Government Security


Hikvision, Dahua Technology Among Chinese Companies Added to U.S. Government Blacklist

Hikvision, Dahua Technology Among Chinese Companies Added to U.S. Government Blacklist

The Trump administration has added 28 more Chinese organizations to its entity list, which forbids American companies from selling their products to foreign companies without government permission.

Attorney General Pressures Facebook To Delay End-To-End Encryption, Citing Child Abuse Concerns

Attorney General Pressures Facebook To Delay End-To-End Encryption, Citing Child Abuse Concerns

Law enforcement are increasingly worried about the possibility of end-to-end encryption, which does not provide police with a way to access communications between potential suspects.

Justice Apologizes For Iowa Court System Authorizing Security Vulnerability Testing That Led To Break-Ins

Justice Apologizes For Iowa Court System Authorizing Security Vulnerability Testing That Led To Break-Ins

At a legislative hearing Friday, court administrators answered questions about their decision to hire “penetration testers” who were arrested for burglary last month.

Microsoft: Iranian Hackers Targeted Email Accounts of Presidential Campaign, U.S. Officials

Microsoft: Iranian Hackers Targeted Email Accounts of Presidential Campaign, U.S. Officials

Over 200 accounts were targeted by the group of hackers, but only four were compromised, according to Microsoft.

FBI Warns Businesses and Organizations of Rising “High-Impact” Ransomware Threat

FBI Warns Businesses and Organizations of Rising “High-Impact” Ransomware Threat

Even if an organization decides to pay a ransom against the FBI’s advice, they should report the crime to law enforcement, according to the FBI alert.

France Plans to Become First European Country to Use Facial Recognition for Digital Identity System

France Plans to Become First European Country to Use Facial Recognition for Digital Identity System

The French government plans to introduce a program called Alicem that will require residents to take a selfie video to compare to their passport photo.

FDA Warns Medical Device Manufacturers of “Urgent” Cybersecurity Flaws

FDA Warns Medical Device Manufacturers of “Urgent” Cybersecurity Flaws

Security researchers found 11 significant vulnerabilities in devices that use the IPnet software, though there are no confirmed incidents involving takeovers of the devices.

Government Renews Efforts to Find and Fix Cyber Vulnerabilities in Aviation Systems

Government Renews Efforts to Find and Fix Cyber Vulnerabilities in Aviation Systems

The Department of Homeland Security is refocusing its efforts on cyber threats to aircraft, and the Air Force is sponsoring “hacking villages” to discover hacking vulnerabilities.



One Year Before Real ID Deadline, Americans Are Not Prepared For Airport Security Change

One Year Before Real ID Deadline, Americans Are Not Prepared For Airport Security Change

A majority of Americans did not know about the changing ID requirements for boarding planes in a recent survey, and DHS said that only 27 percent of residents have been issued a Real ID.

Stop at the Point of Contact

Stop at the Point of Contact

The vast majority of discussions involving security and parking areas focus on protecting people and property from vandalism, theft or violent crimes.

Upgrade Access Status

Upgrade Access Status

Valdosta Regional Airport in Valdosta, Georgia offers three daily commercial flights to and from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, along with general aviation.

camera with facial recognition software

Security Industry, Police Groups Urge Congress Not to Ban Facial Recognition Technology

A coalition sent a letter to Congress asking members to consider alternatives to banning facial recognition, including the development of best practices and additional training.

Technology at Risk

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ vote to ban the use of facial recognition technology puts the city at risk of not only falling behind on technological innovation, but returning to what one expert described as archaic processes.

Are Contractors Ready for DOD’s Cybersecurity Framework?

Are Contractors Ready for DOD’s Cybersecurity Framework?

Contractors will face big changes and tight timelines next year when the Defense Department institutes its new Cyber Maturity Model Certification framework

Selecting the Proper Technology

Back in the day, talking about government security was all the rage. In fact, it was about cameras, software and access control.

