Today, the frequency of white-powder hoaxes is nearly the same as seven years ago, but it just doesn’t make news.
- By Jonathan Morrone
- Oct 02, 2008
A new, first-of-its-kind organization to strengthen the physical protection and security of nuclear and radioactive materials and facilities worldwide was launched recently in Vienna, Austria.
The convergence of physical security systems with an IP network is going strong in the urban/homeland security sector. Case in point: Amtrak, the largest provider of passenger rail service in the country, recently announced it will use Cisco’s video surveillance system to better protect maintenance yards in Los Angeles and Oakland, Calif.
- By Brent Dirks
- Sep 30, 2008
Union Savings Bank has selected 3VR as its enterprise standard for intelligent video management, with integration services provided by United Alarm Services.
Honeywell recently announced it has developed a patented new technology to produce a highly-effective, safer ammonium nitrate-based fertilizer with significantly lower explosive potential.
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced approximately $29 million in grants to prevent a radiological/nuclear attack in the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area by enhancing regional capabilities to detect and interdict illicit radioactive materials.
TAC, a provider of building automation, security systems and energy services, has been awarded a $3.8 million contract to install an integrated video monitoring and emergency communications system along the Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) rapid transit rail lines that connect Philadelphia and southern New Jersey via the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Birmingham Water Works, the largest water utility in the state of Alabama, has assembled a sophisticated integrated security system with network-based video and access control to help safeguard the district’s water supply.
IndigoVision, a manufacturer of complete IP video security solutions, has announced the award of a North American contract. The Canadian Border Security Agency has chosen IndigoVision’s IP CCTV surveillance solution to provide protection for the U.S.-Canadian border crossings from the East to West coast.
AtHoc Inc. recently announced that the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) has expanded its use of AtHoc IWSAlerts within the command. AFMC awarded a contract for AtHoc software licenses and services, and the emergency notification system is now deployed to an additional 25,000 people.
The Radiological Threat Awareness Coalition (R-TAC) recently released a national survey on homeland security preparedness, showing that at least 81 percent of those polled said the threat of a "dirty bomb" is serious, yet less than one third (32 percent) feel prepared for a terrorist attack.
When Barack Obama decided to change the location where he would accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States only a few weeks before the event, Lt. Ernie Martinez of the Denver Police Department wasn’t worried about changing his surveillance coverage accordingly.
In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected 422 million travelers and more than 132 million cars, trucks, buses, trains, vessels and aircrafts. Customs officers inspected 1.19 million private vehicles, 11.48 million trucks and more than 1 million aircraft. On a typical day, Customs processes 70,200 truck, rail and sea containers. On the U.S.-Canadian border, one truck crosses the border every 2.5 seconds— representing 45,000 trucks per day.
- By Meta Rotenberg
- Sep 01, 2008
Airports are bustling international hubs, some providing services to hundreds of thousands of people from diverse locations on a daily basis. Overseeing airport security is an extremely complicated task, not just in the airport itself, but also on the airplanes.
- By Lior Frenkel
- Sep 01, 2008
Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, announced recently that a number of its security technologies have been included in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Mobile Mail Screening Station (MMSS).
The U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and SRI International are deploying a suite of advanced port security technologies, trained personnel, and are executing tactical procedures as part of a homeland security experiment in the waters of Tampa Bay through August 28.
One of the most chilling aspects of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was the terrorists’ choice of targets: facilities that represent the pinnacle of U.S. security and prosperity. Striking a blow to two such important icons was a frighteningly effective way for the extremists to make their point.
- By Megan Weadock
- Aug 28, 2008
IP video technology has been chosen by the London Borough of Newham, UK to replace its aging VCR recording system and to provide a platform for future migration to a total IP CCTV solution.
In an effort to raise public awareness to the impact of possible radiological attacks against the United States, a new national, not-for-profit and nonpartisan coalition was launched recently by a broad group of first-responders, business groups, health advocates and homeland security experts.
GE Security Inc., a business of GE Enterprise Solutions recently announced its Homeland Protection business installed 12 GE Security CTX 9000 DSi advanced baggage screening systems at Beijing Capital International Airport’s (BCIA) Terminal Three as part of the city’s infrastructure investment for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.