Mapping Workflows for robust Security Operations

2024 Update: While the utility of the Security workflows covered in this post was appealing without the actual need for a reference event, a recent tragedy averted by a stroke of magnificent fortune brought to the fore the important role geospatial technology can play in mapping sensitive sites-

Video 1: Donald Trump Assassination attempt - a perfect reference event for the need to 'map out' a sensitive public location

Section Hyperlinks to the Security Workflows covered in this post-

1. Line-of-Sight Analysis for VIPs at Public Events

2. Viewshed Analysis for Rescue Operations

3. Terrain Change Detection around Sensitive Sites

Credits: Esri Learn ArcGIS and RUS Copernicus

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Workflow 1 - Line-of-Sight Analysis for VIPs at Public Events

A dignitary is hosting a political rally at a public park in your city and adequate security arrangements needs to be made for his safety. How does one go about stationing law enforcement personnel on the ground and snipers on rooftops as well as routes for ground patrol vehicles and for aerial surveillance equipment? Geographic Information System (GIS) is immensely useful in this regards - it factors in the position of the VIP and the geospatial characteristics of the surroundings to suggest valuable inputs to security planners-

The videos are best viewed in HD mode. Adjust the play speed as per your viewing preferences.

Video 2: Terrain Visibility Analysis using Line-of-Sight tools on GIS for making Security arrangements for a dignitary

Police and Military deploy Terrain Visibility extensively to plan for missions, provide security cover, conduct clearing operations and other security & surveillance workflows. Line-of-Sight algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated - the ability to factor in objects with complex geometry, automate the security design, and in the process save valuable time for mission-critical situations.

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Workflow 2: Viewshed Analysis for Rescue Operations

While the previous workflow entailed how to design robust security measures, this workflow is active in nature - entails how to utilize geospatial technology for swift and effective military operations-

Figure 1: Four terrorists armed with snipers are located on the roof of a building (purple) within a dense urban area. Before proceeding to engage with them, there is a pressing need for the army to stealthily evacuate the civilians in the surrounding buildings (numbered) to minimize casualties from cross-fire

Figure 2: The terrorists have taken position at each of the four corners of the roof as represented by the blue dots. Hence, the Viewshed Analysis (Line-of-Sight in all directions from a vantage point) analysis needs to factor all four locations

Figure 3: Having a high-resolution Digital Surface Model (DSM), which is an Elevation map of all the natural and man-made features in the Area of Interest, is key to performing precise Viewshed analysis - absolutely vital from this civilian rescue operations. The image depicts the Viewshed output generated using GIS on such a DSM - green zones are visible to the terrorists from their positions while the red zones aren't

Figure 4: The evacuated civilians would also need to be escorted out. Hence, performing Viewshed analysis on the surrounding road network specifically is essential. In the rendered output depicted above, each dot represents 10 metres of road. The symbology is reversed here - red dots imply those road sections that are visible to the terrorists from the roof whereas the green dots are obstructed from view

Isn't this useful? One can develop the model even further - which spots should the army men occupy to engage with the terrorists, what if the terrorists vacate the roof and occupy a different vantage points, and so on. Esri, the premier GIS software developer has prepared specific geospatial modules to strategize such intelligence-based operations - for Military, Crime and other Security applications.

The utility of Terrain Visibility Analysis is not restricted to Security alone. It can also be applied to workflows involving Real Estate design and Urban Studies. Can you think of some other applications?

Feel free to share.

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Workflow 3: Terrain Change Detection around Sensitive Sites

The video demonstration enclosed below was developed as part of a larger proposal to develop a Geographic Early Warning System for a prospect - the head of Physical Security at a reputed Indian conglomerate. The business group in consideration has 100+ manufacturing units and mining locations across India, several very large in size and some located in remote areas. To prevent incidents of theft, and for the safety of the workforce and assets, physical security personnel are deployed in multiple shifts at various locations around the site's perimeter 24x7x365.

Upon discussing this project with another Security Head I had worked with previously, I figured that the terrain around a site's perimeter influences the security deployment considerably. For example, if there are marshy spots around, those zones are less susceptible to incursions compared to an area with dense foliage, which miscreants can easily utilize to their advantage. Thus, planning for and allocating security personnel wisely, by virtue of them being a limited resource, is fundamental.

As a result, I prepared this video to demonstrate how Mapping Technology can be utilized to perform Terrain Change Detection around a sensitive site and provide valuable insights to the Security decision makers-

Video 3: Terrain Change Detection using Remote Sensing for Physical Security Planning at a sensitive site

While I have used a Vegetation Index (NDVI) on Multispectral Satellite Imagery to classify the terrain and to monitor the spots with dense vegetation and their evolution through time, I can just as well use a Water Index to do the same for marshy spots, or even generate an Urban Footprint utilizing Radar Remote Sensing to spot and measure the Built-up areas surrounding the site.

As Satellites typically prioritize temporal resolution (wide swath and short revisit interval) over spatial resolution (pixel size), one is better off using a Drone equipped with a Multispectral payload to map the area surrounding the site perimeter with better clarity and with the freedom to surveil and obtain as much data acquisitions as desired - this would facilitate better Change Detection.

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ABOUT US

Intelloc Mapping Services, Kolkata | Mapmyops.com offers Mapping services that can be integrated with Operations Planning, Design and Audit workflows. These include but are not limited to Drone Services, Subsurface Mapping Services, Location Analytics & App Development, Supply Chain Services, Remote Sensing Services and Wastewater Treatment. The services can be rendered pan-India and will aid your organization to meet its stated objectives pertaining to Operational Excellence, Sustainability and Growth.

Broadly, the firm's area of expertise can be split into two categories - Geographic Mapping and Operations Mapping. The Infographic below highlights our capabilities-

Mapmyops (Intelloc Mapping Services) - Range of Capabilities and Problem Statements that we can help address

Our Mapping for Operations-themed workflow demonstrations can be accessed from the firm's Website / YouTube Channel and an overview can be obtained from this brochure. Happy to address queries and respond to documented requirements. Custom Demonstration, Training & Trials are facilitated only on a paid-basis. Looking forward to being of service.

Regards,

Arpit Shah

Credits: Esri, EO College