Connect with us

Homeland Security

With the Rise of Extreme Floods, SAR Satellites are Becoming Increasingly Important

Published

on

Written by Jamil Kawar, VP for Missions in the Middle East and North Africa for ICEYE

Last month, the UAE experienced the heaviest rainfall in 75 years. The ensuing floods have been unlike anything in living memory, causing widespread disruption to the city and its citizens. However, as disruptive as this event has been, the UAE is far from alone in experiencing extreme rainfall and flash flooding. Around the world, governments are having to adjust to a world where such extreme weather events are far more frequent than in the past. In the UK, for instance, research suggests that extreme rainfall events could be four times as frequent by 2080 compared to the 1980s.

The UAE, like many nation-states across the globe, is therefore challenged to put in place new flood defences and mitigations capable of protecting citizens and infrastructure from the perils of extreme flooding. As it does so, it will need to draw on a broad range of technical solutions to provide the insights needed to respond to floods and plan for future incidents.

Leveraging SAR satellite-based intelligence
Here, a new generation of satellites can play an important role. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites use radar technology to create detailed images of the Earth’s surface, regardless of weather conditions or daylight. These satellites transmit radar signals towards the Earth and capture the reflected signals, which are then used to construct images. The “synthetic aperture” in the name refers to the technique of using the satellite’s motion to simulate a much larger antenna than is physically present, enabling higher-resolution imaging.

This capability makes SAR satellites particularly useful for applications such as monitoring environmental changes and assessing disaster impacts. These insights can form the heart of an effective flood response and prevention capability. However, they should not be the only insights in play. A comprehensive approach will enrich SAR satellite imaging with intelligence from a range of sources including local observations, river gauges, and third-party data sets. The goal is to achieve a near real-time, holistic model that delivers actionable flood intelligence that response teams can trust.

Use cases for SAR satellite imaging in flood response
This rich dataset can be applied to a range of use cases in flood response situations. First, it helps emergency responders and governments assess the true impact of flooding within a matter of hours and make better-informed decisions. This includes information on the depth and extent of flooding that can be compared with maps detailing where buildings are situated, helping response teams understand the impact of a flood on local areas and be sure of sending help to where it is needed most.

SAR satellite intelligence can further enhance the emergency response by providing a single source of truth for all response teams and agencies. The key here is to use a system that is ready for use in existing mapping systems. Drawing on this data in near real-time, emergency responders can base their recovery efforts on solid, reliable data from the very beginning, leveraging their mapping suite to view, analyse, and operationalise that single source of truth across multiple agencies on the ground.

Finally, SAR satellite data can be used after an event to help authorities improve their disaster response and prevention efforts, particularly when it comes to protecting the areas, infrastructure, and buildings most at risk. Combined with constant satellite tracking, authorities will be well-placed to respond rapidly and effectively to any future instances of flooding.

Preparing for uncertain times
With SAR satellites, flood maps are powered by data-driven observations, rather than simulations and guesswork. Already, governments in countries that have been affected by extreme flooding are using SAR satellite imaging to boost their monitoring and response capabilities. In Australia, for instance, the federal government is using SAR satellite data to supply flood and bushfire hazard data for all states and territories across the country. The intelligence is expected to help in rapid disaster assessment and response, better resource allocation and improved coordination between national and local authorities.

When it comes to extreme flooding, the UAE and many other countries around the world have come to realise that you must expect the unexpected. Climate change will continue to affect the weather in the years ahead and throw up new challenges for authorities. Timely intelligence will be critical to dealing with these challenges and protecting infrastructure and people. Given its ability to deliver rapid, actionable, and trustworthy intelligence, SAR satellites will be an important element of this data-driven approach.

Continue Reading

Homeland Security

Huawei Showcases Vision for a Safer, Smarter Future at Milipol Qatar 2024

Published

on

Huawei is participating in Milipol Qatar 2024, the leading global event for homeland security and civil defence, taking place from October 29 to 31 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. Under the theme “Amplifying Intelligence with Security”, Huawei is spotlighting its role as a trusted partner in driving digital transformation while ensuring cybersecurity remains at the forefront.

With over three decades of experience, Huawei has established itself as a leader in providing secure, innovative technology solutions across 170 countries, serving over 3 billion users worldwide. Huawei’s presence at Milipol Qatar 2024 reflects its unwavering commitment to safeguarding digital ecosystems fostering collaboration with governments and industries to build a more secure and connected future.

