Biometric Software Secures Credit Card Purchases
Trying to remember dozens of Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), passwords and credit card numbers could soon become a thing of the past, thanks to a unique face recognition software developed by a University of Houston (UG) research team, reports the Hindustan Times.
The software uses a 3-D dimensional snapshot of a person's face to create a unique identifier or biometric.
The software development team, led by Eckhard Pfeiffer Professor Ioannis Kakadiaris at the Computational Biomedicine Lab (CBL), says URxD could be used for everything from gaining access to secure facilities to authorizing credit card purchases. ...
Colleges Plan For Security As School Starts
As colleges welcome back students for another academic year, they'll also be putting some new security measures in place -- some high-tech, some old-fashioned.
In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings in April, college officials everywhere fielded calls from parents and students, reviewed emergency plans and systems, and added new tools to improve campus safety, reports the Spokesman-Review.
The most common approach seems to be two-pronged: a combination of siren or speaker systems and new text-messaging networks. That combination is in place at Washington State University (WSU), and it's on the way at Whitworth University, Spokane, Wash....
Study Reveals Insight for Mobile Wireless User Protection
A global third-party study commissioned by Cisco Systems Inc. and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) reveals behavioral findings among mobile wireless workers that spotlight the human side of security, as businesses and IT organizations empower more and more employees to remain connected outside of their offices.
Conducted this spring by InsightExpress, an independent market research firm, the study explores what is at stake for businesses striving to become mobile, and, therefore, more agile and efficient. It reveals findings gleaned from more than 700 mobile employees in seven countries that have adopted wireless technologies widely: the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, South Korea and Singapore. ...
Smart Technology In The Office Opens Back Doors
Information is routed in huge amounts through networked printers, copiers and scanners every day, moving hard-copy data into information technology systems and putting digital data onto paper. And although most federal agencies have been working hard to secure their systems, little thought has been put into securing these devices, according to Government Computer News.
The potential problem of smart peripherals has developed gradually, as stand-alone scanners, faxes and copiers have been integrated into online printers. Not only are these peripherals privy to sensitive information, they often have their own IP addresses and can be vulnerable to network attacks. ...
Bank Employs New Security Tactics
Once inside First Mutual Bank's main branch in Bellevue, Wash., people might wonder where the windows are....
Day-Care Centers Look To Security
Biometrics is being used in at least two Broward County day-care centers, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
"Parents love it," says Renee Johnson, district manager of Tutor Time Child Care, which uses the biometric system in its centers in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, Fla. "The parents say, 'This is technology beyond belief.' When we get phone call inquiries or give tours, the biggest question parents ask, 'Is my child safe?'"
Security is a growing concern at day-care centers, which confront issues ranging from custody disputes to the threat of child abductions and terrorism. Today, many day-care centers monitor or restrict access to their buildings by using digital keypads or swipe cards, door buzzers and surveillance cameras, features rarely seen a decade ago....
China Reveals Security Strategy For 2008 Olympic Games
The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released its China Olympic Security Update, a comprehensive analysis of China's investment in security products and services for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Created in collaboration with SINOTRUST, SIA's Olympic Update examines the myriad security challenges and the technologies being deployed to safeguard both Beijing and the many Olympic venues.
"This report underscores that the Olympic Games not only showcase world-class athletes, they showcase world-class security technologies and services from our industry," says Richard Chace, SIA executive director and CEO. "People across the globe will be wondering how one of the world's premier events will deal with security threats and issues. SIA's China Olympic Security Update goes a long way toward answering those questions."...
Study Finds Internal Theft Biggest Issue
Most major retailers perceive wrongly that shrink is a bigger problem for their competitors than for their own organizations, according to a new research report by the Loss Prevention Research Council, sponsored by IntelliVid.
According to the study of more than 100 major U.S. retailers, only 10 percent characterized their shrink as high compared to their competitors, while 65.5 percent said it was average. Twenty-four and half percent said their annual shrinkage was lower than average. One reason for this misperception may be there is no agreed-upon shrink measurement method, according to the survey.
While 42.9 percent of respondents said their companies measure shrink "at cost," some 57.1 percent reported their companies measure shrink "at retail price." The differences exist within and between retail segments....
Security Favored Over Privacy
With the eyes of big brother following Americans, the debate grows over security versus privacy in the United States. Critics question the high costs and privacy issues that come with such heavy surveillance.
An ABC/Washington Post poll says 71 percent of Americans favor the increased use of surveillance cameras....
