​BUSINESS NEWS

Once a disaster is over, it’s much easier to see what the best response would have been—for example, was evacuation the best choice or would sheltering-in-place have saved lives? Hindsight is 20-20. But is there a way to improve foresight? That’s the goal of the European CRISMA project, which is developing a decision tool to help authorities, responders, communities, and private parties make the best choices during a crisis.

Coordinated by VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, the project aims to provide information on past disasters and the effects of various decisions applied to address a crisis. The modeling and simulation technologies will be used to evaluate the effects of alternative choices in hypothetical scenarios, such as natural disasters, toxic spills, wildfires, and aircraft accidents. It considers people, society, infrastructure, buildings, services, and the economy, as well as collaboration among organizations and geographic regions. It is hoped that this will improve real decision making.

The project is funded by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme. Other partners in the project are Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
(Germany), AMRA Analysis and Monitoring of Environmental Risk (Italy), AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH (Austria), the Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (Portugal), Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia), the Finnish Meteorological Institute (Finland), the Emergency Services College (Finland), Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (Germany), Magen David Adom (Israel), the Public Safety Communication Europe Forum (Belgium), NICE Systems Ltd. (Israel), EADS Deutschland GmbH–Cassidian (Germany), Insta DefSec (Finland), Spacebel S.A. (Belgium), Cismet GmbH (Germany), and ARTELIA Eau & Environnement (France).

PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS

Agent Vi has expanded its integration with IQinVision to offer a full range of video analytics on the latest IQeye cameras.

Arecont Vision cameras protect the perimeter of a new Merck Pharmaceutical facility in Mexico. The integrator is Alarmas Universales.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Albuquerque has deployed an Avigilon high-definition surveillance system.

AXIS Communications announced that its cameras will be used to broadcast Joliet Slammers baseball games via Ustream.

Backbone Security has signed a distribution agreement with Intelligent Technologies Labs to sell and support Backbone products throughout the Middle East.

Biometric Signature ID is providing its software-only biometric solution to eduKan, a consortium of Kansas colleges, to prevent cheating in online courses.

Checkpoint Systems, Inc., is creating labels and tickets for the Gok for Tu clothing line at Sainsbury’s.

CNL Software and e-Thele SQD Networks are working together on projects in South Africa in the mining and petrochemical industries.

Comodo and TeleSign have developed a joint layered security solution with two-factor authentication.

Diebold Incorporated security and fire system products are built into Patriot Bank’s new two-story office in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Document Security Systems, Inc., has received orders for anticounterfeiting printing projects from ConAgra Foods, Kraft Foods, and Hershey Food Corporation.

Epic Concepts has integrated services from Innovative Enterprises, Inc., into its Web-based background screening solution.

Fluidmesh Networks has formed a technology partnership with Basler to offer a solution for wireless video surveillance.

G4S Technology LLC was selected by Iberdrola USA to upgrade its access control and CCTV systems.

AwardWallet LLC has chosen FARGO Printers from HID Global for its consumer loyalty program tracking and management service.

I.D. Systems, Inc., announced that BASF is expanding its deployment of the Veri-Wise Track and Trace systems for managing its transportation fleets.

UBM headquarters in London is using ievoMicro fingerprint readers.

The Attika Tollway around Athens is using a video surveillance system from IndigoVision in collaboration with ILKA and Attiki Odos.

Infoglide and Business-Forensics are integrating their products for fraud management and risk management solutions.

Intransa is offering the Mirasys Carbon Video Management System as an option on its VideoAppliance and EnterpriseServer platforms.

Bank Mizrahi Tefahot selected the NiceVision banking solution from NICE to secure its branches and ATMs in Israel.

OnSSI video management and security software controls 500 surveillance cameras at Parkchester South Condominiums in the Bronx. Kintronics recommended the software to the multibuilding condominium community.

OSS Inc. is providing Safe Ride transportation service for students, staff, and faculty at Case Western University. OSS Security guards drive the cars, which operate from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. daily.

Response Center USA-selected CheckVideo for intelligent remote video monitoring and alarm verification.

TeleSign has implemented its two-factor authentication to secure online account access for BankNewport.

Lebes Stores in Brazil is deploying authentication technology from VASCO to secure its discount process.

