​BUSINESS NEWS

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has reached an agreement with the Centre National de Prevention et de Protection (CNPP) to allow the organization to translate NFPA 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, into French. The CNPP is an insurance industry organization that promulgates safety codes and standards throughout France. The group intends to sell the translated document to businesses and government agencies that wish to use it outside the United States.

Although Europeans have their own national and European sprinkler codes, the NFPA standard is widely recognized and used by industry and insurance companies because it is derived from sophisticated research and testing via a consensus process. Use by the influential CNPP is considered a breakthrough for the NFPA.

NFPA and CNPP intend to continue their relationship with similar agreements for other fire protection codes.

COLLABORATIONS

ActivCard has announced that a variety of its authentication methods are supported by Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server software so Citrix customers can select ActivCard software, smart cards, and other credentials.

AEP Systems and Distributed Management Systems have released a remote-access solution for secure access to company information using CASQUE security.

Air Security International has reached an agreement with World Trade Press whereby that publisher’s digital mapping system will be incorporated into Air Security’s online travel security and intelligence service.

AXCESS International Inc. has signed a worldwide supply agreement with Honeywell to provide electronic wireless tagging products to Honeywell’s Automation & Control Solution Service business unit.

Decru, Inc., is teaming with Network Appliance and MDY Advanced Technologies to deliver a solution for secure electronic records management that has been certified by the U.S. Department of Defense.

FaceKey Corporation and Digital Broadband Networks, Inc., plan to develop a biometric system and applications for verifying a live fingerprint and face with data stored in a smart card.

IDenticard Systems and Ortega InfoSystems have formed a strategic technology partnership to provide a security management solution for commercial, industrial, and homeland security markets.

ImageWare and Datastrip have joined in a strategic partnership to bundle two-dimensional bar codes with identification solutions.

Matrics and Apriso Corporation are partnering to deliver turn­key production-automation, inventory-management, and asset-management solutions based on RFID technology.

Oberthur Card Systems and Sun Microsystems demonstrated the potential of Java Card technology-enabled smart cards at Sun’s Network Conference in San Francisco.

PatientKeeper and Scheduling.com have formed a partnership to develop mobile scheduling applications for the healthcare industry.

Rainbow Technologies and WetStone Technologies have teamed up to create a secure instant-messaging solution.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., and EMCOR Facilities Services, Inc., have entered into an alliance to provide building performance technologies, solutions, and services.

TeamF1, Inc., has formed a multiyear alliance with Wind River Systems to provide secure networking technologies to customers.

Transmeta Corporation and NVIDIA Corporation are collaborating to develop integrated media-communications processors for Transmeta’s Efficeon processor for mobile personal- computer platforms.

C.E. Unterberg, Towbin has joined forces with Mallon Associates to provide comprehensive banking services to the global security/crime control industry.

VASCO Data Security International, Inc., and Network Engines, Inc., have formed a partnership to provide two-factor authentication solutions for Network Engines’ Steel-Belted Radius Enterprise Edition Appliance.

Business-to-Business Deals

The Central Station Alarm Association has reached a reciprocal recognition agreement with the Security Industry Association under which both groups’ central station operator training courses will qualify for continuing education credit for licensing purposes.

Cooperative De Seguros Multiples has contracted with IDP for services that ensure compliance with U.S. Treasury requirements prohibiting insurers from conducting business with specially designated nationals and blocked persons.

The NRVS Platform from DV­Tel Inc. is being used by StorageTek for upgrading security management at its headquarters.

Eltron Card Printers are producing cards for identity and service access at the New Zealand Academy of Sport.

Foundstone Inc. has announced that AT&T has selected Foundstone Enterprise 3.0 to fortify its network security.

IR Recognition Systems has provided HandKey terminals and software to heighten security at Rex Healthcare.

IR Security & Safety has announced that Locknetics on Board computer-managed locking systems are securing the Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Loss Control Solutions has implemented its investigation case management system at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Monterrey Security has signed a contract with SMG to provide security services for Chicago’s New Soldier Field.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has chosen LexisNexis Insurance Solutions to assist insurance companies and law enforcement in combating insurance fraud.

