforcer control panel can really help their business grow by being fast to fit, reliable and both easy to program and use,” said Laurence Kenny, Marketing Manager for Pyronix. “We know that installers are very busy people and time is money, so those interested in learning more about the Enforcer who book an appointment and meet with their local Pyronix Account Manager will be able to claim a free Pyronix Wi-Fi Camera (T&Cs apply). We’re sure they’ll find the time will be well spent and it’s our way of saying thanks!” With 1,000 cameras available in the Enforcer on tour national giveaway, demand is expected to be high so Pyronix recommends early booking to avoid disappointment. www.pyronix.com/uk

Pyronix takes its Total Wi-Fi Security Solution on the road Read More »

Bodytech Aruba deploys Boon Edam turnstile to ensure ‘members only’ access

Entry solutions specialist, Boon Edam Inc., has implemented its Speedlane 300 entry system at the Bodytech Fitness Club in Aruba. Located in the Caribbean, the resort island attracts millions of tourists looking for rest and relaxation as well as a large number looking to maintain fitness while on holiday. Offering a spacious, air-conditioned gym and modern fitness equipment, Bodytech is open seven days a week giving daily access to between 200 and 400 guests. The Boon Edam Speedlane 300 optical turnstile will allow fast and easy access to the gym, providing a stringent level of security coupled with a modern and functional design. Consisting of two elliptical cabinets with angel wing barriers that retract into the units to allow passage to authorised users, the Speedlane 300 barriers turn green when the lane is ready for use and red when the barriers are closing or when an alarm has been triggered. The solution also provides biometric access control with fingerprint readers, enabling the club to determine which members have paid, allowing the club to better control access to the facilities. Jason Gerlin, co-owner of Bodytech Aruba, commented: “It’s a very good product and we’ve never had any problems with it – it is very stable and does the job it needs to do effectively. All the employees like the fact that they don’t need to spend time monitoring dates of the membership; it’s all automatic. “It’s also a very easy system to operate and within a year it has already delivered an outstanding return on investment.” Fernando Metz, commercial director of Mexim Aruba, the installer of the entry solution, added: “I’d highly recommend Edam entry systems – the quality and performance of the products is unlike anything else on the market.” www.boonedam.co.uk

Bodytech Aruba deploys Boon Edam turnstile to ensure ‘members only’ access Read More »

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