Security & Surveillance

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Intelligent Security Systems

In the 21st century, international usage and interest in surveillance of public spaces is growing at an unprecedented pace in response to global terrorism. However, whilst it is relatively easy, albeit expensive, to install increasing numbers of cameras, it is quite another issue to adequately monitor the video feeds with security guards. Hence, the trend has been to record the CCTV feeds without monitoring and to use the video merely for a forensic, or reactive, response to crime and terrorism, often detected by other means.

Recently the immense cost of successful terrorist attacks on soft targets such as mass transport systems has indicated that forensic analysis of video after the event is simply not adequate. Indeed, in the case of suicide bombings there is simply no possibility of prosecution after the event and thus no deterrent effect. A pressing need is emerging to monitor all surveillance cameras in an attempt to detect events and persons-of-interest. The problem is that human monitoring requires a large number of personnel, resulting in high ongoing costs and questionable reliability. The attention span of humans decreases rapidly when performing such mundane tasks. A solution may be found in advanced surveillance systems employing computer monitoring of all video feeds, delivering the alerts to human responders for triage. Indeed such systems may assist in maintaining the high level of vigilance required over many years to detect the rare events associated with terrorism --- a well-designed computer system is never caught ``off guard''.

UQ ITEE researchers working through NICTA have been awarded over 600k by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to research and develop advanced security solutions based on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition technologies and advanced embedded systems. These systems are being evaluated at several sites in Australia and overseas. The project has attracted national and international interest from agencies and has attracted over $1 million in industry funding. Complementary projects include high-performance MESH networks for emergency communications and in-building location systems for emergency personnel.

Members of the group are leading the NICTA SAFE (Smart Applications for Emergencies) Strategic Project which includes contributed researchers and students from the Queensland Institute of Technology and Griffith University.

For more details of our research please look over our people, projects, activities, grants, and publications.

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