Security Management articles from March 2002

Security Management archives from March 2002

Letters.
March 1, 2002... Compulsory Reading The "Viewpoint" by Harry Azano entitled "Will the New Threat Result in Real Change" (December) is an excellent article and should be compulsory reading for all those associated with the security industry. For too long...

Tampa facial recognition a failure, ACLU claims. (News and Trends).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The much-publicized use of facial recognition technology on the streets of Tampa, Florida, has been a failure-not identifying a single criminal suspect and coming up with "many false positives"--and it is, in effect, being abandoned, according...

New help for critical infrastructures. (News and Trends).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... If four words could sum up U.S. homeland defense, it might be "It's the infrastructure, stupid." Recognizing how vulnerable power plants, computer networks, oil facilities, and other such entities are to the nation, officials have been...

Pepper spray doesn't impair breathing, says new report. (News and Trends).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Law enforcement officials and private security professionals ho use pepper spray can breathe easier knowing that their targets are breathing freely as well. New research shows that exposure to pepper spray, or oleoresin capsicum (OC), does not...

Court curtails safe haven of arbitration. (News and Trends).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Companies increasingly require that new employees sign arbitration agreements when they are hired to save the business from costly legal battles when employees have complaints, such as discrimination claims. But now the Supreme Court has...

Transit systems urge rapid assistance. (News and Trends).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... A terrorist strike against a mass transit system would be a double blow: an attack on a critical infrastructure and the elimination of an evacuation route. This is the core concern of the leading mass transit agencies, as made evident at a...

Antiterrorism. (Home on the Page).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The number of state Web sites discussing terrorism planning, bioterrorism preparedness, disease control, and related topics has skyrocketed in the last several months. For example, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs offers basic...

Law enforcement. (Home on the Page).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In ordinary times, it would be shocking to see armed military personnel roaming U.S. streets. But National Guard troops have recently been deployed prominently at airports and at high-profile events, such as last month's Winter Olympics. Use of...

False alarms. (Home on the Page).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... For years, law enforcement and security professionals have been sounding the alarm over false alarms. Police response to about 38 million alarm activations, most false, cost about $1.5 billion in 1998. A new guide developed by the Justice...

Investigations. (Home on the Page).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... The FBI has investigated hundreds of suspects or witnesses who are potentially linked to the September 11 attacks--detaining many of them indefinitely--but it remains to be seen how many of these people will be found to have an actual...

Workplace violence. (Home on the Page).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... It seems that a month doesn't go by without a workplace murder in the headlines. It may come as a surprise, then, that the number of workplace homicides is down percent from 1993 to 1999, the latest year for which data is available, according...

Urban renewal. (Working Wise).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... If you're in the market for a rattan doghouse built to resemble an antique discovered in Avignon, France, Anthropologie is your place. This high-end retail chain caters to the upscale woman's market. Anthropologie's parent company, Urban...

Too much information: Managers can use a decision-modeling process to make tough choices easier. (Leading Edge).
March 1, 2002... Security managers face a range of daunting decisions, such as choosing among several vendors for a multimillion-dollar security system contract, selecting a contract security guard provider for multiple facilities, or hiring the right candidate...

One brick in the security wall: One of the most important elements of information security-the regular patching of software vulnerabilities-is often a loose brick in the security wall. (Tech Talk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Building an effective level of information security can be likened to building a brick wall. There are many bricks in the information-security wall, from safe computing practices to intrusion-detection systems. However, one of the most...

Law enforcement targets warez sites. (Tech Talk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... A series of international law enforcement investigations into software pirate gangs culminated simultaneously late last year with the execution of dozens of search warrants around the world, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The...

Secret service cybertools. (Tech Talk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The U.S. Secret Service and the International Association of Chiefs of Police have created a virtual-reality tool to assist law enforcement agents in combating technology-based financial crimes, including cybercrime and identity theft. The...

Energy industry shares infosec data. (Tech Talk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... An Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) for the energy industry is now in operation. The energy ISAC, like other ISACs in industries such as finance and information technology, was a key recommendation in the National Petroleum...

Not masters of their Domain. (Tech Talk).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Every Web site depends on a properly functioning Domain Name System (DNS) server to get visitors to its site. The DNS is the device that translates text Web addresses, or URLs, into numeric IP addresses. But servers are often improperly...

