Andrei Junqueira, Channel Business Manager, Brazil, Milestone Systems, describes how open platform video technology has transformed airport security at Aeropuertos Argentina.
Aeropuertos Argentina, part of the Corporación América Group, has been tasked with designing and managing security systems for multiple airports across Argentina since 1998.
Aeropuertos Argentina is enhancing airport security systems by deploying integrated technology ranging from access control to video solutions and by incorporating innovative new cloud and analytic solutions.
Aeropuertos is working with Milestone Systems and its open platform video technology software to address these challenges in a wide range of airport construction projects across Argentina.
Aeropuertos Argentina needed to enhance airport security with a unified, flexible video security solution across multiple airports to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of video analytic applications and network cameras, including cameras from Axis Communications.
The legacy systems at many airports are outdated. Aeropuertos needed video technology software that can provide end-to-end encryption, regardless of camera make or model, to ensure the highest level of security for sensitive airport data.
After careful evaluation, Milestone Systems’ open platform XProtect VMS was selected for the airport security system upgrades.
An open platform architecture allows for the integration of cameras from various manufacturers and third-party analytics solutions, enabling Aeropuertos Argentina to tailor the security system to each airport’s specific needs.
As the airport security upgrade projects continue to roll out, the adoption of the XProtect VMS is beginning to significantly benefit Aeropuertos Argentina and the airports under its management.
The open platform enables the integration of advanced analytics, such as AXIS Perimeter Defender, enhancing perimeter security.
The scalability of the XProtect VMS allowed Aeropuertos Argentina to easily expand the security system as new airports are added or existing airports require upgrades.
In addition to airport security enhancements, Aeropuertos Argentina has also been tasked with obtaining comprehensive insights into passenger behavior, aircraft movement on the tarmac and crowd flow within the airports.
The existing systems lacked the flexibility and scalability needed to accommodate the diverse requirements of Argentina’s airports.
With a unified, data-driven security system in place, Aeropuertos Argentina will be able to efficiently monitor and manage security at multiple airports from a centralized location.
This technology will lead to improved situational awareness, faster incident response times and enhanced overall security for passengers, staff and assets.
As advanced analytics are integrated, such as people counting and heatmap tools, the system will be able to provide managers with valuable insights into passenger flow and behavior.
This data-driven approach enables the organization to optimize airport layout, staffing and resource allocation, ultimately enhancing the passenger experience and streamlining operations.
The video data captured by the system has also proved valuable for incident investigation and analysis.
The future-proof approach of the open platform architecture ensures that Aeropuertos Argentina can readily adapt to evolving security challenges and incorporate cutting-edge technologies as they become available.
To cover the airports’ expansive multi-acre areas, the team standardized a mix of cameras from Axis Communications, including high-resolution cameras, pan/tilt/zoom camera systems and thermal imaging cameras.
At Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (Jorge Newbery Airport) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for example, there are currently around 800 devices. If the planned projects for this year are completed, this number will reach 1,200 cameras.
“In terms of security, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery needed to monitor the perimeter of the airport,” said Juan Sebastián Charneca, Technology Consultant for Aeropuertos Argentina.
“Choosing Milestone allowed us to implement the AXIS Perimeter Defender, which is currently being used by the Airport Security Police.
“There are approximately 22 posts with the duo of Axis dome cameras and bullet thermal cameras, monitoring the whole perimeter and using the analytics provided by the Axis cameras in Milestone’s platform.”
By integrating Axis cameras, sensors and the AXIS Perimeter Defender video analytic with the Milestone VMS the airports are able to create a virtual “fence” around a designated area.
This perimeter solution automatically detects human and vehicular motion and issues alerts upon intrusions of airport property.
A key feature of the Milestone Systems’ solution is its ability to provide a single-pane-of-glass view of the entire security system.
This centralized management allows Aeropuertos Argentina to monitor and control all cameras, analytics and alarms from a single interface, streamlining operations and improving incident response times.
Open platform, data-driven video technology software can ingest, process and present vast amounts of data to security personnel, enabling them to monitor events in real time and make informed, proactive decisions as they occur, significantly improving overall airport safety and security.
“Technically speaking, Milestone’s VMS provides us with a round-trip encryption tunnel with any camera model or brand, which other providers did not have,” said Charneca.
“We can implement that at any airport.”
This open platform approach allows Aeropuertos Argentina to integrate with other existing systems, such as access control, lighting, alarm and intercom systems, creating a comprehensive, proactive approach to safety.
By consolidating a broad range of cumulative digital intelligence, the XProtect solution will become the cornerstone of Aeropuertos Argentina’s airport security ecosystem.
The implementation process involves close collaboration between Aeropuertos Argentina, Milestone Systems and certified partners throughout Argentina.
This approach ensures that the VMS be seamlessly integrated with existing systems and that the solution will be deployed efficiently across all airports.
“As part of our consulting service, we evaluate platforms, and we did some thorough testing of XProtect’s AWS integration,” added Charneca.
“We verified that the VMS software in the cloud works the same as the on-premises version and it is the same for the recordings.
“This keeps the Milestone software a step ahead of the rest of the VMS systems here in Argentina.”
The Milestone XProtect VMS supports over 13,000 security devices from more than 700 leading manufacturers, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of technology partners, including providers of network video cameras, cloud technologies, access control, alarm and detection systems, video analytics and a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and edge devices.
Charneca explained that at most airports, the recorded video data is stored on the airports’ local servers for 31 days.
The Aeropuertos Argentina team is considering moving video storage and management to the cloud in many locations to reduce costs for long-term storage and to enhance video data use and sharing for high availability in the cloud, improving airport security processes.
XProtect on AWS is a prepackaged XProtect application deployed directly from AWS Marketplace.
XProtect on AWS delivers the same performance, stability and open platform compatibility as on-prem systems but in the cloud.
The Milestone open platform, coupled with the fast-growing AWS ecosystem of video analytic tools, a flexible pricing structure and a low barrier to entry, make XProtect on AWS a logical choice for all users, especially existing AWS customers.
Looking ahead, Aeropuertos Argentina is exploring the integration of additional analytics, such as facial recognition and license plate recognition, to bolster airport security and efficiency.
Aeropuertos Argentina is also considering the potential of cloud-based solutions, having already tested XProtect with AWS and achieving promising results.
As Argentina’s airports continue to grow and evolve, Aeropuertos Argentina is confident that the XProtect solution will provide the flexibility and scalability needed to meet future challenges head-on.
“Milestone’s VMS has been a game-changer for Aeropuertos Argentina,” said Charneca.
“It allows us to integrate the best cameras, analytics and solutions, creating a comprehensive airport security system that adapts to each organization’s needs.
“The open platform’s flexibility ensures we can incorporate new technologies and adapt to changing security landscapes, helping future proof our investment.
“With Milestone, we are confident in our ability to elevate airport security across Argentina, now and in the future.”
This article was originally published in the April edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.