Integrating Intrusion Within Your Unified Platform
Above and beyond unifying license plate recognition, video, and access control, the Security Center is able to integrate third-party intrusion detection devices such as alarm or intruder panels, perimeter detection systems, and central station receivers, among others. The ultimate goal is to offer security personnel the means to monitor the entire security and safety apparatus from a single interface. Consolidation leads to efficiency, enhanced decision-making, and a higher overall level of security.
Key Functionalities and Benefits
Intrusion-related functionalities supported by the Security Center include the ability to arm/disarm an intrusion panel, display intrusion events and alarms in the Security Center user interface, as well as associate video to intrusion events or alarms. Here is a summary of what Security Center can offer your organization:
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The intrusion detection task viewed in list mode. Click on the image to view a larger version.
- Associating video to intrusion events and alarms for a more thorough investigation
- Performing video verification on intrusion events prior to dispatching local law enforcement
- Running intrusion reports within the Security Center and enjoying standard features such as the automatic generation and emailing of reports
- Arming/disarming intrusion devices manually or on schedule
- Arming your intrusion system on a first-person-in event, or disarming on a last-person-out event
The Mechanism that Simplifies Intrusion Integration
The integration of intrusion devices is achieved through Genetec’s Security Center intrusion DDK (Driver Development Kit). As opposed to using a generic SDK (Software Development Kit) with basic intrusion functionality such as linking intrusion alarms to your security solution’s alarms, the intrusion DDK is a specialized kit that provides a more sophisticated and seamless level of integration. Additionally, the integration is tailored to the specific intrusion panel’s characteristics.
For example, intrusion device characteristics such as the input/output list and partitions can be automatically imported and made available in the Security Center, where supported by the intrusion panel. Additionally, intrusion device inputs can be linked to Security Center zone entities with video, giving you visibility of groups of devices all the way down to every device connected to your intrusion system such as motion sensors, window contacts, and more.
New intrusion devices can be integrated without requiring a new Security Center release. When available, a new integration package can be installed on your server and you are ready to go in no time. This streamlined approach eliminates any downtime typically associated with software upgrades. More importantly, integrations are forward compatible so integration to your intrusion device is maintained as you upgrade the Security Center over the lifetime of your system.
Intrusion Integration Architecture
The architecture of Security Center's intrusion detection integration. Click on the image to view a larger version.
The Security Center includes several entities related to intrusion panels: intrusion detection units which represent the physical panels and intrusion detection areas which represent the logical areas, groups, or partitions used for arming and disarming the panels. The intrusion detection role that runs on a Genetec Server manages the communication with an intrusion detection unit. An instance of the role is required for every intrusion panel that is connected to the Security Center.
Once an intrusion detection role is added, a user can then proceed to configure the role to communicate with a specific intrusion detection unit. Settings include: panel type or manufacturer, communication interface type (serial or IP), port number, and synchronization method for the clock (manual or automatic). The Intrusion Detection role can reside on its own dedicated server or on the same server as other roles such as the Security Desk Directory or Access Manager.
