A new video surveillance system currently being developed by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) may soon give law enforcement an extra set of eyes. The Imaging System for Immersive Surveillance (or ISIS) takes new video camera and image-stitching technology and bolts it to a ceiling, mounts it on a roof, or fastens it to a truck-mounted telescoping mast.
The North American biometrics market is likely to experience a steady growth rate, with national ID projects, e-Passports, and other security projects spearheading market growth according to new research from Frost & Sullivan.
Firetide Inc., a provider of wireless infrastructure mesh networks, recently announced a partnership agreement with Thales Portugal S.A., a leading global technology systems integrator, to deploy a real-time, wireless mesh video surveillance network in Mumbai, for MMOPL. The network will be deployed to provide onboard video surveillance and broadcast of text message to onboard display.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has halted funding for the Secure Border Initiative-Net, a system of towers, cameras, radar and sensors initially hailed as "the most comprehensive effort in the nation's history" to assist northern and southern border agents with curtailing illegal immigration.
- By Sherleen Mahoney
- May 01, 2010
Facing the need for a scalable system with video recording and archiving, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in New York has updated its county jail’s video surveillance system with a hybrid analog/IP system that includes Ocularis Recorder NetDVMS and Ocularis Client software from OnSSI.
The events of Sept. 11 heightened the federal government’s attention to security procedures at chemical/petrochemical facilities and required officials at LyondellBasell to take a fresh look at methods used to secure their facilities.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano recently announced two enhancements to federal facility security -- initiatives that further strengthen the Department’s ability to protect thousands of government buildings across the United States one week prior to the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.
The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards are complex and fairly disruptive. Few would argue that. The risk-based performance standards guidance alone is nearly 200 pages long, and many companies have had to re-allocate or hire staff, facilitate training and certification, and contemplate ways to re-imagine corporate processes in order to control access to chemicals of interest.
- By Marleah Blades
- Apr 13, 2010
In response to the failed Christmas Day bombing by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Transportation Security Administration has mandated enhanced screening measures at airports nationwide for U.S.-bound passengers traveling from or through state sponsors of terrorism and other countries of interest.
- By Sherleen Mahoney
- Apr 01, 2010
The biggest challenge in outdoor live surveillance for border patrol, Coast Guard and traffic control applications is atmospheric interference from fog, snow or haze. Existing fog cancellation devices are expensive and often require multiple cameras with individual adjustment to each camera.
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Apr 01, 2010
Customs officials used to have to rely on traditional screening technologies that are ill-suited for the customs mission and have produced mixed results. Today, advanced imaging technology in the form of millimeter wave imagers and other devices are emerging as the newest tools in a customs officer's toolkit.
- By Dana Strawser, Troy Techau
- Apr 01, 2010
The rule of thumb in protecting government facilities is simple—any application with a large coverage area is a candidate for a video surveillance system, and that includes the perimeter. Since most government facilities have limited manpower for security-related tasks, with video surveillance systems, only a few people are needed to watch over areas that would be virtually impossible to patrol with 100-percent effectiveness.
- By Brian Leland
- Apr 01, 2010
Security Products magazine announced the winners of the 2010 Security Products’ GovSec Award today at GovSec, the Government Security Expo & Conference.
Pressure on the industry to achieve a zero risk level is wrongheaded because it is not attainable in the real world, Dale Klein, a Nuclear Regulatory Commission member, told attendees Friday in Raleigh, N.C., at the Grand Challenge Summit 2010.
In examining its emergency response program, the Guam government wanted to ensure partnership and leadership. In other words, officials wanted to promote a collaborative environment for sharing information, resources, assistance and expertise to enhance the security environment.
- By Kevin Freiburger
- Mar 05, 2010
The government security market is a growing multi-billion dollar business. To address a host of new security requirements, the security industry has partnered with the government to develop new security standards and capabilities. New requirements have led to opportunities in the physical access control systems and the identity management markets.
- By Kim Rahfaldt, Adam Shane
- Mar 05, 2010
Increased emphasis on border security creates new opportunities for small to mid-sized original equipment manufacturers to deploy new technology both here and outside the United States. As these companies' technology is successfully integrated into border security applications, they should be actively organizing resources for fielding and technical sustainment of their equipment.
- By Michael Thompson
- Mar 04, 2010
The Real ID Act is a federal law passed in 2005 that created new security, authentication and issuance standards for state driver's licenses and ID cards. Once the law is enacted, only cards that meet federal standards can be used for official purposes, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, including boarding commercial airline flights and entering federal buildings and nuclear power plants.
- By Megan Weadock
- Mar 02, 2010
Government directives were designed to help enhance security, increase government efficiency, reduce identity fraud and protect personal privacy by establishing a government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the federal government to its personnel.
- By Mas Kosaka
- Mar 02, 2010
In a major CCTV upgrade, Eurotunnel’s French passenger terminal has deployed a widely distributed IP video solution from IndigoVision. Used for security, traffic management and immigration control, the networked CCTV system has transformed Eurotunnel’s surveillance operation.