Keynote Speaker Highlights Infosecurity NY And ISC East
This year's co-located ISC East and Infosecurity events will kick-off on Sept. 11 with keynote speaker Anthony Reyes. The former NYPD computer crimes detective, who now serves as president for the High Technology Crime Investigation Association and chairs the Education and Training Group for the National Institute of Justice's Electronic Crime Partner Initiative, is well equipped to address professionals in all sectors of security. Reyes will provide a perspective on today's most pressing security concerns for all security professionals.
"We're thrilled to have Mr. Reyes provide the keynote presentation," says Dean Russo, group vice president, Life Safety and Security portfolio, Reed Exhibitions. "We couldn't have found a better person given Mr. Reyes' experience in both law enforcement and information technology. He truly understands modern security threats. His expertise, along with his personal connection to New York, makes him an ideal keynote." ...
How Vulnerable Are Access Card Systems?
According to a researcher who spoke and demonstrated his methods at the DEF CON hacker conference last weekend, a range of access card readers designed to grant or deny entry to office buildings, airport terminals and other sensitive areas are inherently insecure and easy to hack, reports The Washington Post.
Researcher Zac Franken showed how to use an ordinary proximity card -- a common ID access card that transmits encoded data as a radio frequency signal when waved in front of a reader -- in combination with a tiny programmable chip to gain access to restricted areas protected by any card reader that uses a Wiegand communications standard, according to The Washington Post....
Schneider Electric "Extremely Pleased" With Pelco Acquisition
"Schneider Electric is an ideal partner for Pelco. Both companies share the same commitment to people, innovation and customer service that will make our combined enterprise an even stronger, more competitive player in the industry. We look forward to the unique benefits this partnership will bring to our customers and employees," says David McDonald, president and chief executive officer of Pelco.
The comment is in response to the recent acquisition of Pelco Inc. by Schneider Electric of Rueil-Malmaison, France. Acquisition of the supplier of video security systems will further strengthen Schneider Electric's Building Automation offering....
Pelco To Be Acquired By Schneider Electric
Officials of Clovis, CA based Pelco announced today that the company has reached an agreement to become acquired by Schneider Electric of Rueil-Malmaison, France. Schneider Electric is the world's power and control specialist. With 112,000 employees and operations in 190 countries, Schneider Electric generated sales of $17.2 billion in 2006. The price to be paid for this transaction is $1.22 billion expressed as an enterprise value on a cash-free, debt-free basis. In addition, Schneider Electric will pay to the sellers the net present value of a tax benefit resulting from the step-up of Pelco's assets, representing $320 million. As a consequence, the total price paid in cash at closing will be $1.54 billion. The transaction is subject to anti-trust and other regulatory clearance and is expected to close by October 2007....
New System Identifies Handwriting
Whether its perfect penmanship or chicken-scratch, handwriting could provide an effective form of online security.
With a new authentication program called Dynahand, users are not required to remember passwords or invest in costly biometric devices, such as a fingerprint scanner. They just need to be able to recognize their own handwriting.
"I know it's my handwriting, but I don't know how I know. I can't explain to somebody else how I do it," says Karen Renaud, a computer scientist and lecturer at Glasgow University in the U.K....
The Downside Of Bringing Technology To Work
American Airlines employees may be disappointed when they bring their slick new iPhones to work. The Apple device didn't make the cut of the airline's recently updated list of mobile devices allowed to sync with the company's IT systems, reports Business Week.
"We'll only let certain things connect to our network," says American Airlines Chief Information Officer Monte Ford. His main concern is ensuring outside electronics don't undermine the company's data security.
That preoccupation is widespread in the business world. IT departments at companies ranging from Qwest Communications International, to Bank of America and even to the McGraw-Hill Companies aren't supporting the iPhone....
Canadian Ferries Considering Tougher Security
A recent bomb threat at British Columbia's Ferry recent bomb threat will mean extra closed-circuit cameras and more secure fences, but may not involve some other security measures.
The ferry corporation moves an average of 60,000 people a day and is waiting for Transport Canada to determine whether the country's domestic ferry services should face tougher security regulations.
That could lead to X-ray baggage screening or systematic vehicle searches, however a spokeswoman for the provincial ferry corporation warned such changes would cause significant delays....
U.S. To See High Growth In IP Surveillance
Analysis from Frost & Sullivan on the North American IP Video Surveillance Storage Market reveals that the market earned revenues of $1.26 billion in 2006 and estimates increases to$2.95 billion by 2013.
