Access Control & Security Systems Online Directory

		In the News
		Mayors, states still squabbling over Homeland funding New Hampshire to implement first responder communications network The Democratic candidates on security Terrorists planning to assemble bombs on planes TSA takes heat for background check miscues ACLU blasts Louisiana for traffic camera proposal Community colleges offer Homeland security education Bush proposes billions more for Homeland security DHS to launch Cyber Alert System Security concerns ground six Saturday flights Mayors' survey says cities still on short end of Homeland funding Customs slip-ups let hijackers into U.S., commission says GAO says government not ready for Net security system Countries worry that U.S. security will hamper free trade Bush to deliver "State of Secure Union" tonight Air Force to adopt ASIS International CPP program Mail room security stepped up in European Parliament New Years brought search for dirty bombs Maritime security deadline passes with little action US-VISIT implemented nationwide Government security market continues growth U.S. nuclear labs facing another review Airport security chiefs removed from duty High alert for the holidays New standards for general aviation security Pennsylvania brings public, private security together Task Force: Government not taking advantage of info sharing technology ASIS develops guide for Homeland security advisories College laboratory security lacking, investigators say Grants awarded to urban areas, metro transit authorities DHS looking for ideas from small business DHS to allocate $2.2 billion in state grants TSA to go off duty in LaGuardia Capitol police to change policies after toy gun incident Customs turns to technology for shipping containers DHS prepares to implement US-VISIT Final maritime security regulations released Flight attendants lament lack of training, poor security Box cutter incident puts airport security under microscope Federal study finds security flaws at NY bio facility Security taking shape for Democratic Convention Ridge urges companies to disclose cyber-security efforts Expert says public health the weakest link in Homeland security TSA considers measures for increased air cargo security GAO finds security holes in nuclear plants TSA under fire, but still focused on technology DHS establishes Terrorist Screening Center Congress hammers out DHS funding details Stowaway sheds light on air security hole GAO issues transportation security update U.S. 'icon parks' lacking security DHS announces new security initiatives LAX gets massive reimbursement for detection machines Intercity buses get security grants New York governor contemplates security for electricity generators Coast Guard: Passenger ferries a prime target Representative sees vulnerability in some air cargo NSA cyber-chief ready to de-bug government infrastructure Terrorists again targeting airlines Senate approves $28.5 billion in Homeland Security funding Think tank gives Bush "D" on Homeland security report card Additional Funds for Seaport Cargo Security Released Homeland Security Contracts Vendors to Secure Borders DHS encourages investment in technologies with Safety Act Port security regulations include technology upgrades National Emergency Training Center can help security professionals Military launches cyber-security campaign Report: Lack of funding leaves first responders unprepared Ashcroft: Technology Helping In Anti-Terrorism Effort Coast Guard, maritime officials discuss new security rules U.S. Customs releases new shipping regulations Homeland Security Procurement: A Guide Homeland defense securing lobbyists Homeland Security Stocks Soaring Ashcroft: Technology helping in anti-terrorism effort House subcommittee approves DHS funding bill DHS unveils new cyber security division Seaport security funding may be redirected Sept. 11 panel questions federal airport security Proposed ship security worries maritime industry FBI issues alert to nuclear plant operators Guard services firm supports legislation for background checks Bush proposes legislation for chemical plant security Homeland security to boost technology spending Ridge: Military advances in Iraq do not diminish risk of terrorism at home DHS awards urban areas with extra funding Twenty-two federal agencies merge with DHS

Trickle-Down Funding

What's Behind the Slow Flow of Federal Homeland Security Dollars to Local Jurisdictions? Delays and uncertainty mark much of the Homeland Security funding process. Last year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) introduced new distribution rules that were designed to streamline the process, yet the changes resulted in a patchwork of application procedures that differ from state to state. Facing substantial learning curves and working through them on a learn-as-you-go basis, state and local governments are caught in a time warp: They are resolving disbursement issues for fiscal More

In Video We Trust Many government agencies are using security technology, but the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has been committed to advanced security technology for more than a century. Not surprising because the BEP became the sole maker of United States currency in 1877. More

Blast-Resistant Facilities: Even Terrorists Can't Break The Laws of Physics Sept. 11 changed everything, even the architecture that surrounds American's daily lives. While the concept of creating blast-resistant structures is nothing new, the emphasis on its use has surged dramatically. Barricades, guards and new security protocols have suddenly surrounded sensitive structures that had originally only been scheduled for blast-resistant upgrades at some vague, unspecified time in the future. Many government agencies — from the Department of Defense to the Federal Aviatio More

Hand in Hand Physical security professionals have traditionally lived in a very different world from the folks in information security (IS). More and more, though, both types of security experts are being asked to team up to fight off common threats. What can a policeman, military officer or security guard do to help protect an agency's computer-based information? More

Trusting Companies With Government Secrets With thousands of companies competing for federal contracts related to security, how does the federal government determine whether or not it should trust a particular security supplier? To get a closer look at how government secures its purchasing procedures, Government Security recently spoke with David A. Drabkin, deputy associate administrator for acquisition policy with the General Services Administration (GSA). The conversation also included Larry Allen, executive vice president of the Coal More

