4 Ways Surveillance Can Help Port Security

1. Detecting safety and security threats

Ports are sprawling ecosystems with multiple layers of infrastructure – terminals, industrial processing, warehouses, gates, and more. Monitoring these areas through siloed systems makes risk detection difficult.

Using security and surveillance software to integrate camera footage and mapping, with emergency alarms, chemical detection, drones, perimeter detection, access control and other essential systems, Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) can monitor the entire port from a single interface. This delivers a real-time, geographically accurate view of all anomalous events detected, and the immediate ability to investigate the situation visually through automated camera prioritisation.

AI tools can assist further by automatically detecting risks such as unauthorised access (human or vehicular), suspicious behaviour, loitering, or breaches in restricted or hazardous areas.

2. Managing port facility access control

Managing access to secure areas is one of the core responsibilities of a PFSO. Modern access control systems go beyond keycards and PIN codes. Today’s solutions include biometric authentication, multi-factor identification, and time-sensitive access credentials.

With security and surveillance software like Synergy, PFSOs can integrate access control and set rules to define who is authorised to enter specific areas, during what times, and under what conditions. They can verify individuals in real-time, manually or using facial recognition, to match the face of a badge holder with live footage to ensure credentials correlate. Logs are automatically maintained, making audits and investigations seamless and accurate.

3. Collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders

Remote access to surveillance feeds and security systems via secure mobile apps or web portals gives PFSOs and other authorised users the ability to monitor and report back on activity in real time from anywhere – whether they’re in the control room, conducting site inspections or completing other field-based tasks.

Cloud-based evidence sharing solutions are also widely used to support collaborative working, especially incident management. With just a few clicks, video footage can be shared securely with relevant stakeholders—whether that’s local law enforcement, customs officers, cargo and logistics operators, or higher-level port authority officials. These secure tools deliver quick access to clear, timestamped evidence, supporting faster investigations and better incident coordination.

4. Compliant safety and security protocol enforcement

PFSOs are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining Port Facility Security Plans (PFSPs). They are also responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. 

AI tools can be used to automatically detect potential deviations in security and safety protocols, so that corrective actions can happen. Additionally, workflows based on the PFSP will help automate specific actions and prompt incident responses in line with requirements.

Data analysis over time can generate reports as part of essential ongoing risk assessments. For example, identifying rising occurrences of a certain type of incident or ‘hot spot’ locations can help inform future resource deployment, including where to increase security patrols or focus surveillance upgrades.