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2/7/2012

This Week in Security

Magal Wins $2.1 million Contract for Prison Perimeter Security

Magal Security Systems won a $2.1 million contract to provide a multi-layer Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS) for two new high security prisons in Latin America.

The solutions are based on Magal′s volumetric covert buried cable detection systems, microwaves systems, fence mounted cable sensors and several third party complementary products. The contract also includes integration through Magal′s proprietary control system and into a third party software system.

University of Hawaii Settles Class Action for Security Breach

The University of Hawaii has agreed to provide nearly 100,000 students, alumni, employees and others potentially affected by security breaches from 2009 to 2011 with two years of credit-monitoring and fraud-restoration services, under a settlement to a class action lawsuit announced today. Kroll Background American has been named to provide services outlined in the settlement.

Tampa Boosting Security in Advance of RNC Convention

TPM Muckraker reports the city of Tampa will be using $50 million in grant money to upgrade security in advance of the Republican National Convention on August 27-30 2012. Most of the funding will be used to temporarily boost Tampa’s 1,100 member police force to as much as 4,000 with officers from nearby jurisdictions.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the city has also received proposals from IBM, Aware Digital, ADT Security Services, Total Recall Corp., CelPlan Technologies and Avrio RMS Group for additional surveillance cameras in the downtown area.

Nestlé Admits Hiring Securitas to Spy on Activists

Nestlé has admitted in court that Securitas was employed to spy on activists members of the anti-globalization ATTAC (Association for the Taxation of financial Transactions and Aid to Citizens) after violent protests at the G8 in Evian France.

Nestle attorneys maintain the is vulnerable to attacks and was within its rights to know what was happening in activist circles.

Attorneys for the activists say their clients presented no threat to Nestlé and that the Securitas agent infiltrated nothing more than a group writing a book.

The plaintiffs are asking for $30,000 in damages.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Guards Caught Sleeping

Security contractor WSI-Oak Ridge (formerly Wackenhut) has confirmed it is investigating charges that a security officer had been sleeping on the job and using an unauthorized cell phone within a secured area at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Anonymously circulated photographs of the employee appear to have been taken inside the highest-security building at Oak Ridge that houses a large stockpile of fissionable uranium-233.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason has said that responsibility for the security of Building 3019 where the photographs were taken has been shifted to the Department of Energy’s environmental management organization.

In addition to concerns about the officer’s apparent actions, it is unclear who was taking photographs in the high-security facility.

HID Global has acquired the visitor management solution provider EasyLobby. EasyLobby is the pioneer and market-leading provider of comprehensive visitor management solutions.

“The addition of EasyLobby’s product suite, large installed base and strong customer engagements will enable us to broaden our offering to include trusted solutions for a wide range of visitor management applications.,” said HID Global president and CEO Denis Hébert.

“We are very excited to become part of HID Global, a global company at the very heart of the security industry. This combination adds industry-leading secure visitor management solutions to the world’s most comprehensive offering of physical access control and secure card issuance systems,” said Howard Marson, EasyLobby CEO.

Posted at 12:48 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

9/28/2011

ASIS 2011 Exhibits Roundup

A few highlights from among the more than 700 exhibitors on the show floor in Orlando this year. More to come.

Access Control

ASSA ABLOY

ASSA ABLOY exhibited new mobile keys that turn smart phones into access credentials, standalone locks that communicate their status to any web-enabled device, cylinders that instantly add electronic access control to any opening, and much more.

Doortronics

4300 Series, a low cost control solution for standard two-door applications.

e-DATA

Introduced the Master Unit 308, a line of Web-based, embedded access control designed for retail, healthcare, and banking.

HID

HID’s Accolade-winning entry this year was the iCLASS SE, a technology-independent digital credential line that can be deployed for use on smart phones, microprocessor-based cards, contactless smart cards, USB tokens and related devices

Morse Watchman

Morse Watchman debuted an enterprise level key control and management system.

Videx

Videx introduced their CyberLock Flex System featuring electromechanical locks, electronic keys, and a hardwired door system together under one powerful access management structure.

Perimeter Security

Delta Scientific Corporation

Delta provides bollards and barrier gates that you have to see to believe. Some great video of crash tests coming soon. Follow SMBG on twitter (badge below) to get immediately notified when we post some really amazing footage of tens of thousands of pounds of hurtling steel stopped on a dime.

Future Sentry

Developer of one of this year’s Accolade-award winners, this small company continues to demonstrate a passion for its product and its customer’s challenges. Demonstrating a perimeter camera that tracks motion with a rich feature set intended to deter intruders, this product continues to evolve based on customer requests.

