Police Asking For Tougher Security At Florida Malls
Since someone murdered a mother and daughter and left their bodies outside a Boca Raton, Fla., mall, Coral Springs Police Chief Duncan Foster repeatedly tried to talk to the owners of Coral Square Mall about hiring off-duty officers to increase security.
But Foster tells the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper that his requests went unanswered by mall managers for Simon Property Group, owner also of the Town Center at Boca Raton, where the bodies were found.
Now Foster has written the Indianapolis-based owner of the malls, asking for a sit-down meeting....
Cell Phones Give Students False Sense of Safety
A new study from three professors finds that college students packing cell phones feel safer than those without and are more likely to take risky walks at night.
The research reveals that carrying a cell phone can amp up risk-taking, particularly among women.
"Students seem to feel less vulnerable when they carry a cell phone, although there's no evidence that they really are," says study researcher Jack Nasar, a professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State University. "If anything, they are probably less safe because they are paying less attention to their surroundings."...
Purdue University Strengthens Security With Help Of Students
Increasing the number of employees in the Purdue University Student Security Patrol on its West Lafayette, Ind., campus will be an effective way to enhance safety on campus, reports The Exponent, Purdue University's student newspaper.
The Purdue Police Department reported that it would nearly double the number of positions open on the force. The current staff of 25 would jump to 35 beginning this spring. The student patrol will eventually employ 50 by the end of the year.
Saving the university millions of dollars that would normally be spent on installing security cameras, the path is adding student jobs while increasing campus surveillance....
Radiation Research Gives Hope For Explosive Detection
A new type of radiation called T-rays—electromagnetic waves in the far infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum that have a wavelength 500 times longer than visible light—may allow for the development of a new generation of sensors for detecting explosives and poisons.
The research, performed by a team of U.K. and Spanish physicists led in the U.K. by Dr. Stefan Maier from Imperial College London's Department of Physics and Dr. Steve Andrews of the University of Bath, shows that the T-rays can be guided along the surface of a specially designed material, known as a metamaterial. Being able to control T-rays in this way is essential if this type of radiation is to be used in many real-world applications....
Fire Alarm Boxes Becoming Another Technology Casualty
The street corner fire alarm box, a lifeline used when few people had telephones at home to report fires, has become another casualty of technology, replaced by the 9-1-1 emergency system and cell phones.
The bright red and white boxes with peaked "roofs" once dotted street corners throughout the United States. Now, sometime in the next three months, the Village of Lancaster, N.Y., will likely become one of the last suburban municipalities to bid a fond goodbye to the American icon.
According to New York's Buffalo News, if this occurs, the Village of Depew, N.Y., will become the sole remaining suburban holdout in New York's Erie County relying on a fully functioning street box alarm system. Depew's dates back to 1894—the year of the village's incorporation....
Port Security A Key Topic At Homeland Security Conference
At the fourth annual ThinkTec Homeland Security Innovation Conference last week at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWAR) in Charleston...
Research Says Best Info Security Requires Managed Security Services
New research from Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Co., reveals that the organizations getting the best information security performance include some managed security services as part of their defense. The new report, "Best Practices in Choosing and Consuming Managed Security Services," provides insight gleaned from close to 200 survey respondents, supplemented with in-depth interviews with veteran consumers of managed security services.
"These findings are significant because they reflect a shift in market awareness. Often organizations have been turning to managed security services to help with compliance issues, or reduce the management associated with maintaining ongoing security or to reduce their costs," says Carol Baroudi, research director in the IT Security practice at Aberdeen. ...
Connecticut Firehouse Involved In Security/Privacy Fight
The union for paid firefighters has filed a grievance with Stamford, Conn., over the installation of security cameras at the volunteer Springdale Fire Co., saying it's an illegal invasion of privacy.
The Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association, which has 16 members working in the Springdale firehouse, told The Stamford Advocate that the security cameras will create a "big brother" environment and make paid firefighters uncomfortable.
Springdale Fire Chief Shawn Fahan says the security system is necessary to ensure the safety of paid and volunteer firefighters after a series of break-ins, thefts and tampering with firetrucks and equipment. The system would include 14 cameras to be placed in two kitchens, two lounge rooms, the garage and several hallways and exits, Fahan says....
Raising An Eyebrow At Surveillance
No less than The Washington Post has offered its opinion of the video surveillance trend, and according to its editorial staff, it may be time to rethink where -- and why -- a person's image is being recorded.