Code wars: Virus attack trends; The worms of 2001 are the building blocks of the next generation of threats to the Internet, which are likely to be faster, harder to fight, and deadlier. (Computer Security).
March 1, 2002... In Star Wars, the forces of good and evil wage battle against one another, but ironically both draw their strength from the same source: The Force. The concept of a single power that can be used for ill or good is a fitting metaphor for the...

Northern composure: Teaching conflict resolution skills to staff has markedly decreased aggressive behavior at the University College of the Fraser Valley.(University College of the Fraser Valley)
March 1, 2002... CLEAR LAKES, LUSH FARMS, AND JAGGED peaks dot the Fraser Valley landscape, a strip of land that extends northeast from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Despite the serene backdrop, students at the University College of the Fraser Valley...

Meat scare feeds media frenzy: Find out how one company dealt with a threat of product tampering and how the lessons can be applied to any situation. (Business Continuity).
March 1, 2002... ON NOVEMBER 10, 2001, THE FBI announced the profile of the person they think may be responsible for the anthrax-laced letters sent last fall to media notables and members of the U.S. congress. The description suggests that the letters are the...

Training for tense times: Security professionals at four companies discuss their violence response teams. (Focus on Employment).
March 1, 2002... ON JANUARY 9, local authorities found an extensive firearms cache allegedly belonging to David Reza, a fired nuclear power plant worker in California. The worker was reported to have made threats that he would get revenge by killing former...

Past as prologue assessing job candidates: By understanding the legal theory of negligent hiring, companies can avoid lawsuits. (Focus on Employment).
March 1, 2002... COURTS IN 30 STATES recognize the theory of negligent hiring, under which companies can be held liable for the actions of their employees. The negligent hiring theory holds that employers who know or have reason to believe that an employee...

Designing trouble away: Palm trees and Jogging Paths Pave way for Subtle Security. (Physical Security).
March 1, 2002... SECURITY IS IN THE FOREFRONT of national attention as a result of the September u, 2001, terrorist attacks, especially within the government. But federal facilities had already been ratcheting up security following earlier incidents, such as...

The electronic witness. (Investigations).
March 1, 2002... IT WAS ANY COMPANY'S WORST-CASE SCENARIO. Richard, a high-level engineer with utilities company ABC Electric Inc. (all names have been fictionalized), suddenly resigned his job and, along with another engineer, went to work for a newly created...

Year of the virus. (Quick Bytes).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Last year, one of every 370 e-mails contained a virus, according to British anti-virus company MessageLabs. That's almost double the number from 2000, and quadruple the number from 1999. The most common viruses included Sircam (which steals...

NIST guides. (Quick Bytes).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Two information security draft publications are available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The first, the "Security Guide for Interconnecting Information Technology Systems," provides guidance for planning and...

Order in cybercourt. (Quick Bytes).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... A high-speed, high-tech cybercourt, signed into law in Michigan recently by Governor John Engler, will begin hearing cases later this year. Michigan's cybercourt will have jurisdiction over business and commercial actions in which the disputed...

Video surveillance. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Alpha Systems Lab of Costa Mesa, California, has introduced RemoteWatch Xperience 4.0, a comprehensive digital video transmission and storage tool designed for the surveillance industry. Its modular de sign allows users to buy only the needed...

Proximity Cards. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Checkpoint Systems, Inc., of Thorofare, New Jersey, has introduced Performa Proximity Plus Cards, which are compatible with Checkpoint's RFID asset tracking product line. The new credit-card-sized cards feature "flipchip" assembly and use a...

Proximity Reader. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The new Performa Proximity Reader from Checkpoint Systems, Inc., of Thorofare, New Jersey, can be mounted directly on any type of wall or door mullion, including metal, without affecting its ID reading performance. The reader is weatherized to...

Varifocal lenses. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Canon USA Inc. of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, has introduced two new lines of varifocal lenses. The HV7517 series lenses are designed for 1/2" CCTV cameras and have a focal length of 7.5mm to 75mm. The TV5513 series lenses are designed for...

Low-light lenses. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Computar's new aspherical varifocal lenses improve camera performance in low light. The lenses, from CBC America of Commack, New York, are available in 2.7-8mm and 3.5-10mm extended range varifocals that provide twice as much light gathering...