Quantum Secure and VidSys are teaming to provide a situation management platform offering situational awareness, verification, planning, and response.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

The Polish Fire Brigade chose Second-Sight cameras from Bertin Technologies to control chemical risks during the European Nations Championship.

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission, in partnership with Crescent Guardian, Inc., has implemented an advanced video analytics application from BRS Labs.

Covenant Security Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have entered a strategic partnership to create National Security Seminar and Exercise Program focused on active shooter awareness and response.

Delta Scientific vehicle crash barriers helped police and military officers protect global leaders and other attendees at the Chicago NATO Summit last May.

Experian has provided fraud prevention services to the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Iron Mountain has been named a preferred supplier within the United Kingdom government’s new document management framework.

In collaboration with researchers at Aalborg University, Technical University of Denmark, Securitas, and Nabto, Milestone Systems will develop a new video surveillance solution that will be able to search metadata and has built-in analytics. The project is partially funded by the Danish National Advanced
Technology Foundation.

Lubbock County Detention Center in Texas is using key control and management systems from Morse Watchmans.

MorphoTrak is supplying its mobile fingerprint terminal to law enforcement agencies in Fairfax County and other Virginia counties.

Plextek has announced that its Blighter radars are enhancing perimeter security at Heathrow Airport.

QinetiQ North America is providing cybersecurity services for the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.

Lodi Unified School District in California is using 11 Line cylindrical locks from Sargent Manufacturing Company.

Select Security Systems was chosen by the Dubois Area School District in Pennsylvania to provide an integrated card access system using a security management platform from RBH Access Technologies.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Cooper Notification has received CE Mark approval and TÜV certification for its WAVES High Power Speaker Array 7100-R Series.

Winners of the IFSECSecurity Industry Awards this year included Pelco by Schneider Electric, Ipsotek, Visonic, Mul-T-Lock UK, Codegate, Tesor Plus Corporation, AD Network Video, Siemens, Interr Security, and Glasgow Community and Safety Services.

The Ventis MX4 multigas detector from Industrial Scientific Corporation has received approval for gas detection in underground mines from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

The Huntington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers achieved full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

New Jersey City University announced that its Doctor of Science in Civil [Homeland] Security Leadership, Management, and Policy was approved by the State of New Jersey and the Middle States regional accrediting body.

The South Carolina Workforce Development Partnership Symposium awarded Security Management of South Carolina the Outstanding Employer Award for 2011 for its strong support of military veterans.

Secutech recognized 16 outstanding HD surveillance products at its Taiwan exhibition and conference. Prizes went to Brickcom Corporation, Hikvision, Hunt Electronic, Sony, Vivotek, Pana sonic, EverFocus Electronics, Hi Sharp Electronics, Shany Electronic, Dahua Technology, NUUO, QNAP, and Synology for various cameras and recorders.

Speco Technologies has been granted a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its Wall-Mount DVR.

Universal Services of America was recognized as a National Top Workplace by WorkplaceDynamics based on a survey of 4,000 organizations.

Winsted Corporation announced that its United Kingdom division won a Queen’s Award for International Trade for its increasing overseas sales.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AlliedBarton Security Services has opened the AlliedBarton/Drexel University Learning Center on the campus of Drexel University in Philadelphia.

ASTM International announced that its Homeland Security Committee is developing a physical barrier systems standard for high security assets.

Genetec has expanded its Paris and Dubai offices and opened a new office in London to enhance its global service.

Guidance Software Inc. has introduced a new marketplace for digital investigation applications. EnCase App Central will include both free and paid modules along with templates and other tools.

The International Association of Interviewers was launched in June to support law enforcement, loss prevention, audit, risk management, and human resource professionals who have a stake in interviewing.

Johnson Controls announced that its Milwaukee alarm monitoring facility can now monitor fire and burglary panels through IP-based alarm transmissions.

The U.S. Office of Justice Programs has released a new guide to enhance the chances of safely recovering missing and abducted children. AMBER Alert Best Practices is available online at www.ojjdp.gov.

RealityTrack has launched a background screening service designed specifically for the reality television market.

Veriphyr has donated its patient privacy breach detection service to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit hospital in Minnesota, in partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

ASIS NEWS

ASIS Releases Physical Asset Protection Standard
ASIS International has released its latest ANSI standard, Security Management Standard: Physical Asset Protection. Developed by a Technical Committee composed of more than 80 members from 17 countries, the standard provides a comprehensive management approach to identify, apply, and manage physical security measures to safeguard an organization’s assets—its people, property, and information.

