Technology advances at a rapid pace. Threats are becoming more sophisticated every day, and government agencies must be one step ahead to protect all domains: land, sea, air and space. As a result of these increasingly sophisticated adversaries, the Department of Defense has invested heavily in R&D for new command and control (C2) capabilities. One of the important aspects of multi-domain operations (MDO) is the men and women working to manned day-to-day operations.
How can governments best offer this protection? Command and control centers.
A carefully and ergonomically designed command center can run 24/7 and provide access to the resources leaders need to make effective decisions as quickly as possible.
A government command center that’s ready for the future will include the following:
A versatile Common Operational Picture (COP)
Governments face a range of multi-domain threats from cyber crime to civil discord, and these threats are constantly changing. Because of this, they need their command and control (C2) center to have a flexible common operational picture. The common operational picture, or COP, is the shared source of information that directs decision making within the command and control center. Leaders in mission critical command and control centers can use the video wall to establish a COP and quickly adapt the information shared as needed.
Multiclassification
A sophisticated command and control center for the government allows for multiple security level configurations for the same system. In cyber security operations centers, joint operations centers, and other command and control environments, operators may need to source from networks with different security classification levels. Multiclassification allows for differentiation between security levels as they apply to clearances from different networks. With conscious design, the classified information accessed in the command and control center is only processed over trustworthy networks
Ergonomic and durable console furniture
The command and control consoles you choose are also very important for the day to day operations. 24/7 C2 furniture should be designed for the rigors of the mission critical environment, and have features that add to the capabilities of the mission. Components such as cable management, sit-stand capabilities, steel frame, and impact resistant edges can contribute to console longevity and operator comfort, ultimately aiding situational awareness in your mission.
Presets for quick shifts in focus
The dynamic challenges of risk management demand that operators quickly shift their focus as missions evolve. Threats, locations, and objectives can change rapidly, requiring new content sources to be displayed on the video wall. Using presets on the control system allows operators to quickly transform the visualization, saving valuable time when seconds matter.
Future-proofing via design
Command and control rooms need to be dynamic because they are a long-term investment. The systems within C2 should be reliable yet flexible — able to operate 24/7 in the long term, but also have the versatility needed to shift along with the ever-changing landscape of technology.
Highest quality visualization
The operators in a command and control center are tasked with solving complex problems that could include life threatening situations. Because of this, the visualization in a command and control center is key. When choosing a video wall solution, elements such as content sources, wall space, and viewing distance need to be taken into consideration. The aspect ratio, pixel density, brightness, and resolution are also important.
Expert partners
Government command and control centers are sensitive and mission critical. Because of this, they require an expert hand for not only design, but also installation and service to ensure 24/7 operations without disruption.
When choosing an integrator for your command and control center, past performance is an absolute must. At Constant, our client list speaks for itself. We’ve worked with government agencies such as the Department of Defense, United States Coast Guard and Air Force, proving that the most sensitive environments trust Constant.
There are a lot of audiovisual integrators out there, and many of them have dipped their toes into the mission critical world. However, specializing exclusively in the field of mission critical is something that no one else does. With over 30 years in business, we offer a wealth of experience as well as custom design services and long-term service contracts to ensure that your mission critical space is the best that it can be.
In addition to video wall integration for command and control, Constant also manufactures console furniture purpose-built for the rigors of 24/7. In addition to our custom solutions, we have 5 console lines on the GSA schedule: Freedom, Contender, Endurance, Endurance Pods, and Simplicity.
If you would like to learn more about our solutions for government C2 environments, contact us today to receive a free design and budget consultation.
About Constant:
Constant Technologies, Inc. provides AV integration for 24/7 video walls and custom operation center furniture. With 30+ years of experience, we can work with sensitive environments in the public and private sectors. Constant designs and installs projects of all scopes and sizes around the world. We also offer long-term service and support. We create solutions with the highest levels of security, aesthetics and functionality in mind.
