July 2007
Features
By Kim Rahfaldt
THOSE in security know that each day brings its own surprises. Today, access control is on the LAN and moving to the network edge. Video is truly on the network and making great strides to become tomorrow’s proactive tool to deter crime. Customers are demanding increased integration, and the pressure is on to provide an all-inclusive solution with installation at a reasonable cost. But, providing a truly integrated solution requires deep links between access control and digital video.
By Mike Studer
YOU’VE heard it all before. “We’re living in a post-9/11 world.” “The terrorist threat is higher than ever.” “It’s just a matter of time before the next Sept. 11.” Yes, it’s tired. But unfortunately, it’s the truth. The fact is, terror threats continue to be a top concern at critical infrastructure sites. And domestic criminals continue to evolve and become smarter and more savvy in efforts to thwart security measures.
By Roger Roehr
FACED with the prospect of security threats and ever-changing federal regulations, many airports have been stymied in the quest to enhance the safety of air travel. Fortunately, the evolution of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program provides a useful guide that airports can confidently follow without fear of technology obsolescence.
By Tom Hoffman
THERMAL security cameras are imagers that see heat, or thermal energy, in an object. The human eye cannot detect thermal energy.
By Oliver Vellacott
ANALYTICS can detect suspicious movement from people walking along a street, detect terrorists walking around a hillside a mile away or pick an offender out from a sea of faces. These are just some of the misconceptions about current analytics. Was there ever a product so over-promised and under-delivered? The reality is analytics technology is still in its infancy.
By Mariann McDonagh
CRITICAL infrastructure organizations, including airports, seaports, energy manufacturing facilities and telecommunications networks, are essential to functioning of societies and economies.
By Scott Takaoka
TRANSPORTATION settings present challenging lighting, temperature and motion capture conditions for surveillance cameras.
Departments
By Col. Timothy D. Ringgold
NATIONAL identification cards were being promoted long before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, as a means to identify potential terrorists, curb illegal immigration and thwart criminal activity. Countries around the world are already using national ID cards. Singapore recently implemented Singapore Personal Access, or “SingPass,” an ID used for e-government services. Germany uses an encrypted biometric national ID. Malaysia established “Mykad,” a universal-purpose ID card, and no less than a dozen other countries have issued contracts to develop the infrastructure to support a national ID card.
By Karina Sanchez
PEOPLE know the name. They trust the brand and the employees behind it to protect them in their homes and businesses. ADT Security Services is known for many things, but probably most important is its involvement in helping protect the helpless. ADT’s AWARE (Abused Women’s Active Response Emergency) program, which began 15 years ago, is an effort to help protect victims of domestic abuse. The program has already won countless awards and continues to gain notoriety.
By Brent Dirks
CRIME never stands still. And in a big city like Chicago, with its fair share of criminals, police are always trying to stay a step ahead of the bad guys.
By Ralph C Jensen
U.S. facilities that cater mainly to the chemical industry have always been a priority when it comes to security. Soon after the 9/11 terror attacks, and without waiting for government mandates, some chemical companies formed what is known as the Responsible Care® network, taking the lead in adopting the Responsible Care Security Code.
By Bill Burgess
RISK management is a key focus for nearly all business owners and also is the motive behind the decision to invest in advanced, top-of-the-line physical security systems. Some of today’s new technologies in the security industry seem to come straight out of a James Bond movie. Forward-thinking manufacturers have made improvements in technologies like Web-based access control, biometrics, intelligent video and asset tracking to stay a step ahead of end users’ security needs.
By Roni Kass
SEEDS of insanity have cropped up in society and are becoming a growing challenge for school security. The recent rash of school shootings, including the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, signal an ominous trend.