Analytics Driven Solutions

Analytics-Driven Solutions

As city streets and sidewalks become progressively more congested, city planners are facing new safety challenges, including distracted pedestrians, a growing numbers of bicyclists on the road and an increase in public transportation.

Senate Approves Legislation Dedicated To Assisting Governments, Private Sector With Cyber Attacks

Senate Approves Legislation Dedicated To Assisting Governments, Private Sector With Cyber Attacks

The chamber also approved funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s cyber arm, with $1 billion dedicated solely to cybersecurity.

House Lawmakers Introduce Bill Offering Refunds to Small Companies Moving Away From Huawei Tech

House Lawmakers Introduce Bill Offering Refunds to Small Companies Moving Away From Huawei Tech

The bill is part of an ongoing saga between China-based Huawei and the federal government, which believes Huawei is collaborating with Chinese spying efforts.

 Activists Protest Rollout of ‘Smart Streetlamps’ Across San Diego Due to Surveillance Concerns

Activists Protest Rollout of ‘Smart Streetlamps’ Across San Diego Due to Surveillance Concerns

The mayor says that the only people who should be concerned about the video-enabled streetlamps are people committing “violent crimes on a street corner in full public view.”

U.S. Soldier Arrested For Allegedly Threatening To Attack News Network, Distributing Instructions For Building Explosives

U.S. Soldier Arrested For Allegedly Threatening To Attack News Network, Distributing Instructions For Building Explosives

Jarrett William Smith gave detailed instructions about how to build an explosive device to an undercover FBI agent, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Microsoft Now Plans To Offer Free Security Updates to Election Officials Using Windows 7

Microsoft Now Plans To Offer Free Security Updates to Election Officials Using Windows 7

The company originally planned to phase out security patches for Windows 7 in January. Now, Microsoft will continue issuing free updates for election systems around the world.

Senate Committee Allocates $250 Million To Bolster State Election Security

Senate Committee Allocates $250 Million To Bolster State Election Security

The fight over increased funding for election security is far from over, though: The House and Senate still need to agree on a number for the final version of the bill.

Board Approves Detroit Police

Board Approves Detroit Police's Limited Use of Facial Recognition Software

Detroit police will continue to use the software to identify violent crime suspects but are prohibited from using it on live or recorded video.

London Police Partner With Facebook to Prevent Live Streaming of Terrorist and Firearm Attacks

London Police Partner With Facebook to Prevent Live Streaming of Terrorist and Firearm Attacks

The issue gained renewed attention after a mass shooter used Facebook to live stream his murder of over 50 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

House Passes Bill Creating Grant Program to Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Homes

House Passes Bill Creating Grant Program to Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Homes

The bill’s passage, which would give grants to elderly and low-income residents, came after the House of Representatives approved a bill that requires carbon monoxide detectors in public housing.

Men Arrested For Breaking Into Iowa Courthouse Were Hired to Conduct Security Testing

Men Arrested For Breaking Into Iowa Courthouse Were Hired to Conduct Security Testing

While the two “penetration testers” were given permission to attempt to break into courthouses, local law enforcement were not informed of the tests. Now, the men are facing charges.

Following Rise in Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes, New York City Plans For Increased Security During High Holy Days

Following Rise in Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes, New York City Plans For Increased Security During High Holy Days

In recent weeks, three Orthodox Jewish men were attacked in New York in potentially bias-related incidents that led to major injuries.

Colorado Becomes First State to Stop Using QR Codes, Barcodes to Count Ballots

Colorado Becomes First State to Stop Using QR Codes, Barcodes to Count Ballots

The state said it would redevelop its vote tallying system so that voting machines no longer print receipts with QR codes, which Secretary of State Jena Griswold says could be hacked.

Report: Managed Service Providers Are New Frontier of Ransomware Attacks

Report: Managed Service Providers Are New Frontier of Ransomware Attacks

Hackers are targeting IT service providers as a means of attacking dozens of organizations at once and potentially reaping bigger financial rewards.

