Weed control has become a matter of national security. Along U.S. southern coastal rivers, most particularly Texas’ Rio Grande, an invasive species of plant known as giant reed is encroaching on the water, overrunning international border access roads, and creating a dense cover for illegal activities. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called for a plan to control this weed.
Across the United States, gangs threaten public safety in neighborhoods and communities.
Brivo Systems, providing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications for security management, recently announced that the Town of Virden, located in the province of Manitoba, Canada, has installed Brivo ACS OnSite Aparato to provide access control management for their new, Regional Multi-purpose Community Center Complex.
The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security will continue their critical partnership to further strengthen the already unprecedented levels of personnel, technology and infrastructure along the Southwest border.
A newly revised publication from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) expands the options for government agencies that need to verify the identity of users of their Web-based services.
SRI International and Covia Labs are working together to develop low-cost and secure communications, network management and situational awareness systems for the U.S. military, public safety agencies and commercial clients.
Lockheed Martin has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the U.S. Air Force's second Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite.
NSA's CryptoChallenge game challenges young adults to decode hundreds of puzzles.
To fight transnational organized crime, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's National Bulk Cash Smuggling Center has expanded its operations center to enhance efforts to combat bulk cash smuggling.
Every day, human smuggling and trafficking groups like the CARLOS human smuggling organization attempt to illegally bring people across U.S. borders.
In a world driven by technological advancements that include mobile monitoring and 24/7 surveillance, the idea of disconnecting from Big Brother seems relatively impossible.
- By Christina Miralla
- Dec 08, 2011
Honeywell’s portfolio of Vindicator security technology, which is used to protect critical-infrastructure facilities across the globe, achieved a major milestone by being certified for use on U.S. Air Force data networks.
Engineers from the MU College of Engineering, with funding from the U.S. Army/Leonard Wood Institute, have enhanced popular smartphones to be able to find and track targets.
This operation is the eighth phase of Operation In Our Sites, a sustained law enforcement initiative to protect consumers by targeting counterfeit and piracy on the Internet, and the second year it has coincided with Cyber Monday.
Seven individuals have been charged in federal court with drug smuggling following the discovery of more than 9 tons of marijuana inside a tractor trailer attempting to enter the United States at the Otay Mesa Commercial Port of Entry.
The Justice Department has opened a civil investigation into allegations of excessive use of deadly force by members of the city of Miami Police Department.
A first-of-its-kind glide vehicle, designed to fly within the earth’s atmosphere at hypersonic speed and long range, was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii to the Reagan Test Site, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll.
When a wounded U.S. military veteran passes through Newark Liberty International Airport, there is a good chance that Lead Transportation Security Officer Randal Habick of Brick, N.J., is alongside, serving as a personal guide through the airport.
A Naval Research Laboratory instrument designed to study the Earth's thermosphere is part of a future science mission that has been selected by NASA for evaluation for flight.
Pennsylvanians who suffered losses because of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee have been approved for more than a quarter billion dollars in disaster relief.
When a soldier in good mental health becomes homicidal or a government employee abuses access privileges to share classified information, we often wonder why no one saw it coming.
The fourth largest city in the United States recently deployed an artificial neural network-based video surveillance analysis software to identify potential criminal or terroristic behavioral activity throughout the city.
The new partnership between the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign and the AH&LA and LodgeNet—highlights the Department’s continued efforts with the private sector to ensure our nation’s safety and security.
The National Clandestine Service is playing a vital part in that seemingly unending fight because electronic intelligence gathering can take us only so far.
- By Ronnie Rittenberry
- Nov 01, 2011
The environmental movement has been around at least since the first Earth Day in 1970, and the full advantage of green consciousness is finally being realized among some of the largest end user markets for security systems.
- By Bill Taylor
- Nov 01, 2011
The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)recently announced that on behalf of the National Cybersecurity Education Council (NCEC) it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. epartment of Education (ED) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to formally institute and promote cyber security education programs in K-12 schools, higher education, and career and technical education environments nationwide.
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed Senate Bill 819, which will allow law enforcement officers to take more firearms out of the hands of those who are prohibited from owning them.
A research team at Michigan State University has developed a laser that could detect roadside bombs.
What’s up with the TSA these days? Have you noticed that officers are acting a little nicer and even asking questions about you, your travel or maybe even your job? Don’t be fooled: It’s all an act, because it’s business as usual at the airports.
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Oct 01, 2011
Organizations of all sizes are migrating from analog to IP-based physical access control solutions, drawn by increased security, increased operational efficiency and better availability.
- By Dan O’Malley
- Oct 01, 2011
Providing security in the government sector is not for the faint of heart or the uncommitted. The government sector requires expertise in high-level security applications, advanced compliance requirements and the challenge of securing funding.
- By Dan Myslewski
- Oct 01, 2011
This need for better image quality led GMU directly to IP-based megapixel camera technology. The university evaluated several wellknown camera suppliers before deciding on Arecont Vision.
- By Del V. Salvi
- Oct 01, 2011
As a result of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD- 12), smart cards are spreading rapidly through government agencies and many large organizations. The directive’s purpose is to ensure secure and reliable identification for every federal employee and government contractor.
When the Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) was enacted in August 2004, government agencies embarked on the challenging task of complying with an evolving set of standards designed to ensure that all federal employees and contractors have secure and reliable forms of identification.
- By David Adams
- Oct 01, 2011
Next Level Security Systems, a developer of a new breed of unified, networked security solutions, recently announced Orange County, Fla., has deployed the NLSS Gateway as a unified management platform for a security upgrade that will incorporate multiple public safety sites.
Its 40-year history began in the 1960s with two civilian communications specialists at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
FLIR Systems Inc. has received a five-year, $11.4 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for its Recon III LocatIR system from Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Crane, Ind.
The contract will provide force protection capabilities at U.S. Army sites worldwide.
Under the terms of the five year contract, the Army has placed an initial order for $10.2 million of repair and maintenance services for one year and has the option to procure an additional $39.8 million of similar services over the following four years.
Vision Security Technologies provides Security-Net with geographical coverage and a strong marketing presence in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.
State Policy Digest will provide a review of the previous quarter’s state legislative proposals, activities and trends impacting the electronic and physical security industry.
The 12th annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness Conference and Expo highlighted Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security technologies and training tools currently available and being developed for the emergency response community.
More screenings of passengers and baggage, increased use of K-9 explosives detection teams, and expanded police patrols are being used across the country.
The 10 years since the tragedy of the Sept. 11 attacks seem to have swept by like the winds rushing down the Oklahoma plains. Do you remember where you were that day?
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Sep 01, 2011
If, like me, you’re geeky enough to still recall certain scenes from 1983’s “WarGames” (and right now I can still pretty clearly see Barry Corbin as the general saying to Dabney Coleman’s character, “After very careful consideration, sir, I’ve come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks”), then the news permeating the summer about the Pentagon publishing (in part) its first formal cyberwar strategy probably was no big surprise. In fact, the only eye-opening part might have been that prior to this summer it didn’t already have one.
- By Ronnie Rittenberry
- Sep 01, 2011
Beverly Hills, Calif., has been glamorized in countless film and television depictions as the home of the wealthy and famous. Beyond the glamour, though, it has municipal management issues much like those any city faces.
- By Beth Welch
- Sep 01, 2011
The vital role oil refineries play in the world’s economy has put hydrocarbon and petrochemical facilities atop terrorist lists of potential targets. Additionally, refinery officials typically want to keep a critical eye on each strategic component within their facilities.
- By Mark S. Wilson
- Sep 01, 2011
More than 500 partners from around the country gathered in Baltimore on July 6-7 to attend the 2011 Chemical Sector Security Summit.
A group of Microsoft researchers announced recently that they had cracked a version of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), the world’s toughest encryption mechanism.
- By Laura Williams
- Aug 29, 2011
The Web portal makes it easier to obtain government-mandated PIV-I cards.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently announced final allocations for 12 preparedness grant programs totaling more than $2.1 billion in federal grants to assist states, urban areas, tribal and territorial governments, non-profit agencies, and the private sector in strengthening our nation's ability to prevent, protect, respond to, recover from, and mitigate terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano unveiled new Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) "If You See Something, Say Something" public awareness campaign, aimed at educating the public on the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement authorities.
An analysis of national intelligence reforms in the wake of 9/11 finds a visionary plan that has encountered barriers in truly achieving its goals.
Verint Systems Inc. recently announced that an emergency services organization in the state of Florida has implemented the Audiolog for Public Safety solution in its centralized 9-1-1 operation.
Sotera Defense Solutions (Sotera), a provider of mission-critical, technology-based systems, solutions and services for national security agencies and programs of the U.S. government, recently announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Software Process Technologies, Inc. (SPT) on August 8, 2011.
The week will feature three separate, interrelated events: Securing New Ground, Security 500 and ISC Solutions.
The ‘Building Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships’ Conference highlighted partnerships with the private sector to build a strong foundation for a more secure and resilient homeland.
Two Cornell University researchers have developed a device that can detect anthrax and other pathogens, as well as provide basic genetic information from human samples, and it it all fits in a container no bigger than a small suitcase.
- By Laura Williams
- Aug 03, 2011
Have you been to an airport lately? The security business is booming, and TSA agents are out in full splendor, screening passengers left and right. Nobody gets by the security agents staffing the front gates.
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Aug 01, 2011
CNL Software, a provider of physical security information management (PSIM) software, has been selected to provide the integration and information management platform for the District of Columbia under their city wide Situation Awareness Program.