Fort Benning bolsters security, resilience with smart installation technology

Across Fort Benning, Mobile Security Units (MSUs) are deployed as dynamic force multipliers for the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES). Equipped with 360-degree cameras, flashing lights, two-way audio systems, and more, these agile units serve as the eyes and ears of DES, providing visibility and awareness in areas where traditional patrols may not always be present. Beyond acting as deterrents, they function as sophisticated tools that seamlessly integrate into the installation's broader technology operations.

MSUs feed into Fort Benning’s Intelligent Intrusion Detection System (IIDS), an advanced system that allows DES to monitor activities across the installation and coordinate emergency responses effectively. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and US Ignite, the IIDS is integral to the Smart Installation Community Dashboard (SICD), a program developed under the Army’s broader Virtual Toolbox for Installation Mission Effectiveness (VTIME). Together, these initiatives aim to improve infrastructure, bolster readiness, and enhance resilience at Fort Benning.

Mobile Security Units: The backbone of IIDS

The driving force behind the IIDS is the MSU, an advanced, solar-powered, cellular-connected unit that provides DES with enhanced visibility across the installation. Provided by LiveView Technologies, MSUs can be equipped with a variety of features, including cameras, floodlights, flashing lights, a bullhorn, and a two-way audio system for effective monitoring and communication. Their modular design allows functionality as either a mobile or fixed unit, enabling different security applications.

“IIDS is primarily deployed for perimeter security, but its adaptability allows for broader applications,” said Matthew Dillon, Chief of the Access Control Branch for Fort Benning DES. “For example, when we deployed a mobile MSU near Custer Road Elementary, IIDS provided critical visibility into traffic patterns and safety concerns without the need for a police patrol on-site.”

Fixed MSUs enable continuous monitoring of key areas with fewer personnel. “At the Buena Vista Road Gate, where a fixed MSU is mounted round-the-clock, IIDS provides 24/7 alerts on any activity—human, vehicle, or even weather-related,” Dillon explained. “This allows us to monitor and verify incidents efficiently, minimizing the manpower needed while ensuring the appropriate response to each alert.”

Whether mobile or fixed, MSUs offer a commanding vantage point, allowing Fort Benning to effectively monitor and respond to key areas in real time.

Supporting special events and emergencies

The IIDS's applicability extends beyond routine operations. During Fort Benning's annual Independence Celebration, MSUs were deployed to ensure comprehensive security coverage. The 360-degree video monitoring provided by these units allowed the DES to maintain situational awareness and respond swiftly to potential issues across the event grounds.

The system has also proven valuable during severe weather and disaster response scenarios. “When a microburst and lightning strike damaged the Buena Vista Road Gate, IIDS stayed online and provided real-time alerts,” Dillon recalls. “We were able to notify the installation and initiate repairs within minutes instead of hours.”

MSUs can be rapidly deployed during crises to monitor evacuation routes or critical infrastructure. Their solar-powered design and integrated backup generators ensure they remain functional during power outages or disruptions, even when solar availability is limited.

Smart dashboard provides data-driven insights

A key aspect of IIDS is its integration with ERDC’s Fort Benning Installation Operations Tool (IOT), as a prototype for the VTIME program. The IOT aggregates data from MSUs, Fort Benning emergency dispatch systems, floor plans, and real-time vehicle tracking, creating a common operating picture for emergency and operational teams.

“We’re working to give all stakeholders in an emergency response—including incident commanders, responders, dispatch, and leadership—shared, real-time awareness of an emergency,” says Kyle Compton, technical program manager for US Ignite. “The goal is to reduce time spent reporting and allow responders to focus on what matters most: addressing the emergency.”

Beyond the information provided by the IIDS, the IOT compiles additional insights, such as real-time facility usage data to inform master planning, building power consumption insights to identify energy inefficiencies, and installation heat and environmental monitoring to improve training safety.

Accessible from desktop and mobile devices, the IOT can be configured to send automated updates via text or email. It helps users visualize trends, receive alerts, and make informed decisions across a range of installation operations.

Roadmap to the Installation of the Future

The SICD initiative began in 2021 as a partnership between US Ignite and ERDC with the first MSUs deployed in January 2023. However, the foundation for this initiative dates back even further. “In May of 2018, Fort Benning, ERDC, and other Army stakeholders participated in a study to establish a roadmap for Fort Benning to be an Army model ‘Installation of the Future,’” explains Timothy Perkins, VTIME program manager for ERDC. “We’ve worked with Fort Benning leaders and staff to understand real-time processes, systems, and pain points that allow us to define Army VTIME requirements.”

These efforts culminated in a live emergency services exercise in November 2024, which tested the integration of IIDS with the IOT. This exercise validated improvements in response times and operational readiness during critical incidents, demonstrating the potential of these tools to transform installation management.

As the program continues to evolve, Fort Benning, ERDC, and US Ignite plan to release a limited operational version of the IOT in September 2025. This release will allow additional users to leverage its advanced capabilities for real-time, data-driven decision-making while providing an opportunity to assess the IOT as a prototype for broader implementation across Army installations.

“Our early SICD efforts and current IOT give Fort Benning meaningful tools, combining real-time installation and enterprise data together and demonstrating progress toward a whole-of-installation operational picture,” Perkins noted. “We’re on the cusp of transformative change that will help installations accomplish their mission, support Soldier quality of life and installation infrastructure, save time and money, while enhancing readiness.”

Technology as a force multiplier

“Fort Benning is committed to building an installation that’s ready for tomorrow’s challenges, today,” said Col. J.D. Evans, Fort Benning Garrison Commander. “Through smart investments in technology and infrastructure, we are improving how we keep our community safe, support our warfighters, and respond to anything that comes our way.”

The ongoing development of the SICD and IOT reflects Fort Benning’s commitment to innovation and its role as a testing ground for scalable solutions. By integrating advanced technologies and leveraging partnerships, Fort Benning is setting the standard for Army installations of the future.