​BUSINESS NEWS

While mass notification systems are essential for communicating with a college community when an emergency occurs, two universities now also allow students and staff to alert security when they spot a potential hazard, suspicious activity, or a crime in progress.

Texas A&M University is using uTip text-a-tip technology from e2Campus. Students who witness something dangerous can send text messages from their cell phones to safety and security officials, who will immediately receive the message. Messages can be sent anonymously to protect the identity of the informer.

The University of Illinois has recently replaced its mass notification system with a product from Rave Mobile Safety that communicates via phone, text, e-mail, social networking, digital signage, and browser-based popups. Its EyeWitness reporting tool allows members of the campus community to transmit text messages directly to the campus police. Another new feature is the Rave Guardian, which provides enhanced information for first responders when emergencies are reported, including a picture of the user, mobile number, GPS location, and other pertinent details.

PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS

O Bee Credit Union, Our Community Credit Union, and Washington State Employees Credit Union have installed the video intelligence platform from 3VR to reduce fraud and solve crimes. Integrator Cook Security Group led the deployment at the three institutions.

Avigilon is providing its HD Surveillance System to the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sailormen, Inc., will use U.are.U fingerprint readers from Digital Persona, Inc., in POS systems in 148 of its Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits locations.

The Emergency Department at Dandenong Hospital in Victoria, Australia, chose a wireless emergency communications system from Ekahau Inc.

Ember Corporation and Visonic Ltd. have formed a partnership to integrate Zig-Bee communication protocols with Visonic security peripherals.

Global Security Agency Inc. has signed a five-year personal protection security contract with Woodlands Oil and Gas Incorporated to provide protection for more than 400 wells and operations.

Honeywell announced that RFI Communications and Security Systems has joined the Honeywell Authorized Dealer for Commercial Security System program.

IDenta Corp. has established a marketing agreement in Japan with AOYAKA Trading Co. for the retail market only. The company also has new marketing agreements with Expobrax export & import in Brazil, Aviation & General Security Consultants in Kenya, Farmalon Diagnostici SAS in Italy, and BOTechnologies Ltd. in the Balkans.

An intelligent surveillance system from Intellio is protecting a Tesco distribution center in Herceghalom, Hungary. Schrack Seconet Ltd. selected and installed the system.

Multicard is implementing a new identity management platform for the University of Arizona.

As part of a recent fire alarm renovation at Saint Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, Signawest Systems, Inc., selected a NOTIFIER fire alarm panel with seismic certification.

Dell SecureWorks and Qualys, Inc., have formed a strategic partnership to deliver vulnerability management services to customers worldwide.

Scallop Imaging is integrating its D7-180 camera with Video Insight’s IP video surveillance product suite.  Sentry 360 has appointed Harper Morgan as its official sales partner in the United Kingdom market.

Stanley Convergent Security Solutions, Inc., has expanded its strategic partnership with Lenel Systems International, Inc., to support the Picture Perfect and Facility Commander Wnx product lines.

Sysrepublic has announced that Safeway, WinCo Foods, and Wegmans are new customers for its loss-prevention software.

The Science Museum of Minnesota recently installed System Sensor FAAST Fire Alarm Aspiration Sensing Technology to provide early warning of fires.

Siemens AG has chosen an authentication solution from Verizon to authenticate users of its communications systems.

VideoIQ has added new distributors around the globe. VideoIQ Australasia, in partnership with Zone Advanced Protection Systems, will represent the company in Australia; Hypersee will represent VideoIQ across China; and CCTV-Systems will represent the company in Scandinavia.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

AMAG Technology announced that its security management system was chosen by Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport to upgrade and expand its security system. Electronic Innovations worked with AMAG to upgrade the system.

Applied DNA Sciences has completed a program to DNA-mark microchips for the Defense Logistics Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. The company has received a follow-on contract to prevent counterfeit micro chips in one of the government’s microchip supply chains.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency has deployed AtHoc IWSAlerts for its mass notification requirements.

