Critical infrastructure perimeter security

Power plants, substations, water treatment facilities, telecommunications hubs, and transportation nodes are high-consequence targets. A successful intrusion can disrupt essential services for thousands or millions of people. These sites require detection systems that are continuous, reliable, and resistant to both environmental conditions and deliberate defeat.

Why Critical Infrastructure Is Different

Critical infrastructure security operates under constraints that commercial security does not:

• Regulatory compliance: Many sites must comply with NERC CIP (power), CFATS (chemical), or TSA (transportation) security requirements that mandate specific detection capabilities and response times.
• Zero tolerance for gaps: Unlike commercial facilities where a missed detection is a property loss, a missed detection at critical infrastructure can cascade into public safety events. Detection probability requirements are typically 95%+ with false alarm rates below 1 per zone per day.
• Hostile electromagnetic environments: Substations, power plants, and industrial sites generate extreme EMI. Sensors with electronic components at the perimeter are vulnerable to interference and false alarms.
• Long operational life: Infrastructure security systems must operate for 15–25 years. Maintenance access to remote perimeter sections is expensive and disruptive.

Fiber Optic Detection for Critical Sites

Fiber optic PIDS addresses every one of these constraints:

• Continuous, gap-free detection: The fiber follows every meter of the perimeter — around corners, along walls, through terrain changes. No blind spots, no coverage gaps between discrete sensors.
• 100% EMI immunity: The fiber on the perimeter is passive glass. No electronic components, no power, no susceptibility to electromagnetic interference from high-voltage equipment, switchgear, or lightning.
• Intrinsically safe: Passive optical fiber can be deployed in hazardous environments (Class I Div 2, ATEX zones) without modification. No spark risk, no need for explosion-proof enclosures at the perimeter.
• Tamper resistant: Cutting the fiber to defeat the sensor is itself an alarm event. The system detects its own compromise — unlike cameras that can be painted over or microwave beams that can be ducked under.
• 25+ year fiber lifespan: Standard telecom-grade fiber has a proven operational life exceeding 25 years. Centralized electronics are maintained in the control room, not at the perimeter.

Multi-Layer Security Architecture

For critical infrastructure, fiber optic PIDS is typically deployed as the primary detection layer within a multi-layer security architecture:

• Layer 1 — Detection: Fiber optic PIDS on the perimeter fence or buried outside the fence line for covert early warning.
• Layer 2 — Verification: PTZ and fixed cameras with video analytics confirm the nature of the detection. Thermal cameras provide 24/7 visual assessment regardless of lighting.
• Layer 3 — Deterrence: Automated lighting, audio warnings, and visible camera tracking discourage continuation of the intrusion attempt.
• Layer 4 — Response: Security operations center receives correlated, verified alerts with zone location, event classification, and live video for immediate dispatch decisions.

Integration

Our systems integrate with major video management platforms (Digifort, Genetec, Milestone) and security information management systems via standard protocols. Dry-contact relays provide universal I/O compatibility, while IP protocols (HTTP webhook, MQTT, TCP socket) enable deep integration with modern security platforms.

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