Industry News January 2005
How can an outbreak of infectious disease be contained without violating personal freedoms? How can authorities retain the public trust when distributing scarce medical resources? A new publication from the Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center addresses those issues and others that face public officials and security professionals in times of biological crises.
How to Lead During Bioattacks with the Public’s Trust and Help offers practical advice on dilemmas that can arise in a public health emergency. It provides a research-based set of best practices for safeguarding the public’s trust and cooperation during a response.
To produce the book, the Center for Biosecurity convened a working group that included decision makers and health officers from all levels of government; experts in infectious disease, disaster recovery, and risk communication; advocates for special populations; and health and national security reporters.
The handbook has been distributed to 10,000 government officials. The project was funded by the Oklahoma City Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, the Office for Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security, and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Interested persons can order or download the report atwww.upmc-biosecurity.org.
PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS
AEP Systems has joined the RSA Security Secured Partner Program to provide an access-management solution.
Vexira Antivirus for Linux from Central Command is protecting e-mail infrastructure at Newnan Utilities and Zon Nederland N.V.
Cognitec Systems and Japan Nuclear Security System Co., Ltd., have introduced an access control system using face-recognition technology.
Datacard Group has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Intel to develop integrated solutions for large enterprises and the government.
BioMass Health Management Systems has incorporated tokens from Datakey Electronics, Inc., into its data-collection kiosks.
LEGIC Identsystems Ltd. has signed a global licensing agreement with Honeywell so that Honeywell Building Solutions can incorporate access control from LEGIC into its smart cards and readers.
Indala Corporation and Privaris, Inc., have formed an alliance to offer a BPID security device.
Integral Technologies has teamed with IPIX Security to integrate IPIX’s cameras with DigitalSENTRY software.
The European Investment Bank has deployed the SSL VPN solution from Juniper Networks, Inc., to protect its corporate network.
Dreams plc is being protected by IP telephony and surveillance using a Milestone XProtect IP video solution implemented by Absolute Networks Ltd. in conjunction with Gardiner Security.
NetSolve, Incorporated, is providing WAN and security support to Elementis, an international chemical corporation.
North American Video has installed digital video surveillance systems at Rider University, Northern Quest Casino, Soaring Eagle Casino, and Aruba Marriott Resort.
OSS, Inc. has signed a contract with Office Max to provide security guard services for its corporate headquarters.
Pacom Systems and Recognition Source have formed a partnership to deploy wireless access control systems.
Panda Software and Mailshell have announced an agreement to integrate Mailshell’s antispam engine into Panda’s security software products.
The new Shanghai Formula 1 International Raceway is protected by a Pelco video security system that was designed and installed by Yingxin High Tech Development Company, Ltd., and Shanghai Digital Video Net Science and Technology Company, Ltd.
PPM 2000 Inc. is partnering with the International Foundation for Protection Officers to offer IXO Web-based reporting to its members.
Rapiscan Security Products (U.S.A.) Inc. will purchase two explosive-detection systems from QRSciences Limited for integration with Rapiscan’s x-ray machines.
Saint Vincent Health System has selected security software from SAFLINK to protect patient data and enhance HIPAA compliance.
SAGEM has been selected by The Reserve Bank of Malawi to install a fingerprint recognition system.
SCM Microsystems, Inc., has entered into a cooperative agreement with Integrated Circuit Group of Sharp Corporation to develop and market contactless smart-card readers.
ServerVault Corp. will manage and support Data Systems & Solutions’ electronic logbook for airlines under a new contract.
Sygate Technologies and iPass Inc. have agreed to further integrate Sygate Security Enterprise with the iPass connectivity service platform.
Tumbleweed Communications Corp. is supplying a firewall to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
UPM Rafsec is providing RFID tags to Dutch book supplier NBD/Biblion for protection of books in libraries.
Swedish Bank FöreningsSparbanken has ordered Digipass 260 from VASCO Data Security International, Inc., to secure its Internet and retail banking.
Bfi OPTiLAS S.A. of Madrid will use MESH infrared reader accessories from Viscount Systems Inc. to enhance security for its customers.
The National Archives and Records Administration is using the IA Manager from Xacta Corp. to automate IT security functions and comply with the Federal Information Security Management Act.
