Industry News August 2009
BUSINESS NEWS
The TechSolutions program from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) promises to help first responders find solutions for high-priority capability gaps. TechSolutions uses rapid prototyping, technical assistance, and information sharing to achieve that goal, resulting in the development of prototypes in less than a year and actual solutions within two years.
Items in development include a three-dimensional locator system, a digital multiband radio, a hand-held incapacitator, and a vehicle-mounted chemical-detection system. S&T strives to meet 80 percent of operational requirements in the quick-response solution, while it continues to develop technologies that will meet 100 percent of the need over the longer term.
TechSolutions has launched a new Web site where first responders can submit capability gaps, review other ideas that have been submitted, view the development status of current projects, and track the progress of their own submissions through automated e-mail responses.
PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS
Tampa Bay Downs Inc. has installed video encoders from Axis Communications, enabling the track to exceed state regulations for recording surveillance video at gaming facilities.
Edwards Service, a division of Carter Brothers, Inc., is integrating a fire alarm system at Washington Hospital in Fremont, California.
Intellio Basic IP cameras with onboard intelligence monitor the Inotal Aluminum Processing Plant in Hungary.
Intransa has been selected by Garland Power & Light to upgrade the company’s surveillance systems.
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California is installing only IQeye cameras from IQinVision in all its bank branches to protect tellers, lobbies, and ATMs.
Optosecurity Inc. has sold several units of its OptoScreener to Bruce Power for its generating station in Ontario, Canada, for detecting weapons and dangerous liquids.
OSS, Inc., will provide security guard services for Optima Management LLC to serve in commercial high-rises in Cleveland.
Raytheon Company deployed its Athena system to integrate video, mapping, location, tracking, and operational information to enhance public safety in the city and port area during the Boston Marathon.
TOA Electronics, Inc., has appointed NFS Communications, Inc., to represent its line of audio products in the New York metropolitan territory.
Delta Community Credit Union has implemented the Nextiva NetDVR II and MicroDVR II solutions from Verint Video Intelligence Solutions.
Equens Italia has selected Verizon Business to help obtain Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard certification.
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
The U.S. Department of Defense will use Z Gantry from American Science and Engineering, Inc., to screen vehicles and cargo for stowaways, explosives, and other contraband.
Axis Communications is providing network cameras to the Deer Park Independent School District in Texas.
U.S. Marine Corps military police are using Mobilisa wireless scanners from Intellichek Mobilisa to scan IDs and check multiple law enforcement databases.
RAE Systems Inc. has delivered its wireless gas-detection rapid deployment kits and other items to a Kuwaiti government unit.
Vuance Ltd. will supply and assist in the programming of an integrated security system at the Daytona Beach International Airport.
AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Accurate Background has been recertified in compliance with the ISO 9001:2000 Standard by the International Standards Organization.
Brijot Imaging Systems, Inc., has received SAFETY Act Certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
CH2M HILL has been named one of the 2009 World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute.
Day & Zimmermann Security Services was a recipient of the New Jersey Governor’s Award for prevention of occupational injuries.
The Security Industry Association presented its Best in Show Award to Pivot3 for its Serverless Computing storage solution at the 2009 New Product Showcase. A complete list of this year’s winners can be found atwww.sianps.com.
Veracode won an SC Magazine Excellence Award for its application security risk solution in the Financial Services category.
Union Pacific Corporation earned the 2008 TRANSCAER National Achievement Award in recognition of its support for the transportation security program.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
American Fibertek, Inc., has launched a redesigned Web site atwww.americanfibertek.com.
The Alarm Dealers Association has changed its name to the Electronic Security & Security Technology Association (ESTA).
Hypercom; Ingenico, S.A.; and VeriFone have formed the Secure POS Vendor Alliance, a nonprofit organization to implement common payment security standards among vendors of secure POS devices.
JVC has consolidated all its U.S. operations under a newly formed American subsidiary, JVC U.S.A.
The Risk and Insurance Management Society has launched a new online networking platform for members.
ShotSpotter, Inc., will acquire the SECURES product business from QinetiQ North America.
Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded the University of Hartford and Virginia Commonwealth University grants for the development of loss-prevention course curricula for students studying risk management and insurance.
VidSys has opened a multivendor Convergence Center of Excellence in Virginia.