NetScreen Technologies, Inc., is providing firewall and virtual private network appliances and systems to secure the Virginia Hospital Center’s central hospital network.

Relivio, L.L.C., has signed a contract with Brijot, Inc., to provide picture-enhancement and video-tracking software.

Siemens Building Technologies is providing a building-management system to Cook-DeVos Health Sciences Center that can be controlled remotely from the Grand Valley State University main campus 15 miles away.

Ubizen has been named the Managed Security Solutions Provider for PANalytical.

ValueOptions has entered into a secure-messaging agreement with Secure Data in Motion, doing business as Sigaba.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Cloakware Corporation is being evaluated by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory as part of an initiative to secure the most critical applications at the Department of Defense.

Databac Group is providing photo identity cards and security stationery to the Public Carriage Office, a department of Transport for London.

Dedicated Micros Inc. has been awarded a General Services Administration Federal Supply Service contract.

Engineered Support Systems, Inc., has been awarded a contract to provide the U.S. Air Force with hardware components of the Deployable Power Generation and Distribution System.

The United Arab Emirates has granted Radian Inc., a subsidiary of Engineered Support, a contract to design and install an access control and perimeter security system in Abu Dhabi.

FOR-A Corporation of America is providing video stabilizers for monitoring outdoor launch pads in Cape Canaveral for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

GE Interlogix Video Systems Group announced that its Bus­Secure systems have been installed on buses in Monroe County School District in Georgia.

GE Interlogix cameras and towers will be used to protect the new Midtown Greenway project in Minneapolis.

HiEnergy has submitted a white paper to the Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office Technical Support Working Group following its selection during the first round of a national competition for threat- countermeasure technologies.

Identix Incorporated will provide its biometric live scan booking stations and desktop systems to Citizenship and Immigration Services and other departments within the Department of Homeland Security via a blanket purchase agreement.

ImageWare Systems, Inc., is helping the Los Angeles Police Department expand its browser-based investigative application to broaden search capabilities and create mug books via the law enforcement intranet.

ImageWare is also providing it Crime Capture System to the SeaTac Police Department.

Implant Sciences Corporation was selected by the Transportation Security Administration to develop a tabletop explosives detections system for use at airport security checkpoints.

Johnson Controls is providing integrated technologies for Harrisburg International Airport and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

NICE Systems has received an intergovernmental purchasing contract with Maricopa County, Arizona, for use in providing NiceVision for the Lower Buckey Jail and the 4th Avenue Jail, as well as the Central Services Facility.

NICE video recording solutions are also being used in the Tempe Union, Arizona High School District.

Recognition Systems Inc., a business of Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited, is supplying Toledo Express Airport with HandReaders for controlling access to the tarmac and other critical areas.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., has earned a five-year contract to provide utility monitory and control systems from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

SimplexGrinnell and the U.S. General Services Administration have made a new agreement for providing fire and life-safety services to federal agencies.

Sprint and Navigance have announced a new wireless security system installation planned for Teterboro Airport.

TAC has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for building automation and security installation projects.

Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems is implementing its access control system in the Enterprise Charter School in Buffalo, New York; Pima County Jail in Tucson, Arizona; and the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

TippingPoint Technologies, Inc., is providing its intrusion-prevention appliance to Los Alamos National Laboratory for protecting networks.

Unisys Corporation has been chosen by the Port of Seattle/Tacoma, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach to implement Operation Safe Commerce pilot programs. The programs are funded by cooperative agreements to the ports from the Transportation Security Administration and involve high-volume trade routes for Motorola Inc. and Sara Lee Corporation.

USProtect has been awarded a contract to provide, operate, and maintain an armed security force for the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Wave Dispersion Technologies has acquired a U.S. General Services Administration contract for its port security technology; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has purchased two Whip­r­Wave Small Craft Intrusion Barriers to be installed in Illinois dams.

A Zebra printer is being used by the Housing Authority of Joliet, Illinois, to identify its employees.

