Industry News January 2008
BUSINESS NEWS
While states and regulatory agencies struggle to set standards for security officer training and selection, some private security companies are taking matters into their own hands by establishing their own programs. A few months ago, readers learned about the Wackenhut Nuclear Services Certified Security Specialist program. Here’s what some other businesses are doing.
Universal Protection Service has established its Certified Security Professional program. Students complete courses in communications, security operations, physical security, and emergency operations using a combination of online, classroom, and self-directed study. An eight-hour final exam includes on-the-job simulations.
AlliedBarton Security Services has developed new virtual training for its employees that accelerates learning in simulated environments. Like a video game, it allows officers to “walk” through a simulated client site and engage in “what-if” scenarios. The company is also releasing instructional audio files to officers so that they can refresh their prior training as they listen via an MP3 player or computer.
In addition to its basic training for security officers, Securitas USA offers Advanced Certification Training covering more than 30 security topics. Securitas also has a Certified Security Supervisor program, which includes supervisory training and courses in human resources and risk management.
And companies can also look to ASIS International’s Private Security Officer Selection and Training Guideline, which suggests minimum criteria for the selection and training of all private security officers. Link to the guideline atwww.securitymanagement.com.
PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS
Access Specialties announced that its security management system is now integrated with Endura and 8100 DVRs from Pelco.
AMAG Technology has announced the integration of its video management system with Mango DSP video servers, Bosch Security Systems Dinion IP cameras, and Vidient Systems intelligent video routers.
ASI Global has been retained by Travelers to supply crisis management support to its kidnap and ransom policyholders.
Axis Communications and Eptascape are collaborating to bring MPEG-7 intelligent video analytics to Axis users.
Contigo and Bold Technologies have formed an alliance to enhance Contigo’s GPS platform by providing integration into the Bold Manitou software automation platform.
Intellitactics and Mazu Networks have integrated the Intellitactics Security Manager with the Mazu Profiler so users can monitor, analyze, and respond to threats from a single console.
Johnson Controls has installed a smoke and fire detection system at Marriott New Jersey Textile Services, which provides laundry services to 34 Marriott hotels.
Milestone Systems and Pelco have collaborated to develop a software management platform that allows some Pelco cameras to work with Milestone’s software.
MSS Security Consultants & Engineers is designing and improving security systems for Yale-New Haven Hospital and Hackensack University Medical Center.
NeoScale Systems is teaming up with BridgeHead Software to provide an integrated solution for securing sensitive backup data for the healthcare industry.
Fire alarm systems from NOTIFIER have been installed at Montclair State University.
SafeData, LLC, announced that Xerium Technologies, Inc., has selected its disaster recovery and managed network-monitoring solutions to ensure business continuity.
The University of Southern California has successfully implemented the Sonasoft SonaSafe solution to provide backup, high availability, and disaster recovery for the Office of Provost.
Synectics Systems Inc. has been selected by Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., to provide digital video surveillance for the Lumière Place Hotel and Casino in St. Louis.
US Life Safety is providing emergency preparedness through its Life-Counts solution to Canonsburg General Hospital.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
Alcatel-Lucent has supplied its Omni Access SafeGuard security solution to the Mineola Union Free School District (New York) for protecting confidentiality of internal resources.
American Science and Engineering, Inc., has sold personnel and parcel inspection systems to the Department of Defense (DoD) to be used as an integrated screening solution at an overseas military base.
ATG Access has announced contracts to manufacture and install security bollards for Heathrow Airport, the Parliament building in London, and St. Pancras Railway Station.
The Air Force Reserve Command has selected an emergency notification system from AtHoc, Inc., for command-wide alerts to 37 bases and units supporting more than 76,000 people.
First InterComm communication equipment from BAE Systems is being deployed by the Souhegan Mutual Aid Fire District through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
CDW Government, Inc., is providing Parker, Colorado, with an Axis Communications video surveillance system for monitoring the new sports center.
Fitchburg, Wisconsin, has deployed the CipherOptics CipherEngine Policy and Key Manager to meet security and regulatory requirements.
Datacard Group has announced that its SP75 Plus and CP80 Plus card printers appear on the General Services Administration Approved Product List for FIPS-201 card printers.
