Independent Locksmiths and Security Secures Darwin
Darwin International Airport is the Northern Territory’s largest airport and the 10th busiest airport in Australia, serving in excess of 2 million passengers every year. Importantly from a security point of view, the airport shares runways with the Royal Australian Air Force’s RAAF Base Darwin. The airport terminal is utilised for both international and domestic flights, with separate cargo handling facilities. The site also supports a number of retail outlets and cafeterias.
In 2014 Independent Locksmiths & Security was appointed to design, supply, and install a robust security system that would:
- increase security and introduce accountable controlled access to an operational airport
- provide higher level access control – who has access to a door cylinder or padlock based on a time schedule
- provide an audit trail of who had access to each door or padlock
As with all airports, the airfield site covers a considerable area and many of the sites can be remote. Overcoming the challenges of distance was a key aspect of this access control installation. Key authorizing hardware needed to be installed in remote locations, powered by solar, and communicating over the 3G network.
Other issues that needed addressing were the harsh weather climate of the Northern Territory as the security system would need to withstand these elements.
The solution
We proposed an EKA|Cyberlock Electronic Key access control system for the Airport and were tasked to prove the system would work. After bench testing the concept, we sent the Airport security team a key authoriser that communicated with our cloud server in Sydney, in real time over 3G. Once this part of the puzzle was confirmed, Darwin Airport accepted the concept and had solar units built and erected, ready for fit off when our installation team arrived.
The nucleus of the Cyberlock system is the Enterprise server where traditional access control rights are determined such as:
- Door Lists
- People lists
- Time Schedules
- Access Matrix
- Location Graphics
The database is installed on an HP server using a Linux operating systemon the Darwin Airport local area network. The information from the database is transmitted to the key update authorisers using TCP/IP protocols. In the terminals this transmission is over Ethernet cabling but on the perimeter of the airport in remote locations where cabling could not be achieved, the 3G network has been used for the communication between the server and the key updating authorisers.
A Morse KeyWatcher key cabinet was also installed for storage of keys. The installation was a success and a robust security system that is user friendly was provided.
Client Feedback
Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for all of your hard work, excellent communication and cooperation throughout the project. The system is operating smoothly with no issues at all (apart from some examples of user error!). It is especially great to see the solar stations working perfectly- an exciting concept and wonderful example of overcoming the issues associated with remote access. It has been a pleasure and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend both ILSS and the EKA products; looking forward to continuing working with you as we expand the system here at DIA and the future roll out at Alice Springs Airport.
Nikkie Harley, Systems Coordinator
Darwin International Airport