Industry News March 2005
BUSINESS NEWS
Attempted check fraud at U.S. banks rose to $5.5 billion in 2003, according to the latest report from the American Bankers Association (ABA). The good news is that while attempted fraud continued to rise, actual dollar losses were slightly lower than in 2001, the date of the previous biennial Deposit Account Fraud Survey; losses fell from $698 million to $677 million.
The largest category of check-fraud losses (about one-third) was forgery, followed by bounced checks and counterfeit checks. New-account fraud was especially serious in community banks, but it affected banks of all sizes.
Account-screening software was ranked as the most effective fraud-prevention method by survey participants. Other valuable strategies were using credit bureau scores at account opening, not cashing checks for noncustomers, and implementing a centralized fraud management system.
The 120-page report is available from the ABA at a price of $150 for ABA members and $450 for nonmembers.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has granted ISO 9001:2000 certification to U.S. Security Associates, Inc. The uniformed security company has been certified nationwide, meaning that all of the company's service delivery systems, in branches as well as at corporate headquarters, are compliant with the internationally recognized quality standard.
An independent auditor reviewed all of the service delivery processes and determined that the company was able to meet customer requirements and apply regulatory requirements while achieving and improving customer satisfaction. U.S. Security Associates applied for certification because it was confident in the closed-loop processes it has been developing over the past decade.
ISO is a network of 146 national standards institutes, with one member per country. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the organization established ISO 9000 as a family of management system standards concerned with quality management, regardless of product or service. The ISO certification is voluntary, but it shows that a company has the desire to strive for quality.
PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS
Monsanto is implementing ActivCard’s two-factor authentication solution to its network of 5,000 employees.
Cisco Systems has adopted Adobe Acrobat to simplify document workflows and ensure that documents aren’t altered after they leave the company.
AIM Global—The Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility—is working with the Computing Technology Industry Association to develop a vendor-neutral, multidimensional certification program for RFID technology.
Axalto has announced that its .NET-based smart cards are helping secure access to Microsoft’s corporate network.
ChoicePoint and MicroBilt have entered into a licensing agreement that will give MicroBilt customers access to ChoicePoint data.
Compass Technologies and NuVision Networks, Corp., have entered into a strategic partnership for a fully integrated one-card solution for accounting and access control.
Dedicated Micros Inc. and PCSC have integrated Dedicated Micros’ digital-video multiplexer recorders into PCSC’s LINC-NET access control system.
Delta Scientific is providing decorative bollards and perimeter cabling system to protect the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
The XyLoc MD solution from Ensure Technologies has been integrated into Epic Systems Corporation software.
First Advantage Corporation announced that its Employment Screening Services division has formed a strategic partnership with PrideRock Holding Company, Inc., to combine their background screening and fingerprint capabilities.
Fortress Global Investigations provided security and protection services for Sir Richard Branson, along with the cast and crew of “The Rebel Billionaire,” a FOX network reality show, while on location in Africa.
Harmon, Inc., is providing Orlando Regional Healthcare’s new Hospital for Women and Babies with its impact-resistant exterior-glazing system.
When Florida development Kelly Greens voted to become a gated community, it selected Hidden Eyes Guard Service to provide security and access control services.
March Networks products have been selected by Fifth Third Bank of Cincinnati for a multisite IP-networked safety and security installation.
Milsk Company and Abel Electronics implemented a Quiet-Cool console system from Middle Atlantic Products in Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen Café.
IE Keyprocessor has integrated IP cameras from Mobotix into its security management system.
Unisys Corporation has selected a secure credential platform from ImageWare to support its large-scale identity-management projects.
Nortel and Symantec will integrate their security solutions through a strategic relationship.
Nortel has also teamed with Microsoft to support Microsoft’s Network Access Protection.
Nortronics Corporation is outfitting Strand Book Store with a CCTV over IP system.
The Remote Site Manager from Omnitronix is protecting the computer science facilities at Princeton University.
PassagePoint visitor-management software from STOPware helped protect guests of the Association of Irish American Republicans at its Blarney Bash II held during the Republican National Convention.
Sygate Technologies and Aruba Wireless Networks have announced customized integration between Sygate’s security solutions and Aruba’s grid-controller systems.
Images from a Toshiba Security & Network Video recorder helped convict a vandal who damaged cars at Richard Chevrolet in Connecticut.
TWS Systems, Inc., is providing IMAGECENTER modules to VyStar Credit Union to streamline and protect ATM and check processing.
Ultra-Scan Corporation has announced that the Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center in Chicago has implemented its biometric patient-identification system.
Video Convergence has teamed with InTranS Group to provide an intelligent transportation system for the SR 125 project in San Diego.
Visionael Corporation has been selected by HBO to provide vulnerability management for its corporate network.
