THE LATEST SECURITY TECHNOLOGY TRENDS IN INDIA AND THE WORLD ARE FAST EVOLVING ALONG WITH KEY TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES.

Ashish P. Dhakan

MD & CEO, Prama Hikvision India

How do you see the market dynamics (demand and growth) for security cameras used for monitoring as well as security purposes across various airports?

The safety and security of airports is something that all the stakeholders of the aviation industry are deeply concerned, even after 15 months of the pandemic situation. A robust multi layered security, health and safety process can help the passengers. However, there are many changes in progress as technology advances look to make the whole process of using an airport be smoother and faster. India has the potential to be among the global top three nations in terms of domestic and international passenger traffic.

In order to manage the impact of the pandemic, Government of India has placed several restrictions in the country which also affects the aviation industry. The situation is likely to continue for some time.

DGCA is actively monitoring and responding to the situation on a day to day basis to ensure the ongoing safety of aviation while taking a flexible regulatory approach to help ease the pressure on the Indian operators and the personnel involved in the aviation industry.

These are some ways that airports are using different forms of technology to improve their security and safety measures.

Health & Safety Checks: With Airport Authorities still enforcing pandemic-related restrictions, the outlook for domestic and international travel looks far from rosy. Despite nationwide vaccination drive the threat of the second wave is far from over. The danger of the third wave of pandemic is being discussed by the medical experts. The airports around the country are working hard to sanitize their facilities, planning to enhance cleaning regimes and install hand-sanitizing stations, plexiglassbarriers and other health-focused tools, airports are adopting new strategies to keep passengers safe and instill confidence in travel. Once at the airport, passengers should get a Touchless temperature check before getting the boarding ticket. For added social distancing, passengers should follow the guidelines at every step of arrival and departure process.

Contactless Biometrics: Contactless Biometrics has formed part of a key trend in the Airport security due to the prevailing pandemic situation. With pandemic reinforcing the idea of frictionless travel, the Airport Security has also put strong emphasis on biometrics as a must-have technology. In the past couple of years, we have seen the number of airlines and airports that have adopted the biometric technology, now it is set to grow exponentially.

Powerful body scanners: One safety measure that is currently going through the trial stage is a very powerful scanner that passengers walk through which is able to recognize potential hidden threats without passengers needing to stay still or remove items of clothing. The scanner images body heat and utilizes computer learning in order to tell the difference between something that is a threat and something that is not. And all this can be achieved without passengers having to individually stop and stand still. If these scanners can cut down the amount of time it takes for security and reduce queues, airports could become far more efficient.

Blockchain: One of the world's most exciting technologies, blockchain has the potential to be used in airport security and safety. There has been lots of speculation about how that technology could be used and a range of ideas has been suggested. However, as the technology is still in its relative infancy, many airports aren't quite sure which ways are going to be most effective.

Countering drones: Drones flying around airports not only causing disruptions, but also potentially very serious security risks. The recent drone attack on Jammu airbase is seen as a serious terror threat of cross border terrorism.  Now aviation authorities along with experts are looking at various options to deal with the Drone threat.

E-passports: E-passport has been one of the large-scale advances that has come to airport security in recent years. E-passports (also known as biometric passports) have been rolled out across the world. However, over the last ten years they have become far more widespread. The passports contain a chip which can be scanned by automatic machines at airports around the world - this significantly reduces the amount of work that needs to be carried out by airport staff. Additionally, these passport chips eliminate the possibility of human error in the process, ensuring that airport security runs not only faster, but safer too.

Facial Recognition Software: One of the new security features that many of us will already be familiar with is that of facial recognition software. When you use e-passport machines, they will scan your face to establish whether it matches that in the passport that you have presented.

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a technology buzzword across many industries - and airport safety is no different. AI has a range of other potential uses in partnering with screening technologies and surveillance to create a far safer and more secure airport environment. Machine learning could allow AI to identify suspicious patterns of behaviour, which could then be used to inform perimeter security to deal with the issue.

Re-investingin physical measures: Physical security plays a role not only in offering protection to passengers, but it also provides something far more important - psychological reassurance. One of the major tasks of airport security is to make passengers feelthat they are safe. Large physical barriers, display strength and allow passengers to feel protected.