Digital Video Recorder. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... With sophisticated alarm handling, advanced video search, and playback functions, the AXIS 2460 Network DVR from Axis Communications of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, allows real-time network recording of user-defined video sequences from up to...

Optical Turnstiles. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Barrier Arm Optical Turnstiles from Designed Security, Inc., of Bastrop, Texas, provide a visual, psychological barrier that communicates to pedestrians that authorization is required before entering the secured area. These units monitor up to...

Exit devices. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Value Series panic- and fire-exit-hardware, available from Detex Corporation of New Braunfels, Texas, features alarmed and nonalarmed rim exit devices. They are designed to provide facility and security managers with an easy, affordable way to...

Access control software demo. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... DSX Access Systems Inc. of Dallas, Texas, has produced a demonstration CD-ROM to provide an extensive walkthrough of the WinDSX access system. Among the many features highlighted is the program's photo identification badging application. The...

Dual printer/laminator. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The P720 dual-sided color card printer from Eltron Card Printer Products of Camarillo, California, has a one-pass dual-sided laminator for printing durable, secure, long-life cards. Its builtin wasteless and linerless laminator produces...

Hand-held metal detector. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Garrett Metal Detectors of Garland, Texas, has introduced a hand-held metal detector for security and law enforcement applications. The Garrett SuperWand is a slender detector with a new ergonomic grip designed to fit comfortably in the hand....

Mobile Workstation. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Hirsch Electronics Corporation of Santa Ana, California, has incorporated the technology of a wireless Ethernet and a tablet PC into Version 2.0 of Velocity to create the Mobile Workstation for Guards. A guard is now able to do everything that...

Web-based background screening. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... HireRight, Inc., of Irvine, California, provides a variety of Internet-based background screening services. The company's background-verification, drug-screening, skills-testing, and behavioral-assessment tools enable organizations worldwide to...

Digital video recorder. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... March Networks Corporation of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, has introduced the 4300 digital video recorder with version 3.0 software, which is designed for organizations with requirements for multisite installations, high reliability, and...

Proximity keyfob. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... FlexKey, the new proximity keyfob from Indala of San Jose, California, is compatible with the entire FlexPass line, allowing it to be easily incorporated into an existing system. The RF-programmable keyfob features up to 172 user-definable bits...

Personal telephone security. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Privatel is a personal telephone security unit manufactured by L-3 Communications Corporation of Camden, New Jersey. The unit encrypts voice communications to prevent eavesdropping, so users can keep their private conversations private. It is...

Integrated video. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... OnGuard Video from Lenel Systems International Inc. of Pittsford, New York, seamlessly integrates digital video with alarms or events generated by third-party controllers. Live, prerecorded, or archived video can be displayed in multiple video...

Key management system. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The KeyWatcher from Morse Watchman of Oxford, Connecticut, is an expandable key management system designed to prevent lost or stolen keys. Each company key is fitted to a Smart Key, which has steel rings that lock into a color-coded housing...

High-Sensitivity Metal Detector. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Metorex Security Products Oy of Finland has developed the METOR 200 HS High Sensitivity Walk Through Metal Detector, which is designed to detect very small ferrous and nonferrous items, such as a piece of razor blade, a metal shank, or a...

Covert video system. (ISC West Product Showcase).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Micro Technology Services, Inc., of Richardson, Texas, has introduced the GUARDIAN NV, a portable covert video system that allows a temporary problem to be immediately monitored from a control center or a desk. The system is activated by a...

Fire Alarm System. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... The D6600 NetCom Fire Alarm Reporting System from Radionics of Salinas, California, has received UL 864 Commercial Fire Listing for communication of fire alarms over private data networks and the Internet. The system combines the features of...

Online access control proposals. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Northern Computers Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers a 24-hour project configuration and proposal generation service for the WIN-PAK Access Control systems. Quick Quote is designed to help the most inexperienced of security professionals...

Vandal-Proof Cameras. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Vandal Proof Mini-Dome Cameras from Panasonic Security Systems Group of Secaucus, New Jersey, are available in surface-mount and flush-mount configurations. They offer the performance benefits of Super Dynamic II camera technology to capture...