VisioWave S.A. has formed a strategic partnership agreement with Goldfield Electronics, which will become a VisioWave certified partner.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Cyco.Net Inc. has developed a network control system that was purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense under a contract with Northrop Grumman.
Delta Scientific barriers and bollards have been deployed at British embassies in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Colombia, the Czech Republic, and Kosovo.
Digimarc Corporation has announced that the Minnesota Department of Public Safety awarded it a contract for driver’s license security.
Ramapo and Indian Hills High Schools (New Jersey) have installed the DVTel Latitude Network Video Management System for enhanced security.
The State of New Jersey has deployed the E Team solution to extend its crisis-management capabilities.
Honeywell has signed a contract with the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, for an integrated digital surveillance system.
ImageWare Systems, Inc., has received a purchase order from SAGEM Morpho, Inc., as part of the New Jersey State Police booking-system expansion project.
Shoreline School System (Washington) has purchased emergency-readiness assessment tools from Incident Tactics.
The City of Culver City has deployed Mirage Networks CounterPoint to detect and stop malicious behavior.
The National Fire Protection Association and the National Technical Committee for Fire Protection Standardization, a committee of the Fire Department, Ministry of Public Security in China, have agreed to translate 26 NFPA codes and standards into Chinese.
Laguna Hills High School (California) has implemented the 3n Mass Notification System from National Notification Network.
Oberthur Card Systems has been chosen as the exclusive smart-card solution provider by British Telecom to supply license cards to the Security Industry Authority.
Recognition Systems is providing hand-geometry technology in conjunction with a smart card to identify truck drivers at the Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands).
TeraView Ltd. has been awarded a Cooperative Agreement by the Transportation Security Administration to investigate the use of terahertz technology in explosives detection.
CommHub from Unisys Corporation is helping response teams coordinate activities for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
VTI Security Integrators has been selected by Douglas County School District (Colorado) to install a new surveillance system in each of its 54 school locations.
MARKETING AGREEMENTS
Bosch Security Systems has forged a global partnership with HID Corporation and will offer iCLASS readers and smart credentials as part of its product portfolio.
BSI2000, Inc., has acquired the rights to market an enhanced version of an access control system using technology from DPI International.
Checkpoint Systems, Inc., has introduced the Checkpoint Systems EPC Compliance Network, a partnership for providing end-to-end EPC compliance and design solutions.
DataCore Software and Promise Technology, Inc., have announced a distribution agreement through which Promise will include DataCore’s disk server software with its storage adapters.
Mayflower Sales is now offering Dorma door closers to its customers.
Extreme CCTV Inc. has signed a commercial agreement with Obzerv Technologies for the marketing of the ATV2000i in North America.
HID Corporation has granted a license to Deister Electronics so Deister can manufacture its cards with full compatibility with HID 125 kHz prox cards.
IDenticard Systems Inc. has been chosen as the preferred vendor by the Mid-Atlantic Group Network of Shared Services.
InfoExpress has launched the InfoExpress Technology Alliance Partner Program for cooperative technology, sales, and marketing.
Middle Atlantic Products has announced new sales representatives, including 1 Volt Associates, Inc.; Repworks; Ken Massrey Associates; I.D.M.C., Inc.; Charles & Associates Marketing; GP Marketing; LCA Sales Co.; Warren Associates; Lewis & Dunnigan Company; Multi-Tech Reps; and Eakins/Bernstein Associates.
Mirage Networks, Inc., and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., have entered a distribution agreement to provide Mirage products to the Japanese market.
Britestream Networks and nCipher have announced a reseller agreement, where nCipher will resell Britestream’s network interface card under the name nFast Ultra.
PBSTECH has been accepted into the network of GE Security Pro custom installers of security systems.
Reflex Security has launched its Partner Program for value-added resellers.
Senforce Technologies, Inc., and Fortress Technologies have announced a progressive alliance that covers joint sales, marketing, channel development, and product development.
Snocone Systems Inc. has signed a letter of intent for a licensing and revenue-sharing agreement with SMART-TEK Communications INC.
SSH Communications Security has announced a reseller agreement with WhiteHat Inc. for WhiteHat to offer SSH Tectia as part of its Internet security solutions.
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Two U.S. Members of Congress, Representative Judy Biggert and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, recognized ChicagoFIRST as a model for the formation of regional public-private partnerships. The organization is a financial services coalition that addresses homeland security issues.
The Security business of GE Infrastructure has received the Louis Braille Corporate Award from the Associated Services for the Blind. GE offers a Simon security system with a Braille keypad overlay and user manual and voice-confirmation response.
North American Security Products Organization has received accreditation as an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer from the American National Standards Institute.
The World Economic Forum named ObjectVideo a Technology Pioneer for 2005.
SecurityExpressions Audit and Compliance software from Pedestal Software has achieved status as a Certified Smart Link for HP OpenView.