Optellios

Demonstrated the FiberPatrol system featuring cut immunity, location sensing, and simultaneous intrusion detection capability.

ProTech

ProTech featured a ladder and tower version of its outdoor dual technology motion sensor.

Surveillance

Avigilon

Avigilon announced a 29 megapixel version of its JPEG2000 HD Pro camera series, debuted a new 8 megapixel camera and demonstrated updates to its award-winning Avigilon Control Center.

Altronix

Altronix introduced WayPoint Outdoor Power Supplies, a complete power solution for outdoor security and video surveillance products.

Axis

Axis Announces Fixed Network Cameras with Dynamic Capture Capabilities for Varying Light Conditions.

Bosch

Bosch introduced its NEI-30 Dinion IP Infrared Imager, a rugged active infrared surveillance camera designed for perimeter surveillance in low-light conditions.

DVTel

DVTel exhibited a new line of IP cameras that offers HD 720p and 1080p across the entire Quasar Smart Camera series.

Interlogix

TruVision debuts expanded IP camera line that is PSIA and ONVIF compliant.

IQinVision

IQinVision introduced a H.264 Main Profile camera available in 1.3 MP, 2 MP, 3.6 MP, and 5 megapixel models.

March Networks

March introduced 5 new products at ASIS 2011 including high-definition IP cameras, MegaPX 5 MP and MegaPX WDR, a cloud-based mobile application, and two new NVRs; 4332C and 4324C Hybrid Network Video Recorders.

Mobotix

Mobotix showcased its new Dd14 DualDome 6.2 megapixel surveillance camera, which combines two separately adjustable modules, which can be combined to create a single image with the better traits of both.

SightLogix

SightLogix was demonstrating Clear24, an outdoor thermal video camera providing outstanding images in zero light and widely dynamic lighting situations, night and day, in all environments.

Sony

Sony’s exhibit focused on its Hybrid Camera Surveillance Video Solutions, XI’s Wide-Area Monitoring, and the View-DR dynamic range enhancement imaging technology.

Tyco International

Tyco International announced plan to separate into three independent publicly traded companies focused respectively on commercial fire and security, North American residential security, and flow and control products and services.

VideoIQ and Flir

VideoIQ announced partnership with Flir to create a premium solution to provide analytics, edge NVR storage, and IP video encoding.

Vumii

Vumii’s focus was on the Claritii 500, an outdoor perimeter and border surveillance system that integrates near-infrared invisible LED illumination, day/night imager, and high magnification optics on a precision pan-tilt platform.

Security Services

Allied Barton

Allied Barton Division President Ron Rabena was on the floor discussing the company’s current priorities on training and development and workplace violence. His colleague Jerry Ramos, Manager of Talent Acquisition was discussing the company’s pioneering efforts in partnering with the military. More from interviews with Rabena and Ramos will be filed on SMBG on Sept. 30. Follow SMGBeditor on twitter for the alert.

G4S

G4S introduced LoneProtector, monitoring services and technology to support personnel working remote locations or in direct contact with the public.

Video Management Systems

Milestone

Milestone released the XProtect Professional 8, aimed at smaller businesses with software wizards and a capacity for up to 64 cameras.

Next Level

Next Level revealed NLSS Gateway 2.2, an upgraded version of its NLS Gateway product, which integrates video management, IP access control, analytics and intrusion detection. The latest version features tools that improve performance and save bandwidth.

Posted at 1:41 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/26/2011

Diebold Announces Revenue Drop in Products, Increase in Services

Diebold has dropped 2011 guidance for its security business from 4%-7% down to -3% to flat. The news came in the company’s 2011 second quarter financial results in which Diebold reported a 2% drop in orders for its security solutions. The company reported $103 million in revenue for security services in Q2, or 3% above 2010. But $44 million revenue for security products represented a -9% drop

Posted at 5:08 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Stanley Black & Decker Acquires 25% of Niscayah Shares in Advance of Pending Offer

Stanley Black & Decker acquired 20% of outstanding shares in Niscayah, a Swedish security services company specializing in banks and utilities in 14 European countries. The purchase was made in advance of a $1 billion pending offer to buy all shares of the Niscayah. The independent Committee of the Board of Directors of Niscayah—which had earlier rejected an offer by Securitas—unanimously recommended the offer. The European Commission gave Stanley anti-trust clearance for the all-cash deal on August 23.

“Niscayah is a company we know well and is an ideal fit with our Convergent Security Solutions business” says Stanley Black & Decker’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John F. Lundgren, “We are providing all Niscayah’s shareholders with the opportunity to receive an all-cash, superior offer at a significant premium, and we are very pleased to have the unanimous recommendation of the independent committee of Niscayah’s board and the support of two of its major shareholders.”

