In response to a serious homeland security threat exemplified by chemical plants with on-site stores of dangerous
substances, rendered vulnerable by their locations on public waterways, we have developed and described a viable
approach to persistent optical surveillance for detecting and assessing attacking adversaries sufficiently early to permit
probable interdiction by a responding guard force. Last year we outlined the technical challenges and described some of
the attributes, of a "smart camera system" as a key part of the overall security solution. We described the relative
strengths and weaknesses of various sensors as well as the benefits of software systems that add a degree of intelligence
to the sensor systems. In this paper we describe and elaborate the actual hardware and software implementation and
operating protocols of this smart camera system. The result is a modular, configurable, upgradeable, open architecture,
night-and-day video system that is highly capable today and able to grow to expanded capability in the future.
Millions of citizens live and work in the dangerous proximity of chemical plants, at ports and along waterways, which
are under-protected and whose security is under-regulated, according to findings of the Congressional Research Service
(CRS). There is a new and intense focus on the security of the nation's critical infrastructure. Thanks to recent
philosophy and policy shifts within our federal government, the alarming situations in which we find ourselves will be
mitigated somewhat a) by setting priorities based on proper threat analysis that considers event likelihoods and
consequential impacts, and b) by employing effective systems design and engineering that will make it possible to
address the highest priority threats with affordable solutions. It is the latter concern that we address, especially as it is
relates to design and engineering of solutions for maintaining vigilance night and day. We begin by reviewing the nature
of the facilities we wish to protect, our assumptions, and an accepted framework for analysis. Next we outline a
hypothetical design case involving a representative facility and a plausible design basis threat. We then derive
requirements for surveillance and examine the interrelationships among key design variables. Finally, we describe a
solution involving multiple sensor types coupled with intelligent video. The end result is a significant increase in
interdiction probability with a minimum of required assets.
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