Acoem announced that a large North American electric and natural gas utility has deployed its ATD acoustic gunshot detection system across multiple sites to protect critical infrastructure from firearm-related threats.

Utilities across the United States have faced an increase in gunfire incidents targeting substations and other energy assets. Even a single rifle round can disable a transformer by puncturing its cooling system, leading to overheating, fire and extended outages. In some cases, attacks have disrupted service to tens of thousands of customers for days.

The utility sought a solution that could detect gunshots quickly enough to prevent cascading failures. Traditional security cameras were effective at documenting visible damage but could not reliably identify bullet strikes or determine their origin in real time. Many attacks also originated hundreds of feet outside substation perimeters, where muzzle blasts may not be audible on site.

“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 requirements further narrowed the options. The utility enforces an air-gapped operational network and does not allow internet connectivity, ruling out cloud-based solutions. Any new technology had to operate fully on premises and integrate with existing security platforms.

After testing multiple approaches, the utility selected Acoem’s ATD system. The system processes acoustic analytics directly on the sensor, detecting both the muzzle blast and the ballistic wave of a gunshot. By confirming and localizing events at the edge, the system provides instant alerts that give operators time to reroute power, isolate substations or take equipment offline before failure occurs.

Acoem also developed an on-premises version of its Cadence software to meet the utility’s cybersecurity standards. Cadence provides live mapping, sensor health monitoring and audio verification, allowing operators to hear recorded acoustic data while viewing the calculated shooter location. The software integrates with the utility’s Avigilon video management system.

“Running software on-premises was non-negotiable,” the program manager said. “We needed the benefits of automation and analytics without exposing operational systems to the internet.”

Integration with pan-tilt-zoom cameras adds visual confirmation. When a gunshot is detected, the system can automatically direct a camera to the source location, even if it is outside the fence line. In some locations, the utility supplements the acoustic sensors with thermal or infrared cameras to monitor surrounding areas.

In one recent incident, the system detected gunfire near a remote substation. Operators used the linked camera feed to determine the shots came from hunters outside the perimeter and posed no threat, avoiding unnecessary dispatches or law enforcement response.

The utility required open standards and scalability, allowing the system to expand from a few high-risk sites to broader deployment without redesigning its network. The ATD system integrates through APIs with multiple video platforms, supporting gradual expansion.

The deployment also supports compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s CIP-014 physical security standard, while providing earlier threat awareness than traditional perimeter systems.

“Securing the grid now demands both digital and physical vigilance,” the program manager said. “Gunshot detection has become a critical layer of defense for the infrastructure that powers our daily lives.”