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Control centres and situation centres - using modern IT to meet tomorrow's requirements

The work of a control centre is fast, comprehensive and based on a multitude of different communication links and data sources. Imagine the following scenario: On the sidelines of a football match, an unknown person threatens and injures several passers-by. Several witnesses who are present dial the emergency number 110 to notify the police. Shortly afterwards, several patrol cars arrive and pursue the suspect. In the meantime, the ambulance service, notified by the police and several witnesses, takes care of the injured person and provides first aid. The emergency doctor is also on the scene. The control centres coordinate and follow the operation throughout and take over the dispatching and alerting of the emergency services. Coordination and contact with the emergency services on the scene are essential and necessary. The suspect suddenly flees from the police onto the roof of a house. The control centre then alerts the fire brigade to secure a possible fall of the suspect. The police call in a special squad, which finally overpowers and arrests the suspect. In the background, the control centres of the police and fire brigade jointly coordinated the entire operation. Such operations happen in German cities and demand a number of tasks from the control centres. Close cooperation and a constant exchange of information between the control centres are essential here.

Control centres are part of the critical infrastructure (KRITIS). To ensure public safety and rapid medical assistance, control centres are available around the clock and are in contact with many communication partners via telephone, radio and data connections. Fail-safety is a top priority. The special challenge is that a control centre is not a "closed system" in itself, but maintains communication connections and interfaces with others, some of them external. Cooperation between control centres is of great importance here. The trend towards cooperative control centres also requires a rethinking of control centre planning. Cross-client processes result in extensive requirements. These include, for example, deployment planning and control, data storage, logging of deployments, and control centre technology.

For this reason, the use of secure IT and a well thought-out IT security concept is necessary for a modern control centre. The motto is: "Every second counts". Technical tasks are supported by basic IT and communication services that are necessary for the operation of the control centre.

Digitally shaping the overall social requirements of control centres

Our consulting approach improves the management capability of your control centre. We plan the IT of security and situation centres as well as the deployment of staff and command systems. In close coordination with our clients, we increase the efficiency of IT deployment: from secure networking to the integration of different organisations' systems. If required, we draw up specifications and provide support in awarding contracts.

We are a BSI-certified IT security service provider and would like to accompany our partners on their way to a secure control centre. We supervise the conception, awarding, implementation and operation of control centres.

Innovative solutions for control centres

We have gained extensive experience over decades in the field of control centres: We analyse the communication needs and plan a functioning overall system with the following components: Command and control system, staff and command system, (voice) communication, geodata infrastructure, processing and display of media as well as network infrastructure and hardware.

We analyse the communication connections on the basis of BOS digital radio, fixed network, mobile radio, mobile ad-hoc networks and satellite communication.

The future of the control centre in the focus of Big Data, Social Media and AI.

We find suitable innovative solutions for our customers. Social media, new emergency call apps, media technology and cameras for monitoring public space ensure that new information is integrated and processed. The evaluation and integration of posts from social media provide control centres with additional information that they use for their operations. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) recognises patterns in operational data. The future volume of operations is forecast. The use of body and dash cams for emergency forces, as well as cameras in public places and on public transport, provide a rounded and optimised picture of the situation.

Cyber security / Secure networking

Control centres are increasingly becoming the target of cyber attacks. Thus, various attacks occur time and again: One type of attack involves flooding IT systems. Due to the masses of requests, the system comes to a standstill. This is called a DoS - Denial of Service attack. Such an attack not only affects the server systems and websites, but also the necessary accessibility of a control centre. It is a serious threat to control centres.

Another perfidious attack is "swatting". Emergency calls appear to be genuine, but fake an emergency. They provoke that emergency units are sent to locations or possibly withdrawn from other locations without a real cause or background.

To be prepared for such attacks, we train control centre staff in seminars lasting several days. Our modular training courses can take place either on our premises or at the customer's site. The aim of the training is to teach managers and control centre staff the basic principles of effective security management.

Our consulting approach in the control centre environment

Our experts bring an overall view to systems and complex structures.
We promote the consistency of technical solutions.
We network control centres and situation centres with secure communication solutions.
We ensure the appropriate IT security and cyber security of networked systems.
Are you certifying yourself according to ISO 27001 on the basis of BSI basic protection? We advise you!
We audit according to ISO 27001 based on BSI-Grundschutz.
We help define the requirements for the technical building equipment and IT equipment of the control centre rooms.
We support the employees when it comes to technical requirements of the control centre workplace, visualisation surfaces and ergonomics.

Integrating geodata and geoinformation into the situation picture of the control centre's operation.

With our Geodata Factory, we offer our customers the option of receiving geodata with individual added-value information. We design a highly available geodata infrastructure and adapt it individually to the requirements of the control centre. Our focus here is on 24/7 analyses and high availability. We create 3D city models and carry out change analyses in urban space using satellite technology. The analyses reveal weak points that occur when planning major events and help to manage crisis and emergency situations more optimally. This approach provides you with up-to-date situational pictures of the situation.

Designing control centres digitally and securely - manufacturer-neutral and from a single source

We provide all our services from a single source. They are individual and manufacturer-neutral. Have we aroused your interest? Then contact us with your wishes, requirements and needs! We look forward to a personal exchange!