It’s the season for large international sporting events, and this year will see hugely popular ones around the world. While these events are a culmination of years of preparation and bring loads of excitement, they also place intense pressure on host cities to keep athletes, residents and visitors safe. From events on the world stage, to smaller-scale, more localized tournaments, technology plays a key role in helping achieve that security.
For decades, our technology has quietly powered safety, resilience and operational excellence behind some of the world’s most iconic global events – from safeguarding millions of people to securing critical infrastructure, transportation networks and public spaces – helping host cities deliver safe, efficient and unforgettable events.
Preparing for the big event
When a city is awarded host status for a major sporting event, it typically triggers massive investment in new venues, public areas, accommodations, commercial developments and transportation. At the same time, public safety, security, defense and transportation agencies and more are collaborating to mitigate risks; coordinate fast, effective responses; and plan for the unexpected.
All these agencies need to be able to rely on trusted situational awareness, geospatial intelligence, real-time incident management and secure operational coordination technologies to pull off a safe event. These can include video management, perimeter protection (including 3D LiDAR surveillance), mapping, computer-aided dispatch (CAD), advanced AI analytics, cloud-based collaboration platforms and more.
A great example is a certain city that implemented a comprehensive safe-city solution to merge disparate data sources into a single operational picture. Multiple systems — including video, audio, radio, geolocation data and web inputs — were integrated into a common framework. Thousands of cameras fed a central video management system that connected to an integrated command and control center.
Operators used 40 desktop workstations and a physical security information management (PSIM) interface, developed in collaboration with local law enforcement, to coordinate operations using automated response plans and adaptive workflows. This system enabled authorities to automatically detect overcrowding, loitering, unattended baggage and perimeter intrusions. It also protected critical infrastructure and supported traffic monitoring, congestion management and the detection of illegal parking.
This example of comprehensive security is just one of the many elements cities must consider when supporting a major event.
Examples in action
Over the last several decades, Octave customers in host cities of large, complex winter and summer sporting events have employed the latest technologies to protect people and infrastructure.
Many of these use cases might easily come to mind, but others not so much, such as:
Did you consider manhole covers or sewer covers? One host city did, securing, sealing and inspecting thousands of them, all within 50 meters of many of the event’s venues. Advanced geospatial solutions were employed to make this happen. At the same time, advanced geospatial and situational awareness platforms helped further secure event sites, protect critical infrastructure and maintain citywide operational awareness. These tools helped teams monitor large crowds, manage high-risk venues and ensure the integrity of essential services throughout the event.
Ever wondered what goes into ski trails? At one global winter sporting event, geospatial solutions played a unique role by assisting in the construction and optimization of ski trails. Precision data and terrain modeling supported safe, high-performance course design — ensuring both athlete safety and world-class competition conditions.
How does a city ensure security across multiple venues with massive crowds? Coordination is non-negotiable, and a host city ensured success by using modern public safety technology to coordinate security operations. This included real-time incident management and integrated intelligence tools to support emergency services, transportation officials and security forces.
What about complex logistical environments? Advanced security technologies were deployed in one city to secure critical transportation infrastructure, ensuring safe and reliable travel for athletes, guests and the public. These capabilities helped maintain smooth operations.
What if unprecedented congestion threatens to disrupt transportation flow? During one momentous summer sporting event, the host city used modern public safety, security and geospatial solutions to monitor and secure transportation networks, ensuring safe and efficient mobility. The solutions helped safeguard transit hubs, optimize traffic flow and support coordinated incident response.
How about if an event involves multiple jurisdictions? To pull off a highly anticipated winter event, a host city integrated public safety and incident management platforms to coordinate emergency services and enable seamless interoperability for agencies working to protect athletes, officials and global spectators.
And in the event of a critical incident? In one notable instance, advanced video analysis technology provided investigators with enhanced capabilities to analyze critical footage, supporting the effort to restore safety and advance an investigation
Focus where it should be
Over the past 40 years, cities around the world have chosen Octave as a mission-critical partner during major global sporting events because of its unrivaled experience in large scale public safety, geospatial intelligence and complex event operations. From defending critical assets to enabling real-time emergency coordination, our solutions give agencies the tools they need to operate confidently and effectively. When Octave technology is behind the scenes, the focus can stay where it should be — on the competition, community and celebration of human achievement.
Explore how Octave's solutions protect people and infrastructure