Industry News April 2008
BUSINESS NEWS
Clear, a subsidiary of Verified Identity Pass, Inc., is working to make airport security less trying for frequent fliers. Its fast pass, which has been chosen by more than a dozen U.S. airports for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Registered Traveler Program, lets passengers bypass long security lines and use separate lanes that promise quicker screening.
Travelers enroll online, then must appear in person with two forms of government-issued ID to be photographed, fingerprinted, and iris-imaged. On approval, the applicant receives a card allowing use of the Clear lane. Cardholders must still be screened pre-flight per TSA regulations, but other parts of the process are expedited.
To further encourage speedy screening, Clear is offering a $500,000 “Clear Prize” to the first team that deploys faster security lane technology at an airport. Winning technologies must achieve an increased throughput of 15 percent or more, be compact enough for deployment in at least three Clear airports, and operate for less than 25 cents per passenger at full capacity.
Once the winning technology is approved by the TSA, Clear promises to purchase it in bulk for use at any airport where the company operates fast pass lanes. The company has already invested in technologies such as GE Security’s shoe scanner and explosive trace detection technology, and it hopes this prize will accelerate development of new ways to expedite security screening. More information on the prize and the fast pass is available atwww.flyclear.com.
PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS
Independent Television News is using the ComputraceOne laptop monitoring and tracking service from Absolute Software. In two separate laptop thefts, the service helped police identify and charge two alleged thieves.
ADI-Alarmsystem Norway and Mirasys Ltd. are integrating their products to strengthen their position in the Nordic security market.
ASSA ABLOY Identification Technologies is partnering with Soliton Systems K.K. Japan to produce a combined solution for contactless IT security.
BD-BrandProtect will offer a digital watermarking service through a strategic partnership with Digimarc Corporation.
AM Fire and Security is using the Emizon 21 managed service for fixed and wireless IP network alarm messaging. Bosch Security Systems is the dealer.
Brivo Systems, LLC, announced that St. John’s College High School has deployed the Brivo OnSite SE access control system, which was installed by eVigilant.
Orion Security Services has selected Contigo as its exclusive mobile monitoring provider.
Draeger Safety, Inc., has entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement with Exit Technologies and launched two tracking products that help find downed firefighters.
Transportes Aguila de Oro is using the intelligent Security Operations Center from DVTel to provide unified video and access control at its offices and shipping terminals. GBS oversaw system planning and installation.
Forward Vision and FLIR System have teamed up to add FLIR’s thermal camera modules to Forward Vision’s CCTV cameras.
Gresham Wood Technical Furniture and Design is providing furniture for the new security control center at Southampton University.
I.D. Systems, Inc., has received an order from Kellogg Company to implement its vehicle management system for a Kellogg manufacturing facility.
Interfor Inc. is partnering with IBM to offer integrated physical and IT security services to help financial and insurance firms protect assets, mitigate risk, and ensure business continuity.
Foxwoods Resort Casino has deployed the iView Systems iDVR Acquire module into the existing iTrak Incident Reporting Platform. The module integrates into the American Dynamics Intellex Digital Video Management System for media acquisition.
Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, a convenience store chain, has selected business analysis software and services from March Networks.
Matrix Systems has formed a partnership with Sievert Electric, a regional electrical contractor serving the Midwest.
The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association and the Central Station Alarm Association have signed an agreement to create a new joint venture, Alarm Industry Expo, LLC, which will own and produce the Electronic Security Expo in conjunction with EH Events.
NAVCO will be upgrading and adding security at select locations of Whataburger Restaurants.
OmniComm Systems, Inc., has signed a multiyear agreement with 1Vault Networks for dedicated managed services, collocation, and disaster recovery services.
Technology from Optex Europe is helping prevent theft of animals from Drusillas Park, an East Sussex zoo. Haven Security specified the use of the external detectors.
PICA Corporation has formed a strategic partnership with Brand Enforcement UK Ltd. to serve companies facing counterfeit problems in the United Kingdom.
Pixim Inc. announced that its Orca chipset was selected to power GE Security’s new UltraView cameras.
Valley Distribution, a fleet and industrial lubricants distributor, has implemented a GPS fleet tracking system from Safefreight Technology to reduce risk in transporting hazardous materials.
Send Word Now has partnered with Sonitrol to offer emergency notification for the education market.