Systems integration. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Houston-based SimplexGrinnell, a unit of Tyco Fire and Security Services, offers the personnel, the expertise, the technology, and the local-delivery infrastructure to provide comprehensive, integrated solutions that solve customers' security...

Digital imaging system. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Impressions is a new digital imaging system from IDenticard Systems Inc. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The system offers complete control over image adjustment, including how the image or photo is captured and graphic details including size,...

Countersurveillance devices. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Research Electronics International LLC of Cookeville, Tennessee, specializes in developing eavesdropping detection and countermeasure equipment, including the OSCOR, a countersurveillance spectrum analyzer designed specifically for professional...

Automated vehicle detector. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The MAXxess Unauthorized Vehicle Presence Module is an intelligent processor and camera system that can detect vehicles in all outdoor lighting and weather conditions. Made by MAXxess of Anaheim, California, the module is not just a motion...

Multiplexer/digital recorder. (ISC West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Vicon Industries Inc. of Hauppauge, New York, has introduced a combination multiplexer and digital video/audio recorder. The AurorAcorD digital recorder features a programmable system-recording rate. Up to 16 channels of audio and video can be...

Fiber-Optic Communication. (ISC West Product Showcase).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... International Fiber Systems Incorporated of Newtown, Connecticut, has introduced the Orion Fiber Optic Communication System, a 300-input by 90-output virtual matrix switch that provides a cost-effective fiber-optic transmission system platform...

Proximity sticker. (ISC West Product Showcase).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... The Prox Wafer from AWID of Monsey, New York, is a 1-inch PVC disc that carries a coil and integrated circuit and can be programmed like any other proximity credential. Users can transform an existing ID card or badge into a proximity...

Video management. (Isc West Product Showcase).(Tyco Electronic Product Group/Software House)(advertisement)(Advertising)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Tyco Electronic Product Group/Software House of Lexington, Massachusetts, has added C-CURE NetVue to its C-CURE 800/8000 security management system. The new feature provides seamless integration with network video management and an interface...

Network Control System. (Isc West Product Showcase).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... The NOVA V1500 CPU Digital Network Control is new from Vicon Industries Inc. of Hauppauge, New York A network-ready central controller for matrix switching systems and video peripherals such as camera dome systems, keypads and receivers, it...

Badge-reel clamp. (Isc West Product Showcase).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... The Card Clamp from J.A.M. Plastics of Anaheim, California, is an optional end fitting for retractable badge reels. The clamp grips a card without the user needing to punch a slot in it. It also works well with proximity and smart cards that...

Computer-managed lockset. (Isc West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The new SDC E72 EntryCheck from Security Door Controls of Westlake Village, California, is a battery-powered standalone lockset with all the features associated with hardwired systems. The 16-button alphanumeric keypad is programmable or...

Webcam/Webserver. (Isc West Product Showcase).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The QSNET WebCam and WebServer provide digital video networking capabilities. From TeleSite USA, Inc., of Tenafly, New Jersey, the WebCam is a self-contained, four-channel, network-ready digital video transmitter. It has three video input...

Product information CD. (Isc West Product Showcase).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Safety Technology International, Inc., of Waterford, Michigan, has introduced an / electronic catalog on a CD-ROM that includes all company literature and a PowerPoint presentation. The company manufactures protective covers, multipurpose...

Integrated access control. (ISC West Product Showcase).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Galaxy Control Systems of Walkersville, Maryland, designs and manufactures integrated access control solutions that can interface with all reader technologies, including smart readers and biometric readers, making it easy to upgrade existing...

Multipurpose Proximity cards. (ISC West Product Showcase).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The HID Proximity and MIFARE card (Model 1431) provides users with a single card that can be used for access control and/or data applications, as well as for photo ID. Users can simplify database management by having the HID Corporation of...

Push-button locks. (ISC West Product Showcase).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Kaba Ilco of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, offers a family of locks operated with codes instead of keys. These push-button locks are a basic component in any large access control system or a complete system by themselves for smaller premises....

International security show. (CSI West Product Showcase).
March 1, 2002... Security 2002, the world's largest international security trade show, will take place in Essen, Germany, October 8-11, 2002, at the Messe Essen Convention Center. More than 900 exhibitors from over 30 countries and 34,000 trade buyers from more...