Treasury Department Implements Sanctions on North Korean Cyber Groups

Treasury Department Implements Sanctions on North Korean Cyber Groups

The department announced the sanctions Friday after it said that North Korean intelligence groups targeted American critical infrastructure, particularly the financial system.

California Legislature Votes to Ban Facial Recognition in Police Body Cameras

California Legislature Votes to Ban Facial Recognition in Police Body Cameras

While the bill would ban facial recognition software from body cameras, law enforcement are not banned from using it in other cameras.

Aspen Police Department to Equip Officers with Body Cameras

Aspen Police Department to Equip Officers with Body Cameras

The police department will fund the body cameras through its savings account.

SIA, ALAS and CANASA Urge Congress to Approve United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

In a Sept. 9 letter to Congress, the trilateral coalition highlighted the growth and change in the security industry and the renegotiated policy’s updates to reflect the current state of the market.

facial recognition woman

Survey: Americans Trust Law Enforcement More Than Private Companies To Use Facial Recognition ‘Responsibly’

Fifty-six of American adults say they trust law enforcement agencies to use the tech responsibly, but attitudes varied widely across demographic groups.

TSA Sets Up

TSA Sets Up 'Innovation Checkpoint' at Las Vegas Airport To Test Security Tech

Among the technology being tested at a TSA checkpoint in Vegas: computed tomography machines, credential authentication technology for faster ID checks and a new body scanner.

British Court Rules in Favor of Police In Unprecedented Facial Recognition Case

British Court Rules in Favor of Police In Unprecedented Facial Recognition Case

Deciding on one of the first cases ever to consider the legality of live facial recognition, a British court found that police use of the tool did not violate privacy laws or human rights.

Nashville Police To Roll Out Body Cameras For Entire Department in Coming Weeks

Nashville Police To Roll Out Body Cameras For Entire Department in Coming Weeks

The department faced outcries of support for mandatory body cameras and dashcams after two black men were killed by police officers within two years.

New Texas Gun Laws Expanding Rights to Carry Went Into Effect One Day After Odessa Shooting

New Texas Gun Laws Expanding Rights to Carry Went Into Effect One Day After Odessa Shooting

The laws allow Texans to carry guns into houses of worship unless explicitly banned and clear gunowners to carry firearms on their person for a full week after a natural disaster is declared.

Democratic National Committee Rejects Plans To Hold ‘Virtual Caucuses’ in Iowa and Nevada, Citing Security Concerns

Democratic National Committee Rejects Plans To Hold ‘Virtual Caucuses’ in Iowa and Nevada, Citing Security Concerns

Facing criticism over low voter turnout and barriers to caucusing, party officials planned for remote caucuses in 2020. But the national Democratic Party said the methods would expose the process to high cybersecurity risks.

Connecting Mass Notification

Connecting Mass Notification

The Internet of Things continues to grow, offering new possibilities for organizations to communicate messages and automate processes. This can be especially helpful when dealing with safety issues.

Thinking Smarter About Smart City Security

Thinking Smarter About Smart City Security

The world is quickly urbanizing, and people are flocking from suburbs and rural areas to cities more than ever before.

voting booth in 2016

Government Officials Worry That Ransomware Attacks Could Derail 2020 Elections

The Department of Homeland Security is preparing to launch an education program on the potential of ransomware attacks targeting voter databases, some of which were compromised by Russian hackers in 2016.

ring doorbell camera

Doorbell Camera Company Ring Has Partnered With Over 400 Police Departments

Law enforcement agencies who have partnered with Amazon-owned Ring can request videos from residents and interact with users on its app, Neighbors.

plane flying from boston airport

Harvard Freshman’s Deportation Indicates Impact of Intensified Border Security Policy

Ismail Ajjawi, a Palestinian 17-year-old from Lebanon, said he was denied entry to the United States because a border agent found ‘people posting political points of view that oppose the U.S.’ on his social media feeds.

