There is no question that advancements in video are continually revolutionizing the security industry. New capabilities emerge and, subsequently, the scope of what is possible grows. The implications of this trend can be seen in surveillance, reconnaissance, identity verification, information management and data dissemination.
- By John Bradburn, Mark Clifton
- Dec 01, 2009
Without a doubt, the threat of terrorism, both foreign and domestic, has been the biggest game changer in how we look at and implement physical and logical security. Nowhere is that change being more acutely felt now than in the petrochemical industry. The need to secure plants and facilities that produce, process and transport potentially volatile substances is paramount.
- By Ryan Loughin
- Dec 01, 2009
City of College Park, Ga. officials announced recently that Iron Sky Inc. will outfit the city with its first street-level video surveillance cameras.
A recently issued report from the Government Accountability Office presented some alarming findings regarding security features in federal facilities.
- By Nelson Ludlow
- Dec 01, 2009
Axis Communications recently announced that the Town of Smithtown, N.Y., has deployed Axis network cameras in its Highway Department yard as a first step in modernizing its existing analog video surveillance capabilities.
The Security Industry Association has launched an initiative in which it is asking state legislators to allow local government purchases of security and life safety products through the GSA schedule program.
CDW Government Inc. recently released its 2009 Federal Cybersecurity Report, which found that across federal civilian and Department of Defense agencies, the number and severity of cybersecurity incidents has stayed the same or increased in the last year, with nearly one-third of Federal agencies experiencing a cybersecurity incident daily.
A new report by computer scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology demonstrates that iris recognition algorithms can maintain their accuracy and interoperability with compact images, affirming their potential for large-scale identity management applications.
Only 22 percent of Americans fully trust government agencies to keep personal information secure and private, and the proportion is only slightly better (29 percent) with regard to trust in data protection by financial institutions such as banks, according to research conducted in September by Unisys Corp.
While a majority (57 percent) of Homeland Security professionals say America is safer now than it was before the September 11 attacks, 75 percent believe the country will experience a similar terrorist attack in the next five years -- and Americans aren’t prepared, according to a recent survey commissioned by the National Homeland Defense Foundation and Colorado Technical University.
The safety and security of millions of business and pleasure travelers each year is a major concern for the hospitality industry. Terrorists and other more common criminals looking to cause harm to property or guests have increasingly targeted hotels. Recent high-profile attacks in India and Indonesia have highlighted the danger at hotels around the world. We spoke to Ron Ludvigsen, president of CGL Electronic Security, to find out more.
GE Security Inc. recently announced that the Pacific Beacon apartments in San Diego, the first privatized community for enlisted single sailors in the country, is being protected by GE Security’s integrated access control and fire/life safety solutions.
CDW Government Inc. recently released its 2009 Emergency Communications Report: Awareness and Progress Toward the National Emergency Communications Plan. The report benchmarks progress toward meeting the goals outlined in the Department of Homeland Security National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP), identifies key challenges and highlights lessons learned.
The city of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., has awarded Schneider Electric a $2 million contract for a wireless video surveillance system. Schneider Electric will design, install and maintain a network of more than 200 digital surveillance cameras located throughout the city’s downtown area, commercial areas, school zones, parks and parking garages.
INPUT recently announced the release of its report: Defining the Federal Information Security Mission: 2009-2014 Forecast, which indicates that federal spending is on the rise to counter the growing threat of cyber attacks on federal computer networks and the national infrastructure.
A recent Harris Poll survey indicates that 96 percent of U.S citizens feel the federal government and law enforcement agencies should be able to use video surveillance in an effort to counteract terrorism and help protect U.S. citizens in specific public places.
Axis Communications recently announced it has won the contract to supply network cameras for Sydney’s new Waratah train suburban fleet. The total installation order is estimated at about 7,000 network cameras.
The Department of State is tagging 10,000 mission critical IT assets with passive RFID to save money, increase security and reduce administrative burden.
ICx Technologies Inc.a developer of advanced sensor technologies for homeland security, force protection and commercial applications, announced recently that it has been awarded a Department of Homeland Security contract to participate in a FY2010 mass transit security pilot program.
Naval Air Station Fallon has implemented the RAPIDGate Program to increase security and streamline access for the thousands of vendors, suppliers, service providers and contractors who access the installation.