Control rooms through which security is managed and monitored, either from a limited zone or a complete and complex facility, have some particular features. Their uninterrupted work and the large amount of data generated make them some very particular projects.
GESAB works running projects for two types of control centres for security.
NOCs or Network Operation Centres are responsible for guaranteeing the availability of platforms, as well as the security of infrastructure and services.
SOCs or Security Operation Centres are responsible for maintaining the security of data at the organisation.
These control centres are found at both public and private institutions and one of their requirements is that their operativity must be 24/7, in other words, their activity is continuous 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Usually, to cover this uninterrupted activity in the centers operators work three shifts who rotate on the same workplace, so it must be ergonomically adaptable to the needs of each operator.
In the face of such specific circumstances, the design of projects for NOCs and SOCs control centers has some very high requirements. It is essential to think on the plan as a global project made up of several points that depend on each other, instead of developing each step individually, since what is designed for a part of the project will directly affect the entire project. For this reason, the organization of all the agents that are part of the project will be essential.
That is why in the first part of the work, when the areas begin to be organized, we must think about the continued activity that takes place in the room and its purpose.
Likewise, from this control center a large amount of data is managed from multitude equipment and systems that must subsequently be processed by the operators, so the correct management of the cabling and infrastructure will be something to keep in mind.
One of the GESAB systems to store cabling is the use of a technical ceiling or floor so that it is hidden from view, but easily accessible if necessary. Due to the large volume of cables and connections that must be provided in the rooms, this system prevents the installation from being dangerous for users. It is, after all, to facilitate the operation of the room.
Monitors and audio visual equipment in general must meet the highest quality standards for NOC and SOC romos. When the video wall is chosen for a project, we should exceed LCD technology with fewer years of life for a performance as high as the one required by these projects. For 24/7 environments, cube audio visual solutions offered by GESAB are ideal by achieving great brightness quality, and sharper and more authentic colours, as well as minimizing the operator’s visual fatigue, allowing the operators to spend the maximum amount of time in their activity and avoiding the detriment of their visual health.
And a concept that must be present in all the elements of these control centres is ergonomics. It is essential that technical furniture, consoles and chairs are adapted to the operators, and the best conditions must be guaranteed so they can do their job safely. Lighting, temperature and environmental conditions fall within the parameters that GESAB’s team of engineers and architects assess before any control room project.
NOCs and SOCs are critical work environments that need to have a design and components that are capable of meet the highest needs.
One of the best examples of these kinds of projects is The Mecca Command and Control Centre which GESAB was able to develop in Saudi Arabia. From this center of control the security of the city and most important pilgrimage centre in the Muslim world is managed.
This project turned out to be so importante since it had to mount 548 posts and video wall of 80 cubes, a requirement of design that made difficult to maintain the necessary ergonomics in this type of center. The customization of all technical furniture was the solution to meet the needs of the customer.
Although the established deadlines were tight, GESAB applied all its know-how in control rooms, also carrying out consulting work on interior design and materials.
This project in Mecca converted in an example of a perfect balance between functionality and design in a control center.