Nearly 3,000 cameras from Infinova are monitoring 830 kilometers of expressways in the northern province of Shanxi in China.

Lockheed Martin has received a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps for systems, equipment, and services associated with the Vehicle Optic Sensor Systems II and Portable Rapid Deployment Surveillance
Systems.

The Response Network and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police are providing an online in-service training course for the police departments of Galax and Covington, among others, for training required by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO) has installed a sex offender check and photo ID badge system for Detroit Public Schools.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

ABnote Global was awarded the Elan Award for People’s Choice Awards at the International Card Manufacturing Association EXPO 2011. The award honored the Air Canada Super Elite and Elite Luggage Tag Card designed by ABnote.

AlliedBarton Security Services was awarded a Governor’s Achievement Award from Pennsylvania Partners and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for exemplary support of workforce, community, and economic development.

The Diebold Monitoring Center in Uniontown, Ohio, was named the Central Station Alarm Association 2011 Central Station of the Year.

The foundational travel risk e-learning program from Escape the Wolf received a first-place Hermes creative award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.

G4S Technology LLC received the Award of Honor with Distinction from the Greater Omaha Chapter of the National Safety Council for excellence in accident prevention and loss control.

Genetec’s Omnicast video surveillance system was designated as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism
Technology and received certification as an Approved Product for Homeland Security from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the SAFETY Act.

Frost & Sullivan recognized iView Systems with its North American Award for New Product Innovation for the iTrak Incident Reporting and Management System.

LINE-X Protective Coatings earned a safety initiative recommendation for its PAXCON products from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to retrofit government buildings.  The coatings were evaluated in blast mitigation tests at a Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants facility.

Honeywell announced that Security and Data Technologies, Inc., has achieved Platinum certification in its Dealer Service Certification Program.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded TASC, Inc., a patent for its Program Protection Engineering Toolkit, which helps users manage security during acquisition programs.

ADPRO FastTrace 2 video and audio transmission technology from Xtralis was named the Best Central Station Equipment in the remote video monitoring equipment/software category at the ESX Maximum Impact Awards.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AMAG Technology has opened a new office and training facility in the Washington, D.C., area.

Health Care Compliance Strategies, Inc., is offering free unlimited access to its multimedia training course “Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparation” through June 14, 2012, for healthcare personnel and first responders.

L-3 Security & Detection Systems has launched a Spanish-language Web site with information about products, solutions, and company news.

The National Fire Protection Association has launched a new Certificate of Education Achievement program. The National Monitoring Center has introduced a new mass notification system to communicate with dealers if an urgent issue affects service to subscribers.

Nedap Security Management Belgium has moved to new offices to accommodate growth.

Secura Key is continuing its Product Training Program with free monthly webinars.

Securitas has agreed to acquire a majority share in Al Sharika Al Muatfawika Lik hadamat Al Amin Wa Al Himaya in Jordan from Jo-Secure.

Digital video surveillance images supplied by Securewatch 24 to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and Jersey City Police Department have led to the arrest of a suspected rapist in Jersey City, New Jersey.

ASIS NEWS

First Responders Honored at ASIS NYC Security Expo
On May 12, approximately 1,900 security professionals gathered at the Jacob Javits Convention Center to attend the ASIS International 21st Annual New York City Security (NYC) Expo. The annual event combines education, networking, and exhibits. “Security practitioners from all aspects of private security and law enforcement attend this event each year. It’s a powerful forum where peers and experts engage in thought-provoking discussions,” said ASIS NYC Chapter Chair Kevin O’Brien, CPP. “Being in the city allows us to draw upon the knowledge and experience of the industry’s leading authorities from the Fortune 500, as well as foremost security experts working in the public sector.”

According to NYC Security Expo Chairman Raymond L. Dean, CPP, attendance this year reached a 10-year high.

In observance of the tenth anniversary of 9-11, the NYC Chapter recognized the sacrifice and heroism of the members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) at its Person of the Year Luncheon, themed “Remembrance and Thanks.”

