Securing one of Europe’s largest emotion parks: Le Puy du Fou meets the challenge of high security

How does Le Puy du Fou, one of the largest emotion parks in Europe, reconcile high security with an immersive experience for its millions of visitors with STid Architect readers?

Le Puy du Fou welcomes several million visitors each year. With its grandiose and immersive shows, it has carved out a unique reputation in the world of entertainment. Yet, behind this extraordinary experience lies a real security challenge. 

The park spans several square kilometers, encompassing breeding areas, warehouses for pyrotechnic products, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Ensuring the protection of assets and people in such a vast and diversified space is a monumental task. Every day, thousands of visitors, hundreds of employees, and critical infrastructures must be safeguarded without compromising the unique experience that the park is renowned for. 

A significant security challenge

Le Puy du Fou has successfully tackled this challenge through its longstanding partner I3S, a subsidiary of ENSIO, which has implemented a high-security solution based on STid’s open and interoperable technologies – coupled with Genetec software. The goal? To create a scalable system capable of adapting to the park’s constant expansions while providing maximum protection. 

The system relies on around a hundred STid access control readers connected to the Genetec platform, which manages surveillance cameras and intrusion alarms. These advanced technologies enable complete coverage and centralized security management, ensuring swift and effective responses to threats. 

Technology serving security and the visitor experience

STid readers, models ARC A and ARC One with Mifare DESFire badges, are installed in strategic zones inaccessible to the public: store reserves, restaurants, hotels, and hazardous material storage areas like pyrotechnics. In certain zones, such as hotel areas when vacant, dual authentication is required outside operating hours using the ARC B model, which integrates a PIN code for enhanced security. 

This approach ensures optimal security without detracting from the visitor experience. Security devices have been carefully integrated into the decor to remain discreet yet effective. Customizing the readers guarantees full immersion for the public while ensuring flawless protection. 

Scalable infrastructure for an expanding park

With expansion projects at Le Puy du Fou, including beyond French borders, it’s essential that new security installations seamlessly integrate with the existing system. The open technology of STid readers ensures this scalability. The park can thus add new devices as it expands, while maintaining perfect compatibility with already established security infrastructures. 

Thanks to the flexibility of the solutions used, the security team can efficiently manage the system while anticipating future needs. 

Datacor’s Expertise

In the realm of data center protection, our partner Datacor deploys cybersecurity solutions to ensure the security of these vital data. Datacor stands out with an integrated approach combining advanced cybersecurity solutions with STid access control solutions. This approach ensures an optimal level of data security with enhanced protection against cyber and hybrid threats. 

The NIS2 directive will not be fully transposed until October 2024. However, it is never too early to act, as recommended by security experts worldwide: developing cyber defense measures should be undertaken as soon as possible to avoid attracting hackers’ attention. In this regulatory context that remains uncertain, STId distinguishes itself with its access control solutions. High-security readers are based on open and interoperable technologies, offering scalable responses that ensure high security today while allowing the system to be upgraded to meet the requirements of future laws (without starting over). 

Conclusion 

Security at Le Puy du Fou is a colossal challenge, but our advanced technological solutions deployed by our partners successfully meet it. The combination of open technologies, smooth interoperability, and integration into the park’s decor offers an exceptional visitor experience while ensuring optimal protection of assets, people, and infrastructures. 

Le Puy du Fou continues to innovate, not only in the shows it offers but also in its security policy, ensuring that the magic remains intact while reinforcing security at every step. 

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