What are the main functions of a security control room?
March 23, 2023 - The security control room is the central point of all communications within an operation. Alongside this there has to be full control and monitoring of security and safety systems, for example, CCTV sources supplied in real-time.
Operators must possess a real-time overview of all data and sources available from all locations within a control room, at any given time. An effective security control room operation will be able to enhance security through proactively monitoring and reacting to operational developments in an effective manner.
Today's control room technology bring content to the operator like never before. It is not uncommon for information sources to be in the hundreds – with camera feeds, websites, satellite TV and bespoke software all requiring real-time monitoring and control for smooth operations and swift decision making in times of crises.
It is typical for control room operators to be assigned responsibility for a specific task in the organization, for example monitoring CCTV feeds within a large sporting venue. Operators in this environment would need need all relevant data and information on 'their area', as well as an overview of information related to the running of the operation on a shared video wall.
Such control rooms are typically managed 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure that there is constant attention and alertness. A control room is the central point that monitors and then deploys resources within the operation, and it's absolutely crucial to ensure that operations are smooth, efficient and safely managed.
What type of activities occur within a control room?
What is an operator responsible for?
A security control room operator is responsible for monitoring and managing various security systems and devices, such as surveillance cameras, alarms, and access control systems, to ensure the safety and security of a facility or location.
Some specific tasks that an operator may perform include:
What type of control room solution is needed?
To meet the growing complexities in control room environments, Datapath's fully integrated control room solution, Aetria, and is able to design, manage and monitor entire systems from one single interface.
Aetria provides a scalable platform that is easy to expand as more capacity is required. Video walls, workstations, and screens can all be added and integrated into the wider system over time.
Aetria ensures all necessary personnel have access to relevant information with team-wide viewing enabled across video walls and workstations. Operators can send and receive sources to supervisors/managers, allowing for quick escalation.