X -Ray baggage screening: upgrade X-ray baggage screening system from 2D to 3D to enhance the accuracy of detection.

Could you brief us on the technology and innovative trends, especially the unique and advanced features in your range of security cameras in terms of deep learning algorithm, better overall visual surveillance options, related processing, network, and storage solutions?

The latest technology trends used in securing airports in India and the world are evolving fast along with the key transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT (Internet of Things), Big Data and Blockchain. With advanced biometric technology features, AI enabled facial recognition technology and Airport Security checkpoints are speeding up the security checks. The concept of Chip based E- Passport is getting replicated in many countries across the world.

Anti-Drone Technology: There is research going on to apply the Anti- Drone Technology in the Airport and its surrounding areas, which are no-fly-zones.Prominent drone detection and identification techniques include a radar-based detection, radio-frequency (RF) detection, and infrared radiation (IR) and electro-optical (EO) detection. RF jamming is one of the popular techniques that prevent the movement of dronesin unauthorized airspace.

3D imaging Technology: Conventional X-ray baggage scanners produce still 2D images that do not provide a layered view of a bag's contents and they might not be smart enough to detect sophisticated threats. When the image is limited, automatic threat detection capability is reduced. Computed Tomography (CT) is the latest technology to be introduced to the world of baggage screening that helps overcome this problem. This technology is now being used to provide high-resolution 3D images that enable operators to make a more accurate assessment of a bag's contents. 

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has started the process to accept Indian BIS standards for key equipment used at airports, especially security cameras. How prepared are you with this development?

This is a welcome move by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). We are prepared for this development. Our ‘Make-in-India' manufacturing facility follows the Indian BIS standards while manufacturing the Video Security products in India.

Give us an overview of your existing product portfolio of security cameras used for airports?

Prama Hikvision has comprehensive product offerings for Airport Security in the video security product category. There is a wide range of Video Security cameras available for consultants and installers to choose for the special requirements of Airport Security management. Ithas the special Camera products, including DeepinView, DarkFighter, ColorVu, PanoVu, Thermal, Anti-corrosion, Explosion-proof, People Counting and Fish Eyes categories for specific requirements of Airport security management.

What do you think are the challenges, risk factors and potential avenues in the Airport security camera segment?

Airport security faces myriad challenges due to influx of countless passengers every day.

Crowding at security Checkpoints: Security checkpoints at airports have always been a bit of a challenge; they are typically the biggest source of bottlenecks. It should be considered as a security challenge. Any human error due to overcrowding can lead to serious security lapse.

Social Distancing: Many airports and airlines have their own style pandemic protocols of prevention and protection, but the two most consistent solutions for prevention are social distancing in the queues. With the pandemic risks comes other new processes; travellers will now scan their own paper or electronic boarding passes instead of handing them to a security officer.

Face Mask Compliance: Despite all the public awareness campaigns, Face Mask Compliance is a big challenge and the only way to address it is strict compliance through automated access control.  Face recognition terminals with Face Mask wearing alerts is the solution.

Slower screening procedures: Slower screening procedures are another set of challenges add to the woes of passengers.

Some travellers still get overwhelmed when it comes time to go through the metal detector and they have to scramble to remove things from their pockets and take off articles of clothing.

Unpredictable Flight schedules: With flight schedules less predictable than under regular operational periods, travel restrictions will continue to prevail due to the pandemic risks. As a result, ensuring proper levels of staff at security checkpoints is another significant challenge for airport operators with such fluctuating demand.

Infrastructure issues: Airports weren't designed to accommodate distancing between passengers in the check-in, security, boarding, or immigration queues. In the post pandemic phase many airports have mentioned that they have a maximum capacity utilization of 30-50% of their normal throughput. Unprecedented challenges will be faced by the Airport Authorities if these social distancing rules continue to be enforced as passenger traffic levels normalize.

Public Disorder:Indian airports are facing multiple cases of unruly passengers and public disorder caused by the political unrest.

Homeland Security Risks: Homeland Security Risks pose serious challenges to Airports from the terrorist groups, crime syndicates and extremist outfits.

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