Rico Lin, President of Huawei Gulf North Region, emphasized the importance of security in today’s digital landscape, stating: “In an era of rapid digital change, cybersecurity and data privacy are not just priorities—they are imperatives. At Huawei, we are committed to providing our partners with the tools and innovations to navigate this evolving landscape securely, empowering them to realize their digital transformation goals.”

At its booth, Huawei is showcasing a range of innovative solutions tailored for various sectors. One highlight is the Smart City Intelligent Operations Center, a centralized platform that provides a comprehensive view of city operations, enabling real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making to enhance urban resilience and efficiency. Huawei is also presenting its Major Event Assurance Solution, designed to ensure security and operational efficiency during large-scale events. This solution leverages advanced analytics and real-time data to facilitate rapid response and effective incident management.

For the first time in Qatar, Huawei is unveiling during Milipol its cutting-edge IdeaPresence, a stunning 138-inch 4K immersive display, cool-running COB design for low heat output, and simplified operation and maintenance (O&M) for secure and seamless collaboration. In addition to its cutting-edge security and digital transformation solutions, Huawei will showcase its Pangu Government Model at the show. This innovative model empowers intelligence for government applications by analyzing multimodal data to understand and manage tens of thousands of real-time city events. The Pangu Government Model enables rapid discovery and dispatch, helping governments address issues more efficiently and enhance city-wide management through intelligent, data-driven solutions.

Along with its technology showcase, Huawei will actively participate in key summits at Milipol Qatar 2024, including the Cybersecurity Summit. This platform will allow Huawei to share insights on the critical role of cybersecurity in today’s increasingly interconnected world. Dr. Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer from Huawei ME & CA Region will engage in discussions on how innovative cybersecurity solutions can defend against modern threats to cyber sovereignty.

Huawei’s engagement at Milipol Qatar goes beyond showcasing individual technologies. It is about reinforcing a shared vision of a safer future where intelligence and innovation work hand-in-hand with security. With its strong track record in cybersecurity, Huawei is positioned to be a strategic enabler for governments and enterprises seeking to enhance both security and operational efficiency.

During the event, Huawei is highlighting key initiatives aimed at fostering smarter cities, streamlining emergency response efforts, and ensuring seamless communication across critical infrastructure. These efforts are part of Huawei’s broader strategy to support sustainable and resilient digital ecosystems that can meet the growing challenges of modern security threats.

In collaboration with local partners such as Mekdam Holding, CESCO, Mannai Infotech, TechnoQ, Traffic tech (Gulf) and leveraging strategic alliances with Chinese partners, Huawei is actively contributing to the development of secure digital transformation frameworks across the region. These partnerships further Huawei’s mission to drive innovation and build a robust ecosystem that benefits Qatar and the region.

Milipol Qatar 2024 provides a unique platform for Huawei to engage with industry leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of secure digital transformation. Through its participation, Huawei continues to demonstrate its leadership in advancing technological solutions and protecting the integrity of digital infrastructure.

Continue Reading

Critical Communications

Hytera to Show Off 4G and 5G Body Cameras for Law Enforcement at GITEX GLOBAL 2024

Published

on

Hytera Communications will introduce its latest body camera innovations at GITEX Global 2024. Showcasing the advanced SC780 Smart 4G Body Camera and SC880 Smart 5G Body Camera, Hytera aims to revolutionize the capture, storage, and management of digital evidence for law enforcement and emergency services. These new-generation body cameras reflect the Gulf region’s growing commitment to tech-driven public safety solutions, especially in alignment with the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s national visions for enhanced security infrastructure. With their cutting-edge AI capabilities, real-time communication functions, and the power of 4G and 5G connectivity, these devices are designed to deliver unparalleled clarity, reliability, and situational awareness to on-the-ground teams.

Stanley Song, Vice President of Hytera, commented: “At Hytera, we are committed to supporting the Gulf region’s public safety goals by providing cutting-edge technology solutions. Our next-generation body cameras, powered by AI and 5G, reflect our dedication to delivering innovation and reliability. We are proud to align with the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s visions of leveraging smart technologies to enhance law enforcement capabilities and public safety. These solutions are tailored to the region’s unique needs, ensuring law enforcement agencies can operate with the highest level of efficiency and accountability.”

Hytera’s new-generation body cameras offer High-Quality Evidence Collection, ensuring optimal performance in diverse environments. With advanced image stabilization technology, they provide steady video even during high-motion activities, while the night vision capabilities guarantee clear footage in low-light scenarios. Equipped with a wide-angle lens, these body cameras capture a broader field of view, giving law enforcement greater coverage during operations.

