How Denmark ’s museums use precision security

Carsten Schmidt, Global Account Manager for G4S in Denmark and G4S Academy Integrated Solution Specialist, looks at what makes museum security successful and what the potential future developments are in protecting high value artworks.

When it comes to the protection of famous paintings or artefacts, this thought may evoke for many people a particular scene from the 2005 Ocean’s 12 movie, where a Fabergé Egg is stolen under the cover of darkness, and all the thief has to do is not break the moving blue lasers that protect it, with impressive acrobatics.

The reality of museum security is advanced but such lasers are a myth. Today’s technology is much smarter and more intelligent, taking advanced video monitoring as an example. When planning the security of works by the Great Masters, the secrecy around such an operation is of prime importance and we work with the museum itself, insurers, national security agencies and the museum or gallery ‘lending’ an artwork, to ensure that the security is well-planned and executed.

All our people are background checked to ensure they are suitable, and only a tiny number of people gain access to floor plans to assess what needs to be done.

Technology Advancement

Some museums and galleries will have multiple exhibitions a year and each time, the security arrangements have to be planned and reviewed from first principles: what do we need to protect and what do we need to protect it from? To do this most effectively we apply our risk-based approach.

The solutions we design are entirely integrated and bespoke. No exhibition is the same and the requirements for video monitoring systems, alarm monitoring, fire protection, physical and mechanical security such as the installation of security doors and the involvement of on-site, mobile and response security professionals has to be planned optimally. This all has to work seamlessly with effective control room monitoring carried out by security operators and analysts.

Additional considerations that must be planned for and incorporated, and are no less important, are the fact that accidents happen and this may be something as simple as ensuring the correct distance from an artwork so that a member of the public doesn’t accidentally fall into or touch an artwork. Other elements we work closely with our customers on is around the environment and how temperature and humidity is controlled.

Technology  is advancing all the time, for example we use the latest video monitoring technology and this is overlaid with heat mapping capabilities to track how people are moving around the space or a specific exhibition as well as ‘people-counting’ technology, to understand how many visitors attended. We can use this intelligence not only to improve the arrangements at an ongoing exhibition where we can improve the flow of people and ease any ‘bottle-neck’ areas, but to plan for future shows.

We incorporate fire protection systems into our security solutions. Sometimes a particularly large-scale temporary installation may require its own entire system, specially designed for the purpose of protecting it, and the museum goers who enjoy it.

Precision is Key

The future of museum security is all about precision. There will very likely always be security professionals as part of a solution as well as video monitoring. It is the precision and accuracy of the monitoring that is developing and will become an additional and complementary layer of security, rather than a replacement.

In several years we could be using hidden scanners that focus on a 360 degree area where artwork is on display. We already use this technology today to ensure people don’t get too close to artworks. In the future, a scanner may be positioned inside a wall, ceiling or in the floor to scan and check that all the artworks in its range are safe, secure and in position at all times; analysing various movements, big or small, changes in temperature and light.

We currently use technology attached discreetly to artworks which silently sets off an alarm if someone, who is not certified to do so, attempts to touch or remove it from a wall or specific location, alerting security professionals and the police to this activity.

It may not be Hollywood, but our solutions are every bit as impressive and they will become increasingly advanced in the coming years.

 

To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here.

Media contact

Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, Security Portfolio

Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]

 

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

Big Interview Abdullah Tanoli

Big Interview – Hero of Leicester Square

Rebecca Spayne of Security Buyer has the privilege of speaking with a real-life hero, Abdullah Tanoli, the hero of Leicester Square..
Altronix - Security Buyer

Altronix POE367 Delivers 277VAC Support

Altronix has expanded its power product line with the new POE367 power supply/charger designed specifically for 277VAC input environments.
IFPO x GSA - Security Buyer

New Corporate Members for IFPO

The Global SecurAlliance (GSA)summer meeting on 16 June was held again at the stunning Château de Méry-sur-Oise on the outskirts of Paris.
Product Spotlight - HID

Product Spotlight – HID

Access control is evolving into a smart, responsive platform—integrating embedded apps, IoT, and cybersecurity to deliver…
Genetec

Genetec brings new capabilities to Security Center SaaS

Genetec announced new updates to Security Center SaaS, the company’s enterprise-grade Security-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution..
I-Pro

i-PRO Launches Revamped EMEA Partner Program

i-PRO announced a major expansion of its EMEA Partner Program. The move supports i-PRO’s long-term growth strategy and…
ASIs international

ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

ASIS International, a leading authority in security standards, is excited to announce the release of its revised American National Standards.
Gallagher Security and Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Company Limited sign MOU in Riyadh

Gallagher Security MOU with Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Company

Gallagher Security is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Company…
Mike Hurst - Security Buyer

Zygal appoints Mike Hurst CPP CPOI

Zygal, which produces cutting edge AI cloud VMS and monitoring solutions for connecting, managing, and monitoring assets…
Secure Logiq

Secure Logiq expands into APAC

Secure Logiq is heading into the Asia-Pacific region with big plans and a clear focus on Australia and New Zealand. Helping to steer…
Scroll to Top