Isolated Security Operations to Strategic Assets
By CXOtoday Staff
Mumbai, Apr 11, 2007

Demonstrating its commitment to transform isolated security operations into a strategic asset using Internet Protocol (IP) network, Cisco announced key additions to its IP-based video surveillance product portfolio that unlock the value of video.

The latest offering- an IP surveillance camera, a scalable video recording and storage platform, and new video surveillance software provide greater security, scalability, and are easily integrated with other security and business systems to enhance the value of video. Additionally these products enable a smooth migration from analog to network-based deployments, and interoperate with third-party storage.

It supports motion-triggered, high-quality D1 (720 x 480) resolution using bandwidth-efficient MPEG4 encoding. It offers comprehensive security features such as 802.1X authentication. Flexible deployment options either wireless or wired and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) connection capabilities make it ideal for completely new and incremental deployments.

The offerings use IP network as a platform for accessing video, and transforming disparate legacy security systems to be more collaborative and responsive while preserving customers' existing investments.

Live or recorded video can be accessed by authorized users from virtually anywhere at any time through the IP network. It provides security professionals with timelier access to information and fosters a more collaborative and comprehensive approach to security operations.

"Today's announcement demonstrates Cisco's commitment to help organizations transform siloed systems and applications into a united solution to enhance safety and security operations," said Mark Farino, general manager of Cisco's Converged Security Infrastructure Business Unit. "By utilizing the IP network, business can align security with overall corporate goals. Such a transformation makes security organizations more effective and strategic to their businesses."

He added. "Improving the efficiency of traditional analog video surveillance systems by adding new IP functions and services will dramatically improve operational effectiveness and productivity in safety and security applications for healthcare, retail, public sector, and the gaming industry to name a few."

Other products released by the company include:
Cisco Services Platform for Scalable Mass Storage that provides scalable recording solution that can be linked (via SCSI or Fibre Channel connections) to external storage arrays. It can aggregate video in one location and utilize IP networks to make it accessible throughout an organization.

Enhancements to Cisco Stream Manager Video Surveillance Software 5.0 has features such as:
Policy-based alarm handling, multicamera synchronized playback and display sequencing
Support for higher video compression ratios using H.264 encoding, variable frame rate and resolution based on dynamic events, and video traffic prioritization using quality-of-service mechanisms.
Granular control of user access to video surveillance system devices
Easier deployment and management of physical security devices on an IP network

The new products extend Cisco's safety and security product offerings, which include an integrated communications and surveillance solution for mobile and outdoor environments: the Cisco 3200 Series Wireless and Mobile Routers along with third-party video software and hardware modules.

Other offerings include the new Cisco IP Interoperability Collaboration System 2.0 (IPICS), announced Monday. Cisco IPICS 2.0 enables users to automate responses to specified events. For example, in the event of a fire, security personnel can be notified and immediately placed into communication with each other via pagers, radios, IP phones, and other devices. These products and applications help enable personnel in the same or different agencies to communicate across previously isolated radio, IP and non-IP networks.

The new Cisco IP camera, and the scalable mass storage recording services platform are scheduled to be available by the end of May 2007. New feature enhancements in Cisco Stream Manager Software version 5.0 are available to existing customers at no extra cost and will be supported on Cisco IP gateways, services platforms and integrated services platforms.