Government


United States, Germany Agree To Share Fingerprint Databases, Information On Terrorists

Officials from the United States and Germany recently initialed a bilateral agreement related to sharing access to biometric data and spontaneous sharing of data about known and suspected terrorists.

DHS Conducts Cyber Storm II To Examine Preparedness, Response Capabilities

Cyber Storm II is the second in a series of congressionally mandated exercises that will examine the nation’s cyber security preparedness and response capabilities. The exercise will simulate a coordinated cyber attack on information technology, communications, chemical, and transportation systems and assets.

ASSE, ASIS Join Brady Center Against Oklahoma Guns-at-Work Law

The associations joined in an amicus brief urging the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to agree that the Oklahoma statute, by forcing employers to allow guns such as this Beretta, runs afoul of the General Duty Clause.

Down to Earth

One of the first reactionary attempts to bolster security after 9/11 occurred at airports. Immediately after air service was reinstated, the public saw uniformed Marines armed with M-16s at every security checkpoint, concrete barriers at each entry point, security guards ransacking passengers’ luggage and, of course, taller fences going up around airfield perimeters. As with most things in life, an unexpected event usually generates an unexpected— and sometimes irrational— response. Such was the case with the nation’s aviation facilities.

A Boost at the Border

Mention border security, and you might imagine the intersection of two countries, or perhaps the border separating government facilities from private land. But border security also can be defined as perimeter security, which expands the concept to encompass walls, fences, roads and other perimeters around businesses, schools, prisons, utilities, research facilities, and other properties and buildings.

Data Mining E-Mail Can Spot Insider Threats In Organizations

A rapid way to spot insider threats from individuals within an organization such as a multinational company or military installation is reported in the current issue of the International Journal of Security and Networks.

DHS Furthers Advancement Of HSPD-12 Goals

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced recently that it will further advance the department’s Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) goals by awarding contracts to three companies.

FBI’s Next Generation Biometric System To Be Developed By Lockheed Martin

The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently awarded Lockheed Martin a 10-year, $1 billion contract to develop and maintain the Bureau's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, a multi-modal, state-of-the-art biometrics system for use by state, local and federal authorities.



Proposed Standards Will Allow Government Agencies To Share Biometric Data

An interagency subcommittee of the White House's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) issued a draft document recently that lists recommended standards to enable government agencies to easily share biometric data.

Law Professor: 24 Has Seeped Into National Debate On Antiterrorism Tactics

Sure, it's just a TV show, but a University of Iowa law professor says 24 can have real-world legal implications

DHS Increases Funding For REAL ID Grant Program, Extends Application Deadline

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced an increase in the total amount of funding available for REAL ID implementation and an extension in the deadline for FY 2008 REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program applications.

Report: REAL ID Final Rule Enables States To Begin Work On Technologies For Compliance

The final rule for REAL ID compliance provides the necessary guidance for states to begin building systems and linking networks to fulfill the mandates of the 2005 legislation, according to a newly released report by INPUT.

FERC Approves New Reliability Standards For Cyber Security

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved eight new mandatory critical infrastructure protection (CIP) reliability standards to protect the nation’s bulk power system against potential disruptions from cyber security breaches.

DHS Assistant Secretary Garcia Honored With Cybercrime Fighter Award

McAfee Inc. recently presented the McAfee Cybercrime Fighter Award to Gregory T. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.

DHS Releases National Response Framework

The Department of Homeland Security recently released the National Response Framework, successor to the National Response Plan.

Learning From the Best

The average small-business owner may view the world of federal government contracts as an intimidating, mind-boggling realm dominated by huge corporations— with the promise of great financial success just out of reach. However, breaking into the federal government marketplace is a feat that can be accomplished by small private companies—and one that has been achieved by countless organizations, especially in recent years.

A Growing Threat

In the United States, people encounter a perpetual tradeoff between freedom and security. The nation depends on a complex system of critical infrastructures to maintain a high quality of life and the freedoms enjoyed every day. New threats to security have these organizations taking a second look at their vulnerabilities, however, scrambling to minimize disruption and to maintain the integrity of their operations. In the past, national security was perceived as the role of government. Today, Department of Homeland Security efforts to protect critical infrastructures from physical attack are a shared responsibility of the public and private sectors, as well as individual citizens.

Corrective Action

Correctional facility infrastructures are aging, inmate populations in the United States are increasing, and the cost of operating jails and prisons is growing twice as fast. Correctional facility officials know these facts all too well.

TSA Names Special Counselor

TSA recently announced the appointment of Kimberly Hubbard Walton as the assistant administrator for the Office of the Special Counselor (OSC).

Meeting the Mandates

The Department of Homeland Security’s publication of chemical facilities anti-terrorism (CFAT) standards has many chemical and petrochemical companies scrambling to develop security plans for their high-risk facilities. The continued post-9/11 threat of terrorism dictates urgency, and the DHS put teeth in the CFAT rules.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

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.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”