Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/229956
INNOVATION AWARD WINNER: SILVER By Joseph Bellino Leadership and innovation merge to secure Houston-based hospital system Memorial Hermann migrates to cutting edge access control and video technologies, all within tight budget restraints T Memorial Hermann is a network of 13 hospitals located in and around the Houston, Texas area and is one of the largest networks in the country. 24 he Memorial Hermann Healthcare project is a story of collaboration, vision, strategy, partnership and leadership. When I was interviewing to become the system security executive at Memorial Hermann Health System I got the sense that the systems and procedures were in need of significant attention and remediation. It wasn't until my first days on the job before I was able to recognize just how daunting this task would be. Memorial Hermann is a network of 13 hospitals located in and around Houston, Texas. Security professionals know that one standalone hospital is a complex environment requiring technical, managerial and financial savvy unlike any other vertical. Now multiply that level of complexity by 13 and put it all under one umbrella. Covering over 20 million square feet, with 1,762 doors, 1,600 cameras, 30,000 SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE • November/December 2013 cardholders and 5 million visitors annually, this project is among the largest on the Software House C•Cure 9000 platform. As we began analyzing the organization's security infrastructure I found dozens of offline cameras, inconsistencies in database management, unused hardware components collecting dust, and a security culture as disparate as the independently operating access control systems. We needed a significant investment of financial and human resources to right the ship. Each site (except one) was operating a local version of Software House C•Cure 800, so this is where we started. I contacted Software House and explained my dilemma. I felt that the best solution was to centralize the security systems, but in order to accomplish this we needed an integrator that understood our needs and could deliver on our expectations. www.SecurityInfoWatch.com