Our Dear Lady Hospital in Amsterdam has upgraded its patient ID card program with Zebra card printers.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
ACG Identification GmbH will deliver smart-card readers to Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestelite.
Axalto has won a contract from the U.S. Government Printing Office to provide technology for a new electronic passport.
Cybertrust has been awarded a contract from the government of Australia to secure the data for its e-passport pilot test.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $1 million to Digimarc Corporation for a pilot to test digital watermarking for driver’s licenses.
The Sentry early warning and decision support system from ENSCO, Inc., has been installed at Sandia National Laboratories’ Evaluation Facility.
Environmental Tectonics Corporation has been selected by the Maryland Aviation Administration to develop and conduct virtual-reality training sessions at Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
Henry County Public Schools (Virginia) has contracted with Honeywell Building Solutions to provide its Web-based emergency-notification service.
Identix Incorporated has been selected by the U.S. Department of State to supply technology for facial recognition systems for visa processing.
InteliTrac, AssureTec Systems, Inc., Cognitec Systems, and Unisys Corporation are providing ID verification to the Policia Investigaciones de Chile at Santiago Airport.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (Arizona) will broaden its use of ImageWare Systems, Inc’s, IWS Law Enforcement to include two new jails.
L-3 Communications has installed an inline explosives-detection system at Harrisburg International Airport.
Litronic has shipped its secure-messaging software to the County of Los Angeles for a new pilot program with the Department of Mental Health.
MX Logic, Inc., has announced new government customers, including the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Colorado Department of Public Safety, Jefferson County Public School District (Colorado), Texas Department of Agriculture, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
NICE Systems video solutions are protecting the Statue of Liberty National Monument via an agreement with the U.S. Park Police.
ObjectVideo has won a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to further develop night-vision video surveillance technologies.
Schlage has provided its D-Lock to Adams County School District 12 Schools (Colorado) for high-traffic, high-abuse doors.
Smiths Detection Ionscan Document Scanners were deployed during TSA trials at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
SuperCom, Ltd., will supply smart-card technology for integration in new electronic passports via a U.S. Government Printing Office contract.
USProtect has received an extension of its contract to provide physical security services to the United States Social Security Administration.
Verint Systems Inc. will provide its networked video solution to the Société de transport de Montréal.
Videx, Inc., has provided CyberLock systems to Stonington High School (Connecticut) to prevent vandalism.
The New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has chosen VisioWave in partnership with Siemens for the first phase of its new digital video security systems.
VistaScape Security Systems announced that its automated wide-area surveillance platform will be part of a perimeter security system at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport.
Marketing agreements
AEP Systems has announced that e92plus Limited will handle its SSL VPN solution for resellers in the United Kingdom.
Hidden Eyes Guard Service has added Paul Powell to its roster of independent agents for clients in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona.
Databac Group Limited has signed a reseller agreement with Indala Corporation to provide and support Indala’s readers and cards.
IndigoVision has appointed MICAN Communications Inc. as an authorized reseller for the Canadian market.
Integral Technologies has selected the Atkins Group as manufacturer’s representative for its line of digital video management solutions to security dealers in New England. Dollacker & Associates will represent the company in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Intelli-Check, Inc. and SiVault Systems have entered into a licensing and strategic alliance to create a tool to combat identity theft.
OnScreen Technologies and Viasys have signed a value-added reseller agreement, under which Viasys will offer OnScreen’s LED variable-message signs to its customers.
Optex, Inc., and Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) have entered into an agreement to make Optex products available directly to the DMP network of dealers.
Pacom Systems and Protec Security Group have a new product distribution agreement for Caribbean and Latin American customers. Control Services, Inc., has signed a product dealer agreement with Pacom for parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Kansas.
Pointsec Mobile Technologies has entered into a partnership agreement with Integralis whereby Integralis will include Pointsec products in its security solutions for the European market.
PBSTECH has been accepted into the network of authorized GE Security Pro custom installers.
Telular has become a preferred supplier to Diebold for cellular security alarm backup.
VASCO Data Security is partnering with several distributors in Europe, including Rantek (Denmark), Open PSL (UK), Secunet (Switzerland), Qdis Technologies (Netherlands), Cosyco (Belgium and Netherlands), and ITWAY (France and Italy).
Vidient Systems and NEC Solutions (America), Inc., has announced a partnership in which NEC will market, sell, and distribute Vidient’s SmartCatch video software.
