Inside Asian Gaming

October 2017 inside asian gaming 41 In Focus Another option to guard against camera connection or network switch failure is “edge recording,” where recording takes place at the camera itself. Even for casinos utilizing high-quality HD IP cameras, the storage capacity of modern SD cards is now large enough that it is possible to record significant timespans of footage using this method. In this scenario, it is important to ensure the camera has an alternate source power. As a cautionary note, edge recording can become an issue if not paired with an appropriate mechanism for “backfilling” footage to the normal storage array once connections are fully restored, thus resulting in disjointed data pockets. A credible video and security management solution will be able to keep track of any localized edge recording, automatically retrieve the information from its temporary location and seamlessly piece it back together as soon as normal service is resumed. While edge recording and backfilling can be a vital failsafe, it can also be a problem – most notably in terms of live incident tracking. With the right cameras and management software, viewing, recording and backfilling should be able to take place simultaneously without affecting image quality or speed. The wrong combination, however, can result in image latency and leave operators on the back foot when it comes to watching the action unfold. Utilize smarter storage to create safer data. Safeguarding gaming surveillance is not simply about having the right backup in place. It is also about making the right choices; choices that can only be made by understanding system capability and business needs. In other words, it is important to prioritize what really matters and make sure protection measures are in place. Redundant storage is one protection measure that can be implemented with the only limitations being budget and available rack space. With the adoption of HD IP and 4K cameras and other evolving technology requirements for large scale casinos, storage space requirements are growing and the safeguarding of this space needs to be considered carefully. In the event of a major issue, what gets sacrificed and what gets saved? The best way to overcome storage issues is to make those decisions in advance. With the right management software, casino operators can prioritize storage allocation to ensure, should the worst happen, footage from critical cameras is always at the front of the queue. PROTECTING TOMORROW TODAY Monitoring vast but crowded facilities, in low-light conditions where massive amounts of cash constantly change hands, creates a distinctly challenging security environment where surveillance downtime, or data loss, is unacceptable. But there is reassurance to be found in this absolute because it is the demanding nature of gaming security that has also driven surveillance technology to be better, particularly in relation to redundancy and system resilience. There are many measures casinos can adopt now to protect its business and there will be many more in the future that will evolve from what is being learned today. Reprinted with permission of Casino Journal