Governments and organizations have to safeguard their properties, data, and people from unauthorized access. Conventionally, restriction of access to critical infrastructure, information, and other assets was to erect physical barriers such as fences and gates.
While physical fencing and access control are effective ways to define boundaries and restrict access, physical fence lines can be costly and time-consuming to install, and access can be compromised. Physical fences and access control software/systems are prone to breaches, and when used alone, they may not be an effective way to:
- Support security and safety along national borders
- Prevent threats and intrusions
- Secure buildings and public spaces
- Safeguard critical infrastructure
- Detect and track potential threats in real-time
As national security and other critical infrastructure threats evolve, there is an increasing need for multilayered perimeter security solutions that include virtual fences. Virtual fencing is a perimeter monitoring solution that can be used independently or as part of a multilayered security approach.
What Is Virtual Fencing?
Virtual fences provide a protective boundary but do not implement a physical barrier such as a fence. Virtual fencing is an invisible barrier to safeguard the perimeter of buildings and critical infrastructure against the threat of intrusion. Sensors and cameras are typically used as part of a virtual fencing system. These include:
- Infrared sensors
- Radar technology (Radio Waves)
- LiDAR technology (Laser or Led light)
- Microwave sensors
- Seismic sensors
- Satellite monitoring
- Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras
Virtual fences are helpful for monitoring people and vehicles and the direction of their movement as well.
Virtual fencing used independently or part of a multilayered perimeter security system can be essential in the protection of the following critical infrastructure sectors:
- Defense Industrial Base
- Emergency Services
- Energy
- Financial Services
- Food and Agriculture
- Chemical
- Commercial Facilities
- Communications
- Critical Manufacturing
- Dams
- Government Facilities
- Healthcare and Public Health
- Information Technology
- Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste
- Transportation Systems
- Water and Wastewater Systems
Why Virtual Fencing?
Traditional physical fences and access control systems are prone to breaches and cannot reliably secure critical infrastructure, manufacturing sites, government facilities, buildings, and other assets that need protection.
Using virtual fencing as part of a multilayered perimeter security solution enhances the resilience of security systems to detect and mitigate threats to critical infrastructure by:
- Detecting threats in real-time and deterring intrusion along perimeters of all sizes
- Protection of limited access areas
- Providing a robust security framework to safeguard critical infrastructure, including data and information that is critical to organizations and government
- Providing 360-degree coverage of protected assets
- Cutting the cost of personnel deployment along volumetric perimeters
- Safeguarding buildings and critical infrastructure in all lighting and weather conditions such as snow, rain, or fog
Choosing Between Virtual and Physical Fencing
The essential element of any perimeter security solution is its ability to quickly and accurately identify potential threats so that appropriate security personnel can be mobilized to respond. There are many considerations when choosing between a virtual and/or a physical fence solution:
- Installation cost
- Nature of the potential threats
- Monitoring area
- Need for real-time detection and notification
- Flexibility and adaptability to future changes in property boundaries
- Intruder detection accuracy and reliability
- Need for data/information security and privacy
- Reliable 24/7 security in any weather condition
- Automation
What Senstar Offers
Senstar offers fence-mounted cable-based sensors to detect and locate any attempt to cut, climb or otherwise breakthrough a fence.