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Alien Technology has been named Frost & Sullivan’s 2004 Entrepreneurial Company of the Year.
Digital Security Controls has received ULC-Level 5 listing for its Internet alarm-communication solution.
HireRight has been named the eighth-fastest-growing technology company in Orange County’s Deloitte Technology Fast 50.
LXE Inc. has received the Mobile Star Award from MobileVillage for best customer service.
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Center for Chemical Process Safety has certified the ezASSESSMENT solution from Straec Technologies to help chemical companies self-monitor and evaluate the safety and security of their assets.
Audible/Visible notification devices from System Sensor meet the new compliance standards set by Underwriter’s Laboratories Inc. (UL) for current draw and voltage drop.
TAC Xenta controller products are certified for smoke-control applications by UL.
Tavcom Training has received endorsement as an Approved Learning Provider from the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service.
Trend Micro has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for 2004.
Two new patents have been granted to VisioWave S.A. for technology relating to its 3D-Wavelet video compression.
Transition Assistance Online gave Wackenhut Corporation its second annual Military Employer of the Year Award.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Air Routing International is implementing an IT redundancy program to protect corporate data during crises.
Allegent Technology Group provided integration and central control of network security for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Business Controls, Inc., has moved into new headquarters in Littleton, Colorado.
Curtiss-Wright Controls has acquired Synergy Microsystems, Inc., to diversify its product offerings.
Cyberlux Corporation donated 300 Home Safety Lights to the Collier County Emergency Management Agency for use during the hurricane-related power outages in Florida.
DVTel has moved to new facilities in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.
GE Infrastructure, Security’s Commercial Solutions Group has created a System Design Group to assist dealers with security design.
HID has established a new Alliances and Partners Program.
Hunter Defense Technologies has formed a Homeland Security Products Group to develop a network of companies that can provide building-protection solutions throughout North America.
VideoBridge technology from IndigoVision provided an IP-video backbone for the security system at the Athens Olympics, covering more than 30 sites.
Intrusic has created a Corporate Advisory Board to counsel its executive board.
The IP UserGroup hosted a regional meeting on health and education security technology in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Juniper Networks is planning to open a research and development center in Beijing, China.
Law Enforcement Associates Corporation has announced that the first human trials of its new stun pistol using Fused Muscle Tetany have been successful.
The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association has launched an online version of its Alarm Technician Course.
The National Notification Network reported that its mass notification system was successfully used to keep residents of Buena Vida Estates Retirement Community informed on the approach of hurricanes during the recent storm season in Florida.
Per Mar Security Services has acquired security officer accounts in Wisconsin and Michigan from Norred & Associates, Inc.
RAE Systems had wireless sensors for chemical and radiation monitors embedded with security forces and venues at the Athens Olympic Games.
Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc., has opened an office in Laurel, Maryland, to expand its presence in the Baltimore-Washington area.
Sales Consultants of Westminster has changed its name to SCW Consulting to reflect the larger geographical and business nature of its recruiting services.
Spectra Logic has formed a dedicated enterprise federal division in response to increased demand for high-security storage libraries.
Supreme Security Systems is celebrating 75 years in business.
Symantec has signed a definitive agreement to acquire @stake, Inc.
Tavcom, a security systems training provider, has unveiled a major new facility at its Hampshire Training Centre. It has launched two new courses: CCTV Traffic Enforcement and Security and Emergency Lighting.
A softball team sponsored by Vector Security won the 2004 United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association 45-and-over national championship in a tournament at Disney World.
ASIS NEWS
Final Version of Threat Advisory System Response Guideline Published
ASIS International has published the final version of its Threat Advisory System Response Guideline. The guideline is designed to help organizations respond effectively to advisories issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and it is viewed as a crucial component in developing a comprehensive system for protecting the approximately 85 percent of national infrastructure that is in the hands of the private sector.
This guideline is a tool to help any entity prepare plans, procedures, and response strategies as a result of changes in the threat advisory levels set by DHS. The guideline’s matrix is divided into four major sections—green/blue, yellow, orange, and red—and is further broken out into three subcategories: emergency response and business continuity, personnel protection, and physical protection.
The worksheet format helps companies determine which steps apply to specific security environments; it also makes it easy to make changes to each step based on additional response concerns.