VidSys has announced a partnership with Vidient to help customers achieve better situational awareness and improved incident response.
Viewpoint CRM has selected Fluidmesh Networks as a wireless mesh system partner.
Leaco Rural Telephone Cooperative has deployed voice biometric service from VoiceVerified.
AAID Active RFID solutions from VUANCE Ltd. are being used in Anglo America Chilean copper mines to increase safety and productivity.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
AES-IntelliNet has been awarded a contract from the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Republic of Georgia to provide mesh radio communications coverage for alarm monitoring in three cities.
AirVisual, Inc., has deployed its IntelliViewer 2.0 software for use by first responders from the Chicago Police Department.
The Wilsons Mills Fire Department (Maine) has completed installation of First InterComm equipment from BAE Systems. An Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funded the vehicle-mounted system that provides communications interoperability when multiple agencies arrive at a fire or incident scene. Other Maine agencies will also be deploying the system.
Brijot Imaging Systems, Inc., has received a contract for the supply, installation, and maintenance of a passive millimeter wave imaging technology to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom for screening people and commodities.
Environmental Tectonics
Corporation’s Simulation Division has delivered a new training scenario to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Counterterrorism Task Force for its Advanced Disaster Management Simulator.
Gemalto will provide the Swedish Road Administration with 600,000 driver’s licenses per year over the next three years.
An IndigoVision IP video system is helping police officers in Sergnano, Italy, monitor the small town.
When Rockwood School District (Missouri) upgraded its facilities, it installed fire alarm panels from NOTIFIER.
The Virginia Port Authority has deployed a situation management solution from Orsus to integrate security, police dispatch, and alert functions at three marine terminals. The project was partially funded by a DHS grant.
Raytheon Company has signed a contract with the United Kingdom Home Office to develop and implement the nation’s e-Borders project for advanced border control and security.
TEECOM is providing South Placer Justice Center in Roseville, California, with a security system.
Verint Systems Inc. has announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will expand its critical infrastructure solution to enhance passenger safety at security checkpoints at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airports.
MARKETING AGREEMENTS
Agiliance and Wipro Technologies have entered into a global reseller partnership. Wipro will be the leading integrator and reseller of Agiliance’s governance, risk, and compliance solution.
Arteco has formed a partnership with Panorama Technologies, which will market its security solutions in India and surrounding areas.
ELMO USA has secured U.S. distribution rights for the i-Catcher IP video surveillance suite, which was developed by i-Code Systems.
CardExchange software from ExchangeIt will be shipped by Team NiSCA with its new PR-C101 ID-card printers.
E-Z-EM Inc. has received transfer of 510(k) application title for the company’s RSDL skin decontaminant from the U.S. Department of Defense. E-Z-EM will manufacture, license, and market the product to military and first responder organizations.
CMI Inc. will offer its customers intelligent video encoders and IP cameras from ioimage as part of a new distribution agreement.
A marketing and sales partnership between iSECUREtrac and Premier Integrity Solutions, Inc., will allow both companies to expand compliance monitoring services.
IQinVision has added two manufacturer’s representatives. DSP Integrity, LLC, will cover Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Salmeco Ltd. Will represent the company in Europe’s Baltic states.
Keyscan Access Control Systems and Tri-Ed Distribution have completed a distribution agreement.
LaserCard Corporation has signed an agreement with TransTech Systems Inc. for business development and distribution of LaserCard’s Permanent Resident Card Authenticator.
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Chubb Electronic Security’s video monitoring center in Gloucester, United Kingdom, has attained the Silver Certificate rating in parent company UTC Fire & Security’s Achieving Competitive Excellence program.
At the Video Surveillance Conference and Exhibition ALARM in Kielce, Poland, Polish distributor Dipol was awarded the Medal of ALARM Kielce for the IQeye K1431 camera from IQinVision.
Three Vindicator security solutions from Honeywell have received PL-1 certification from the U.S. Air Force.
Imperva was named one of the top technology companies in the world and winner of a Red Herring Global Award.
LenSec Corporation was given the 2007 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Enhancement in the network video management software market.
Mi5 Networks was named an industry innovator for 2007 by SC Magazine for its ability to protect businesses against Web malware.
North American Video has been named a Cisco Premier Certified Partner in the United States.
Technomad Associates, LLC, has announced that its complete line of loudspeakers and subwoofers are compliant with the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IP56 rating.
