January 2007
Features
By Jon Ecker
BIOMETRIC authentication has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 14th century China where merchants would stamp children's hand and footprints on paper to distinguish them. After seven centuries, though, unique physiological and behavioral characteristics are still used as means of identification.
By Rod Starrett
Multiple technology methods implemented to meet standards
By Courtney Dillon Pederson
NOWADAYS, it takes much more to have a safe flight, and airports are strengthening security to ensure passengers do travel safely.
By W. Barry Nixon
IN the last 10 years, the background screening industry has grown tremendously and has moved from being a process used for security clearance, law enforcement and high-level, sensitive government jobs to an integral part of the hiring process of the vast majority of firms in the United States. Beth Miller of DataCheck Inc., located in San Clemente, Calif., said it best, as "more and more companies are conducting background screenings, it is becoming an everyday process and part of the norm."
By Mike Hammons
SEPTEMBER 2006 marked the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, sparking widespread debate on whether the United States is any safer today than it was on that fateful day in 2001. Since 9/11, much has been done to promote greater vigilance of both foreign and homegrown terrorist activities. But until another successful or unsuccessful terrorist attack, the nation may never know the complete answer.
fire alarms, The Station nightclub, voice evacuation systems
POLITICAL party officials are fond of telling the public they have a "big tent." That is, their programs are big enough to cover a wide range of interests. In the past few years, the fire alarm industry has actually been delivering on that same promise.
By Brooks McChesney
SECURING the flow of oil from offshore platforms, land-based drilling rigs and pumping stations across miles of pipeline and infrastructure is a top priority for the government and the petroleum industry.
By Del V. Salvi
TODAY'S world is faced with every-evolving technologies -- a world of ones and zeroes. Digital communication and storage networks have greatly facilitated access to information in every technology sector, and video security is no exception.
By Jeff Brummet
PROVIDING adequate airport security has become an ongoing debate of national importance after being plunged into a post-9/11 world. Who can forget the eerie sight of an empty sky during the immediate days following the infamous attack in the nation's history.
By Steve Dentinger
RECENTLY, security dealers and integrators in the access control industry have seen a great shake-up. Widespread demand and overall adoption of IP-compatible devices has, in many cases, introduced security dealers to the IT world for the first time.
Departments
By Brent Dirks
SECURITY, a once seemingly mundane staple of American life, has seen a drastic reconstruction in recent years. In part, protecting utility infrastructures has sped to the forefront of the debate. Water, and its infrastructure for delivery, has been no exception.
By Col. Timothy D. Ringgold
THE Transportation Security Administration is doing a good job protecting air travelers. Likewise, airport security managers are working hard to keep the public safe and to speed us through the facilities. Until recently, getting through airport security was technologically simple -- bags were run through an X-ray scanner while walking through a conventional metal detector.
By Ralph C Jensen
MOST security professionals are well aware of the Discovery channel's "It Takes a Thief." Bad guys turned good citizens stake out a home, break in, steal what they can and trash the place. Though the family is a willing participant in the exercise, when and how the intruders get in is totally a surprise.