Moondance cameras from Extreme CCTV will provide surveillance at Heathrow International Airport.
The CommerceGuard container security system from GE Security, Inc., has been deployed at the Port of Oakland in California.
ICx Technologies has won a contract from the Department of Homeland Security to continue development of a low-cost bio-aerosol sensor.
IndigoVision is providing its technology as a backbone for a new integrated traffic-monitoring system for Bangkok, Thailand. The system was supplied by Industronics and Smart Traffic Co. Ltd.
Leica Geosystems is supplying a Global Positioning System to the Washington State Department of Transportation for monitoring the Mercer Slough bridge.
Northrop Grumman Corporation has installed a new computer-aided dispatch system for improved emergency response for the city of Los Angeles.
Petards, Inc., has been chosen to provide a security-monitoring solution for the Victor Cullen Center, a juvenile detention center in Maryland.
RAE Systems Inc. has sold GammaRAE II hand-held radiation detectors and MultiRAE Plus hand-held gas monitors for deployment to first responders in South Carolina.
Metro Transit has selected the Nextiva Transit solution form Verint Systems Inc. to enhance security for its buses in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The Korean Police Agency chose Zebra P640i card printers to produce new ID badges.
MARKETING MOVES
ADI will distribute Surveillance Video over Powerline solutions by VisualGate Systems to the security industry.
AMAG Technology and Intransa have announced a partnership that allows AMAG’s Symmetry Authorized Resellers to install Intransa IP storage with AMAG’s security management system.
Astaro Corporation has named Nerds On Site a global authorized partner for selling, implementing, and managing its network security solutions.
Avigilon has established a North American manufacturer’s representative network, which includes 1 Volt Associates, Inc.; Access Direct Sales; GP Marketing, Inc.; I.D.M.C., Inc.; InTeleMed Marketing Inc.; Keith Parker & Associates; Ken Massrey Associates; R.W. Kunz & Associates; R.W. Sales; and T.H. Grogan & Associates.
Geutebrück and its Australian partner Crimewatch Video have formed a new company Geutebrück Pacific to market its products in the Pacific region.
Giesecke & Devrient has signed a letter of intent to conclude an OEM distribution agreement with Route1 Inc. to integrate Route1’s ID management services into G&D’s family of e-identity tokens.
Honeywell has formed a special sales team to support sensor products to security dealers. The team consists of outside regional and dedicated inside sales representatives.
Through a new distribution agreement with Supercircuits, ioimage products will be distributed to government agencies, police departments, and security systems integrators.
Milestone Systems has signed a Milestone Solution Partner agreement with OPAX, a video analytics developer in Norway.
Third Brigade has announced an initiative to allow healthcare providers to download its host IDS/IPS agent software for a free 30-day evaluation.
Through a new managed service provider (MSP) partner program, Untangle will allow MSPs to offer and manage Untangle’s open source network security solution.
The Security Knowledge Manager from videoNEXT will now be available in the commercial market for facilities in the financial, healthcare, education, and transportation industries through its integrator partners, including Johnson Controls, PSA Security Network, Siemens, SigNet Technologies, and SimplexGrinnell.
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Brijot Imaging Systems, Inc., has announced that independent testing of its BISWDS GEN 2 detection engine found that its detection probability for explosives was 99.7 percent; for weapons, 87.4 percent; and for liquid explosives, 86.1 percent.
The CardLogix CREDENTSYS-J smart card has been certified to the NIST FIPS-201 standard for supply to the government’s Personal Identity Verification Program.
Frost & Sullivan selected EM-SEC Technologies LLC as the recipient of the 2007 North American Frost & Sullivan Growth Excellence Award in the wireless security technology market.
Frost & Sullivan recognized Hie Electronics, Inc., with the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation of the Year in the North American video surveillance market.
IntelliVid has received a U.S. patent for the underlying camera adjacency algorithm used in its Computer Aided Tracking tool.
Gemalto has completed a Microsoft pilot certification program for smart card minidrivers.
Johnson Controls has announced that components of its Metasys building management system are now compliant with the Underwriters Laboratories revised standard for smoke control systems and equipment.
