AIM for infrastructure security

Andy Nicholson of ARINC explains how the security of transport infrastructure remains an ever-present challenge in an expanding European Union.

The demands on the European transport sector have never been greater, thanks to the rapid growth in mobility of both people and goods. While excellent for the economy - the sector's annual turnover is estimated at around €400 billion - this inevitably throws up plenty of operational challenges.

One of the greatest is the protection of critical infrastructure - the solid transportation and service delivery platform on which we depend for travel and the delivery of utility services. Due to our interlinked global society, any disruption to these essential services can have a massive impact that can ripple around the world within hours. Yet this vital infrastructure is potentially vulnerable to a host of threats, including cyber crime, physical attacks, environmental and natural disasters and terrorism.

At ARINC we recognise the immense burden this places on managers responsible for security at airports, seaports, railways, metros, highways, coach stations and international borders. We appreciate that, for effective protection, they need fully integrated systems that can not only maximise the efficiency of disparate legacy equipment but also easily adapt to new technologies. In short, to meet today's security needs as well as providing the flexibility to accommodate tomorrow's challenges.

This is precisely what master systems integrator ARINC offers with its proven AIM (Advanced Information Management) platform, a market leader in the USA's critical infrastructure security industry. AIM's command-and-control software enables a wide range of security technologies and functions to be incorporated into fully-managed, cost-effective and scalable solutions.

AIM has been successfully configured for the protection of nuclear power facilities, mass transit systems, airports, seaports, government facilities, military installations, education campuses and, most recently, the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve sites.

Now facilities across Europe can benefit from this tried-and-tested security technology. By seizing the middle ground between budget-busting, custom-built, one-off designs and pre-packaged, one-size-fits-all offerings, AIM can provide a cost-effective security solution for organisations of every size. A key aspect of implementation is ensuring that security solutions are optimised for specific threats and to leverage investment in legacy systems.

Scalable across single or multiple zones within one or more facilities, AIM provides sophisticated monitoring of all sub-system activities and alarms, giving operators a common picture of their facility. This capability can also be extended to hand-held devices, allowing first responders to receive video and data for real-time decision-making on the front line.

Offering interfaces for intrusion detection, access control, video surveillance management, physical security information management (PSIM), credential management, biometrics-based identity management, closed-circuit television (CCTV), vehicle identification, asset management and integrated geographical information systems (GIS), AIM is a powerful and reliable device for any site that depends on real-time awareness for the safety of its personnel, customers and facilities.

For sites where quick deployment and straightforward integration with existing infrastructure are primary concerns, a scaled-down version, AIM Enterprise Security Platform (ESP), allows organisations to manage their own migration to newer types of security technologies at their own pace. This version is also useful for any facility with changing security needs or where fast response to threats is crucial.

AIM ESP also provides security integrators with a 'technology bridge' for those seeking a newer and open security enterprise environment while maximising the return on their existing investment in security infrastructure.

With the growth in traffic between member states of the expanding European Union forecast to double by 2020, the security of transport infrastructure is an ever-present challenge that cannot be ignored. In today's world, economic competitiveness relies on the fast, easy - and, above all, safe - movement of people and goods.

AIM provides the complete solution, backed by ARINC's unrivalled expertise in communications, engineering, systems integration and project management. A pioneer of air travel technology 80 years ago, the company remains a trail-blazer, providing engineering solutions to a range of industries with over 150 innovative products and services designed to attain the highest levels of operational efficiency and reliability.

ARINC EMEA has launched a physical security business providing protection for critical infrastructure under the leadership of Andy Nicholson, who joins as Security Business Development Director. Nicholson was previously VP of International Business development at CMS and Steelbox Inc. Prior to that he worked at Telindus, managing the Global Physical Security Solutions teams focusing  on Critical Infrastructure.