Remote - Fall 2012 - (Page 24)

Applications - Feature Naval Security and Energy Initiatives: Taking Control Benga Erinle, President 3eTI, An Ultra Electronics Company The Navy is taking control of its security and energy initiatives, leveraging remotely operated technology to create efficiencies and enhance operational effectiveness throughout the service. Two newly deployed solutions, a virtual perimeter monitoring system (VPMS) and an enterprise industrial controls system (EICS), offer multiple advantages that could generate measurable, long-term benefits over time for our armed forces. Enhancing security has remained at the top of naval priorities since the events of 9/11, soon after which the Navy Anti-Terrorism Force Protection program (ATFP) was established. The service has installed Virtual Perimeter Monitoring Systems (VPMS) at several installations as part of a comprehensive solution designed to remotely monitor designated enclaves. The system initially piloted in 2004, has been implemented for enclave security and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and has been enhanced as technology has evolved. A 3eTI VirtualGuard product is one of the Navy’s chosen solutions. The VirtualGuard VPMS is designed to be scalable to cover a wide area, thereby eliminating the need for on-the-ground security force deployment. The solution operates via wireless and allows the operator to monitor multiple cameras simultaneously from a single console. The operator has real-time situational awareness supported by alarms, object detection and classification. This intelligence, delivered via video analytics, saves the operator from being held hostage to a bank of monitors recording what may be no activity for hours on end. If an alert is triggered, cameras provide visual situational awareness so the operator can take appropriate steps. The wireless VirtualGuard solution allows cameras to be positioned more advantageously and are less subject to the cabling limitations associated with wired connectivity. In addition, 3eTI’s secure wireless platform integrates directly with legacy equipment, a critical differentiator for the Navy, which often is challenged with older technology components and restricted funding for new equipment acquisition. Finally, the private network created by the VPMS is available for command and control functions and personnel enabling more robust systems operation and mobile access. In the case of an emergency, the real-time system-generated alerts are designed to enable a response team to mobilize faster, with more accurate information than a traditional video surveillance technology is capable of providing. The video analytics alarm can be sent to a desktop or cell phone via text message, instantly alerting emergency responders or response teams of a security breach or disaster. On another front, the Navy has implemented a second solution as part of its Smart Energy initiative. This initiative is part of the Navy’s effort to meet federal mandates to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy related risks to national security. The mandates are designed to drive lower energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas output and increase use of alternative energy sources. A key feature of this initiative is investing in research, development and demonstration of Smart Grid technologies. The Navy’s resources are vast, and therefore, the opportunity exists to realize significant cost savings even from small efficiencies generated system-wide. Likewise, as any service-wide initiative, the sheer extent of 24 www.RemoteMagazine.com Virtual Force Protection Solution Provides Real-Time Security these resources presents challenges in their diversity. For example, many Navy buildings were built at different times so they lack common controls and contain unique security vulnerabilities resulting from such a diverse infrastructure. The Navy requires a network capability to monitor legacy supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and direct digital controls (DDC) systems associated with its facilities. 3eTI’s EnergyGuard solution is a key component of the architecture that underpins the Navy Smart Grid Program in the Washington DC area. EnergyGuard provides a FIPS 140-2 Validated, Common Criteria and Wi-Fi Alliance Certified solution that enables Navy managers to monitor, control and optimize energy across facilities from one central location using energy dashboard applications. Though recently launched and assessed by the National SCADA Test Bed, EnergyGuard has been deployed in more than 100 DoD buildings where it is successfully providing secure enterprise Direct Digital Control (DDC) capabilities for building systems from metering applications to HVAC systems. Using the same technology as military environments requiring high levels of security, accuracy and durability, EnergyGuard allows system managers to find energy efficiencies within their building automation system without having to replace legacy components. For example, the Navy measures network-wide energy usage by way of integrated smart meters deployed across all of its bases, metering electricity, steam, water and gas. The insights gleaned from this monitoring capability are providing high-level awareness of consumption to support overarching analysis of how to increase these gains universally. The Navy recently tested VirtualGuard as part of its Solid CurtainCitadel Shield (SC-CS) 2012, an annual security exercise designed to test and train personnel on a number of force-protection scenarios. Jointly led by the Commander, US Fleet Forces Command and the Commander, Navy Installations Command, the exercise successfully proved that security force personnel are postured to assess the readiness of their military installations against emerging threats. EnergyGuard pilot testing has generated positive results as well, with the Navy achieving improved base operations, operational decision-making, energy commodity management and real-time support and maintenance. Additionally, the Navy is on track to improve security protecting assets relating to energy infrastructure. Looking to the future, EnergyGuard is one of 27 new DoD emerging energy technologies on military installations to be demonstrated through its installation Energy Test Bed initiative in 2012. These demonstrations generate the cost and performance data needed to validate promising technologies, allowing them to be fielded and commercialized more rapidly. The chosen technologies will enable DoD installations to operate using less energy and they will improve energy security by allowing installations to maintain critical activities even if the commercial electric grid is disrupted These positive measurable results are significant and show great promise in helping the Navy and other federal agencies achieve their green objectives while maintaining DoD levels of security. For more information please visit www.ultra-3eti.com. 3eTI Solutions Generating Real Results Smart Grid Solution Controls Energy and Cost http://www.ultra-3eti.com http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Fall 2012

Remote - Fall 2012
Contents
Editor's Choice
New Opportunities in a Wireless World
Why Land-lines May Still be the Best Option for Your Remote Monitoring Network
SCADA Systems – The Best Choice For Water and Wastewater Remote Monitoring
M2M: Why Remote Monitoring Matters
SCADA
Networking
ZigBee Resource Guide
Security
Onsite Power
Enclosures
Environmental Monitoring
Naval Security and Energy Initiatives: Taking Control
Wireless Sensors and Cloud Platform Provides Real-Time Vineyard Environmental Monitoring
Industry News
Simulcast Expands Channel Availability and Cuts Expenses for Public Safety Communications

Remote - Fall 2012