ASIS NEWS
Accolades to Recognize Innovative Security Solutions
ASIS International has launched ASIS Accolades, a new awards competition to recognize the security industry’s most innovative solutions. Exhibitors at the ASIS International 55th Annual Seminar and Exhibits to be held in Anaheim, California, September 21-24, have been invited to submit their new technology, product, or service solutions for evaluation and judging. In addition to the benefits afforded exhibitors, Accolades will aid security practitioners and attendees in easily identifying the hottest innovations on the exhibit floor.
The Accolades categories are solutions-driven, not product specific—an important distinction from other product competitions. The following categories have been established. First is Technology or Service Innovation—a new or groundbreaking advancement in a security technology, service, or combination of products and services. Second is Security Management Tool—a unique software or hardware solution designed to make the performance of a security team or device more efficient or effective.
Third is Transformational Product or Service—taking an existing consumer technology or service and changing it completely in function and purpose, for use in an innovative security application.
The fourth category is Green Security Technology—an ecofriendly security technology that inflicts little harm on the environment, either by its materials, components, processes or how it’s transported, and/or offers environmental benefits such as in its use of energy and materials. The fifth category is Use of Integration—combining multiple technologies (three or more) to achieve an innovative, fully integrated security solution.
The sixth is Unique Approach to Security—a one-of-a-kind or “out of the box” approach to dealing with and solving any type of security operations or management challenge. The seventh category is Coolest Stuff—a security device or technique that sets itself apart as breakthrough or inventive as compared to similar products or techniques—something that, not so long ago, was yet to be imagined.
A team of five judges representing end users and experts in security technologies will evaluate all entries and select up to 10 winners. Winners will be announced in early September and awards will be presented at the luncheon on Monday, September 21. Accolades winners and their products or solutions also will be highlighted during the seminar’s “What’s New on the Floor” session, scheduled for the same day. All entrants will receive exposure online in addition to other benefits.
“I never wander the exhibit hall at the seminar and exhibits without a plan,” says Scott Hewitt, CPP, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), director of corporate security and emergency planning at Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., of Pomona, California, and chair of the Host Chapter Seminar Committee. “I’m excited about Accolades and the innovations I’ll see at the seminar. The winners and entrants’ booths will be my first stops this year.”
The exhibit floor at ASIS 2009 will feature some 850 companies covering more than 281,000 net square feet. In addition, the comprehensive education program will offer more than 160 educational sessions. More than 22,000 security, business, and government professionals are expected to attend.
For more information on Accolades, visit www. asisonline.org.
ASIS Organizational Resilience Standard Released
ASIS International has released its second American National Standard—“ASIS SPC.1-2009: Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness and Continuity Management Systems—Requirements with Guidance for Use.” ASIS is an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Standards Development Organization.
This standard provides a comprehensive management framework that organizations can follow to establish a program to anticipate, possibly prevent, prepare for, and respond to a disruptive incident. The Organizational Resilience (OR) standard specifies requirements and provides guidance for organizational resilience.
Organizational resilience emphasizes the synergies between the functions of risk, security, preparedness, continuity, and emergency managers. This avoids “siloing” risks and allows the organization to build both a proactive and reactive approach to managing risks, tailored to its size, activities, and business and operating environment.
“The new OR standard uses a comprehensive approach to the management of risks associated with intentional, unintentional, and naturally caused disruptions,” says F. Mark Geraci, CPP, chair of the ASIS International Standards and Guidelines Commission. “It provides a complete suite of tools to build a strategy for dealing with risks compatible with the mission and needs of the organization, as well as addresses the core elements and criteria of [federal homeland security standards].”
Designed to be business friendly, the new standard uses the globally tested and proven management systems approach. It can be integrated with quality, safety, environmental, information security, risk, and other management systems within an organization. Organizations that have adopted a management systems approach may be able to use it as a foundation for the OR management system as prescribed in the new American National Standard.
The standard can be used for first-, second-, or third-party verification and certification. Organizations can use it to improve resilience performance as well as demonstrate to customers, clients, and supply chain partners that the company has a robust resilience program. The OR standard will help organizations improve competitiveness by implementing a balanced, holistic program for managing and treating risks.
The OR standard has been under development simultaneously in countries on four continents. The publication of this new ANSI standard will be followed by the publication of this document as a national standard in other countries that have supported this initiative.
ASIS standards and guidelines are developed through a consensus standards-development process to advance security practices. This process brings together volunteers and seeks out the views of people who have an interest in the topic. For more information, visitwww.asisonline.org.
