Re: A "physical security" question - "cameras" versus "boots on the ground" - best practices

[Barron Hulver <Barron.Hulver () OBERLIN EDU>]

I agree with that we tend to use both and that the security systems are 
becoming integrated into the network.  My group (central IT 
infrastructure) handles many of the security cameras on campus simply 
because the data center and most of the computer labs are covered.  Some 
of the cameras are monitored 24x7 while some are just recorded to a 
network video recorder.  We also support some of the infrastructure for 
our card-access system.


Barron

Barron Hulver
Director of Networking, Operations, and Systems
Center for Information Technology
Oberlin College
148 West College Street
Oberlin, OH  44074
440-775-8798
http://www2.oberlin.edu/staff/bhulver/




On 4/27/11 2:33 PM, Rob Milman wrote:
> We have both as well. We are also putting in a new system that has analytics built in to focus the monitors on a situation as well as 
> send a feed to the boots "smartphone" so that they won't walk into a situation blind. So, no one is watching the 
> hundreds of cameras except the system itself.
>
> I agree that you need both, in balance. The main place to start is with a philosophy that outlines what your security 
> stance is. Decide if you are trying to protect people, property or both. Will you use technology to reduce the number 
> of boots?
>
> Funny thing about physical security systems is that they are rapidly becoming integrated into the network which brings 
> it into the realm of IT. IT is now responsible for the back-end functionality of the system, while campus security is 
> responsible for the front-end.
>
> Rob
>
> Security and Compliance Analyst, Information Systems, SAIT Polytechnic
> Ph (403) 210.4229, Cell (403) 606.3173
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Joel 
> Rosenblatt
> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 10:41 AM
> To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
> Subject: Re: [SECURITY] A "physical security" question - "cameras" versus "boots on the ground" - best practices
>
> Hi,
>
> As we have both, I gave a call to our investigation department in Public Safety and posed your question.
>
> The answer I got was you really need both - the camera's are used for investigation after the fact - you are right, no 
> one sits and watches them - unless they know something is going down and then they will watch on camera (evidence) and send 
> boots out to the site.
>
> The boots are the deterrent (and the camera's to a lesser extent), but they (boots) can't be everywhere.
>
> My personal opinion is that this is one of those cases where the more money you throw at it, the better :-)
>
> IHTH
>
> Joel
>
> Joel Rosenblatt, Manager Network&  Computer Security Columbia Information Security Office (CISO) Columbia University, 
> 612 W 115th Street, NY, NY 10025 / 212 854 3033 http://www.columbia.edu/~joel Public PGP key
> http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x90BD740BCC7326C3
>
>
> --On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 10:25 AM -0600 "SCHALIP, MICHAEL"<mschalip () CNM EDU>  wrote:
>
> > Hi folks.....
> >
> > Sorry if this is the wrong "group", but - I need some advice.....
> >
> > We're struggling with a debate on physical security measures.
> > Following the Virginia Tech incident - our execs decided that we had
> > to respond with increased security measures.  At some point - the decision was made that we needed to explore "security cameras". 
> >  Next thing we knew - there was a contractor engaged, cameras were installed at one campus (we have 6 across the metro area!), and now - 
> > the questions are finally being asked - "Are we doing the right thing...??"
> >
> > Putting in cameras is fine - but then folks are trying to figure out
> > "....who's going to be watching the camera feed?"  The other question that was asked was, "What is more of a deterrent - a 
> > security camera - or taking the cost of 30 cameras and hiring another pair of boots to walk around??"
> >
> > So - I'm asking all of you:  What kind of physical security is
> > preferred?  What kind of security measures are used in higher education to provide a reasonable level of security?  Are folks using more 
> > "technology" - or more "warm bodies"??
> >
> > Looking forward to your wisdom.....
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Michael
> >
> >
> > --
> > This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by
> > MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
>
>
>
> Joel Rosenblatt, Manager Network&  Computer Security
> Columbia Information Security Office (CISO)
> Columbia University, 612 W 115th Street, NY, NY 10025 / 212 854 3033
> http://www.columbia.edu/~joel
> Public PGP key
> http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x90BD740BCC7326C3