The Port of Barcelona has experienced continuous growth in recent years, generating new operational and security needs. In response to these challenges, the Port Authority of Barcelona is undertaking an ambitious modernization process with the aim of transforming the port into a safer, smarter, and more efficient environment.
This is highlighted by David Serral, CIO of the Port of Barcelona, who points out that, being considered a critical infrastructure, the port must always meet a series of top-level technical requirements.
Therefore, the port authorities' main objective has been to unify platforms and centralize security information in a single environment. "We wanted to move away from proprietary solutions and have a large platform that would allow us to incorporate all signals, mainly video, but also alarms and other systems, and to be able to manage them satisfactorily with a single point of contact, speaking the same language," he says.
Specifically, the choice of Genetec as the technology provider took this into account and relied on its robustness, flexibility and compliance with the highest cybersecurity standards.
Integrated Technology and Continuous Adaptation.
For his part, Dídach Höflich, head of ICT projects in the port's Information Systems Department, explains that systems integration has been key to solving operational challenges: “Before, we had the control center with different computers and different functionalities, and managing it was very difficult. Now everything is unified in Genetec™ Security Center,” he says.
Thanks to the platform's modular design, they were able to first implement the CCTV service and later incorporate additional tools, such as advanced video analytics, intercom systems, fire detection, and license plate management systems. Furthermore, its flexibility has also allowed them to integrate body cameras, drones, and vessel control systems, which has improved access management and incident response.
The challenge is to leverage all the collected information and share it with the other port departments. “Every month there are new technologies that can be easily integrated into Genetec™ Security Center. And we really like this because we are constantly researching, improving, looking for ways to enhance the system, and offering these improvements to the different departments of the Port of Barcelona ,” says Höflich.
The port has also developed custom dashboards that allow for real-time visualization of the situation in different areas, as was the case during the America's Cup. “This event, aside from generating a lot of work for us, was a catalyst for the various technological projects we had underway. We had a great need to know which vessels were entering and leaving through the northern entrance. We explored different options. We found a company that had a very well-trained artificial intelligence model in other ports that could detect and classify different vessels. This has been revolutionary, because we've been carrying out this monitoring ever since. The port's goal is to become a smart port, and Genetec™ Security Center helps us move in that direction, constantly integrating new technologies,” Höflich explains in the video.
Privacy and Cooperation Guaranteed
Finally, Jaume Molina, Chief Superintendent of the Port Police at the Port of Barcelona, addresses the issue of privacy, an aspect that has been a priority for them from the outset. “All cameras must be authorized by the Catalan Video Surveillance Control Commission and include a series of visual filters over faces,” he explains. However, in the event of a judicial investigation, the system allows these filters to be deactivated in a controlled and recorded manner. “The ability to provide the images without these filters when necessary is fundamental for us. This was much more complicated before; it could take us more than a week to download what the authorities requested. Now it is much easier.”
In short, the Port of Barcelona has transformed its technological infrastructure to strengthen security, operational efficiency, and institutional collaboration. Through the testimonials of those involved, the real impact of Genetec's technology is revealed in one of Europe's most complex port environments to manage.
To learn more about this story, watch the Genetec video: https://www.genetec.com/es/casos-de-exito/port-de-barcelona