The advantages of digital technology in analyzing and providing real-time feedback will likely fuel the IP video surveillance storage systems market. In addition to growing security concerns, the possibility of integration with the IT infrastructure provides the necessary business case for security managers to shift from analog to IP surveillance....
Ponemon Institute Releases Yearly Database Security Survey
Technological advancements allow enterprises to be efficient and connected in ways that were not possible in the past. This increased connectivity provides many benefits, but has also left businesses increasingly vulnerable to threats from outsiders as well as entities within their organization. As a result of these challenges, enterprises wrestle with how to protect their intellectual property and prevent the remediation costs and damage to brand that can result from unintended exposure of customer and employee data.
Application Security Inc. and the Ponemon Institute have conducted an inaugural study on database security to document how business and government organizations secure database resources and respond to targeted threats. The survey queried 649 respondents in corporate information technology (IT) departments within United States and EMEA based business or governmental organizations....
Connecticut Bill Prohibits Security Non-Compete Agreements
Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R-Conn.) has signed a bill prohibiting private security contractors from imposing non-compete agreements on security officers. The legislation enables security officers to be re-hired at buildings when security contracts change hands. The law takes effect Oct. 1, 2007.
"Non-compete agreements for low-wage workers are virtually unheard of," says Kurt Westby, Local 32BJ Connecticut State Director. "By signing this new legislation, Gov. Rell is helping keep Connecticut buildings protected by knowledgeable security officers regardless of turnover of security contractors."...
Easy Access A Top Reason For Employee Fraud
More than half of financial institutions surveyed see organized crime, increased employee access to technology and poor hiring/screening practices as the main contributors to employee fraud, according to a peer-review survey from Actimize, provider of transactional risk management software for the financial services industry.
Seventy-seven percent of respondents see employee fraud becoming more sophisticated while almost the same number, 73 percent of respondents, rate the finance industry's readiness to tackle the employee fraud problem as poor to somewhat acceptable. Of those who knew, 50 percent said they have had a case of data theft in the last year and their average "largest employee fraud" incident uncovered in the last five years was $874,961, while the single largest theft reported was $6,000,000....
Reports Show Electronic Access Control, Biometric Sales To Grow
Driven by the threat of terrorism, the need for securing business assets and employees and a stringent legislative environment, the market for electronic access control systems is set to reach $6.1 billion by 2010, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts Inc.
Even with maturity in the industrial, residential and commercial sectors, sales of electronic access control systems is one of the fastest growing sectors of the security industry. There is also a growing demand for heterogeneous technologies for security applications, and RFID technology is expected to contribute to market expansion.
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Surveillance Veil Coming To New York
By the end of 2007, police officials say more than 100 cameras will have begun monitoring cars moving through Lower Manhattan. It's the beginning of a surveillance system inspired by London that would be the first in the United States.
The plan is called the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, and it will resemble London's so-called Ring of Steel, an extensive web of cameras and roadblocks designed to detect, track and deter terrorists. British officials said images captured by the cameras helped track suspects after the London subway bombings in 2005 and the car bomb plots in June....
Interior Design Important For Retail Security
New research from the United States suggests that retail businesses underestimate the value of interior design, and retailers in Australia are taking note.
According to Mark Norton, general manager for ADT Security, retail businesses that take a one-or-two-dimensional view of security are failing to effectively combat shrinkage in Australia.
"Undoubtedly the biggest security issue all retailers have in common is preventing shrinkage, but many retail businesses aren't making best use of their existing systems to detect and deter thieves," Norton says....
ASHRAE Annual Meeting Brings BACnet Up
BACnet is "elevated" to a new level through a proposal regarding use of building controls for elevators.
The proposal to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135-2004, BACnet -- A Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and Control Networks, was reviewed during ASHRAE's 2007 Annual Meeting. Standard 135 is the only open, consensus-developed standard in the building controls industry.
The proposal would expand BACnet's coverage of building systems to incorporate support for "elevators," an industry term that includes lifts (vertical or near-vertical transport) and escalators (horizontal or near-horizontal transport)....
Educational Opportunities Arise At Infosecurity NY
Changes are in store for the upcoming Infosecurity NY event Sept. 11-12, 2007, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. For the first time, Infosecurity will offer free technical and business training sessions in a comprehensive educational program for IT professionals that will take place on the show floor.
"This new and unique format aims to attract a large number of engaged mid-level IT directors and managers working in the metropolitan New York area while maximizing their time spent out of the office," says Dean Russo, group vice president, Reed Exhibitions, producers of Infosecurity NY. ...
