Edinburgh launches unified security system 

Edinburgh has unified its public space security system into one interface, allowing it to integrate new applications and technologies.

The Smart City Operations Centre is a consolidated platform that combines video surveillance, analytics, and IoT sensors.

“The integration aligned by providing a holistic view of the city through utilising the latest technology to drive operational efficiencies, improve security and analyse trends,” Jacqui Renton, City Operations & Enforcement Manager at City of Edinburgh Council, told Cities Today. “Edinburgh is actively becoming a digitally inclusive, data-rich and sustainable city.”

The new open-architecture design by Genetec has allowed the Scottish capital to expand CCTV coverage in public spaces and enable secure data sharing with partners like Police Scotland, the Fire Service, and Transport for Edinburgh.

“The new CCTV solution has been vital for crime detection and also for preventing offences from happening,” Renton said. “The introduction of advance analytics allows for security cameras to become data collection points assisting with how our city operates.  Now we can access data bringing together essential and critical services to create safer communities and allow better informed decisions to be made that improve services across Edinburgh.”

The new security system provides real-time monitoring of the city which is shared with police Scotland and other stakeholders at remote sites and includes a new purpose-built review centre within the city operations centre.

Renton reports that serious incidents have been solved due to the quality of footage submitted as evidence and fast retrieval of information. High quality evidential packages have resulted in individuals being identified, charged and convicted.

The integration of the solution has supported major events including the annual summer arts Festivals and Hogmanay street party, as well as the ceremonial events surrounding the death of HM the Queen, helping to guarantee crowd safety and effective control.

“Success depends on centralising your operations under one platform,” said Ben Durrant, Account Executive, Genetec Inc. “Otherwise, every new IoT device deployed will make you data-rich but information poor. Our platform differs from conventional alternatives because of its open hybrid-cloud architecture that offers the flexibility and functionality needed to evolve and keep pace with new requirements.”

The new centre was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and in partnership with North – an integrated tech provider­– and Genetec.

Image: Arkadi Bojaršinov | Dreamstime.com