ASIS Enthusiasm

• By Ralph C. Jensen
• Sep 01, 2008

It seems like we barely stop talking about ASIS before it’s on the calendar again. Such is the case this year as the industry is gearing up for the tradeshow, seminar and educational opportunity. We plan our magazine editorial content for this tradeshow to highlight some of the most spectacular innovations, products and people.

In June, I traveled to the Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut to visit with the video surveillance director of the MGM Foxwoods and had the pleasure to interview Ron and Cyndi Freschi of North American Video. I came away with a better understanding of security applications in the casino/resort setting. Without question, the facilities are better off with the NAV solutions implemented by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

“Our performance is based on maintaining the bestin- class security systems in the gaming industry and building that into a worldwide reputation,” Cynthia said.

I think you’ll find this story as interesting as it is entertaining. And if you plan to vacation in Connecticut any time soon, it’s a wonderful time of year to be in the Northeast. What about the Freschis? Look for them to make high impact in the aerospace industry, key infrastructures and healthcare.

Speaking of security solutions and plans at an airport, we also caught up with Lior Frenkel of Waterfall Solutions to inquire about airport security. The fact is, airports have more duties than you can imagine. Airport officials can’t forget traffic control, generators, air conditioning, customs and border control—the list goes on.

Part of that list is protection against cyber attacks. Frenkel is correct in suggesting that technological innovations help provide improved security. IP-based surveillance systems have many benefits over analog and older-generation digital systems.

IP-based surveillance provides a means for automated alerting, generated in response to predefined events. As Frenkel concluded, “IP-based surveillance systems allow the possibility of advanced and automatic analytics of numerous video feeds to identify predefined events, threats and fraud.”

With all the bases covered, what about those in the security industry charged with protecting students, staff and visitors? We’re pleased to address that topic with an article from Glenn Rosenberg. He writes that it is a formidable challenge keeping a single campus safe and secure, but it is even a greater responsibility when implementing security across multiple locations.

Well, it can be accomplished successfully, and here’s how. Consistency of security service across multiple locations is paramount, and it often falls to the contract service companies to scale up security across numerous geographic locations. Rosenberg writes that experience in protecting facilities counts for quite a lot these days.

One of my favorite topics is that of border security. In my opinion, we don’t do enough to seal our borders. But how can that happen when officers are asked to inspect 422 million travelers and more than 132 million cars? They can’t. On a typical day, Customs and Border Protection officers process about 70,000 truck, rail and sea containers. On the U.S./Canadian border, one truck crosses every 2.5 seconds.

There must be a balance between increased security demands and maintaining the free flow of trade. In our Homeland Security section of the magazine, you’ll want to read an article by Meta Rotenberg, who says the solution is license plate recognition. Automatic capture of license plate data can immediately verify plates against a watch list, which will flag suspect or wanted vehicles.

A couple of months ago, we sent our e-news editor, Brent Dirks, to Richmond, Calif., to enjoy a tour with integrator ADT. The Port of Richmond takes in more than 32 miles of shoreline and is the third busiest in the state. The security system in place is an IP video surveillance network powered by wireless mesh technology.

The port handles nearly 19 million tons of non-containerized products, such as cars from Kia and Hyundai, we well as liquid bulk items. Dirks writes that the surveillance solution came from a $2.5 million Department of Homeland Security grant, including 64 Axis IP fixed and 18 PTZ cameras to monitor the port’s perimeters and facilities.

Why a wireless network system? Easy. The port covers more than 15 square miles, and the wireless installation was simple. There was no cost to run fiber across such an expansive area, and wireless allows for an easier expansion of the system, which is already under discussion.

Included with the magazine this month is a special supplement addressing the ins and outs of monitoring. In the cover story, Felix Gonzales of Stanley Convergent Security Solutions reminds us that terrorism or homeland security issues are still at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The government security market is growing at a quick pace, and the fear of losing data to foreign interests is a critical concern.

And speaking of critical concerns, school, networkcentric, food supply and infrastructure security pretty much top the list in terms of importance. We’re addressing these topics head-on in a new news outlet, our collaboration with Safe and Secure TV Channel. Visit www.secprodonline.com now to view online video of industry experts discussing each of these hot subjects.

It’s time again for the ASIS dance. Hope to see you in Atlanta.