​BUSINESS NEWS

A public-private partnership has been created to promote the use of video alarms over audio only alarms as a means of achieving more arrests and fewer losses of property. The Partnership for Priority Video Alarm Response (PPVAR) points out that video alarms have proven arrest rates of 20 to 50 percent—far better than traditional alarm systems, which result in arrest rates of less than one-tenth of one percent. In addition, traditional alarm systems have such a high rate of false alarms that many police departments refuse to respond to them.

In a video alarm, an intruder trips a motion sensor, and a camera sends a 10-second video clip to a monitoring station. The personnel at the monitoring company decide whether the video shows suspicious behavior or whether the alarm appears to have been triggered by a gust of wind or an animal. If it is suspicious, the video is forwarded to law enforcement for action. Video verification means that police are less likely to be sent on a wild goose chase that wastes public resources, and they are more likely to stop a crime as it happens.

PPVAR has assembled members of law enforcement, the insurance industry, and the alarm industry to gather information about what works best for all parties, including indoor, outdoor, commercial, and residential installations. The eventual goal is to produce best practices and standards to optimize the use of these alarms.

The PPVAR board of directors includes representatives from the National Insurance Crime Bureau; Protection One; Stanley Convergent Security Solutions; Diebold, Incorporated; Sonitrol New England; Interface Security Systems, Inc.; and Radius Security. Keith Jentoft, president of RSI Video Technologies, is serving as the group’s coordinator.

PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS

At Hoc, Inc., has announced that its emergency mass notification system has been deployed at Liberty University.

The Authasas Advanced Authentication solution now works with Lumidigm multispectral imaging biometrics to deliver high levels of security, accountability, and compliance.

Centrify Corporation has supplied its Centrify Suite to HSBC Bank UK for secure system access to its distributed IT infrastructure.

Datawatch Systems has upgraded security and is providing monitoring and security technology to two New York City buildings: the Metropolitan Tower at 142 W. 57th Street and a smaller property at 148 Lafayette Street in SoHo.

Experian is working with iovation to provide a comprehensive suite of identity verification and device reputation services.

G4S Technology is providing a new smart card system for students and staff at Newcastle University. Genetec has formed a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corp. to bring physical security software to the cloud.

Global Intelligent Eye is installing video surveillance systems for Shenzhen Ya Sen Mei Jewelry Co., Ltd., in outlets throughout China.

The Anhui Wantong Expressway Building in China has deployed HID Global access controllers, contactless smart cards, and readers.

I.D. Systems, Inc., has entered into a contract with Frey miller, Inc., to provide its VeriWise Reefer management system for about 250 refrigerated trucks.

Farnborough College of Technology has chosen IndigoVision to replace its existing and nonintegrated surveillance systems.

Video Insight is supporting the security video camera line from JVC Professional Products Company with its video management software suite.

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, has chosen MCS Fire & Security for the upgrade of its fire alarm system and to make it part of the mass notification system.

AMG Panogenics has integrated its PanoCam360 with Milestone’s XProtect video management software.

Dolphin Precision Investment Castings is using MobileCamViewer software from mobiDEOS for mobile surveillance and remote monitoring.

Nedap Retail and Kovio, Inc., have launched a new category of electronic article surveillance tags that can be invisibly embedded into clothing and other products.

OnSSI Ocularis video surveillance software was used during the October 22nd Presidential Debate at Lynn University in Florida.

NW Systems Group’s Remote Manager video solution was used by Simons Group to monitor construction of a Marks & Spencer outlet in Cheshire Oaks near Liverpool, England.

Red Hawk Fire & Security U.S. is offering the Sony Electronics line of professional video products and is a member of the Sony Security Preferred Reseller program.

SightLogix, Inc., has appointed REP Marketing Solutions, Inc., to represent its video analytics security systems in the Northeast United States.

Stanley Security Solutions is the official security partner of the Indianapolis Colts and will provide security for the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.

Under a new strategic partnership, Traders Warehouse will market products and solutions from TeleEye Europe throughout the United Kingdom.

The North Carolina chapter of Goodwill Industries International, Inc., has migrated analog CCTV systems in 40 stores to IP systems from Toshiba. The project was performed by Versa Technologies, Inc.

BankAnnapolis has selected Trusteer Rapport for Online Banking to protect accounts from malware and phishing attacks.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Bridgeway Solutions partnered with Salamander Technologies, Midwest Card, North Carolina Emergency Management, and local emergency managers to provide tracking and credentialing support for the City of Charlotte during the Democratic National Convention last summer.

Identive Group, Inc., was selected by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agency to implement access control and security management systems at more than 200 locations.

IndigoVision is replacing the analog surveillance system at Metrô Rio, the underground transit system in Rio de Janeiro. The company is working with Setha Prossegur to create the new system.

The United Kingdom’s Technology Strategy Board is partially funding a project to develop lightweight material and structures for blast and ballistic survivability (LiMBS). Participants include BAE Systems, QinetiQ, AIGIS Blast Protection, TPS, Permali Gloucester Ltd., MIRA, Sigmatex, and the University of Nottingham.

MorphoTrak is providing a biometric identification system to the Massachusetts State Police for identifying suspects and criminals.

KeyWatcher key management from Morse Watchmans is being used to protect keys to the Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District’s vehicles.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has adopted the online training solution from The Response Network for use by its officers.

Science Applications International Corporation was awarded a prime contract by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide exercise design and control support services in assessing and enhancing national preparedness.

