How a large, flat airfield with wide perimeters gave security a bumpy ride

December 12, 2021

Shannon Airport has a demanding environment to protect the aviation hub: a big perimeter and mostly flat airfield are wide open to viewing by security personnel – but also for intruders. Where previous systems failed, a comprehensive roll-out of Navtech radar and Axis cameras coupled with Milestone video software and Encom’s installation expertise have now ensured the airfield is fully secured.

Customer

Shannon Airport

Location

County Clare on the West coast of Ireland

Camera count

11 new PTZ and 360-degree models from Axis, legacy cameras

Milestone software

XProtect® Expert video management software (VMS)

Integrations

perimeter control threat analysis by Navtech Radar

Partners

Axis Communications, Encom, Navtech Radar

Challenge: Help control access to large, restricted areas

Shannon Airport in County Clare, Ireland, is a vital international airport serving primarily Irish, European and American destinations. As a transatlantic stop-off point for commercial and military travel, it’s now the fastest growing business corridor in the country. It has the longest runway in Ireland at 3,200 meters and is the only Irish airport that can accommodate the world’s largest jet, and a total perimeter of 15km. Such big space presents a special environment for the security team.

The airfield has mainly flat terrain, making patrols difficult as intruders can spot their vehicles from afar. The airport therefore needed technology that could alert to possible trespassing and provide context around intrusion events.

Solution: Central coverage of wide-apart spaces
  • Implementation by Encom Systems Ltd., Milestone Platinum Partner
  • Milestone XProtect Expert video management software
  • Video cameras from Axis Communications
  • AdvanceGuard® intelligent real-time threat analysis from Navtech Radar

“Navtech Radar’s AdvanceGuard improves the situational awareness of our operators and tracks any intruders automatically. Coupled with Milestone XProtect VMS and 11 new high-end PTZ and 360-degree Axis cameras, our team finally has a system with the specificity to accurately detect intruders versus staff or wildlife activity, and the accuracy to guide on-the-ground teams to an intruder’s location.” - John Francis, Chief Officer of the Shannon Security Airport Police.

AdvanceGuard provides exceptional perimeter detection and tracks any intruders in real-time as they move across the site, so the team can rapidly respond before they enter critical areas.

Results: Catching intruders on arrival

With Axis, Milestone and NavTech Radar, the airport’s security staff can see any potential intrusions on-site, along with an interactive site plan, video of any intruders and the location of security teams.

Through the rules engine in XProtect software, cameras are instructed to hone in on what’s happening so security staff can decide whether action is needed. The ’Friend or Foe’ system cuts down false alarms while automated camera and lighting control increases efficiency. For example, maintenance workers on the airfield can be detected by the system but alerts are only issued when they step away from a vehicle at a distance that signals they are not following the norm.

Milestone’s open platform architecture enables more functionality and devices to be added as needed over time. As everything integrates within XProtect, the key information is available in one place. This benefits training and ease-of-use, as staff only have a single intuitive interface instead of separate operations for every solution on-site.

“The biggest benefit Encom has found working with Milestone is the ability to integrate hardware and software products from other vendors within the industry and make them all work through a single video interface. This means that security personnel don’t have to learn many systems because it’s all accessible through XProtect.”

- Ryan Morgan, Sales Manager at Encom
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