In today’s modern security environment, data centers have become crucial in facilitating successful security operations, says Astrophysics.

Screening at the border

Non-intrusive inspection security screening of people, cargo and vehicles at border checkpoints such as airports, land ports of entry (LPOE) and seaports leverage diverse technologies to minimize security gaps and accelerate processing times.

Combining complementary data via a data center into an easily digestible format makes integration and customization indispensable to effective decision making and a critical asset in daily security operations management.

Unified security infrastructure – the value of customized integration

The broad variety of security screening technologies and the equally diverse range of end-user applications make integration within a customized data center crucial for designing and deploying modern, comprehensive security checkpoints.

For example, a border crossing might deploy X-ray car scanners, CCTV, under-vehicle inspection systems (UVIS), license plate readers (LPR) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems in tandem to build a comprehensive profile of each vehicle.

The integrated system can then automatically display scans of the same vehicle from previous crossings to further enhance security.

Every security system depends on robust technology infrastructure.

Fast computing with redundant data protections, fiber-optic cabling for rapid long-distance communications, electrical protections like uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) or automatic voltage regulators (AVR) and more help support efficient operations for various independent security technologies.

Especially for systems with heterogeneous approaches to threat detection, the underlying infrastructure unifying each contributing subsystem is indispensable.

Centralized command centers

One significant advancement in security screening is the shift towards remote analysis, which offers a quieter environment for offers to concentrate.

Many forward-focused equipment manufacturers have innovated on the conventional “remote checkpoint” with multiplexed workstations – processing new data sets from multiple scanners in First-In, First-Out (FIFO) order – supervisor workstations for direct administration and management and other support services to form comprehensive centralized “command centers.”

Whether installed locally, off-site or a combination of both, command centers provide the connectivity and control required to sustain elaborate defenses against ever-evolving threats.

In checkpoint ecosystems, centralized command centers typically house their own data centers comprising networked computers, storage systems and computing infrastructure for assembling, processing, archiving and distributing large quantities of data gathered from the integrated security systems.

Seamless communication between independent devices and combining data from different sources for collective analysis improves response times and also enhances the ability to identify and address potential threats more effectively.

With real-time data and advanced analytical tools at their disposal, security teams can make more informed decisions quickly.

The situational wall

Another flexible innovation relying on data center functionality and increasingly used in command centers, ranging from LPOE checkpoints to NASA, is the situational wall.

It consists of one or more large screens prominently mounted inside the command center for easy viewing and provides a comprehensive view of site-wide operations and real-time monitoring of equipment status.

These screens display screening queues, security decisions, diagnostics data from integrated security equipment, CCTV video feeds and any other critical information for site supervisors.

This real-time visibility ensures that any anomalies or potential threats are quickly identified and addressed.

By integrating information from centralized data center servers, the situational wall adapts to different needs and scenarios and becomes an exceptionally worthwhile asset.

The future is integrated

As security screening solutions evolve, networking technology, integration and data centers become increasingly important.

These not only facilitate communication and data storage, but also enable the creation of centralized command centers that enhance security operations.

The combination of remote analysis, multi-pronged inspections and real-time situational awareness provided by tools like the situational wall significantly improve the effectiveness of security screening.

Governments and businesses are also turning to cloud computing and multi-cloud environments.

Cloud-based data centers further expand the potential for remote connectivity through the implementation of features like web-based clients and platform-agnostic data formats, fully capitalizing on the ability to process vast amounts of information and explore economies of scale in one place.

Other custom features like adaptable UI layouts for single or multi-display terminals, tailor-made operational workflows or specialized data encryption solutions are also key to addressing the unique needs of different facilities, yielding comprehensive and adaptable security solutions.

Security partners with the expertise and ability to integrate and customize will be crucial in designing robust defenses that ensure the safety of the public and protect the viability of legitimate trade, travel and commerce.

About the company

Astrophysics is an X-ray manufacturer based in California, US.

The company reports that more than 50% of its products and software are fully customized.

By offering fully customized solutions – from hardware add-ons to in-depth software designs or elaborate CONOPS integrations – companies like Astrophysics can provide tailored solutions that address specific. vulnerabilities and operational needs.

This article was originally published in the September edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.