Speed dome camera. (CSI West Product Showcase).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... GVI Security, Inc., doing business as Samsung CCTV, has added the SCC-641 speed dome camera to its OCTV (Open Circuit Television) fully integrated solutions. The camera can be adapted to the Internet with the addition of the SCC-641 Network...

Telephone-line monitor. (CSI West Product Showcase).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The TELGUARD, made by Atlanta-based Telular, monitors a security system's weakest component, the telephone line. During telephone-line fault conditions, such as a cut line or interrupted service, traditional security systems cannot communicate...

Judicial decisions. (Legal Reporter).
March 1, 2002... Retaliation. According to a federal appeals court ruling, a company's admission that it terminated an employee in response to a request that his attorney be allowed to videotape his workstation for a workers' compensation case was sufficient...

Community Policing: A Handbook for Beat Cops and Supervisors.
March 1, 2002... Community Policing: A Handbook for Beat Cops and Supervisors. By Howard Rahtz published Criminal Justice Press, 845/354/9139 (phone), 845/362/8376 (fax); 134 pages; $1850. The jury is still out on whether community policing is working in...

Jane's Facility Security Handbook. (Reviews).
March 1, 2002... Jane's Facility Security Handbook. By Christopher Koziow and John Sullivan; published by Jane's Information Group, 703/683-3700 (phone), 703/836-0029 (fax); 320 pages; $50. Jane's is a well-respected name in defense and military circles....

Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook.
March 1, 2002... Jane's Chem-Bio Handbook. By Frederick R. Sidell, William C. Patrick, Ill, and Thomas R. Dashiell; published by Jane's Information Group, 703/663-3700 (phone), 703/836-0029 (fax); 298 pages; $50. In today's "War on Terrorism" and focus on...

Java Security, 2nd Edition. (Reviews).
March 1, 2002... Java Security, 2nd Edition. By Scott Oaks; published by O'Reilly & Associates, 800/998-9938 (phone), 707/829-0104 (fax); 618 pages; $4495. Like the stimulating brew with which it shares its name, Java is a rich programming language that...

Temporary ID badge. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... From TEMPbadge of Suffern, New York, the VOIDbadge is activated by covering the void area of a plastic ID with a two-part sticker called a TIMEtoken, which automatically expires by turning red after a day, a week, or a month. Once the sticker...

Access control software. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... International Electronics, Inc., of Canton, Massachusetts, has released Hub Manager Professional, a software program to operate IEI Hub Secured Series access control systems. The new software has the ability to network up to 32 doors per site...

Card printer/encoder. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Fargo Electronics, Inc., based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has introduced a card printer/encoder with internal E-Card docking station and encoders to manage electronic card technologies such as ISO 7816 contact smart chips, Mifare contactless...

Visitor access control. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The BA-100 Indoor Card Reader and the BA-300 Card Drop System form an efficient access control system for visitors. Created by Barcode Automation Inc. of Winter Springs, Florida, the units are constructed of modular components and have a...

Proximity reader. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... HID Corporation of Irvine, California, has introduced the new generation ProxProll proximity reader that provides an additional inch of read range and fully potted electronics. It requires only 5 volts for operation and can be mounted on glass....

One-part visitor badge. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... New from TEMPbadge of Suffern, New York, is the TEMPbadge ONEstep, a self-expiring ID badge that requires no assembly. The user simply pulls the liner and presses to activate the badge. An activated badge changes color automatically, turning...

Time-Lapse Recorder. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Designed for high-quality color and black-and-white recordings at an economical price, the AGRT850 Real Motion VHS Time Lapse Recorder is new from Panasonic Security Systems Group of Secaucus, New Jersey. It provides real-motion recording in...

Digital video recorder. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... The Image Vault is a multifunctional digital video recorder with point-of-sale features and exception-reporting capabilities. Made by Fire King Security Products of New Albany, Indiana, the unit's features tie into a store's cash registers,...

Day/night cameras. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
March 1, 2002... Panasonic Security Systems Group of Secaucus, New Jersey, has introduced a new line of day/night cameras. The WV-CP470 Camera Series combines Super Dynamic II camera technology with day/night capability for sharp images in most lighting...