Acoem announced that a large North American utility company is deploying its ATD Gunshot Detection system to protect critical infrastructure across multiple sites.
Utilities across the United States have experienced a growing number of gunfire incidents targeting electrical substations and energy assets. Even a single rifle round can disable a million‑dollar transformer by puncturing the cooling system, leading to overheating, fires, and prolonged outages.
A U.S. Department of Homeland Security assessment warns that violent extremists are likely to continue calling for physical attacks on critical infrastructure, reinforcing the urgency for proactive detection and response.
One of North America’s largest electric power and natural gas utilities experienced multiple substation shooting incidents that disrupted power for tens of thousands of customers. In one severe case, outages lasted for days, and a person dependent on life‑support equipment tragically died.
The Security Challenge
Traditional video surveillance systems excel at documenting visible incidents but cannot reliably detect small‑scale damage such as bullet strikes on transformers. The utility needed rapid, accurate detection to act before cascading equipment failures occurred.
Threats Beyond the Perimeter
Many substation attacks originate hundreds of feet outside the fence line. In these cases, the muzzle blast may never reach the facility, leaving only the supersonic ballistic wave. Systems that rely solely on detecting muzzle blasts within the perimeter fail to capture these long‑range threats.
Integration With Cameras and VMS
The utility required instant alerts with synchronized video and audio verification. Seamless integration with its existing video management system (VMS) and direct control of pan‑tilt‑zoom (PTZ) cameras were essential to immediately identify the source of gunfire and assess the threat.
“We needed immediate, accurate alerts to prevent catastrophic damage,” said the utility’s physical security program manager.
“Whether a threat is close‑range or from a high‑powered rifle fired from hundreds of feet away, we needed a modern, self‑contained, highly accurate system to provide a full picture.”
Cybersecurity And Air‑Gapped Requirements
Cybersecurity policies prohibited internet connectivity within operational networks. Any solution had to function entirely on‑premises, ruling out cloud‑based platforms and requiring direct integration with existing access control and video systems.
Selecting The Right Solution
After extensive evaluation, the utility selected Acoem’s ATD (Acoustic Threat Detection) system. Numerous systems are now deployed across multiple states, with new installations continuing weekly as part of a broader modernization strategy.
Unlike legacy systems that transmit audio data to remote servers, Acoem ATD processes detection directly on the sensor. The device detects both the muzzle blast and ballistic wave, instantly confirming the event and calculating shooter location.
Edge‑based analytics provide operators with critical response time to reroute power, isolate substations, or take transformers offline before failure—preventing extended regional outages.
To meet cybersecurity demands, Acoem developed an on‑premises version of its Cadence software. The platform delivers live mapping, sensor health monitoring, and audio verification while overlaying shooter location data directly onto the map. Cadence integrates with the utility’s Avigilon VMS.
“Running software on‑premises was non‑negotiable,” said the utility’s program manager.
“We needed the benefits of automation and analytics without exposing operational systems to the internet.”
Real‑Time Visual Confirmation
When gunfire is detected, ATD automatically commands PTZ cameras to pivot toward the shooter’s coordinates. Operators gain immediate visual context, even when the threat originates hundreds of yards outside the perimeter.
In some deployments, thermal or infrared cameras complement acoustic sensors to detect movement along tree lines and rights‑of‑way, enabling real‑time verification and coordinated response with law enforcement or maintenance teams.
Differentiating Threats From False Alarms
In one incident, the system detected gunfire at a remote substation. Operators used PTZ video to confirm the shots came from hunters outside the perimeter, posing no threat to infrastructure. The situation was resolved instantly without dispatching crews or contacting authorities.
Scalability And Open Integration
The utility required open standards and avoided proprietary lock‑in. Acoem ATD integrates via APIs with VMS platforms including Avigilon, Milestone, and Genetec. The system scaled from a few high‑risk sites to a broad deployment without network redesign, supporting a “start small, grow fast” approach.
CIP‑014 Compliance And Beyond
While NERC CIP‑014 mandates physical security measures for critical transmission substations, the utility aimed higher—prioritizing resilience, uptime, and proactive threat prevention. Acoustic threat detection now plays a central role in its operational security strategy.
A Smarter Path Forward
Physical threats can be as disruptive as cyberattacks. By combining edge‑based AI, on‑premises software, and open integration, Acoem ATD provides real‑time situational awareness that protects infrastructure, ensures compliance, and safeguards communities.
“Securing the grid now demands both digital and physical vigilance,” said the utility’s program manager.
“Gunshot detection has become a critical layer of defense for the infrastructure that powers our daily lives.”
Acoem is committed to securing safer communities and infrastructure through smarter security. Its AI‑powered Acoem ATD (Acoustic Threat Detection) technology combines sight and sound to detect gunfire and deploy cameras within seconds.
What is acoustic threat detection? Acoustic threat detection uses advanced sensors to identify gunfire by detecting muzzle blasts and ballistic shockwaves, enabling rapid localization of the shooter.
Why is gunshot detection critical for utilities? Gunfire can disable transformers and substations, causing prolonged outages, safety risks, and significant financial losses.
Does the Acoem ATD system require cloud connectivity? No. The system operates fully on‑premises, making it suitable for air‑gapped and high‑security environments.
Can ATD integrate with existing security systems? Yes. Acoem ATD integrates with leading VMS platforms such as Avigilon, Milestone, and Genetec through open APIs.
How quickly does the system respond to gunfire? The system detects, verifies, and cues cameras within seconds, providing near‑real‑time situational awareness.
