Page 52: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Jan/Feb 2019)

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Maritime Security

Using their situational awareness platform AVERT C2, the cutting-edge successor of the

CommandBridge software, ARES Security integrated over 100 disparate sensors that included biometric, location, HAZMAT, and environmental data streams. During the exercise, which took place in December 2018 at the Port of Houston, AVERT C2 served as the focal point to aggregate, distribute, process and manage information from the frst responder’s sensors to improve their safety, response times, and efectiveness.”

CEO, Ben Eazzetta. “The DHS team, the First Responder par- in multiple industries is managing ‘data security’ versus ‘data ticipants and our technology partners were able to create a sharing.’ Although responding agencies utilize these new tech- real-world test bed for the newest technology innovations that nologies, not all of them are sharing that pertinent informa- will prove to save lives and resources in the near future.” tion with their partners due to data security constraints. When

AVERT C2 kept frst responders aware of their immediate responding to emergencies time is the most critical factor and environment in real-time, and also connected and informed on sharing that situational data can save other responders a lot of both team and individual status and current situations to aid in time which in turn can save lives.

overall coordination and effectiveness of life-saving events. AVERT C2 makes it very easy to create sharing permissions

By layering teams and technologies, individual team leaders that refect the current memorandums of understanding (MOU) and coordinators were able to see the big picture and remove in place, so when an event is created within the platform, the clutter from their view to more effectively direct their orga- appropriate data is automatically shared with the appropriate nization in concert with the overall frst responder team. The personnel. This enables responders to not only share informa-

NGFR exercise allowed ARES to ‘stress test’ its platform in tion throughout an emergency, but now responders can get a an environment with more users and more technologies than complete understanding of the event and even view cameras or they would normally be able to assemble in a lab or working other applicable information while in route to the scene.

with a lone organization. Fences, cameras, radar, sonar, AIS, fences, cameras, radia-

And, as was shown during the recent drill scenario, local tion detection portals or monitors – some or all with separate security managers customize the AVERT C2 platform ‘on the control and access systems – were and are all needed. Most fy’ to adjust to changing parameters. With proper user per- of this equipment, for the majority of maritime facilities, was missions Security Managers and other users can build custom purchased one at a time, without regard to any other acquisi- on-the-fy rules for virtually any object in the system. For ex- tions. In a world where coordinated terrorist attacks more than ample, a rule can be built in seconds to notify stakeholders if likely involve doing something to get your attention in one area a moving track or tracks (vehicles, vessels, people, etc) enters while the main event is happening elsewhere, it simply isn’t a security zone or camera feld of view. Additionally, sharing possible to monitor 50 different data feeds, all operating sepa- policies for any data in the system can be created in advance rately from one another. With AVERT C2, you won’t have to.

and modifed on the fy at any time. For example, if active data sharing that was preconfgured from one organization to FoRCe mulTIPlIeR another is comprised due to changing mission circumstances The term “force multiplier” is frequently used on the water- the sharing can be immediately stopped with one click. front in many contexts. In short, AVERT C2 helps automate detection and response capabilities. For an example the sys- tem can autonomously alert to abnormal activities. So, rather elImInATIng SToVePIPeS In A

CybeR SeCuRe enVIRonmenT than having patrol forces constantly monitoring certain areas,

AVERT C2 is a web-based system but the data is typically whether physically out on the water or in command, the com- hosted at the customer’s site, in their network, so it doesn’t re- mand can view the area or send a unit out when activity is de- quire them to change their cyber practices/policies. The plat- tected. Leveraging the AVERT C2 technology and hardware, form is capable of pulling in alerts from third party cyber anom- organizations can maintain or reduce headcount in their secu- aly-detecting tools and then creating an event profle based on rity teams. But, insists the ARES team, this doesn’t necessar- that alert. Also according to ARES, the legacy CommandBridge ily mean getting rid of people, but instead using those human had similar capabilities and is currently pulling in cyber infor- resources more effectively. mational alerts from MPS-ISAO for the state of Florida.

With AVERT C2, frst responders have access to advanced beFoRe The ReSPonSe: ASSeSSIng The RISk technology and next generation solutions. AVERT integrates Business leaders with risk management responsibility need all of those systems to eliminate data stovepipes in local secu- a tool that can help validate the effectiveness of a proposed rity efforts. For example, a large problem that ARES noticed security solution, before they actually invest in that solution. 52 Maritime Logistics Professional January/February 2019 | |