Access Control
& Security Systems

Nearly 150 lobbying firms have registered to advocate for clients on Homeland security issues, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, a money- and politics-tracking service.

Other lobbyists have registered under related subjects such as surveillance and biotechnology. Some companies legally help raise money for key lawmakers, creating a new group of contributors to political campaigns.

"Homeland security is a big-ticket item now," former Federal Election Commission (FEC) general counsel Larry Noble told The Seattle Times. "It is clearly going to be a growth industry."

Last summer the Center for Responsive Politics released a report saying that businesses appeared to be focusing on the creation of the Homeland Security Department more than any other legislation in recent memory.

This month in Access Control

• Targeting The Customer
• Electronic Pedigrees
• One Hero Among Many
• Who? What? When? Where? Why?
• More from September's issue