NuCrypt has been awarded a challenge grant by the Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Northwestern University in partnership with the Illinois Technology Development Alliance. The company will continue to develop its innovation in security for optical communication networks.
A custom certificate with security features from ProDocumentSolutions was the Grand Award Winner at the Print Excellence and Knowledge Awards competition presented by Print Solutions Magazine. The company also received three other recognitions for a secure parking pass, a Republic of Moldova document, and a security document for schools.
Qualys, Inc., won the Frost & Sullivan Market Penetration Leadership Award and was included in the 2007 Inc. 5000 Index.
Secure Computing Corporation announced that its IronMail messaging security solution has been positioned as a “Top Player” in the Radicati Group’s market brief.
Tenix America has received full accreditation for its E-mail Transfer Application and Data Forwarding Application from the Director of Central Intelligence Directives.
Fire alarm control panels from Viking Electronic Services are listed by Underwriters Laboratories, listing UL 864, 9th edition.
The Virginia Crime Prevention Association is one of six recipients of the national 2007 McGruff Crime Prevention Awards of Excellence presented by the National Crime Prevention Council.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ASI Group has formed ASI Global, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary that offers kidnap and ransom services.
Barcode Automation, Inc., is celebrating ten years in the business.
Calyptix Security has joined the Culminis Solution Provider Network, a not-for-profit organization that supports the information technology professional community.
Incentra Solutions, Inc., has acquired Sales Strategies, Inc., doing business as SSI hubcity, a provider of information security and other services.
Milestone Systems held an international partner conference in Denmark to promote knowledge and business skills for its partners.
NAPCO Security Group has created the Video Technologies & Services Division, which will offer consumer-friendly video and online products and services to its dealer base.
SecureForce, LLC, provided volunteer officers to protect water stops along the Minneapolis Bike Tour route. They also patrolled on bicycles, assisted with medical emergencies, and provided bike repairs.
Securitas Systems has acquired German company F+H electronic. The company offers electronic security systems and services.
Security Systems of America has acquired four alarm companies in western and central Pennsylvania: Protective Security, MasterTek Security Inc., Universal Wiring & Maintenance, and Armor Security, increasing company holdings by nearly 10 percent.
Tiers of Trust is a new consortium to assist first responders in preparing for crisis situations. Among the participants are HID, Secure Network Systems, PGP Corporation, OMNIKEY, Catcher, TX Systems, and Clear Government Solutions.
Videotec has introduced a new Web site atwww.vidotec.com that supports four languages and offers information about its products.
ASIS NEWS
ASIS Supports Global ISO Standards ASIS International has reiterated its policy decision to support global efforts in standardization via the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Standards are a set of voluntary criteria, guidelines, and best practices used to enhance the quality, performance, reliability, and consistency of products, services, and/or processes.
With more than 35,000 members in approximately 200 countries, ASIS takes a global view on serving the community of security professionals. “Today’s security issues and challenges transcend borders and jurisdictions,” says F. Mark Geraci, CPP, chairman of the ASIS Commission on Standards and Guidelines. “Natural disasters and intentional disruptions, such [as a terrorist attack], do not recognize boundaries. Therefore, ASIS is behind the effort to eliminate confusion by supporting a set of national standards.”
The ISO Technical Committee that focuses on societal security issues (called ISO/TC 223) is responsible for developing standards on preparedness and continuity management. A technical advisory group chaired by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) represents the United States on the ISO Technical Committee. The group recently produced an agreement on best practices that unanimously passed through the required ISO process.
The best practices agreement, known as ISO/PAS 22399: 2007 Societal Security—Guideline for Incident Preparedness and Operational Continuity Management, establishes a single standard in the larger context of public and private sector preparedness and continuity management. It incorporates the best elements from documents submitted by Australia, Israel, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—the latter of which submitted the NFPA 1600 “Standard on Disaster/Emergency and Business
Continuity Program.”
“The ISO/PAS 22399 is more comprehensive than its individual parts,” Geraci says. “It represents a significant step forward in incident preparedness and business continuity, encompassing the core concepts of the contributing documents. This is why the global community has endorsed the ISO/PAS 22399 as a robust, business-friendly approach to preparedness and continuity management.”
