Security Solutions By The Handful

GovSec 2008 is in the books. I like saying it that way because it reminds me of when I coached baseball. In the books meant it was a good game, and we likely won. GovSec was a good tradeshow, and exhibitors likely won.

A couple things caught my eye from interviews regarding the tradeshow.

Northrup Grumman demonstrated its ability to seamlessly integrate a variety of homeland security solutions into a common situational awareness display via its critical incident response system. Company officials claim this solution combines the best of hardware and software allowing commanders the ability to quickly and intuitively plan, engage and manage emergency situations and complex events.

Called TouchTable, the application enables small group collaboration and discovery at the local site, and remote information sharing over IP to any other TouchTable or IP-enabled device. This means all responders work with the same information.

A homeland security solution that I like is the company’s high altitude, long endurance, fully autonomous Global Hawk. This is an unmanned aerial reconnaissance system designed to provide high-resolution, near-real-time imagery of large graphic areas. It’s a multi-role system which can enhance the military’s peacekeeping missions to full-scale combat.

Imagery from Global Hawk and similar systems can be integrated into a critical incident response system.

Brijot Imaging Systems also offered an interesting solution with its full-motion object detection and people screening technology. This application would likely be used to detect and locate suicide bombs, weapons, liquids and other potential threats on someone in real-time, and from a stand-off distance.

The product uses passive millimeter wave technology to simultaneously detect and unlimited number of items made of metals, plastics, ceramics, composites and many other materials.

All in all, it seems GovSec was a homerun. More to come in my final post April 30.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.