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Security Projects Update

Introduction

The Port of Halifax has implemented major upgrades to its marine security arrangements. The centerpiece of this upgrade programme is the Halifax Port Authority Command and Control System (HPACCS), this system will assist the Port to deter and respond to both criminal and terrorist activity should either materialize, and to achieve proficiency in response to threat events through scenario based training.

The HPACCS features the following general system attributes:

  • Three-tiered operator interface and control, exercised from numerous geographically dispersed locations
  • An embedded Cruise Vessel Facility (CVF) Command and Control (C2) capability that will permit local control and monitoring of CVF system, and remote control monitoring of the same, when required.
  • Command and Control over legacy and planned CCTV surveillance and access control subsystems and hardware.
  • Interfaces with the security infrastructure of Port of Halifax marine facilities and other surveillance systems under a progressively expanding programme.
  • Communication tools that will permit inter-operator communications, as well as operator communications with mobile units.
  • Remote, web based access and collaborative communication tools that will permit limited and/or selected and approved access to HPACCS which will provide functionality and rapid communications for both training and incident response purposes.
  • Planning and decision support tools including two dimensional Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) land maps, Halifax Harbour charts, and detailed Port of Halifax marine facility models.
  • An independent, secure fibre optic network (SecNet) that hosts the HPACCS and its related surveillance and access control components. This network will permit the transmission of low level classified material and secure communications with public sector agencies.

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Operator Interfaces

The HPACCS features a three tiered operator interface and control from several geographically dispersed locations within the Port of Halifax.

Tier 1 - HPACCS Primary Command Console (PCC)

The PCC interface will facilitate unlimited access to HPACCS operational functionality, and Command and control over all HPACCS functional systems, for a single authenticated operator (the PCC Operator). The PCC features an integrated Video Wall, permitting the PCC operator configurable tiled and cycled viewing of the full suite of CCTV cameras to be integrated with the HPACCS. The PCC and Video Wall will be co-located with the primary system processors, servers and diagnostics consoles at the planned Port Security Coordination Centre (PSCC).

Secondary Command Console Computer MonitorsTier 2 - HPACCS Secondary Command Console (SCC)

Similar to the PCC, the SCC interface facilitates unlimited access to HPACCS operational functionality for a single authenticated operator (the SCC OPerator). Located in the HPA Film and Media Centre, the SCC operates primarily as a decision support tool; in addition to operator consoles, it will feature enhanced display capability and provide clear and easily understood information, garnered from system inputs and decision tools, to the HPA crisis management team. In addition to providing decision support, the SCC will enhance the situational awareness of the crisis management team and provide a common operating picture as the basis for communications with external emergency response and security agencies who will have remote web access to HPACCS functionality.

Tier 3 - Individual Facility Interfaces

In support of individual marine facility Security Details and in order to facilitate system wide communications within the desired C2 architecture. Port of Halifax marine facilities will be provided with Tier 3 interfaces as follows:

  • Cruise Vessel Facility - As previously introduced, the CVF features a centralized operator interface and control station, the CVF Security Monitoring Station (SMS), as well as an associated, co-located Video Wall. The SMS interface facilitates CVF-particularized access to HPACCS operational functionality, and C2 over all CVF functional systems, for a single authenticated operator (the SMS Operator). The CVF interface equipment is co-located with, but separate in functionality from, the SCC at the HPA Film and Media centre
  • Other Port of Halifax Marine Facilities - The main Security Guardhouse or facility designated location at each of the Richmond Terminals, the Ocean Terminals, the South End (Halterm) Container Terminal, the Fairview Cove (Ceres) Container Terminal, Halifax Shipyards Limited, Halifax Dartmouth Bridge Commission, Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd., and Tuft's Cove Power Station are equipped with an HPACCS Remote Workstation (RW) for a total of 8 workstations. Each RW will facilitate Security Detail access to HPACCS communications tools, system information and alerts, marine facility-particularized 2-D land maps and facility models (if required in support of the HPACCS functionality), and remote access to the Credentialing and Access Control Database (CACDVD) Visitor Database application. In addition, these workstations will provide Guardhouses with particularized access to facility and harbour waterway CCTV surveillance camera imagery as applicable; therefore, each will feature additional displays to permit operator configurable tiled and cycled viewing of marine facility and harbour waterway CCTV surveillance cameras.You may notice that Autoport, Imperial Oil Dartmouth, Woodside Industrial, IT International, CN Rail yard and Inter-Modal, BEPCO, Halifax Grain Elevator, Cherubini, and the National Gypsum facility are excluded from mention in this section. That is because initially, SecNet coverage does not extend to these facilities. Therefore, for the short term, connectivity with these facilities will be achieved via a Virtual Private Network over the internet. HPA has plans to gradually expand service of the SecNet to include these key sites. This expansion of the system to include other stakeholders is also intended to expand to include public sector agencies such as EMO Nova Scotia, HRM EMO, NPET, MCTS/CCG, Base Operations/CFB Halifax, CBSA and the RCMP.

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Additional Capabilities

The HPA also hosts the following applications:

  • Chemical Detection System (CDS) - Integrated with the HPACCS, the CDS sensors provide early warning of the presence or leakage of hazardous chemicals in the vicinity of stowage areas for containerized Dangerous Goods.
  • Video Analytic Software - All Existing and planned cameras will be monitored by HPACCS and their imagery feed processed by video analytic in order to support event investigation, intruder identification, object monitoring, license plate recognition, evidence gathering, and a number of other capabilities
  • Perimeter and Fence Monitoring System - The perimeters and integral fences of several of the Port's marine facilities are monitored by a combination of a microwave intrusion detection systems and a cable based fence monitoring system.

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Credentialing and Access Control Database System

Access control procedures and systems will also be improved throughout the Port. All HPA facilities are fitted with improved access control hardware, such as gates and turnstiles, that are controlled by a networked system of electronic devices, such as card and biometric readers, to support a tiered access control scheme. This network is supported by the Credentialing and Access Control Database System (CACDS), and the HPACCS Access Control System (ACS) which hosts an extensive personnel and vehicle database, and permits the progressive organized and efficient identification and credentialing of HPA employees, port marine facility stakeholders, pilots, local labour force, designated agents, service workers, and visitors as required by their duties and in accordance with Transport Canada MTSA/MTSR directives. This system is also designed to evolve as the program for inter modal transportation system security evolves and will grow to include stakeholders from other inter-modal partners. The CACDS and HPACCS ACS incorporates the following features:

  • A custom designed web application and web page that will permit remote access to the planned CACDS on-line Central Appointment Reservation System (CARS), various HPA credentialing related electronic forms and those required as input for a Transportation Security Clearance.
  • A custom designed Access Control Database for Port of Halifax marine facility employees.
  • A future capacity for a custom designed database for visiting workers and seafarers.
  • A future capacity for a custom designed database for suspicious vehicles.
  • A card production system, for the production of passes for personnel and vehicles, that will support HPACCS tiered access control requirements.
  • An electronic interface that will support the HPACCS Access Control System and License Plate Recognition functionalities.

The CACDS will be the central feature of the HPA Port Credentialing Office, and all supporting equipment will be located in and operated from the aforementioned PSCC.

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Keeping the Port Informed

This information has been provided to give the Port community a brief overview of what has been developed and continues to evolve in terms of the Port’s security regime. HPA is cognizant of the fact that Credentialing and plans for the associated processes are both subjects that generate a great deal of interest and the sources of many questions. In order to permit an efficient means of promulgating information and addressing questions in the public domain, HPA has created an online Credentialing Forum to allow the Port community and stakeholders to ask questions and get answers about the credentialing process. Stay tuned to the HPA web site, and in particular the links to Security Projects and the Credentialing Forum for more details.

For questions or feedback contact security@portofhalifax.ca

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