Perimeter Manager from Postini was honored as the Product of the Year in the content filtering category in the Information Security 2004 Products of the Year awards.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ActivCard has unveiled an incentive program to help customers switch to a token-based secure-access network solution.
The Chameleon Group has opened a new K-9 Training and Consulting Department with services for law enforcement and security K-9 units.
Communications Specialties, Inc., has launched a redesigned and updated Web site atwww.commspecial.com.
Douglas USA LLC has started a new Compliance and Security Practice to analyze and distribute information on best practices for total security and compliance by Internet-connected companies.
Engineered Support Systems has entered into an agreement to purchase the membership interests of Spacelink International, LLC.
Bell ID has joined the Fargo Electronics Technology Alliance.
FAILSAFE is a new network of complementary boutique forensic and investigative firms that includes Forensic Resolutions, Inc.; Intelysis Corp.; GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group; and Gottschalk Forensic Accounting & Valuation.
Fire Control Instruments has launched a newly designed Web site located atwww.firecontrolinstruments.com.
Honeywell announced that 43 of its security dealers have completed training to become certified Ambassadors for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They will serve as informational resources and educators in their local communities.
MR Access has joined Indala and will become Indala Limited.
The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium has declared 2005 to be the Year of the Information Security Professional.
Intrusic has released a guide to network security titled Eye on Security. The handbook is available as a free download from the company’s Web sitewww.intrusic.com.
The MultiMediaCard Association introduced MMCplus and MMCmobile cards to the Chinese market during an exhibition in China.
Nortronics Corporation has moved into newly renovated office space in Fairview, New Jersey, in order to expand its staff and services.
Open Security Exchange announced that GE Infrastructure, Security and Deister Electronics have joined the organization.
Roper Industries has acquired TransCore, which will continue to market products under its current brand names.
Smiths Detection is sponsoring a series of seminars on building security in cities throughout the United States. Among them are programs in Orlando on March 31 and in Chicago on April 27.
Sourcefire, Inc., will award two $5,000 scholarships to commemorate the two-millionth download of Snort. Eligible are computer science students at any college that uses Snort as a teaching tool or to secure its infrastructure.
The Stanley Works has acquired ISR Solutions, Inc.
UPM Rafsec has opened a new RFID sales and technical support center in Chicago to serve the North American market.
VASCO Data Security International, Inc., has opened a representative office in Shanghai to explore the Chinese market.
ASIS NEWS
ASIS Workshop Probes Workplace Violence
Zero tolerance policies for violent behavior in the workplace do not work unless the underlying problems are fixed, said James S. Cawood, CPP, PCI, PSP. At the Enhanced Violence Assessment and Management workshop held at the Wyndham City Center in Washington, D.C., Cawood outlined the neuropsychological basis of violence and offered participants a grid to help assess and defuse violent or potentially violent employees.
According to Cawood, absolute punishments, as dictated in zero tolerance policies, can sometimes push a potentially violent employee over the edge because he or she believes there is nothing to lose. In addition, said Cawood, stringent policies often make it less likely that employees will report suspicious or violent behavior to supervisors, because they fear that the problematic employee will be subjected to unnecessarily harsh punishments.
All violence is the result of a person needing to establish, or in some cases reestablish, control, explained Cawood. Some warning signs that an employee has the potential for violence include: use of direct or indirect threatening statements; unreasonable anger, defensiveness, or resentment; a history of violence; a known interest or sympathy for publicized acts of violence; an indication that the person harbors resentment or anger toward the company, managers, or coworkers; an indication of new or increased stress; and an indication of extremely low self-esteem, severe depression, or suicidal tendencies.
Other factors can make it more likely that violence will occur. Alcohol and some other drugs can act as “disinhibitors,” he said, eliminating social and other stigmas that may restrain a sober person. Cawood cautioned, however, that someone under the influence of alcohol will never do something that they haven't already thought about. “The guy who tells you he beat his wife because he was drunk is lying,” Cawood stated.
If these signs of brewing violence are caught early, however, and if there is intervention, it is possible to prevent violent acts. According to Cawood, “There are always warning signs that acts of violence will occur.”
When assessing a violent or potentially violent employee, Cawood stated, “You don’t assess someone from the outside, you assess them from inside their own heads,” by attempting to understand the motivations for their actions.
Background screenings should be used to eliminate potentially violent employees from being hired in the first place, of course, Cawood told attendees. He recommended a thorough investigation that includes reference checks and public record checks. “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior,” he said.
The two-day program also included role-playing exercises and an introduction to enhanced cognitive interviewing.
For more information on Cawood’s principles, his book Violence Assessment and Intervention: The Practitioner's Handbook is available online at the ASIS Online bookstore (www.asisonline.org).
—By Marta Roberts, staff editor
