DFA Infrastructure Security Monitoring

The Gridlock Access Management system is a powerful and unique centralised network security management system that enables a centralised site to secure and access manage remote sites and distributed equipment locations.

The Gridlock system provides geographical views of the customer's access points and distributed equipment locations. The system utilizes technologies such as GPS, GPRS, RFID and geographical tools such as Google Earth.

The system design is such that it is generic in application and can therefore easily be adapted to the many requirements of a retrofit solution for existing infrastructure like manholes, hand hole and cabinets.

The system be customised to customer specific requirements or adapted to cater for a particular environment or application.

The total system boasts an extremely high level of security as a barrier against unauthorised access, ensuring that only authorised maintenance personnel have access to the telecommunications network.

System components

The system comprises of four basic elements:

1. Centralised Management Platform: This platform controls the entire system and from which all access requests are loaded for access. The platform use Linux based server with a windows internet browser application for user access. The keys are pre-loaded with authorisations on an individual node basis. Parameters such as key serial number, lock serial number, latch serial number, time interval, are all utilised in the authorisation and authentication process to grant access to an individual user. The system is therefore centralised, but user access to it, can be from any location required, with specific user profile limitations of the features available to end users. The system also supports a referenced GIS data application to pinpoint security transgressions


2. Locking Latch: The locking latch is used to lock the lid/door by engaging into a locking device.
   


3. Locking Device: The locking device is an encapsulated powerless unit which is fitted to the frame of the lid\door. This locking device is water proof and contains no active energy source and is designed as a maintenance free unit. It is chemical resistant to a wide range of chemicals, being manufactured from polyethylene and has no electrical contacts exposed anywhere on the unit. The lock is energised from the key and all communication to the lock is by way of an inductive process
   


4. Active Key: This unit energises the lock from an internal power source that is rechargeable. The key manages all communication with the lock and detection of RFID technology to authenticate and operate the system. It manages the communication back to the management platform with a GPRS communications channel and records all events per access incident and sends this log file back to the platform once a transaction has been completed. Keys are tamper proof and automatically disable if tampered with, or if the required procedure is not followed. The key engages with the lock through a key hole in and protrudes down into a guided key hole on the locking device. The lock is therefore out of harms way and can not be damaged in this harsh environment