Beyond KVM: The evolution of control room technologies

In the high-stakes world of control rooms, critical systems are often intentionally segregated for security and operational integrity. Network segregation creates essential boundaries between systems handling sensitive data, critical infrastructure, or different security classifications. While this separation is necessary to prevent lateral movement of threats and maintain regulatory compliance, it creates a practical challenge: how can operators efficiently work across these purposefully isolated networks?

This is where KVM technology becomes crucial. KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches emerged as the bridge between security requirements and operational needs, allowing operators to access and control multiple segregated systems without compromising the isolation that protects them. Let's explore how control room technology has evolved from simple KVM switches to sophisticated integrated platforms that are transforming how operators work across segregated environments.

Remember when switching between computers meant crawling under your desk to unplug and replug cables? Or (more common in control rooms), when operators had a bunch of different computers on their desks, all linked to a separate network, and constantly needed to move back and forth to access the information they needed. KVM switches solved this headache by allowing operators to control multiple computers with a single set of peripherals.

Traditional KVM switches brought immediate benefits:

• Reduced desktop clutter with fewer keyboards and mice
• Simplified workspaces for operators
• Cost savings on duplicate peripherals
• Quick switching between systems with the press of a button
• Maintained air-gapped security between networks while enabling operational control

But they weren't without limitations. Physical KVM switches required computers to be relatively close to the operator, and scaling beyond a handful of systems quickly became unwieldy. As control rooms grew more complex, technology needed to keep pace.

KVM over IP was the natural evolution, leveraging network technology to extend reach beyond the physical constraints of traditional KVM switches. Suddenly, operators could access servers and workstations located in a separate server room.

This networked approach delivered impressive advantages:

• Remote access to systems from anywhere on the network
• Greater scalability for larger control room environments
• Enhanced redundancy options
• Centralized management of access rights
• Advanced security features to maintain network separation while enabling controlled access

This also brought additional advantages in terms of security. Some of the most vicious hacking attacks are inside jobs: an intruder (or malcontent employee) plugs in a USB drive into the system to unleash a virus or other malware. When the computers are located in a server room, this threat is eliminated, because typically only few people have access to these environments.

However, despite these improvements, a fundamental issue remained unsolved: system isolation. Each connected system still existed in its own silo with distinct interfaces, security protocols, and user experiences. 

This fragmentation creates real operational challenges. Consider a security operations center where threats must be identified and addressed in seconds. An operator might need to:

1. Verify an alert on a security management system
2. Check camera feeds on a video surveillance platform
3. Cross-reference with access control logs on yet another system
4. Document findings in a separate reporting tool

Each context switch takes time and mental energy, creating opportunities for error and delay when efficiency matters most.

This is where Barco fundamentally changes the control room paradigm. With Barco CTRL, we effectively solved the issues with system isolation. Rather than simply switching between systems, Barco CTRL creates a unified operational environment that brings everything together on a single canvas. Although the networks are still completely separate and only merged on the presentation layer, operators feel like they are working on a single system.

Imagine having all your critical information sources seamlessly integrated into one coherent workspace. It’s more than having one keyboard and mouse to control different systems; it's about bringing those systems together into a cohesive operational picture.

But Barco CTRL is so much more than a powerful KVM over IP solution. This complete control room software platform extends the workspace functionality with networking and video wall capabilities.

Barco CTRL serves as a comprehensive control room platform that:

• Creates a unified canvas displaying multiple sources simultaneously
• Maintains a consistent user experience across all connected systems
• Distributes relevant information to both operator workstations and large display walls

The beauty of this approach is that operators remain at the center of the operation. They decide what information is relevant, how it should be arranged, and where it needs to be shared. This operator-centric design eliminates the cognitive load of constantly adapting to different interfaces and mentally connecting information across disparate systems.

In today's threat landscape, simplified operations cannot come at the expense of security. Barco CTRL was built with "secure by design" and "secure by default" methodologies at its core.

This means security isn't an afterthought or add-on feature, but woven into the fabric of the platform from the ground up. Every connection, data transfer, and user interaction operates with appropriate security controls, ensuring that operational efficiency doesn't create new vulnerabilities.

The difference becomes clear in real-world scenarios. When an incident occurs, seconds count. With traditional KVM solutions, operators might spend precious time toggling between systems, mentally connecting pieces of information displayed in different formats across various platforms.

With Barco CTRL, the same operator can see all relevant information at once on a unified canvas, quickly making connections between data points and sharing critical insights with the team. Information that previously existed in separate silos now flows naturally to where it's needed most.

As control rooms continue to evolve, the focus is shifting from simply accessing multiple systems to truly integrating them. The future belongs to platforms that can break down barriers between systems while maintaining appropriate security boundaries.

Barco CTRL represents this new generation of control room technology; one that recognizes that operators shouldn't have to adapt to technology limitations. Instead, technology should adapt to how operators naturally work, creating environments where information flows seamlessly and decision-making isn't hindered by system boundaries.

In the end, control rooms are about the people making critical decisions. The best technological solutions are those that fade into the background, allowing operators to focus on what matters most: maintaining safety, security, and operational excellence.

Barco CTRL is a true all-in-one control room platform that continues to grow in power. The release of software version 1.9 represents another important step in the features roadmap. Most prominent in this release are the API enhancements. The Operate API is extended to support CTRLdesk. Furthermore, composition support and multihead source support empower publishing to walls.

Additionally, it is now possible to toggle the CTRLdesk UI on and off, audio for personal web has been improved (it is now possible to mute/unmute), touch screen support for RDP sources, and relative mouse coordinates support for encoder sources. 

These software updates, coming even more frequently than every quarter, further empower the Barco CTRL solution and extend its use cases. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of Barco CTRL in your control room, feel free to contact us. Our experts are more than ready to discuss your requirements.