Expert Says Security Breaches Happen Daily that No One Knows About

Expert Says Security Breaches Happen Daily that No One Knows About

  • By Matt Holden
  • Aug 11, 2014

Expert Says Security Breaches Happen Daily that No One Knows AboutAccording to Rick C. Mathews, Director of the National Center for Security & Preparedness (NCSP) at the University Albany, State University of New York, security breaches happen across the country every day that no one knows about.

This comes in an interview following the security breach atop the Brooklyn Bridge, where someone climbed to the top and replaced the American flags with white ones. Some viewed this as a political statement meaning “surrender.”

Mathews said in the interview that New York City has layers upon layers of security, and just because someone broke through one layer doesn’t necessarily mean the city can be blamed. “There’s some of the best security around the world in New York City, but this incident should make you embarrassed,” said Mathews. “People climb the top of buildings, and jump off of them all the time. It happens. The fact that these guys changed the flags makes it unusual.”

Another expert, Tony F. Lemieux, Ph.D., said that police forces have to be mindful of this sort of behavior so they can better prepare themselves for it. Lemieux is a researcher with the National Center for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism at the University of Maryland.

“I think it’s something police should be mindful of,” said Lemieux. “And also an example of something that prompts our officials to take a harder look. Not just from a terrorism angle, but a safety perspective. How could somebody climb on top of the Brooklyn Bridge and do that?”

Despite these criticisms, Lemieux admits that anytime you have a city with the population of New York City, security efforts will be massive and the potential for someone to take this action will always be there.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • 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.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.