Closing Perimeter Security Gaps at a Critical Infrastructure Substation with REDSCAN LiDAR

Introduction

A critical infrastructure electrical substation in the New York City area required a complete perimeter intrusion detection solution to support the security of the power distribution facility. The site was installing physical intrusion detection along fence lines, but certain areas such as vehicle gates and pedestrian entrances created gaps where traditional fence-mounted detection could not be applied in the same way.

To extend reliable detection across these openings, the project team selected the OPTEX REDSCAN mini-Pro RLS-2020V. The LiDAR-based sensor provided a practical way to maintain continuous perimeter coverage across areas without a fixed fence structure, while also integrating with the site’s intrusion detection and video management systems.

The Site

The application site is a critical infrastructure substation supporting power distribution in the New York City area. The facility required perimeter security coverage across both fixed fence areas and access points, particularly vehicle entrances.

The Challenge

The site’s perimeter security design included a physical intrusion detection system deployed across the fence line to detect attempts to climb, cut, or otherwise breach the fence. However, the perimeter also included breaks in the fence line for vehicle gates.

These openings created areas where a traditional physical fence sensor could not be used in the same way as it was across fixed fence sections. The project team needed a solution that could extend the same level of intrusion detection coverage across these access points without relying on a physical fence-mounted sensor or the more limited coverage provided by photocell solutions.

The goal was to avoid a partially covered perimeter, and instead create a complete detection solution around the facility.

The Solution

The OPTEX REDSCAN mini-Pro RLS-2020V was selected to extend perimeter detection across areas where the physical intrusion detection system could not be applied. The client’s organization had previous experience using REDSCAN successfully in perimeter detection applications, and the RLS-2020V fit the profile and requirements for this particular site.

The RLS-2020V provides LiDAR-based detection for indoor and outdoor high-security applications, with a 65 × 65 ft detection area, 95-degree LiDAR detection range, and a built-in IR FHD camera for visual verification. For this substation application, the sensor was used to help complete the perimeter detection design around vehicle and pedestrian access points.

The REDSCAN is integrated into the site’s intrusion detection system as part of the complete perimeter security solution. It is also integrated with the video management system for alarm handling and camera positioning. When REDSCAN detects intrusion activity within a defined area, it triggers an alarm in the VMS and activates nearby PTZ cameras to turn toward the alarm location.

“When the REDSCAN detects any intrusion within a specific coverage area,it triggers an alarm within the VMS. That alarm also triggers programming for nearby PTZ cameras to swingaround and look at the area where intrusion was detected.”

— Security Project Representative

This allows the security operations center to quickly view the area where the intrusion occurred, manually take over control of the PTZ cameras to track an intruder and then later assess the event with supporting video.

The Outcome

By adding REDSCAN to the perimeter security design, the project team was able to extend intrusion detection coverage across the areas where traditional physical fence detection could not be used, enabling 100% coverage of the facility’s perimeter.

The sensors helped ensure that the facility did not end up with a partially covered perimeter. Instead, REDSCAN enabled the creation of a complete detection strategy by covering vehicle entrances, pedestrian entrances, and other breaks in the fence line.

“It allowed us to extend complete coverage over areas that are used asvehicle entrances for this particular facility.”

— Security Project Representative

With REDSCAN mini-Pro RLS-2020Vs integrated into both the intrusion detection system and VMS, alarm scan be tied to camera positioning so the security operations center can quickly see the area where an event is taking place. This created a more actionable response process and helped support perimeter awareness at a critical infrastructure site.