MARKETING AGREEMENTS

Active Control Technology Inc. and Code Blue Corporation have signed an exclusive contract to distribute the new Circle-of-Safety wireless personal alarm system.

The SecureLink family of solutions from DVTel Inc. has been added to the PSA Security Network approved-products list.

Security professionals can now purchase Canon products through Langbaum Associates.

Fargo Electronics, Inc., has become a master distributor of ImageWare photo identification badge design and management software.

Newton Security, Inc., and Designed Security, Inc., will market Newton’s tailgate-detection and alarm-recording system through Designed Security’s North American network of representatives and integrators.

Ricci Communications is developing advertising for Talk-A-Phone and Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. Ricci is also coordinating a media outreach campaign for USProtect.

Sanctum Inc. has joined the Mercury Interactive Business Technology Optimization Alliance Program.

Thales Information Systems and Verano Inc. have formed a partnership to sell Verano’s Industrial Defender.

Tyco Fire & Security is a new member in the Microsoft Certified Partner Program.

The Security Services Division of Urbitran Group has teamed with Cernium, Inc., to sell and install Cernium’s intelligent video surveillance systems in the northeast United States.

Wray Ward Laseter has been appointed YSG Door Security Consultants’ agency of record for advertising, interactive, and public relations.

Zeosoft Technology Group, Inc., has announced an OEM distribution agreement with Data­card Group.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Actuality Systems has received an Advanced Technology Grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for commercialization of its scalable 3D holographic video.

Brush Industries has earned ISO 9001:2000 certification from the International Organization for Standardization.

Engineered Support Systems won the St. Louis Regional Technology Top 50 Award, sponsored by Deloitte & Touche and the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association.

Fire Control Instruments, part of Honeywell’s Fire Systems Group, was awarded the Automation and Control Solutions Technical Achievement Award for its product development involving voice-over LAN.

OzVision offers seminars on remote video that are now eligible for CEU credits.

Savi Technology received the National Transportation Award for 2003 from the National Defense Transportation Association.

The WANSync 3.5 and Data Rewinder 1.5 solutions from XOsoft have achieved Microsoft Windows 2000, Professional, Server, and Advanced Server certifications through VeriTest.

MISCELLANY

The American Society of Safety Engineers is forming its first South American chapter, in Ecuador.

Barton Protective Services is installing automatic external defibrillators in its 31 nationwide branches.

E.J. Brooks is sponsoring affiliate membership in the National Cargo Security Council for 14 law-enforcement agencies.

Daon has opened its U.S. headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Engineered Support Systems has acquired Engineered Environments, Inc.

Euronova has a new Web site atwww.euronova.co.uk.

Honeywell International Inc. and Silent Witness Enterprises Ltd. have entered into a definitive agreement for Honeywell to acquire Silent Witness.

Initial Security has purchased the assets of Amerisec Security, Inc.

Integrated Engineering has opened a U.S. office in Carmel Valley, California.

SecurTest, Inc., has moved to a new location in Tampa, Florida.

SOS Security Incorporated has acquired First Choice Security.

Streamlight has acquired rights to the TL-2 trademark from Laser Devices, Inc.

Symantec Corporation has signed an agreement to acquire PowerQuest Corporation.

ASIS NEWS

ASIS Security Management Conference in Madrid

ASIS International is holding a Security Management Conference in Ma­drid, Spain, February 22-25 at the North Convention Centre—Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I.

The conference, which is cosponsored by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), is also running parallel with Spain’s largest security, safety, and fire protection exhibition, SICUR. Free time has been built into the seminar schedule for attendees to explore the technologies and services of the exhibitors. The event will also include a President’s Reception hosted by ASIS President Shirley Pierini, CPP, keynote speakers, closing ceremony, and optional spouses/partners tour.

On Sunday the 22nd, the conference kicks off with a RVP Reception at the Hotel Melia Castilla. On Monday, the opening session will explore security issues pertaining to the enlargement of the European Union. Session highlights include a comparison of Olym­pic security models by a representative of Teatro del Liceo de Barcelona; “Managing Risk Through Emergency Planning” by Michael Knowles of IBM Australia; the state of facility management in Europe by Francisco Vazquez, president of IFMA Spain; and “Intellectual Property Issues in Turkey and Surrounding Regions” by Gary Caldwell of The Garlin Group, Turkey.

