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 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.
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
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
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
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.
The company’s HD, thermal and thermal panoramic cameras went into service for 4th of July celebrations and will remain in operation through the year-long test period.
Seven years after the release of the 9/11 Commission report, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently released a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report highlighting the significant progress that DHS, along with its many partners, have made in fulfilling specific recommendations by the 9/11 Commission to build a country that is stronger, safer and more resilient.
Exercising its large-scale security integration capabilities, Diebold, Inc. is managing the installation, integration and maintenance of a complex security software system for the new World Trade Center (WTC) site in New York City.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole recently announced that TSA will begin installing new software on TSA’s millimeter wave Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines -- making upgrades designed to enhance privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images.
HID Global announced that the U.S. Permanent Resident (“Green”) Card manufactured under its LaserCard brand has won the ACT Canada “International Innovation Award” for identity management.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign, in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council, recently announced the launch of new web tools that will make it easier for individuals and organizations throughout the nation to join the 2011 National Preparedness Month (NPM) coalition and pledge their support to help prepare their families, businesses and communities for emergencies of all kinds.
The $40 million, three-year contract with the Tennessee Applicant Processing Services program includes two additional one-year renewals for a potential combined contract duration up to five years.
A provocative series of deadly blasts in Mumbai, occurring just days prior to the arrival in India of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, underscore the urgency to share technology, intelligence, as well as to resolve the war on terror, says USIBC.
The United States and India recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote closer cooperation and the timely exchange of information between the organizations of their respective governments responsible for cybersecurity.
The U.S. Department of Defense recently unveiled declassified portions of its long-awaited strategy for handling cyberattacks, declaring publicly for the first time that it would treat cyberspace -- just as land, sea, and air -- as an "operational domain."
Using a crystal ball to protect homeland security might seem far-fetched, but researchers at Wake Forest University and Fisk University have partnered to develop crystals that can be used to detect nuclear threats, radioactive material or chemical bombs more accurately and affordably.
North American Video (NAV) has been awarded a long term contract to service all camera, access control, alarm and e-phone systems for Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) Light Rail system.
The Electronic Security Association's (ESA) Government Relations Department is requesting Congress include amendments to H.R. 1792 and S. 1035, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2011 that would provide a balanced approach of Fire Suppression + Detection = Fire Protection.
Forty law enforcement agencies in the Texas Panhandle collaborate to improve officers’ access to information.
Adoption of thermal cameras has been growing rapidly, and new vendors are coming onto the field at a rapid clip. This can make getting the camera or collection of cameras you need more problematic rather than less so.
The award recognizes John Romanowich's leadership of the chemical security working group and his support of the government relations program.
Multi-technology smart cards are meeting government ID needs.
Frank Pisciotta is the president of Business Protection Specialists Inc., a security consulting firm that works in a number of different verticals, including chemical security. We sat down with him to find out the on-the-ground view of CFATS compliance.
Just weeks after the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a seven-year extension of the current chemical security standards, the House Homeland Security Committee recently followed suit, approving H.R. 901 by a bipartisan vote of 26 to 5.
The Picture Perfect and FC Wnx product lines are now supported.
The Security Industry Association honored Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., D-N.J., Congresswoman Candice Miller, D-MI, and John Romanowich, President/CEO and founder of SightLogix, with industry awards.
Expert panelists will discuss 'Emerging Threats and Infrastructure Protection Mandates.'
Genetec, announced recently that its video surveillance system, Omnicast, has received both a designation as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology and certification as an Approved Product for Homeland Security from the United States Department of Homeland Security.
General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a task order through the U.S. General Services Administration's Alliant Contract to support the relocation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's headquarters.
AtHoc Inc. recently announced that Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center has deployed AtHoc IWSAlerts, the third-generation alerting system for the protection of physicians, nurses, technicians and their patients. The Army Health Center is located at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
OTI's secured ID solution supports both online and offline communication, thereby allowing every citizen, living in cities and rural areas, to apply for an ID card regardless of the area's communication infrastructure.
EnerNex, prime contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded Lemnos project, announces cybersecurity interoperability testing, June 1-2 at the Electric Power Research Institute Smart Grid Substation Lab in Knoxville, Tenn.
The latest order takes the JCAD program total to more than $350 million.
Intergraph, a provider of incident management solutions, announced recently that the City of Charlotte, N.C., has chosen Intergraph's incident management solution to enhance emergency response and interoperability between their public safety agencies.
Osama bin Laden's death in a mansion-like compound in Pakistan last week came at a time when much of the Middle East is in turmoil amid democratic protests against long-seated monarchies. Two Hudson Institute senior fellows say his death not only makes the United States more secure, but also underscores the importance of these protests.
- By Laura Williams
- May 09, 2011
DVTel Inc. recently announced that the city of Aurora (Colorado) Municipal Justice Center successfully deployed the DVTel Latitude Network Video Management System (NVMS) solution, significantly improving the safety and security of the city’s court and jail complex.
The blueARMOR 100 headset is the only commercially available Bluetooth headset to pass all of the tests required by National Security Agency and Defense Information Systems Agency.
Raytheon recognizes its suppliers based on on-time delivery measures, sustained performance on quality and commitment to continuous process and quality improvement.
Allentown, Pa. strives to be a safe place to live, work and play. That’s why the city’s administration and police department decided to deploy surveillance cameras to assist the police department in reducing and preventing crime throughout the city.
The CMMI model measures business process maturity levels and provides Raytheon customers with a way to assess risks and determine the level of process maturity a company has achieved.
McAfee and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) recently revealed the findings from a report that reflects the cost and impact of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure such as power grids, oil, gas and water.
The panel will provide the Obama administration with recommendations on cloud computing deployment and innovation.
MorphoTrak (Safran group), along with the FBI and Lockheed Martin recently announced the successful launch of the Next Generation Identification (NGI) system. NGI incorporates the Morpho Biometric Search Services (MBSS) as the core processing and matching capability using 10 fingerprints.
Imagine that a fire breaks out as a result of a highway traffic accident, which quickly turns into a multi-car pileup with a hazmat spill. Multiple organizations, including the department of transportation, fire department, police department, and hazmat teams will all need to respond to the emergency to prevent the fire and hazardous materials from spreading, and additional casualties from resulting.
- By Dave Fowler
- Apr 18, 2011
Critical design review for latent fingerprint, palm print matching capability completed just weeks after system's fingerprint matching capability goes live.
Visa IntelliLink Compliance Management converts commercial card transaction data into information that card program managers at government agencies and private sector enterprises can use to minimize and deter commercial card misuse, such as using cards for personal expenses.