​BUSINESS NEWS

Damage to fire and life safety systems can occur during an earthquake, making it difficult for people to evacuate and impeding the work of first responders. The fires that often follow an earthquake make these damages of critical importance.

A new study details some of the potential problems. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and other industrial partners, the study was led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). A five-story building was constructed on a high-performance shake table at the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center at UCSD. The building included an elevator, ventilation systems, electrical equipment, mock medical facilities, a server room, and residential space. While researchers subjected the building to simulated earthquakes ranging from 6.7 to 7.9 on the Richter scale, engineers monitored the building’s performance via 500 channels of data from various sensors.

Following the simulations, researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute conducted tests on the building that simulated post-quake fires. They assessed how the damage affected the passive and active fire protection systems to contain fire and smoke. They found that damage to walls and ceilings became obstacles to evacuation, and some doors would not open (for evacuees) or close (for fire containment). Access to upper floors was cut off when the staircase and elevator became unusable. Most active and passive fire protection systems, on the other hand, did their job.

The investigators believe that this study will help engineers design more resilient buildings and provide better protection for people and property. They hope to perform more research on different construction techniques and glazing systems and gather more information that can compare fire performance before and after earthquake damage. 

PARTNERSHIPS AND DEALS

EIT Private Limited is working with a Maldives Island resort to boost property security through Barix two-way IP audio technology.

Bosch Security Systems, Inc., has announced that the G Series Control Panel will be included in General Dynamics Information Technology’s Global Security Operations Center solution and integration lab.

Brady Corporation is working with HP to combat counterfeiting via product tracking, authentication, and brand protection.

Datawatch Systems was chosen by ENI Petroleum to be the main access control provider for the company’s office in Houston.

The SafeRise solution from FST21 is the new access control system for the Pasadena Interfaith Manor Apartments in Pasadena, Texas.

A partnership between HID Global and BehavioSec will enhance HID’s Fraud Detection System by employing behavioral markers for additional authentication.

IndigoVision is entering an integration partnership with Ipsotek to offer end users a complete video analytics solution.

Mocana has signed an agreement with SCSK Corporation to resell Mocana Mobile App Protection software in the Japanese market.

A bike-sharing program from On Bike Share at Wellesley College uses keys controlled and stored by a Key-Watcher key management system from Morse Watchmans.

Gateway Security Service, Inc., and Guardian Guard Services, Inc., have been accepted into membership in the National Security Alliance.

Unilever has chosen Nedap to deliver a global physical access solution.

ObjectVideo, Inc., has entered into a global patent license agreement with Panasonic System Networks that grants Panasonic a worldwide, nonexclusive license to use ObjectVideo’s portfolio of intellectual property.

Pelco by Schneider Electric has integrated its network cameras with the HuXinHu-Tong (Megaeyes) Video Management Platform to provide flexible and competitive solutions for network video surveillance.

Quintron Systems, Inc., is integrating its UC3 and Access Nsite systems with the Mobotix video surveillance, alarm, and communications product line.

Danbury Hospital has chosen the Safe Place Infant Security Solution from RF Technologies to reduce the risk of newborn abduction.

Samsung Techwin America is adding three new manufacturer representative organizations: the Intersect Group in Northern California and Nevada, Parallel Solutions in Illinois and Wisconsin, and Murphy & Cota in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

SightLogix has appointed BRC International as manufacturer’s representative for Mexico.

SOTI Inc. and Webroot are partnering to create a mobile device management solution that will defend against malware and Web-based threats.

At Queen City Square Tower in Cincinnati, GuardLink has installed TagMaster North America, Inc., automatic vehicle identification systems to enable hands-free parking garage access.

Vogel’s Products will distribute products from Premier Mounts Europe under the Vogel’s brand in parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.

Under a new distribution agreement, VCW Security will distribute products from Halon Security in the United Kingdom.

CNL Software is partnering with AIS Security Solutions to address the security needs of the Middle East and North Africa.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Applied Communication Sciences has launched its new SecureSmart Managed Security Service in California with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District as one of its U.S. Department of Energy Smart Grid Investment Grant projects.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will provide the eTrace illegal firearms tracking system to Finland in an effort to combat firearms trafficking.

CNL Software has been selected by ATECO to provide the integration and management platform for the Abu Dhabi Police.

Cubic Global Tracking Solutions has been awarded three U.S. Army and GSA Schedule orders to expand its wireless mesh asset tracking technology to two U.S. bases in Afghanistan.

Decision Sciences International has been awarded a contract by National Security Technologies for a muon tomography scanner system that will be used to research new scanning and imaging applications.

General Dynamics Information Technology was awarded a contract by the City of Los Angeles to enhance the CCTV and video management system at the Los Angeles International Airport.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety has chosen the Terrain Analysis Package from SoftWright LLC to perform tasks essential for designing and maintaining critical communications systems within the state.

System Development Integration, LLC, and Verint Systems, Inc., will deliver the first phase of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport’s new security surveillance system.

ANA Airports of Portugal, SA, and Vision-Box SA have installed boarding eGates at Lisbon Airport to validate passenger access to the departure lounge.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Blancco received a 2012 Internationalization Award from the President of the Republic of Finland.

Dallmeier has been granted a patent from the German Patent and Trademark Office for its Panomera multifocal sensor system.

Spanish energy company Iberdrola has won a 2012 European SCADA Security Innovation Award.

The Security Educator of the Year award was presented to Ontario Power Generation by the ASIS International Toronto Chapter Education Committee.