According to the Post, there are no federal laws governing how these images can be used, where they should be stored, with whom they may be shared and when they must be destroyed. This may raise the question of where the image may reappear -- be it on TV or the Internet. ...
Amtrak Beefs Up Security With New Procedures
Amtrak will deploy a new specialized Amtrak Mobile Security Team to patrol stations and trains and randomly inspect passenger baggage.
The Mobile Security Team supplements ongoing patrols already in place by Amtrak to enhance the safety and security of passenger rail travel. The deployment of the Mobile Security Team and the launch of random baggage inspection are further steps in Amtrak's ongoing efforts to strengthen rail security as a means to minimize the risk of terrorist threats.
The Mobile Security Teams will ultimately be deployed nationwide....
Northern Illinois University Addresses Security Concerns
After a gunman shot and killed five students and himself at Northern Illinois University (NIU) last week, questions and concerns are being voiced about the school's security and method of communication.
According to the Associated Press, many students phoned each other and sent text messages even before school officials could warn them.
Drew Creal, a sophomore from St. Charles, was in a building next to Cole Hall when students around him began receiving text messages from other students that read, "There's shooting in Cole Hall" and "Get off campus," he says....
Although Still High, Rates Of U.S. Identity Fraud Dropping
A new report from Javelin Strategy & Research says that identity theft remains a major problem, with Americans losing $45.3 billion in 2007, but a drop in fraud cases suggests that more consumers and businesses are winning the battle against criminals.
Losses declined 11 percent from about $51 billion in 2006, according to the fourth annual study. The average loss fell 6 percent to $5,574 from $5,920.
According to Reuters, the study also says that as banks and retailers beef up their in-store and online security systems, frauds are resorting more to the phone and the mail to prowl for victims....
Survey Shows Americans Incorrectly Confident About Fire Safety
A nationwide survey conducted by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) reveals that 79 percent of Americans feel safer from fires at home than in a public building with an additional 9 percent feeling equally safe in both locations.
These results are inconsistent with government statistics that show that home fires outnumber all other building fires by over three to one. At the same time, most fire deaths and injuries occur in the home.
Public buildings are subject to tough fire-safety regulations and inspections, whereas most homes are not. ...
Food Terrorism Risks Studied In Arizona
Since the Sept. 11 attacks, awareness has heightened to the idea that the nation's food supply could be at risk of possible attack....
GAO Report Warns Of Campus Reactor Threat
The risks of a terrorist attack on a nuclear reactor at a college campus -- and the potential consequences -- have been underestimated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Congressional auditors say in a report.
According to The New York Times, the report, by the Government Accountability Office, says the commission overruled expert contractors who thought differently, and misrepresented what the contractors had said.
Security requirements at the reactors have changed little since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to the auditors, even though many of the reactors still run on enriched uranium, which terrorists could convert into an atomic bomb. In contrast, the rules for civilian power plants have become much stricter, the report said....
Storage A Challenge With Today's Surveillance Cameras
With digital video on the rise in enterprises, IT storage teams will play a key role in accommodating the petabytes of data that can be generated by video surveillance systems.
With falling costs of digital video surveillance systems, organizations can now buy additional IP video technology and do more with video data. In addition to combating fraud and crime, companies are applying analytics to video data to aid merchandising, operations and customer service. "The advent of IP video is one of the key things that changed surveillance video from a sleepy technology backwater to something that IT needs to get involved in," says Steven Norall, senior analyst and consultant at Taneja Group....
Report Finds National Landmarks At Risk
According to a government report about the U.S. Park Police, national icons such as the Washington Monument and the Statue of Liberty are left vulnerable because of inadequate security.
The Interior Department's inspector general accuses the Park Police of an "overall lack of commitment to its icon security responsibilities," citing chronic understaffing along with a lack of coordination and training.
The report states, "We found that despite having increased security and law enforcement responsibilities since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, USPP's staffing levels are lower now than they were six years ago."...
Cisco Study Reveals Need For Diligence Among Remote Workers
Cisco has announced key findings from its annual global study on remote workers' security awareness and online behavior, indicating how they can inadvertently heighten risks for themselves and the companies they work for. The study's findings are prompting Cisco security executives to offer recommendations to IT professionals on how to protect their companies against threats and maximize the business benefits of distributed and mobile workforces.