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Security Through Secrecy Are we safer because we are secret? In a growing number of states, legislators are answering “Yes.” Since Sept. 11, 2001, 39 states have expanded or amended open meetings and public records laws, limiting public access to security-related information. It is an exercise that pits public safety against the public right to know, and it challenges lawmakers to weigh intent against consequence. More

Full Contactless The U.S. Department of the Interior has undergone a 10-year process to implement enterprise-wide technology, including contactless smart cards. More

ATFP For Beginners Heard about “ATFP” lately? For those who work in the government sector — especially those working at the Department of Defense (DoD) or related government facilities — Anti-terrorism / Force Protection, or ATFP, is a popular topic, and it deserves the attention. A solid understanding of ATFP concepts and strategies is a must for those who share an interest in the DoD environment — regardless of rank or position. More

An Emergency Discussion With Richard Andrews An expert on crisis and emergency management, Richard Andrews contends that government and private industry must do a better job of coordinating public and private emergency responses. More

GIS: Why We Need Smarter Maps Geographic information systems can already revolutionize our ability to respond to homeland threats. And it may get even easier for fire and emergency service agencies to deploy GIS if a ongoing project to "geo-enable" all agencies under the Department of Homeland Security through the Internet succeeds. More

Permission to move freely Tripler Army Medical Center uses an integrated system to allow broad access — as long as it's authorized Its reach and responsibility are staggering when it comes to providing medical services to those in need. Patients scattered over more than half of the earth’s surface rely on the skills and expertise found at Tripler Army Medical Center. The 1 million sq. ft. hospital is responsible for providing health care to American military forces throughout the Pacific Rim. More

Design-Build or not? Good Question Whether one is an experienced security services buyer or a novice, it is a good idea to consider all the options. And fundamental to the choices is what kind of contracting method would be best suited for a particular project. More

Homeland Homework Training school in South Georgia prepares law enforcement professionals to serve on the front lines of Homeland security More

OUTBREAK!

How Can We Protect Our Critical Infrastructure From Cyber-Attack? Computer networks everywhere were under attack. The Sapphire (or Slammer) Worm was spreading throughout the Internet like wildfire, doubling in size every 8.5 seconds. It infected more than 90 percent of vulnerable hosts within 10 minutes. The worm shut down Web sites all over the world. It infected at least 75,000 hosts and caused network outages and such unforeseen consequences as canceled airline flights, interference with elections and ATM failures. A 9-1-1 call center outside Seattle, which... More

IT Security: A Plan Of Action Managers in government agencies must realize that computer security cannot be left to providence. In fact, since Sept. 11, obligations to secure computing systems have expanded more quickly than at any time in the recent past under such schemes as the Critical Information Protection Program and, under President Clinton, Presidential Decision Directive 63. What's more, in the past year or so, threats have scaled up in size, frequency and virulence. Ten years ago, the information technology (IT) manager... More

Roadblocks To Disaster Stopping weapons disguised as vehicles requires varied approaches -- and available technology stands ready to do the job. More

Robots on Patrol CCTV-equippped robots are poised to augment human security forces...and they never complain or take breaks. More

The Password is Biometrics Fingerprint verification allows Los Angeles facility to do away with multiple log-ins. More

Government and Private Security: Will they ever form a partnership? The lasting effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have unified security professionals from government and private industry. Even so, some would argue that a true partnership does not yet exist. More

Smart Cards at the State Dept.

Sweeping Program Heightens Security and Interoperability Pick a door, any door, and procure a solution that will authenticate the movement of users through it. Now leverage that function worldwide, add in four wieldy federal agency administrations, numerous subcontractors, an IT component, and increase the number of users to 35,000 – without dropping a security stitch. That is the current scope of the smart card and access control implementation project — begun some eight years ago — that Lolie Kull manages for the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic... More

Who Goes There: Army Upgrades Access Control at Ft. McPherson . More

Technology Exposing Trouble Weapons and Explosives Detection More

Manpower for Hire: Contract Officers Fortify Government Security’s Front Lines . More

WHO ARE YOU?

Tools exist — from biometrics to smart cards — that can verify a citizen’s identity, but at what cost? Immigration officials and law enforcement agents arrested 24 people and seized fake documents and counterfeiting equipment near the Adams-Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C. in early May. Officials seized 360 bogus green cards, 281 fraudulent social security cards, 70 fake employment authorization cards and 46 counterfeit driver’s licenses from California, Utah and Florida. The incident highlights a national identity crisis. An identity-related crime occurs in America every 63 seconds. Approximately... More

A Smarter Image: New digital systems can see all, but they dont tell all Smart CCTV More

Know your enemy: It's the first step in mounting an effective defense The five categories of aggressors More

THE FACE OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Can Tom Ridge make a difference? No sooner had Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge returned to his office following his appointment as the first head of the newly established Homeland Security Office than the phone started ringing. An outpouring of offers of help and support to a designated hero was a natural response from public and private sector leaders still haunted by images of hijacked American jetliners searing a blue September sky with smoke and flame and ultimately causing the deaths of more than 3,000 innocent people.... More

Setting priorities to protect the nation's infrastructure . More

Photo ID and Beyond: Washington State’s Department of Social and Human Services is taking steps to avert attack . More