Physical asset protection, also known as physical security management, includes the protection of both tangible (for instance, physical, human, infrastructure, and environmental) and intangible (for example, brand, reputation, and information) assets. The Physical Asset Protection Standard offers a framework for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving physical protection systems.

“All organizations face risk,” said Allison Wylde, cochair of the Physical Asset Protection Technical Committee and Course Leader, MSc Project Management, London Business School. “The challenge is to first determine how much risk is acceptable and, second, [to determine] how to cost-effectively manage risk to meet strategic and operational objectives. This standard helps practitioners determine the appropriate balance between these competing demands.”

Work first began on the standard in 2010, when members of the ASIS United Kingdom Chapter, led by Wylde, developed an asset protection draft standard. The draft, which was used as the starting point for the full technical committee, was based on the management system framework described in ANSI/ASIS SPC.1-2009, Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness, and Continuity Management Systems Requirements with Guidance for Use. This enables seamless integration with the organizational resilience standard, thereby allowing organizations to build a comprehensive management system for security and resilience management.

“Organizations need to manage the risks of undesirable and disruptive events,” said Marc Siegel, Ph.D., cochair of the Physical Asset Protection Technical Committee and commissioner of the ASIS Global Standards Initiative. “A comprehensive management systems approach gives practitioners a management tool to cost-effectively protect an organization’s assets in concert with the organization’s overall mission and business objectives.”

The Physical Asset Protection Standard integrates the organization’s security and related functions (for example, risk management, safety, finance, quality assurance, compliance) into a comprehensive, proactive management system. This management system should:

Ensure top management leadership and commitment to the Physical Assets Protection policy

Establish a comprehensive risk management program that identifies, analyzes, and evaluates risks to tangible and intangible assets

Characterize the assets, and design and implement a Physical Protection System that meets the objectives using the available resources

Integrate people, procedures, technologies, and equipment to meet the objectives

Continuously monitor, measure, and review the performance of the management system

“The Physical Asset Protection Standard provides direction to security managers,” says Bernard D. Greenawalt, CPP, Standards and Guidelines Commission liaison, and vice president of Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. “Used in conjunction with the ASIS Protection of Assets and the ASIS Facilities Physical Security Measures Guideline, this standard will help practitioners determine the appropriate level of acceptable risk and the investment required to manage those risks.”

The standard is available for download at www.asisonline.org. In addition, there will be an educational session, “Implementing the New Physical Asset Protection Standard,” that will be held on Tuesday, September 11, at the ASIS International 58th Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Philadelphia.

To view a complete list of all ASIS standards and guidelines currently under development, visit the Society’s Web site, www.asisonline.org.

DHS Establishes Rescorla Award 
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has announced the creation of the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience, in memory of Richard Rescorla, an ASIS member, who led the evacuation of Morgan Stanley’s 2,700-person work force in the World Trade Center on 9-11, saving the lives of many of his coworkers.

“Rick Rescorla’s heroism during the 9-11 attacks and commitment to the preparedness of the thousands of employees under his watch serves as an inspiration and model to all of us,” says Secretary Napolitano. “The Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience recognizes outstanding response to a catastrophic incident and leadership in fostering resilient and prepared communities.”

The award is the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) first national resilience award for superior leadership and innovation by a nongovernmental individual or organization who exemplifies the qualities and achievements of Rescorla, emphasizing leadership in effective preparation, response, and recovery in the face of disasters.

Following the 1993 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Rescorla drilled his Morgan Stanley employees in disaster preparedness and response. Rescorla’s actions and his commitment to preparedness ensured that the Morgan Stanley employees who worked in the South Tower knew how to evacuate and where to go in case of an emergency. All but six of Morgan Stanley’s workers survived on 9-11. Rescorla was last seen walking back up the South Tower stairs in the hope of rescuing more people.

Last year, during the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, Napolitano honored Rescorla by presenting the DHS Distinguished Public Service Medal to his widow at a ceremony in New York City. The medal is the department’s highest honor.

The first Rescorla Award will be bestowed in September. For more information on eligibility and criteria nomination individuals or organizations for 2013 (nominations for 2012 are now closed), visit www.dhs.gov/rrraward.