Conducted by InsightExpress, a U.S.-based market research firm, the study involves surveys of more than 2,000 remote workers and IT professionals from various industries and company sizes in 10 countries: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, India, Australia and Brazil. The 10 countries were chosen because they represent a diverse set of social and business cultures, stable and emerging network-dependent economies and varied lengths of Internet adoption....
Fingerprint Authentication Acceptance On The Rise, Survey Shows
A recent consumer survey from fingerprint sensor and solutions provider AuthenTec shows that a vast majority of U.S. consumers trust in the convenience and security benefits of fingerprint authentication, especially as it relates to online banking, PC security and electronic commerce (e-commerce) applications. The survey indicates that a clear majority (77 percent) is ready to begin using fingerprint sensors as part of their day-to-day activities, signaling the strong growth potential for broad consumer adoption.
The survey shows two-thirds (66 percent) of consumers trust fingerprint biometrics as a means of authentication more than traditional PINs or passwords while 68 percent perceive the use of a fingerprint sensor to be more convenient....
SIA Claims President's FY09 Budget Plan Shortchanges Security
The Security Industry Association (SIA) has sharply criticized President Bush's FY 2009 spending plan, calling the proposed reductions in security grants programs "shortsighted and irresponsible."
Recently released, the FY09 budget significantly reduces funding levels for port security, public transit and school security grant programs.
"The President's proposed budget jeopardizes our national and economic security," says Richard Chace, executive director and CEO, The Security Industry Association. "This shortsighted and irresponsible plan does not provide nearly enough funding to secure our nation's critical infrastructure. The safety of our ports, schools and public transit systems are top priorities for The Security Industry Association and we will continue working with members of the House and Senate to get these grant programs funded at necessary levels."...
Megapixel Security Camera Market To Grow
In its latest report on the world video surveillance market, IMS Research predicts that over the next three years, the market for megapixel cameras will grow at a compound annual growth rate in excess of 100 percent. By 2009 it is forecast that over half a million units will be shipped a year. Industry analysts say that the market has overcome a number of hurdles to get to this position.
A big issue that megapixel cameras have notoriously faced is how to cope with the volume of data produced, which demands more bandwidth and storage volume. However, improved compression algorithms, more widespread gigabit Ethernet deployments and reductions in storage prices prove that these issues are being addressed....
Survey Reveals Need For Security In Technology, Media Sectors
Technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) businesses must increase their security efforts and investments according to the 2007 TMT global security survey, "Treading Water," from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT). The survey indicates that when it comes to security and privacy, the majority of TMT companies find themselves "treading water." Despite increased security investments, many are just managing to keep pace with the growing threats. In order to get in front of the problem, TMT businesses must increase their security efforts and investments.
For the second year, Deloitte conducted an in-depth survey of security practices at more than 100 TMT organizations around the world. The global survey respondents included TMT companies from across all three sectors, 54 percent of which employ between 5,000-50,000 employees and 47 percent of which report revenue between $1 billion and $10 billion....
IP-in-Action LIVE Orlando To Feature Sessions, Keynote Speakers
The IP-in-Action LIVE Orlando conference, organized by IP UserGroup USA, a security technology forum providing education on IP within physical security applications, is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Lakeland Center. It is a one-day free educational program that features IP-based technology for physical security.
Several thinkers and practitioners in the field of IP will be on hand to answer questions. They include Richard Hollinger, professor at the University of Florida and author of an annual report on Identifying Retail Theft: Statistics and Solutions as the keynote speaker. Hollinger will present a review of the latest National Retail Security Survey findings and discuss how new security technologies are being used in retail operations....
UK Research Finds Civilians Against Audio Surveillance
In Great Britain, where surveillance is prevalent as a crucial part of everyday security, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has submitted research revealing that seven out of 10 individuals oppose the idea of CCTV cameras that record their conversations.
A new CCTV code of practice, launched by the ICO, describes the use of sound recording as "highly intrusive" and warns organizations that its use would ever be justified only in highly exceptional circumstances. The code of practice outlines the key issues that organizations and businesses must consider when routinely capturing images of individuals on their CCTV equipment....
ASIS International Reprints "Career Opportunities in Security"
ASIS International has announced that it is reprinting "Career Opportunities in Security."
The 32-page booklet provides information of interest to anyone seeking to learn more about security, and serves as a resource to those considering a career in security management, or wanting to further their existing careers in the industry.
The third-edition booklet describes the most widely recognized disciplines of physical security, information security, personnel security, information systems security, Homeland security and critical infrastructure protection (CIP) and details the typical responsibilities of individuals working in each of those disciplines....
