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Design requirements for equipment used in harsh set of required controls to physically protect critical assets
environments are more rigorous than that of commercial and the compliance specifically calls out for physical
grade equipment and while technology that is not designed access control and monitoring physical access. Video can
for the substation may work initially, over time and under be integrated with other physical security devices, such
stress from the conditions present in the substation, will as access control, to provide a comprehensive physical
eventually prove unreliable and likely fail. security strategy both for NERC and general utility security.

VIDEO MONITORING APPLICATIONS B. Asset Monitoring and Substation Automation
Video monitoring solutions are playing an increasing Video monitoring can be incorporated in an automated
role in addressing the operational challenges faced by fashion to improve the efficiency and reliability of the utility
electric utilities. In particular, remote video monitoring is operations. Continuous and automatic remote asset
an area which might have been unfeasible years ago, but monitoring of critical substation components can provide
which can now be facilitated through the newly deployed an early warning of impending equipment failures. Video
communications infrastructure that exists (or soon will exist) can help increase reliability without adding personnel, it
within a substation and between substations. In addition, can reduce the chance for failures and downtime, and
newer video monitoring technologies and features are it can extend the lifecycle of assets through preventive
able to effectively leverage existing communications maintenance. The cost of protecting the utility’s critical
infrastructure. assets is negligible as compared to the cost of the asset
itself.
Besides being an integral part of a physical security
strategy, video monitoring can be used in a wide range of For example, intelligent video monitoring systems that
applications related to asset management and substation utilize thermal cameras enables automatic detection of
automation. Video monitoring is opening up new ways to temperature increases in substation equipment. Thermal
improve the operations and reliability of the grid. signatures are analyzed and used as precursors to
equipment failures. These intelligent systems incorporate
A. Security sophisticated video analytics algorithms for smart detection
of anomalies. “Thermal rules” can be implemented to
Video monitoring plays an important role in preventing and trigger automated alarm and email notification of possible
investigating various types of security threats including issues. With the cost of thermal camera coming down
theft, unauthorized access, vandalism, sabotage, terrorism dramatically in recent years, automated thermal analysis
or other damage to the critical infrastructure. Security has become more cost effective and its utilization has
threats at remote facilities have increased in recent years become a new and effective tool for substation automation
with theft of copper, and other high value metal electrical and preventive maintenance functions.
components, emerging as a key operational issue for
many utilities, as unmanned remotes sites provide an Currently SCADA systems present a graphical display
easy target for thieves. Additionally, theft intrusions have of what is essentially an electrical representation of the
also contributed to substantial substation physical asset power system and the flow of power. Integrating video
damage. While protection of critical infrastructure against into SCADA systems that are used to monitor and control
security threats is of utmost importance, theft of material an electric utility’s operation is the next logical progression
and assets poses an immediate economic loss and is the for SCADA. Video within SCADA systems is about making
more likely occurrence for an electric utility operator. key components of the operation visible. Adding real-time
video to HMIs provides enhanced understanding above
Intelligent video monitoring systems can automatically and and beyond what can be obtained by looking at graphical
pro-actively alert personnel of an intrusion, allowing for the representations and numerical readouts. In particular,
dispatch of security personnel to thwart any attempt to video allows for visual confirmation of events or issues and
steal materials. Monitoring systems also provide a means is particularly useful when personnel safety is involved,
of recording an incident that will allow investigators an such as visually verifying that a breaker is open or closed
opportunity to determine who perpetrated the crime after before an operator enters an area.
the fact.

Video monitoring is also an important tool for regulatory VIDEO MONITORING SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRIC
compliance and implementing video has become a UTILITIES
necessary security practices to meet these regulations. For A typical video monitoring system utilizes components
example, the NERC physical security standard outlines a such as cameras, video recorders, servers, networking

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