London Heathrow Airport, the UK’s busiest, handles nearly 80 million passengers and 14 million tonnes of goods annually. To maintain operational efficiency across its four passenger terminals and one cargo terminal, the airport employs over 76,000 people who manage 1,300 daily flights, support 89 airlines flying to 239 destinations in 89 countries, and secure a 1,227-hectare site.
Unified Security and Operational Efficiency
Danny Long, IT Product Owner at Heathrow, explained that the airport operates much like a small city, managing not only traditional airport security but also roads, retail spaces, train stations, a bus terminal, offices, a church, fuel stores, an electrical network, and other infrastructure. To achieve real-time video monitoring and flexible application support, Heathrow partnered with Genetec to design a comprehensive system.
The Genetec Security Center, a unified platform, enables the management of cameras, sensors, and security technologies through a single interface, enhancing efficiency and customisation for various user groups. With over 90 stakeholder groups across 110 control rooms, including law enforcement, government agencies, airlines, and retailers, Heathrow required a highly granular system. The flexibility of Genetec Security Center allows integration with over 900 compatible security solutions and other airport systems.
Expanding Capabilities to Meet New Requirements
The collaboration between Heathrow Airport and Genetec began in 2016 with the deployment of 2,000 cameras. Since then, Heathrow has added over 500 cameras annually, upgrading 1,500 each year, and currently has 9,000 cameras with plans to reach 10,000. The unified platform improves passenger flow and enhances the traveller experience, allowing operators to monitor 150km of baggage belts and track 150,000 vehicles daily with the AutoVu™ number plate recognition system.
Genetec Security Center consolidates video and data into one platform, providing real-time insights and preventing vendor complexities. According to Long, the system is used equally for security and operational efficiency, translating business challenges into workable solutions. The positive experience with Genetec has led Heathrow to plan further expansions of the system.
Heathrow’s partnership with Genetec has maximised technology investments, combining various business and security systems into one platform. This integration has increased operational efficiency, strengthened security, and improved the experience for passengers and personnel.
Looking ahead, Heathrow intends to continue expanding the Security Center deployment, leveraging compatible technologies to meet evolving requirements. The unified platform’s capability to manage diverse camera types and withstand extreme conditions highlights its transformational impact on airport operations.
Infrastructure Overview
- Genetec Security Center: Integrates IP-security systems, including video monitoring, access control, licence plate recognition, and intrusion detection.
- RSA: Uses radar, LiDAR, fence intrusion detection, and video analytics to enhance security.
- Genetec Mission Control: Simplifies response coordination and speeds up incident resolution.
- AutoVu: Automatic number plate recognition for parking management and traffic flow monitoring.
- Genetec Clearance: Digital evidence management system for secure evidence sharing and compliance.