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. ...
Screening Firm To Tackle Workplace Violence
After 15 years in the business of pre-employment screening, HR ProFile, Anderson Township, Ohio, is adding security services to its list of offerings to help its clients with workplace security issues both before and after they arise.
HR ProFile has brought in Ed Casey, the former director of global security for Procter & Gamble. Casey has spent his entire career in the security business and said his knowledge of corporate security will give HR ProFile's customers a seasoned adviser on problems ranging from theft prevention to workplace violence....
Video Surveillance For Stores Gains Support
A plan by El Cerrito's police chief to require just about every business in the California city to install a digital video surveillance system to deter crime is getting a warm response from business and political leaders, according to the Contra Costa Times.
Before he asks the City Council to turn his proposal into law later this summer, Police Chief Scott Kirkland plans to hold three community forums to get feedback.
Kirkland began toying with the idea of camera surveillance in 2005, but after an owner of the Red Onion restaurant on San Pablo Avenue was murdered during a robbery April 24, he decided to make it happen....
Tennessee To Reduce False Police Dispatches
Tennessee has become the second state in the country to follow a trend some herald as a modern solution to false alarms. On May 15, 2007, Gov. Phil Bredesen signed a law requiring the state to implement Enhanced Call Verification (ECV). According to the law, alarm monitoring companies must now call "at least two different numbers prior to dispatching police to a location."
"What started out as a state law in Florida last year is proving to be a trend for false dispatch reduction across the country," says Glen Mowrey, national law enforcement liaison for the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC). "Most agencies have had limited success with other policies in the past, but the proliferation of cell phones has made ECV the best solution for the future."...
Web 2.0 Brings Security Challenges
Web 2.0 isn't just for the likes of MySpace and YouTube anymore. Mainstream companies are catching the fever, ramping up their Web sites and creating communities of their customers.
The only problem is, they might be rushing headlong into something that could put their network -- and their customers -- at risk.
"Web 2.0 is all about openness and freedom," says Kris Lamb, a director with IBM's Internet Security Systems, in an interview at Interop as reported by Information Week. ...
2007 PSA-TEC Annual Conference
A packed show floor, well-attended classes and crowded evening events equaled a successful annual conference for PSA Security Network, an electronic security cooperative aligning 200 security systems integrators with 200 technology suppliers.
More than 800 security industry professionals made their way to the 2007 PSA-TEC (an acronym for Training, Exhibits and Conference), held May 7-11 at the Pheasant Run Resort & Spa in St. Charles, Ill. This year's show floor featured 20 new exhibitors, including Cisco, DSC, Exacq Technologies and LG Electronics USA....
"Bots" Fastest Growing Malware Threat
Predicting that bots will be the fastest growing malware threat of the year, Sana Security Inc., a behavioral security software company, issued a security warning to Internet users about the increasing danger posed by the malicious Web robots, and about the increasing use of a new, stealthy variant based on peer-to-peer technology that makes them even harder to detect and remove.
Already surpassing the 413 percent growth rate seen for rootkits last year, the bot problem, in Sana's view has already become a significant area of focus for online tech support services, credit monitoring companies, and other organizations serving consumers.
While such malicious bots have posed a threat for many years, recent developments have caused more urgent concern....
