Dutch Customs strengthens oversight of the North Sea Canal area with a future-proof connectivity plan | Customer Story

The Douane, the Dutch Customs, is responsible for ensuring the security and legality of the flow of goods in the Netherlands. At various mainports, busy and strategic locations, the Douane aims to organize its oversight in an efficient and future-proof manner. Advanced cameras are playing an increasingly important role in this effort. However, camera surveillance stands or falls on reliable connectivity. Strict has been commissioned to work with the Douane to develop a strategic connectivity plan. This will serve as the foundation for establishing connectivity in this complex environment.

The challenge: managing a complex environment

An area such as the North Sea Canal region involves multiple landowners and municipalities. How, then, do you set up surveillance in an efficient and future-proof manner across a busy and extensive area, enabling faster and more effective action against, for example, subversive activities? The use of cameras is only truly effective when the Douane can rely on the cameras being constantly connected and the footage being viewable 24/7 at the monitoring center. Reliable connectivity via a robust underlying IT infrastructure is therefore essential for working with advanced cameras. A strategic plan is necessary to integrate technology and the environment.

Strict was tasked with solving this complex puzzle, drawing on its extensive experience with both mission critical communications and complex environments, such as those found in control rooms of public order and safety, Defense, ProRail, Schiphol, hospitals, and utility companies.

The foundation: a strategic connectivity plan

Strict developed a connectivity plan that serves as the basis for the deployment of video surveillance. By combining expertise in mission-critical connectivity with experience in similar projects, a plan was created that provides a solid foundation for both the present and the future.

Gerrit van Dijken, mission critical communications expert at Strict: “This project centered on finding reliable connections in an environment with many variables. If connections are lost, surveillance can be temporarily limited, making it more difficult to monitor incidents in real time. With the connectivity plan, we’ve clearly mapped out how the Douane can maintain continuous oversight everywhere.”

The plan includes a combination of technologies such as (private) 5G, microwave links, and fiber optics. Following a comprehensive assessment of the existing infrastructure, new connections were evaluated based on cost, feasibility, and manageability. Douane’s needs and requirements were central to this process.

Results: efficiency, security, and control

With the connectivity plan, the Douane now has a solid foundation. This enables the organisation, together with partners, to:

• issue a targeted request for proposals to the market for the implementation of the infrastructure;
• allocate resources in a targeted manner and control costs;
• effectively implement video surveillance;
• have access to reliable evidence in the event of incidents;
• further develop oversight toward a better balance between prevention and enforcement.

Reliability and social impact

The project demonstrates how technology and connectivity are essential for a safer Netherlands. Thanks to the connectivity plan, a reliable camera infrastructure can be established in the North Sea Canal area.

Lotte de Bruijn, CEO at Strict: “We believe it’s important to contribute to projects that truly make a difference. By applying our knowledge and experience, we support organizations such as the Douane so they can have a positive impact on safety and society.”