SecureKey Technologies Inc. has launched a service that allows Canadians to use their bank authentication credentials to access online services from the Government of Canada. Three banks—BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, and TD Bank Group—are the initial trusted partners, and other institutions are expected to join the program.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

The Accenture Life Safety Solution, developed by Accenture, Industrial Scientific, Cisco, and AeroScout, has received the industrial hygiene product of the year award from Occupational Health &
Safety magazine.

AlliedBarton Security Services was recognized with the Visionary Award by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

InkSure Technologies Inc., in conjunction with MTM Security, was presented with the Excellence in Holography Award in the category of Best Applied Security Product by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association. The award recognized the companies for their work on a Turkish government tax mark program.

The Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association has received the August Vollmer Award in Forensic Science from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The central loss prevention team of Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. was acknowledged as a world leader in crime prevention at the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners Conference. The team was nominated by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Smarter Security, Inc., announced that its GlassGate 250 is the first speedgate security turnstile to be certified under UL 2593, the new standard for motor-driven turnstile operators and systems.

Verify Brand has earned a fourth U.S. patent for an authentication and tracking system.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Brinks Company has agreed to sell its event security operations in France to Groupe Ageparfi and its cash handling business in Poland to Impel Security Polska. Brinks will maintain other operations in both countries.

The Electronic Security Association has launched a new Web site to help consumers find professionals for safety and automation needs in the SECURE+ Initiative. The site is at www.SecurePlusweb.org.

Georgia Tech has added emergency planning and response courses to its Health and Humanitarian Logistics Certificate Program.

Magal Security Systems Ltd. has expanded its business and will deliver cyber protection solutions to its customers in addition to physical security.

Nuance Communications has been recognized by Opus Research as the leading provider of voice biometric solutions.

Observint Technologies has acquired Infinias to complement its offerings of video and audio surveillance systems.

Per Mar Security Services has acquired Streff Security of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Security Industry Association has created a monthly online TV series on the new Global Security Technology TV Channel to focus on industry and technology trends. SIA has also launched a twice-yearly publication on the federal appropriations process titled Fiscal Year Informer.

Speco Technologies has released a new Audio Catalog to help installers realize the revenue potential of adding audio enhancements to existing installations.

T&M Protection Resources has sold its Security Officer Services division to Universal Protection Service.

VTI Security Integrators has acquired Systems Integration Corp. to increase its market presence in the Rocky Mountain region.

Waterfall Security Solutions has made a cash and in-kind donation to Michigan Technological University in support of research into the cybersecurity of the North American power grid.

ASIS NEWS

The CSO Post 9-11
The CSO Roundtable of ASIS International has joined forces with the International Security Management Association and the Council of Corporate Security Executives of The Conference Board to develop a paper that discusses how the role of the CSO has developed and evolved since 9-11. The paper, Leveraging Corporate Security for Business Growth and Improved Performance: The Transformative Effect of 9/11, was disseminated to stakeholders and decision makers in the security field in late 2012.

According to the paper, “CEOs are expecting more from their security functions and CSOs. The security function’s role in the post-9/11 era is now, more than ever, a business one. It is integral to business growth and to meeting critical business challenges. Moreover, enlightened business leaders recognize the value of the security function as fundamental to the business process. No longer an afterthought, security has become a core function, embedded in disciplines like finance, law, human resources, quality, supply chain, marketing, and operations.”

Kevin Donovan, vice president global security at Johnson & Johnson, who was one of the principal contributors to the paper, states that “Since 9-11, the role of the CSO has grown from a reactive ‘security manager’ to a trusted strategic advisor who must be intimately familiar with the company’s overall threat profile. Among the duties with which today’s CSOs are entrusted are ensuring compliance, identifying and mitigating political risk, assisting with mergers and acquisitions, developing talent, and optimizing costs.”

Included in the paper are discussions on government regulation, enterprise security risk management, innovation, human capital, cost optimization, understanding the evolving role of the CSO, and more. Also included is a list of resources from The Conference Board and the Council of Corporate Security Executives.

“The goal is for security professionals to use this paper to educate their organizations’ senior leadership, as well as colleagues in other departments, about how security is becoming an integral part of the business process. It should no longer be perceived as an afterthought or drag on profitability,” says Michael Gips, ASIS vice president of strategic development.

Former ASIS President Raymond T. O’Hara, CPP, vice president of Andrews International, who played a significant role in the collaboration, explains, “This initiative represents the first time that the three leading organizations for security executives have worked together to produce a document that will elevate the entire security profession. With the success of this document, we hope to engage in further collaborations.”

Asia-Pacific Conference Call for Presentations
The ASIS International 7th Asia-Pacific Security Forum and Exhibition will take place December 3 to 5, 2013, in Macau and is currently seeking abstracts for educational sessions. The deadline for submission is April 19.

This unique conference will address a full spectrum of topics in security management such as: supply chain security, loss prevention, hotel security, intellectual property, maritime piracy, terrorism, executive protection, internal theft and fraud, competitive intelligence, brand protection, physical security, cybersecurity, investigations, due diligence, and global business issues. The high-quality educational programs focus on current and emerging security threats, best practices, and other issues facing professionals responsible for securing their organizations’ people, property, and data in today’s challenging global environment. Abstracts will be accepted for presentations based on industry relevance, timeliness, and expertise of the speakers. There will be a heavy emphasis on intermediate to advanced level content presentations.