Security for the heart of democracy in Austria
State-of-the-art video security solutions as the basis for a future-proof security concept for the Austrian parliament building
Major rehabilitation project
Initiated by a parliamentary resolution in July 2014, the Austrian parliament building in Vienna was subject to general rehabilitation. Besides structural renovation, modernization and expansion, this included implementation of a completely reconceived security concept. The cameras in use within and on the exterior of the building were still older analog systems. These no longer met the requirements for the new security concept in terms of image quality in challenging lighting conditions, analytical functionality and IT security. As part of general rehabilitation, installation was required of an effective network-based state-of-the-art system for video-based security.
Investment in a state-of-the-art security system
Thomas Tauscher, Senior Security Consultant and director of security technology at the Austrian parliament, had already worked with Axis Communications and Axis solutions in the past, with positive experience. Because of this and comprehensive consulting experience of the Axis experts, the parliamentary administration chose Axis Communications as the supplier for the new camera solutions. In all, around 500 network cameras – including dome, PTZ and panorama models – were installed and linked with a large security center, staffed 24/7.
Benefits of the new high security network
In line with the new security concept, the Axis cameras create a completely self-contained high security network for the parliament building. The high level of quality and forensic value of the images enable the security staff to respond quickly and specifically to potential incidents and threats. The AXIS Privacy Shield integrated into the camera solutions further ensures that all privacy and safety at work regulations are fully satisfied. The system has been in constant operation since January 2023, and feedback from the administration is entirely positive. The high security network has already been expanded to the secondary parliament buildings – with the help of further Axis solutions.
Modern network cameras: The central element in a modernized security concept
The legislature in Austria consists of two separate bodies, the National Council and the Federal Council, which together are also known as the Parliament. The Parliament traditionally meets in the parliament building in Vienna’s Ringstrasse, completed in 1883 as a masterpiece of the Danish architect Theophil Hansen. After over 130 years of unbroken operation, general rehabilitation of the building was becoming increasingly urgent, as damage and defects were becoming more evident.
Following a unanimous resolution of the Parliament in July 2014, work duly started on comprehensive and sustainable renovation, expansion and rehabilitation of the building – one of the biggest and politically most significant construction projects in the history of the Second Republic. The goal of the project is to make the listed building fit for further contemporary use.
Ultramodern security concept
As part of the ambitious project, the security technology was completely renewed under a new security concept drawn up by leading Austrian security expert Michael Zoratti. A central element in the new security concept was the use of network cameras to the latest IT security standards, as previously only analog systems had been used.
The parliament building is supposed to be open to all citizens. Everyone is welcome in the new visitor center, library and catering establishments. This, together with the central, open location in Vienna's inner city, poses a multitude of challenges to security. The new security concept counters these on the basis "as open as possible, as secure as necessary," as summarized by Thomas Tauscher, Senior Security Consultant and director of security technology at the Austrian parliament.
A competent partner for video-based security
After a European tender, the contract for general planning of the entire project was awarded in August 2014 to the Jabornegg & Pálffy architectural bidding syndicate. Following relocation of parliamentary operations in various temporary sites in 2017, actual work on construction began in 2018.
To meet the goal and requirements of the new security concept, it was essential to integrate a new, powerful, state-of-the-art system for video-based security. Axis Communications was selected as the supplier of the camera systems, as Thomas Tauscher knew them from his time as independent consultant, and he and the parliamentary administration had years of positive experience.
Axis Communications were also convincing in commercial terms: Axis solutions were the most cost-effective for the project, and Axis experts were also available to assist the administration in detailed planning for specific challenges, such as IT security or video surveillance of large outdoor areas, with due regard to privacy regulations.
A fully autonomous high security network
Under the new security concept a large security center, staffed 24/7, was established, and around 500 AXIS cameras (including M42 dome cameras, P37 panorama cameras and Q62 PTZ cameras) were installed to provide full coverage in and around the parliament building. For analytical purposes, functions for counting visitors and analyzing visitor flows were also integrated.
The result is a fully autonomous high security network combining the benefits of automation and human judgment: If the video analysis function identifies incidents or discrepancies, an alarm is automatically given in the security center, and the security personnel can respond appropriately. The AXIS Privacy Shield with masking and pixilation functions is used to protect privacy, data and safety at work-
A more secure heart of democracy in Austria
After around ten years of work on the project, the fully renovated parliament building was reopened for operation and visitors in January 2023. In all, some 55,000 square meters of net floor space, 740 windows and 600 historic doors and 500 historic chandeliers and lights were renovated. This represents an increase of around 10,000 square meters. The building now also has improved earthquake protection and a utilities circuit in the basement for central management and maintenance of the building infrastructure, together with a range of ecofriendly mobility, recycling and catering services for sustainability and energy efficiency.
The new security system based on Axis Communications network solutions has been operating fully around the clock since the opening, and the results are entirely positive. The system has accordingly already been expanded, to additional secondary buildings and in terms of the scope of functionality, to continue improving the security concept.
“At the Austrian parliament we had the opportunity to work on both an interesting project and a fascinating building with a lot of history. Feedback to date from the parliaments security department has been very positive. They are very satisfied with the new system. Expansions to the secondary buildings are already operating, in order to update everything to the state-of-the art in the interests of a homogeneous security portfolio,” is how Georg Trojan, Key Account Manager at Axis Communications summarizes the situation.
Products & solutions
Government
Get in touch
Want to know how you can benefit from Axis solutions? Get in touch and we will help you.
Contact us