Each year, in conjunction with the Expo, the ASIS NYC Chapter’s Person of the Year Award is presented to an individual or group that has contributed to the safety and security of the city. In remembrance of the police officers and firefighters who lost their lives on 9-11 and in recognition of the continuing efforts of each of these three departments to maintain the safety and security of the city, the chapter presented this year’s award to NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, FDNY Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, and PAPD Superintendent Michael A. Fedorko.

“There is no greater sacrifice than to lose one’s life in the service of others. With this award, we honor the memory of those who fell and the dedication of those who live today with illnesses and disabilities resulting from their acts of heroism on that history-changing day,” stated Dean at the event. “We also commend the innovative men and women of the NYPD, FDNY, and the PAPD for their tireless efforts to mitigate potential risks which threaten our communities each and every day.”

The Chapter remembered the 343 members of the NYFD, 37 members of the PAPD, and 23 members of the NYPD who were killed. The 24 private security officers who gave their lives on 9-11 while performing their duties were also recognized in the Chapter Chair’s remarks. “These groups and what they have [done] and continue to do highlight the nexus between the public and private security and life safety professionals. The ASIS NYC Chapter continues to nurture its relationships with the NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD at any opportunity,” stated O’Brien.

Seminar. In addition to honoring the heroes of 9-11, there were plenty of educational offerings. This year’s early-bird education session, held before the expo opening, was “Consultative/Collaborative Design: Your End-User’s Best Physical Security Solution.” The session explored key trends, including image quality standards, the security master plan of the future, and selling managed and cloud-based services.

The opening seminar session examined the tough economic environment faced by security professionals and some lessons learned. The session featured a panel of experts made up of security directors and solutions providers who have successfully adapted to the new economic landscape. They offered attendees personal insights into business practices that can be adapted to grow their companies, divisions, or work portfolios.

The CSO Roundtable of ASIS and the InfraGard Partnership for Critical Infrastructure Protection hosted two concurrent afternoon sessions.

ASIS Board of Directors and CSO Roundtable Member Brian Allen, CPP, of Time Warner Cable, led “Climbing the Corporate Security Ladder,” an open panel discussion on issues relevant to personal branding, executive-level communication, certifications, networking, and the importance of a business background. Allen was joined by CSO Roundtable Cochairs Kevin Donovan of Johnson & Johnson and Richard Gunthner of MasterCard, as well as CSO Roundtable members Bryan J. Fort, CPP, McCormick & Company, and Kathy Lavinder, Security & Investigative Placement Consultants.

“Focus on business skills,” advised Richard Gunthner, “and find a special or unique area of expertise such as international business to compliment your security experience and knowledge.” This sentiment was echoed by each of the panelists, which included many young professionals. Donovan urged those in the audience to “be part of the solution—not an obstacle” by understanding the relationship between security and business.

During “Defending Against Cyber Weapons of Mass Destruction,” speakers Chuck Manto, CEO of Instant Access Networks, LLC, and Zach Tudor, program director of Computer Science Laboratory, SRI International, provided insights into the potential effects of electromagnetic pulses and other potential tools of the next generation of cyberattacks.

Session organizer Rob Pate, vice president for Cybersecurity at SAIC commented, “We are pleased that the continued partnership between InfraGard and ASIS can leverage the expertise of both organizations’ members and result in excellent programs like the ASIS NYC Security Expo. We are happy that we could bring worldwide experts to this year’s event to build awareness of such critical cyber issues.”

The exhibit floor was a hub of activity for professionals from all sectors of the industry who work within and outside of the region. Attendees visited the exhibit floor throughout the day, connecting with colleagues, making new contacts, and meeting with representatives from more than 100 security product and service exhibitors.

The 22nd ASIS NYC Security Expo will be held April 25-26, 2012. Look for details in the months ahead on an expanded education program, which will include Certified Protection Professional® and Physical Security Professional ® Certification Reviews and a CSO Roundtable special forum.