ASIS developed the All Hazards Risk Management Draft Best Practices Standard as an auditable companion to the ISO/PAS 22399. It incorporates the successful Guideline on Business Continuity published by ASIS in 2004. By using universally recognized management-system practices, corporations will be able to add the security, preparedness, and continuity components to already existing management processes. To enhance resilience and enable seamless integration of business continuity into organizational management, the ISO/PAS 22399 and the ASIS Standard are aligned with other globally accepted ISO management system standards.
The position of ASIS is that not only do these types of international documents represent the best thinking of security professionals around the world, but they also help to ensure that there is an organized approach to the challenges facing corporations and the public sector today. Therefore,
ASIS supports the efforts of ISO/TC 223 to establish a global industry “dictionary” that contains definitions of key terms and concepts to avoid confusion of multiple standards and definitions. ASIS has also called for increased participation in ISO/TC 223’s efforts to enhance public-private partnerships, as well as improve cross-organizational and cross-jurisdictional command and control efforts before, during, and after a disruptive incident. The Society promotes the message of international cooperation, coordination, and standardization in preparedness, continuity, and emergency management, as well as in other disciplines within security practice. It also encourages members of the public and private sectors and professional colleagues to join ASIS in this global effort by volunteering to serve on their country’s committees.
ASIS continues to play an important role in coordinating with both the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to ensure that the security expertise of its members is included in the standards development processes that are currently in progress. ASIS is a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP) that is assisting DHS in the development and adoption of consensus standards critical to homeland security in the United States.
For more information, visitwww.asisonline.org.
Bahl Wins AESRM Award
The Alliance for Enterprise Security Risk Management (AESRM)—a partnership of two leading international security associations: ASIS International and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)—has presented Sanjay Bahl, CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), chief security officer of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India, with the 2nd Annual Excellence in Security Convergence and Contribution to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Award.
Konrad Buczynski, CPP, chief security officer of Thales Australia, and James Connor, principal and founder of N2N Secure USA, were the two other finalists for the award.
AESRM created the award to honor individuals who are leading the growing fields of ERM and security convergence, which is the integration of traditional and information security functions. More than 50 nominations were received, recognizing security professionals from around the world.
“AESRM is pleased to have received so many high-quality nominations from such a variety of companies and geographic regions,” says Ray O’Hara, CPP, chairman of AESRM. “We congratulate Sanjay Bahl, the finalists and everyone who participated in the award competition.
Bahl received a record seven nominations recognizing his convergence efforts for TCS, an IT services, business solutions and outsourcing organization with a presence in 50 countries. At TCS, Bahl established an enterprisewide converged security environment and effectively addressed risk management and security across the organization.
By adopting a model of security convergence covering all physical, informational, and human aspects of the organization, he achieved multiple benefits for the company, including layered security measures, multiple regulatory compliances, and a lower cost of ownership thanks to the involvement of multiple stakeholders and initiatives that ensure continuous improvement. Bahl has also worked with academic and professional communities as well as government groups to enhance their awareness of comprehensive security models.
According to one of his nominators, “As a result of the integration that Sanjay has brought about between physical and cybersecurity, TCS has become a nearly incident-free IT company that is a model for others in the world to emulate. This standard of excellence is the product of hard and dedicated work personally put in by Sanjay.”
All nominations were judged by representatives from both of the AESRM partner organizations. Among the criteria for the award was extensive leadership in improving the convergence of traditional and information security throughout an organization. The award also recognizes progress in areas such as improved security and decreased risk within an enterprise; achieved demonstrable ROI/cost savings; convergence progress achieved in all three domains of people, process, and technology; and demonstrated leadership in sharing convergence accomplishments outside of one’s own enterprise.
Bahl was recognized for his achievements and presented with the award at a special awards ceremony during the ISACA Information Security Management Conference in September in Las Vegas, Nevada.
AESRM was formed in February 2005 to encourage board and senior executive attention to critical security-related issues and the need for a comprehensive approach to protect the enterprise. The alliance brings together more than 90,000 global security professionals with broad security backgrounds to address the significant increase of security-related risks to international commerce from terrorism, cyberattacks, theft, fraud, extortion and other threats.
For more information on AESRM publications and initiatives or to view examples of convergence in action, please visitwww.aesrm.org.