Tuesday’s keynote is by Keith Leonard, Amgen’s vice president, Europe, on security concerns for Pan-European operations. Other sessions on Tues­day include an overview of security and safety operations for the Madrid Metro by Aurelio Rojo, the security challenges facing a global security department by David Reese of Time Warner UK, “Extraordinary Results with Ordinary People in Very Special Workplaces” by Jose Luis Lopez Saldana of Steelcase, Spain, and a look at the partnership between private security and Interpol to combat intellectual property crime by Walter Clements, CPP, of Procter & Gamble USA. On Wed­ne­sday, the conference concludes with sessions that include air cargo security by Javier Gandara of FedEx Express, Spain, and building a “futureproof” security system by Sally Leivesley of Risk Analysis (UK) Ltd.

To register for the ASIS International Security Management Conference, call ASIS Customer Services at 703/519-4200 or visitwww.asisonline.org.

Four New Web-based Courses Offered

ASIS International is partnering with STAM Multimedia Inc. to offer Web-based training courses on security technology that allows students to learn at their own pace, anywhere, at any time. Currently, the four courses available are “Biometric Technology Demystified,” “CCTV—A Complete Review,” “Digital Video and Networking Training,” and “Fiber Optics Technology Training.” Each course uses interactive audiovisual content (including animations and product simulations, downloadable course notes, online testing and certification), and CEU credits.

Biometrics. This course begins with a discussion of the fundamentals, including the biometric system architecture and enrollment process. The curriculum covers technologies such as fingerprint, face, voice, hand, retina, and iris scans, how each pro­cess works, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

CCTV. This basic-to-intermediate level course will include how to choose a CCTV system, how to design and install one, and troubleshooting for system components. The curriculum features a section on cameras, including the principles of picture formation, lighting and camera response, camera features, and other issues. A section on lenses highlights types and construction, features such as depth of field, lens selection, and trouble­shooting. There are also sections on CCTV accessories, transmission and switching systems, monitors, recording systems, and other issues.

Digital video. In the digital video and networking course, students will review the latest digital technology used in CCTV, including basic digital concepts. They will learn about digital networks, the terminology used, types, hardware devices, and protocols including TCP/IP addressing and the Internet. Additional material covers compression techniques, types, features, and how to choose digital recorders, as well as an overview of the different digital CCTV devices available and their applications in networks and over the Internet.

Fiber optics. The fiber optics technology course will discuss concepts such as refraction and total reflection, as well as terminology, parameters, and key features including numeral aperture, multiple and single modes, bandwidth, and calculation of power loss. Students will review hardware devices used in a fiber optics system, including different types of cables, optical detectors and switches, transmitters and receivers, multiplexers, and couplers. The installation process will be explored, focusing on fusion and mechanical splicing, connectors, cabling, power meters, and optical time domain reflectometers.

System requirements for the four new courses are a minimum 56 Kbps Internet connection and a PC with speakers. For more information on the courses, visitwww.stamhost.com/asis.

FCRA Amended

ASIS International begins the new year with a major legislative victory under its belt. Late in 2003, as this January issue was going to press, the Congress passed and the President was expected to sign into law reauthorization of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Included in the bill were provisions strongly advocated by ASIS and its partners in a coalition that included the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS).

The provisions remove workplace misconduct investigations from the notice and disclosure requirements of FCRA. Employers now will be able to retain outside professional agencies to conduct investigations without having to give the subject of the inquiry advance notice.  Nor will they have to provide the subject a complete copy of the investigation results, including names and comments of witnesses.

A major obstacle had been the federal policymakers’ view that the workplace misconduct provisions were “labor relations” or “consumer credit” issues. ASIS educated members of Congress and other policymakers about the security implications of the law and its impact on investigations involving work­place violence, theft, fraud, harassment and discrimination. This educational outreach strongly affected the outcome. Having NCISS and ASIS working in tandem was particularly effective.