Verint Systems was named the 2007 Mass Transit Security Company of the Year for the European Market by Frost & Sullivan.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Argonne National Laboratory has expanded its security research effort as the Vulnerability Assessment Team moved to Argonne’s Nuclear Engineering Division from Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Boon Edam Inc. now offers online ordering for a variety of turnstile products through its Webshop atwww.boonwebshop.net.
Bosch Security Systems, Inc., is offering two new online, self-paced courses: Access Personal Edition and AutoDome Modular Camera System.
The European Security Systems Association is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Ipsotek has opened the United Kingdom’s first video analytics training center.
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., has introduced its Client Information Center, a Web-based tool that provides a link between fleet operators and the company’s Vehicle Outsource Services.
KCI Technologies Inc. has launched a new subsidiary, KCI Protection Technologies LLC, to provide specialized engineering services for security, fire protection, risk analysis, life safety, and emergency management.
Landsdell Protective Agency has joined the Murdoch Security Group.
North American Video has added a demonstration and training facility to its Asia Pacific office located in Macau, China.
Protective Countermeasures & Consulting, Inc., has created a Threat Assessment Center to analyze threat data to provide protection for at risk VIPs, celebrities, and executives.
RAE Systems Inc. has opened a larger facility in Copenhagen to manage its European operations.
Securitas Systems has purchased the assets of Securex, a division of LP Innovations, Inc.
Security Information Systems is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
SSH Communications Security has joined the PCI Security Standards Council. Vantage ID Applications has launched a new Web site atwww.vantageid.com.
ASIS NEWS
Sources for the Perfect Hires
Security managers tasked with finding quality candidates often cast their nets blindly—recruiting via help wanted ads, for example. But Keith R. Lavery, criminal justice instructor for Polaris Career Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, says that a school of perfect candidates exists, graduated each year from Polaris and many other career technical education (CTE) programs around the United States.
“One complaint I hear from security professionals and companies is ‘good help is hard to find,’ and that may be true, but my argument is you’re looking in the wrong spots,” he challenges. Lavery, who is a member of the ASIS International Law Enforcement Liaison Council, explains that the right places to look are CTE programs—formerly known as vocational training—that include public safety tracks such as criminal justice, fire fighting, police, and security.
In some states, students with career interest in these fields are pinpointed as early as the tenth grade. At Polaris, which is in the Cleveland metropolitan area, students are accepted in their junior year. “But not every kid gets into the program,” Lavery says. Those who are accepted must first pass a background check, provide verifiable references, and pass a drug test. During the two years of training that follow, random drug tests are regularly executed.
“We model their nine-month first year after a State of Ohio police academy,” says Lavery. In fact, the same curriculum is taught. The training topics include defensive techniques, use of batons and pepper spray, Constitutional law, powers of arrest, evidence collection, forensic investigation, report writing, traffic stops, and more. “By the time they are done, they know everything a police officer does,” he states.
During their senior year, Polaris students undertake a state-certified security officer program run by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, a division of the state Attorney General’s Office. At the close of the course, they are tested in a state exam that certifies them to be employed as Ohio security officers. The students also take the Association of Public Safety Communications Official’s 911-telecommunicator examination. Those who pass are certified to work as 911 operators.
Real-world work experience is offered, too. “The top students are allowed to go out and work for part of the day, earn money, and the employer gives them a grade,” Lavery states. By the end of the program, the students have received approximately 1,100 hours of basic and advanced training. They have also received seven hours of college credit.
Polaris has a venerable track record. It graduated its first class in 1985. With an average class size of 30, it has now trained several thousand police and security professionals. Alumni work for police departments, intelligence agencies, major hospitals, and large corporations—among them the local megalith, Sherwin-Williams Company. Many graduates, says Lavery, “are 18 years old and making $25,000 per year with full benefits.”
Polaris graduates are also encouraged to attend ASIS Cleveland Chapter meetings and to join the Society. “We really try to encourage that,” Lavery says, noting that in the past, grants have been obtained to pay for fresh graduates’ first year of membership dues.
Lavery says that prospective employers should seek out Polaris’s and other CTE program graduates because they provide candidates who have already been screened and drug tested, and they have had advanced law enforcement and security training. “Recruitment doesn’t need to be done blindly—if you find these programs,” he says, “you will get an applicant pool that is unparalleled.”
For more information, contact Keith Lavery at 440/891-7670; [email protected].