using facebook app on phone

All Facebook Pages For Governments, First Responders Will Now Have Access to Incident Alert Tool

With local alerts, Facebook pages can send notifications to residents about threats, including weather warnings and active shooter situations, and boost the posts in users’ news feeds.

cyber attack written on newspaper

Report: Insurance Companies Are Exacerbating Rise in Ransomware Attacks

A ProPublica investigation found that the decision by insurers to pay hackers instead of encouraging victims to recover files by themselves is helping fuel a surge in ransomware.

department of homeland security flag

Federal Cybersecurity Agency Prioritizes Addressing Chinese Threats, Improving Election Security

The leader of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, which works within DHS, is concerned primarily with risk management, Chinese threats to supply chains and election security.

toronto police

Ontario Plans to Spend $3 Million on Expanding Toronto's Police Surveillance Camera System

The announcement came as Toronto experiences a wave of gun violence, some of which has been blamed on gang turf wars.

department of justice

Justice Department Indicts 80 People in Massive Online Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

Two Nigerian citizens are accused of leading a massive fraud scheme that transferred at least $6 million in fraudulently-obtained funds, much of whom was taken from elderly people.

tree of life synagogue

Homeland Security Committee Meets to Discuss Prevention of Violence Against Religious Organizations

In Jackson, Mississippi, the acting DHS secretary met with religious leaders and lawmakers to discuss ways that the department is acting to protect faith institutions targeted for violence.

huawei

Huawei Has Another 90 Days To Do Business With American Companies

The Trump administration has granted a 90-day extension for American firms to find alternatives to the Chinese telecommunications corporation.

Police car siren and cop

Over Course of Three Days, Law Enforcement Thwarts Three Men Threatening to Commit Mass Shootings

Authorities in Ohio, Connecticut and Florida arrested three men who expressed interest in mass shootings, including one who targeted a Jewish community center.

texas capitol building

Ransomware Attacks Hit 23 Texas Towns, Prompting Statewide Response

The state suspects that the attack, which took place Friday morning and targeted small local governments, was coordinated by “one single threat actor.”

Philadelphia police logo

Standoff With Gunman In Philadelphia Ends With Six Police Officers Shot

After six officers suffered non-life threatening injuries, the city’s mayor is calling for tougher gun control policies to help law enforcement keep firearms out of the wrong hands.

San Diego Police Expand Use of Streetlamp Camera System To Catch Violent Criminals

San Diego Police Expand Use of Streetlamp Camera System To Catch Violent Criminals

The department has used video footage from the 3,200-camera system in over 140 cases in the past year, calling the program “game changing.”

Massachusetts Nurses Push For Law To Protect Them From Patient Violence

Massachusetts Nurses Push For Law To Protect Them From Patient Violence

The proposed measure would require hospitals and other employers to implement workplace violence prevention programs.

St. Louis County Police Department To Become Largest In Missouri With Mandatory Body Cameras

St. Louis County Police Department To Become Largest In Missouri With Mandatory Body Cameras

By April, the county police department will outfit nearly 700 officers with cameras. But the city’s department of 1,300 does not have a parallel program in the works.

DHS Warns of ‘Tragedy-Related Scams’ After El Paso and Dayton Shootings

DHS Warns of ‘Tragedy-Related Scams’ After El Paso and Dayton Shootings

A Homeland Security agency and the FBI’s El Paso office are cautioning Americans to watch out for malicious "charity" emails and phone call scams.

el paso police

Two Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton Claim Over 30 Lives In Less Than 24 Hours

Communities are calling for legislative action, particularly after it was revealed that one shooting was motivated by white supremacist ideology.

cisco systems

Cisco Agrees to Pay Over $8 Million For Selling Video Surveillance System with Technical Flaws

Experts believe Cisco’s payout to a whistleblower could set a precedent for future lawsuits against vendors who sell products with security vulnerabilities.

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

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.