Homeland Security


DHS to Implement Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence

In September 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence (CTTV Framework) and now offers this corresponding Public Action Plan demonstrating the Department’s efforts to combat emerging threats and improve information sharing.

Richmond TSA Officer Recalls His Role at the World Trade Center After 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Richmond TSA Officer Recalls His Role at the World Trade Center After 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

As he reflected back to 2001, Mitchell said he thinks back to the men and women who he worked alongside at Ground Zero.

Air Force One Nearly Hit by Drone

Air Force One Nearly Hit by Drone

As Air Force One was descending to an air base near Washington, D.C. recently, it nearly collided with a small drone, according to several people on board the aircraft. President Trump was aboard the modified Boeing Co. 757 aircraft.

Senior DHS Officials Improperly Appointed

Senior DHS Officials Improperly Appointed

The Government Accounting Office (GAO) is now saying that acting DHS Chad Wolf and his active deputy, Ken Cuccinelli are ineligible to govern the agency to which they were appointed by the Trump administration.

Precise Analysis

In the war on illicit drug trafficking today, a law enforcement professional’s greatest allies are speed and accuracy.

ICE HSI Baltimore seizes over 14,000 unapproved COVID-19 treatment capsules, several unapproved test kits

ICE HSI Baltimore Seizes Over 14,000 Unapproved COVID-19 Treatment Capsules, Several Unapproved Test Kits

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore special agents and Maryland law enforcement partners have seized over 14,000 unapproved COVID-19 treatment capsules and several unapproved COVID-19 test kits as part of ongoing Operation Stolen Promise investigations.

US Patent Office Issues Three Gunshot Detection Patents to Shooter Detection Systems

US Patent Office Issues Three Gunshot Detection Patents to Shooter Detection Systems

Gunshot detection with video analytics, gunshot detection in an indoor environment, and gunshot detection analysis during fire alarms are now exclusive patents held by SDS

Naval Air Station Security Guard Injured

Naval Air Station Security Guard Injured

An unidentified shooter has injured on security guard at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, TX, today. It has been determined that the shooting is terrorism related, according to the FBI.



border patrol car

Border Patrol Thwarts Human Smuggling Attempt at Checkpoint

The agents searched a trailer on May 9 and discovered 25 individuals attempting to enter the U.S.

pentagon view

DoD Issues Guidelines That Might Not Disqualify New Recruits Over COVID-19 Exposure

it is not known if the interim Pentagon policy would eventually extend to current military member who have been ill from the coronavirus while on duty.

Border Wall in San Diego

Drug Trade Struggling at the Border During COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic led U.S. officials to close the Mexico border to nonessential travel, adding another hurdle for the cartels but possibly helping law enforcement.

DHS Funding Will Target Violence and Terrorism Prevention

The department has seen an uptick in online efforts to recruit terrorists and encourage radicalization, leading to the development of the grant program.

baltimore downtown

Lawsuit Blocks Baltimore From Launching Surveillance Plane Program to Investigate Crimes

Activists and ACLU lawyers succeeded in stopping a six-month trial run of an aerial surveillance program funded by private philanthropists.

security shield

How to Enhance Public Safety With Emerging Technologies

Security leaders are investing in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, biometric solutions and advanced communication networks.

Department of Homeland Security Plans to Use Facial Recognition to Track Transnational Gang Activity

The request for proposals for a “gang intelligence application” reflect the agency’s growing ambitions in using facial recognition and other new tech to identify and arrest criminals.

TSA ID checkpoint

DHS Delays Real ID Deadline Until 2021 Due to Coronavirus Crisis

While the extension will provide another 18 months for Americans to obtain the new driver’s licenses, some officials believe the deadline will have to be extended again.

TSA Plans For Hiring and Overtime Freeze Ahead of Spring Break Travel Season

TSA Plans For Hiring and Overtime Freeze Ahead of Spring Break Travel Season

The agency faces pressure to cut costs in the face of a pay increase for federal workers, but DHS officials say they will expand hiring after the freeze ends in April.

TSA ID checkpoint

TSA Breaks Record For Highest Number of Firearms Detected at Airport Checkpoints

In 2019, TSA officers detected 4,432 firearms in carry-on baggage or on passengers, breaking the record set in 2018.

Security at 20,000 Feet

Security at 20,000 Feet

For the sake of argument, let’s say you have a massive facility in a remote location that needs security.

Featured

  • 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

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • 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.”

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities