The latest in our ongoing series introducing Hanwha Vision’s pioneering partners, leads us to Ben Durrant, Account Executive at Genetec Inc. With a longstanding and successful technology partnership, Hanwha Vision and Genetec have delivered leading video analytics and surveillance installations in the public sector and beyond. Here, Ben discusses a recent project with Thames Valley Police and takes a look at what’s in store for video technology in public safety in the years to come.
Can you briefly introduce yourself, your role at Genetec, and what your responsibilities involve?
My name is Ben Durrant, I’m an Account Executive at Genetec, specialising in the public safety and law enforcement sectors. I support organisations to find the right Genetec and partner solutions for their goals, immediate needs, and future plans.
Tell us about your experience working with Hanwha Vision, are there any standout projects you’ve worked on together?
Genetec and Hanwha Vision have been working together for many years on key public safety deployments. There is a powerful and seamless integration between Hanwha Vision devices and the Genetec Security Center, offering customers next-level installations.
A notable recent standout project we’ve worked on is the video security deployment for Thames Valley Police, the largest non-metropolitan police service in England and Wales. It is one of my favourites to talk about as it was so transformative for the region. It was a unique deployment that required close collaboration between the police, councils, Genetec, and Hanwha Vision.
Several of the local authorities had systems in need of an upgrade, and an ambitious plan was formed to pool resources and have a single system that extended across the Thames Valley region to improve the safety of public spaces, decrease costs, and bolster efficiency. It was an undertaking that had never been attempted in the UK on this scale and was made a lot more doable thanks to the great working relationship between Genetec and Hanwha Vision.
What were the main factors behind the success of this now award-winning project?
The solution, designed by CDS Integrated Security Systems, was built on Genetec Security Center and incorporates a range of multidirectional AI-enabled cameras from Hanwha Vision. A key factor behind the Thames Valley Police project’s success was the robust cybersecurity offered by Hanwha Vision and Genetec. As a public body, Thames Valley Police and the local authorities require the highest levels of security within their technology. Knowing that both Genetec and Hanwha Vision follow stringent cybersecurity best practices, for example, user authentication, encryption, user access rights, and built-in audit trails, gave the Thames Valley Police team peace of mind that their video data was secure.
Futureproofing was another focus for the team. They needed technology that met their needs immediately, with improved response times and situational awareness, but also a system that could scale and adapt as needs evolve. The Genetec and Hanwha Vision solution can add functionality as required, while remaining cost-effective and efficient, with all video footage accessible within an intuitive, single platform.
What are some of the key uses of video technology for public safety?
Video technology as it stands really has no limit thanks to the advances in hardware, computing power and, of course, AI and video analytics. In public safety specifically, video cameras are helping with investigations by providing clear evidence, for example, but also delivering city planning insights into vehicle or pedestrian movements, congestion, and much more. Video is also an integral part of the smart city, automating and delivering insights that make public spaces safer, pleasant, and more efficient.
Looking ahead, how do you see video surveillance technology evolving in the coming years?
Cloud has had a huge impact on video deployments over the past few years, and I see this momentum increasing as more organisations realise the flexibility that they can get through cloud or hybrid installations. In public safety, we are also seeing several successful deployments where a server is located in a central control room, utilising cloud technology for rapid deployments at events such as football matches and arena concerts, or to cover remote areas, including parish councils. All that’s needed is an internet connection, so it’s an attractive proposition for local authorities that may be more budget-conscious, that need additional infrastructure, or who, as was the case with Thames Valley Police, will benefit from collaborating across a region with additional authorities and resources.
