SECURITY TECHNOLOGY


SECURITY TECHNOLOGY AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM


By Peter Löffler, Head of Life Cycle Security, Siemens Building Technologies


and London in 2005, naturally led to a major change in the requirements demanded of security technology in combating and dealing with terrorist threats. Before that time, the focus of the industry was on generating alarms quickly and efficiently whenever any incident occurred. The aftermath brought about a demand for smart solutions, driven by the desire to prevent attacks but also the need to deal with any event as effectively as possible should it occur. Conventional security systems still


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generally comprise of electric fences, barriers and checkpoints, surveillance systems, command centres and video recorders - for the evaluation of events after they have occurred. Some security solutions, however,


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he horrific attacks of 11th September 2001 in New York, and those in Madrid in 2004


now combine video with incident and emergency management with the aim of optimising security by way of an integrated command, control, decision-support and communication platform. These systems are not only able to monitor a site, manage the call-taking of responding security personnel and dispatch and administer resources on a daily basis but also, more importantly, able to do all of this in the heat of an emergency situation.


Getting the balance right However, as terrorist tactics escalate and we find ourselves dealing with perpetrators willing to kill and die for their cause, it is evident that we need to be proactive in developing new technologies. Wherever it is possible, we need to anticipate likely new threats so that the means for dealing with them are developed in a timely manner. Achieving the balance of enhancing security procedures sufficiently to protect people and property, while safeguarding the right to privacy and individual freedom,


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