In addition to their advanced recording capabilities, the body cameras provide Real-Time Communication functionalities. Not merely recording devices, they double as Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) radios, ensuring constant connectivity in mission-critical situations. These cameras come with AI-powered noise cancellation for clear audio, long battery life for extended field operations, and an IP68 rating, making them fully dustproof and waterproof, ideal for the region’s harsh environments. The facial and license plate recognition features further enhance their ability to provide quick and accurate data to the command centre, ensuring fast and precise suspect identification.

Hytera’s body camera solutions are built with Advanced Network Capabilities in mind, capitalizing on the rapid deployment of 4G and 5G networks in the Middle East. Leveraging these technologies, particularly the SC880 model’s 5G technology, enables faster transmission speeds, enhancing the efficiency of both data recording and live communication. The SC880 captures 4K ultra-high-definition footage with an extended pre/post-recording feature that lasts up to 300 seconds and allows for 15 hours of uninterrupted recording without the need for recharging. Additionally, these cameras capture crystal-clear audio within a 10-meter range, ensuring the reliability and integrity of evidence gathered on the field.

Hytera’s Digital Evidence Management (DEM) system is designed to offer the highest level of protection and efficiency for digital evidence in line with the region’s strict focus on data security. The DEM system ensures a secure, closed chain of evidence, from the moment of capture through to courtroom presentation. It provides enhanced operational efficiency through redaction features and remote device management, making it a critical tool for law enforcement and public safety users who require the highest standards of data integrity and security throughout the entire lifecycle of digital evidence.

The Gulf region, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has seen a significant rise in the adoption of body camera technologies as part of a broader focus on public safety and transparency. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on these devices to document interactions with the public and enhance accountability. The integration of AI-powered facial recognition technology has also become a game-changer, dramatically improving the efficiency of law enforcement operations, and enabling faster responses to real-time situations.

Hytera’s body camera solutions have already gained global recognition, with deployments in over 60 countries across diverse regions including Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. This global success reinforces Hytera’s role as a trusted partner for law enforcement and public safety agencies worldwide.

Continue Reading

Homeland Security

Homeland Security Market is Expected to Surpass $900 Bn By 2032

Published

on

The Homeland Security market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $567.7 Billion to over $900 Billion by 2032; as reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights, Inc. The increasing number of immigration, drug trafficking, and smuggling activities worldwide and the subsequent need for advanced border security solutions will influence the market growth. For example, in January 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division constituting the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia disclosed that it had confiscated over 639,000 fentanyl pills as well as 189 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2023.

Lately, homeland security is witnessing a growing involvement from the private sector, which is offering technology solutions, security services, and safeguarding critical infrastructure. To that end, several leading companies are partnering with government entities to bolster security protocols across diverse sectors, such as transportation, energy, and healthcare. To cite an instance, in July 2024, Great British Energy joined forces with The Crown Estate, with the potential to leverage nearly £60 billion of private investment, to drive energy independence in the U.K.

The Homeland Security market from the maritime security segment is projected to record notable growth up to 2032. Maritime regions face numerous threats, including terrorism, piracy, smuggling of illicit goods, such as drugs and weapons, and illegal immigration. These challenges necessitate stringent security measures to safeguard coastlines, ports, and vessels. Surging technological advances like surveillance systems, radar technologies, autonomous vessels, and cybersecurity measures, are also enhancing maritime security capabilities and driving the need for updated security infrastructure.

The Homeland Security market from the security platforms technology segment is expected to record considerable CAGR till 2032. With several countries investing in infrastructure development, including energy grids, transportation networks, and communication systems, the need to protect these assets from physical and cyber threats has grown paramount. To that end, homeland security platforms are largely favoured for safeguarding critical infrastructure from potential attacks. The strong demand for transparency and accountability in security operations along with the growing efforts to provide real-time monitoring, data collection, and reporting capabilities will drive market expansion.

The APAC homeland security market is set to exhibit robust growth by 2032, on account of hefty investments for the modernization of military and security forces. Governments in the region are broadening their defence budgets to cater to growing security threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks, border disputes, and internal unrest. The strong need for urban security solutions to protect critical infrastructure, public spaces, and mass transit systems from terrorist attacks will influence the regional industry demand.

Some of the prominent homeland security market players include BAE Systems, Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and Thales Group. These firms are committing to the development of cutting-edge solutions to scale their revenue sales. For instance, in April 2024, the Missile Defense Agency selected Lockheed Martin to design a next-generation interceptor for homeland defence to offer protection against intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Follow Us

Trending

Copyright © 2021 Security Review Magazine. Rysha Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.