Optellios, Inc., was awarded Philadelphia SmartCEO’s Future 50 Award, recognizing it as one of the area’s fastest growing companies.

PPM 2000 has received Lenel factory certification and joined the Lenel OpenAccess Alliance Program.

Salient Systems has certified its CompleteView v4.0 video surveillance management system with AMAG’s Symmetry v7.0.1 security management system.

The 2013 Mobility Award from MobileTrax was awarded to the global cloud video surveillance company Smartvue Corporation.

Microsoft Corporation presented a “Be What’s Next” award to Viscount Systems for participation in Microsoft’s Good Samaritan Project.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AFIMAC is providing its online active shooter course to businesses at no cost for a limited time.

The American Institute for Expert Witness Education offers a three-day Expert Witness Bootcamp to enhance the testifying and communication skills of prospective witnesses.

The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness has ceased operations and awarded all assets to the Emergency Management and Public Safety Institute of Centennial College.

The FBI has apprehended fugitive Antoine Brooks, whose capture was aided by digital billboards by Clear
Channel Outdoor.

Consult2Comply (C2C) is rebranding and will now be using the name C2CSmart-Compliance (C2CSmart).

Elite Investigations has opened a new division and is fully licensed to operate in Connecticut from its Norwalk office.

Berry College in Georgia has set up an online live stream of two bald eagles on campus with the help of equipment donated by Fluidmesh.

Inflection has introduced GoodHire.com, a preemployment screening service for small to medium-sized businesses.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police has released Guiding Principles on Cloud Computing in Law Enforcement to provide guidance for maintaining security and availability of systems and data in the cloud.

Lauren Innovations has tailored its NaviGate emergency management technology for use in schools.  LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the American Hotel & Lodging Association in support of the “If You See Something, Say Something” program.

Lunarline and Echo360 have begun the second training session of the Warrior to Cyber Warrior program, a tuition-free course that trains veterans to work as cybersecurity professionals.

NOTIFIER by Honeywell has launched a new Web site to help customers find information more quickly and easily.

NSF International has acquired INASSA Group of Lima, Peru.

The Operations Security Professionals Society has established a certification program to recognize highly qualified OPSEC professionals.

PPSS Group has expanded to Toronto, Canada, where PPSS Canada will serve Canadian customers.

Protection 1 has acquired select assets from Pinnacle Security, including proprietary IT infrastructure and software, as well as Pinnacle’s Orem, Utah, facility.

Secura Key has announced that it will continue to provide Wiegand access control cards to the industry, although other companies have discontinued the cards.

The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota is offering an online Master of Arts program in public safety and law enforcement leadership.

ASIS NEWS

Wozniak to Keynote at Chicago Seminar and Exhibits
Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple Computer, Silicon Valley icon, and philanthropist for more than 30 years, is the first announced keynote speaker for the ASIS International 59th Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Chicago, September 24 to 27. He will speak on Wednesday, September 25.

Wozniak met Steve Jobs in 1970, when both were working for Hewlett-Packard. In 1976, Wozniak and Jobs founded Apple Computer Inc.; they sold personal possessions to raise money and assembled Apple I circuit boards in their homes. Wozniak would shape the computing industry with the Apple I. His next product, the Apple II, which featured a central processing unit, a keyboard, color graphics, and a floppy disk drive, was integral to launching the personal computer industry.

President Ronald Reagan awarded Wozniak the National Medal of Technology in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators.

After leaving Apple in 1987, Wozniak was involved in various business and philanthropic ventures, focusing primarily on improving computer capabilities in schools, stressing hands-on learning, and encouraging creativity for students. Making significant investments of both his time and resources, he adopted the Los Gatos School District, providing students and teachers with hands-on teaching and donations of state-of-the-art technology equipment.

Additionally, Wozniak founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and was the founding sponsor of the Tech Museum, Silicon Valley Ballet, and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

In 2000, Wozniak was inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame and was awarded the prestigious Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy, and Employment for single-handedly designing the first personal computer and for then redirecting his lifelong passion for mathematics and electronics toward educating grade school students and their teachers.

Wozniak also holds honorary degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, ESPOL University in Ecuador, Kettering University, North Carolina State University, Nova Southeastern University, Michigan State University, Concordia University in Montreal, State Engineering University in Armenia, and Santa Clara University. He was awarded the Global Award of the President of Armenia for Outstanding Contribution to Humanity Through IT in 2011.

Wozniak currently serves as chief scientist for Fusion-IO. He wrote an autobiography, iWoz: From Computer Geek to Cult Icon, which was published in September 2006 by Norton Publishing and became a New York Times best-seller. His television appearances include reality shows Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List and season eight of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, as well as the popular sitcom, The Big Bang Theory.

The ASIS 59th Annual Seminar and Exhibits will be held at McCormick Place and will collocate with the 3rd Annual (ISC)2 Security Congress. Registrants of either the ASIS Seminar and Exhibits or (ISC)2 Security Congress may gain access to each event’s education sessions and the exhibit hall. Both organizations also will offer review courses for their respective certifications as well as separate, members only activities.

More than 200 educational sessions will be presented at the Seminar and Exhibits, including expanded IT security offerings in collaboration with (ISC)2. The exhibition area will feature more than 230,000 net square feet of the latest security technology and innovations in traditional and logical security, providing a showcase for more than 700 companies demonstrating cutting-edge solutions.

A host of networking events will be available to attendees and exhibitors, including the ASIS Foundation Golf Tournament, the Annual President’s Reception, networking luncheons, and the ASIS Foundation Night Dinner. Registration is now open. For up-to-the-minute information, visit www.asis2013.org.