Caught on Camera
James Madison University, Fall 2023
Problem Statement
Design engineers responsible for upgrading cameras at embassies need a policy that accounts for the capabilities of newly purchased high definition digital camera equipment in order to reduce costs and ensure full surveillance coverage of the compound to monitor for potential threats.
Problem Scoping and Discovery
The team conducted 52 discovery interviews and gained the following insights:
Digital cameras update in real-time, improving remote access and monitoring capabilities. Updating remote access efficiency improves overall bandwidth for personnel to more quickly complete feed analysis and improve response time to incidents occurring in real-time.
Analog cameras are not optimal for scaling – each system requires an individual power supply routed to Embassy DVRs. Digital systems use a single cable for power and data feed which would improve organizational efficiency.
Cost of digital systems is greater than existing analog systems, but the former offers long-term savings as digital systems can be easily updated to meet new policies and maintain optimal firmware. Remote access and maintenance to digital systems eliminates inefficiencies with physical analog system troubleshooting – offering better performance with long-term cost savings opportunity.
Solution Proposed
The students developed an 18-page report containing recommendations for addressing specific inefficiencies implicated with the root of this problem. These include updating current SVS policy language, improving communication for curriculum and MSG training between DOS and the MSG School, categorizing footage priority in both live and forensic analysis, and other recommendations that address a number of policy and infrastructure inadequacies the students identified during discovery.
Results
The sponsor plans on disseminating the students’ policy proposal within ST to solicit feedback and find out if their recommendation is feasible.