Hold the line

Protecting critical infrastructure from security breaches has never been more important and using the correct technology to defend against potential threats is essential.

The rising threat of global terrorism in the last decade has undoubtedly increased awareness of perimeter security and security in general especially for key sites such as critical infrastructure, airports, train stations and borders to name a few.

Global terrorism is not the only threat. Sabotage, vandalism and other criminal activities continue to challenge site security. An example of such an incident occurred when Greenpeace activists broke onto the grounds of a Dutch nuclear reactor and painted a giant crack on its outer shell - a protest aimed at exposing the danger of nuclear energy. Around 30 demonstrators climbed a fence and scaled the walls of the high-flux Borssele reactor, the focus of decades of protests in the Netherlands. This example demonstrates how easily a security breach can occur in even the most sensitive of sites.

The main challenge facing perimeter security applications is the fact that these sites typically encompass a wide area and pose a physical challenge to security personnel, as the perimeters require efficient monitoring to enable a rapid respond to any security breach. In addition, each application differs enormously in their individual security requirements. For example, airports are multi-jurisdictional, making airport perimeter security a daunting task while borders need to manage the legitimate flow of people and assets while countering smuggling, economic migration and other illegal activities.

Maj. Gen. (Ret) Herzel Iosub, Co-Owner and Manager of El-Far, points out that a multi layered protection approach to perimeter and intrusion detection systems could prevent or at least, alert authorities to potential threats before they happen. El-Far's industry-leading patented technologies, real world experience, impressive install base and application of advanced technologies make them a world leader in their field. In 2003, El-Far's systems were authorised by the Israeli Defense Force's Technological Unit, having undergone rigorous testing in radical environmental conditions and severe operational scenarios.

Iosub believes that El-Far maintains a competitive edge across its product line. "Our products are designed to provide customers with reliable, accurate and cost effective perimeter protection solutions. The products are presented as modular systems that allow for efficient installations or integrations with existing infrastructures." Clients do not want to replace perfectly good equipment or entire systems due to compatibility issues, he says.  "El Far's technological leadership and expertise and our vast experience in implementation provides us with a substantial competitive edge," he concludes.

El-Far ranges of products includes smart fence solutions that are capable of detecting any attempted intrusion of the fence whether by climbing, cutting or opening of the structure within a +/-10 meter resolution, and provides visual and audible alarms against any such unauthorised access.

Making sensors work in the outdoor environment is the hardest challenge. To maintain uninterrupted coverage with a low false alarm rate, outdoor sensors must face up to extreme environmental conditions. El-Far's smart sensors (vibration, seismic and ultrasonic sensors) incorporate smart technology that overcomes this challenge. "They add a significant protection layer to any existing solution," says Iosub. "The amalgamation of technologies and ensuing data fusion with other sensors results in data that is more accurate, complete and reliable," he concludes.

In addition, El-Far offers a range of perimeter security products to provide a complete solution to a wide range of applications including command and control software, video management, analytics and recording, access control systems, and other perimeter infrastructure security products.

Founded and managed by a team of Israeli defence community veterans, El-Far is a global company that delivers its advanced perimeter security technologies and integrated solutions to customers around the world, in a range of military and civilian applications.

Maj. Gen. (Ret) Herzel Iosub is Co-Owner and Manager of El-Far. He held senior executive positions in the Israeli Police Force and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security. As Head of the Planning and Budget Department at the Homeland Security Office and Israeli Police, Maj. Gen. (Ret) Iosub was responsible for the budgeting and planning of a wide range of installations and projects.