October 2007
Features
By Oliver Vellacott
The IP video market is growing rapidly, having been accepted as a mature technology with a field-proven record. IP networking of security systems will eventually penetrate the majority of the market—it has too many cost and performance advantages not to do so.
When people think of Manhattan, they usually envision soaring high rises equipped with white-gloved doormen or charming and luxurious prewar brownstones. Yet within the last year, the real estate market has seen a rise in a new and exciting breed of buildings -- what many are dubbing "the boutiques."
By Keith Jentoft
By Dr. Bob Banerjee
The growing popularity of video surveillance over the past 10 years has been fueled by lower costs and user-friendly systems. More and more, enterprises are beginning to employ IP-based components as part of their surveillance systems, and recent numbers suggest this growing trend will become the rule, rather than the exception. Most owners of legacy surveillance systems are implementing IP when expanding the system for new construction or replacing non-functioning equipment -- not in a rip-and-replace scenario.
By Megan Weadock
This fall, students across the country returned to schools that look nothing like those of the past. Today, metal detectors, security cameras and access control readers are all part of the education landscape, especially in larger districts. However, as the rash of school shootings in recent years has shown, violence and crime can happen anywhere.
By Peter Boriskin
When Paul Baratta signed on as director of public safety for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, he set out to bring a greater sense of security to staff and patients alike. Previously, the hospital had two distinct security systems that did not communicate. There was no way to secure sensitive areas while still allowing people to visit patients and conduct other hospital business.
By John Petze
Since September 2001, the nation has undergone some significant changes in the way it addresses transportation security and, particularly, identity verification. For example, the TWIC program, governed under the auspices of the Transportation Security Administration, now requires that every transportation employee in America, at every port, terminal and station, be positively identified by a government-authorized credential in the form of a smart card.
By Patrick J. Conte
Ask any security officer what keeps him or her up at night, chances are having to deal with the fallout of a data breach will be high on the short list. If you scan headlines over the past year, you can see why—according to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, since 2005, more than 165 million records from private companies, government organizations and universities containing sensitive personal information have been involved in security breaches.
By Stephen Daniels
It's no surprise that cities are transforming the way they protect themselves. Local police and security personnel now carry anti-terrorism and disaster response technologies. And utilities and other critical urban infrastructures have come under increased scrutiny. Behind the scenes, federal and state grants are reshaping urban security strategies nationwide.
Departments
By Megan Weadock
It's a terrifying thought -- a hacker breaks past a company's firewall and has unlimited access to a jackpot of data, from employee information to trade secrets and financial details.
By Fredrik Nilsson
It seems that life in the 21st century is all about the digital revolution—from talking cars to multitasking smart phones to high-definition digital television sets. Perhaps one of the biggest reality checks of this digital age is the additional training required for professionals who sell, install or even repair such devices to remain competent in their fields. Without continuing education, thousands of professionals and technicians lose work.
By Security Products Staff
Supercircuits is celebrating 19 years of providing a valuable service to dealers and integrators in the security industry. The company is extremely proud of its ability to offer high-performance products at lower prices, huge in-stock inventory and industry-leading warranties for all their products. We were eager to know how the company has been able to maintain this success and keep growing the bottom line. We spent a few minutes with CEO Mark del Thompson to gain valuable business insight.
By Karina Sanchez
Those in the security industry know that protection doesn't just stop with police officers and first responders.
By Leslie Stevens
Some business owners start their company by themselves, some take over from a previous owner and others work with a business partner. From time to time, and for different reasons, integrators need to restart their business. One common reason for restarting a business is the separation of two partners. This month's "Dealer Spotlight" examines how Jeff Harrington, of Statesville, N.C.-based Integrated Home Solutions, successfully restarted his company in a new location after separating from his former partner.
By Steve Surfaro
New technologies are taking the world by storm. That means the security industry is in the midst of change and product rebirth. The same holds true for recording devices. DVRs are cost-effective, and NVRs are state-of-theart. Not sure which to choose? Read what Panasonic group manager Steve Surfaro has to say and then decide.
By Jim Coleman
According to the Department of Education, there are an average of 15 murders on U.S. university and college campuses each year -- not taking into account the recent Virginia Tech shootings that resulted in 33 deaths. Then there are 2,500 rapes and 3,000 cases of assault that also occur annually, as well as many crimes that go unreported because the victims are too scared or embarrassed to come forward. All these incidents give school officials cause for dusting off security plans and reevaluating them.
By Ralph C Jensen
It’s never too early to talk about the 2008 presidential election. Campaigning is well underway for an event that takes place more than a year from now. Political pundits are having a heyday, and the media is taking note of every word. Candidates are jostling for positions and there are already discussion on who has the lead.
By Cassandra Cranston
With advancements in technology, the concept of security in data centers has changed dramatically over the years. As most operations are now performed remotely, physical security must blend with software-based auditing and logging mechanisms to maintain the same security level achieved in the past.
By Col. Timothy D. Ringgold
In spite of, or perhaps because of, my 30 years of military service, I remain skeptical of both the efficiency of government and how much it can be trusted to handle private information.