Stanley Black & Decker’s existing Convergent Security Solutions business revenues are approximately USD 800 million, of which Europe represents approximately USD 300 million. The Niscayah acquisition represents approximately $1 billion in estimated 2011 revenue.

Posted at 5:04 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Flir Systems Announces $250 million Stock Offer

Flir Systems made a public offering of $250 million in August which it will use for general corporate needs such as working capital, investments and acquisitions. Flir manufactures thermal imaging, CBRNE detection systems, and integrated surveillance systems.

The company laid off 100 employees in July in part due to a substantial drop in pentagon spending. According to the company’s second quarter financials, revenue from the Government Systems division Surveillance segment was $141.5 million, a decrease of 16% from the second quarter of 2010. In the report Flir downgraded revenue expectations 2011 from $1.7 billion to $1.6 billion.

CFO Tony Trunzo told The Oregonian that as recently as 2009 sales to the U.S. military accounted for 48% of the company’s revenue. That has fallen to just 23% as of the second quarter of 2011.

The company was buoyed by a 32% increase in commercial systems sales which appear to represent the company’s growth strategy going forward. The company announced in August that it had acquired Aerius Photonics for $27 million. The newly named FLIR Electro-Optical Components unit will be organized under the company’s commercial systems business and will remain focused on the development and sale of infrared components and cores. In October 2010 Flir had acquired ICx Technlogies for $268 million.

Posted at 4:57 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/19/2011

EEOC to Consider Current Use of Criminal Records in Employment Screening

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has scheduled a July 26, 2011 meeting to evaluate arrest and conviction records as a barrier to employment. The meeting will be open to the public but will not be broadcast on television or the internet.

The National Association of Professional Background Screeners has issued an action alert calling on businesses and organizations to join with them to share their view that “background checks enable employers to make more informed hiring decisions and the need for any forthcoming EEOC action to not hamper employers’ ability to conduct background checks to protect persons and property in the workplace.”

The EEOC has previously determined that employers may not bar everyone with an arrest or conviction from employment. In addressing a Department of Labor Roundtable on June 21, 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder said that it is a priority of the administration to ensure that the millions of Americans who have served their time “are able to become productive members of society, to contribute their skills and training to our workforce, to provide for themselves and their families.

More than 2 million Americans are incarcerated and 95 percent will eventually be released. “We know that having a job remains central to successfully reentry,” Holder said, “Yet, very often, those who’ve paid their debts to society – including many who’ve worked to learn a trade or to earn a degree, and are hoping to get back on their feet – find themselves at the back of the line for employment.”

“The use of criminal records is a difficult issue because it involves important American values that can seem to conflict,” says Lester Rosen, founder and CEO of Employment Screening Resources. “On one hand, we value public safety and a safe workspace with honest and qualified employees. On the other hand, as a society we believe in second chances, and that a person’s past should not hold them back forever, particularly for more minor offenses. The issue is how to draw lines that both protect innocent people and, at the same time, does not burden the taxpayers by creating a permanent class of unemployed people. Unless an ex-offender can get a job, they cannot become a taxpaying and law abiding citizen and the taxpayers end up building more prisons then they do schools or hospitals, so it is a matter of finding a good balance.”

EEOC Policy Guidance and Statements on Arrest and Conviction Records

http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/convict1.html

http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/arrest_records.html

http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/race-color.html#VIB2conviction

Posted at 10:06 AM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/14/2011

North American Video Signs to Design/Build Brooklyn Army Terminal Surveillance System

North American Video (NAV) has been contracted by the City of New York to design/build a video surveillance system upgrade at the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal. The project includes incorporating existing and new analog and IP cameras and a peer-to-peer wireless mesh network.

The 4 million square-foot buildings were the largest army terminal during World War II and the point of departure for more than 37 million soldiers heading for Europe. Its two interconnected eight story structures were built in 1919 and occupy 97 acres of Brooklyn waterfront.

NAV also recently signed a long-term contract with the Colorado Regional Transportation District has contracted with North American Video in a long term service agreement for the agency's five rail lines and 35 stations. The contract includes all 1,100 cameras, 150 access control portals, and alarm systems.

The contract anticipates additional hiring to support 14 new stations planned for 2012.

Posted at 11:02 AM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/30/2011

L-3 Communications Stock Hits 52-week High

L-3 Communications hit a 52-week high of $87.45 today, bouyed recently by news of U.S. military contracts in the last week exceeding $640 million.

The vast majority of the company's $15.7 billion in sales for 2010 was with the U.S. Government. Commercial sales comprised 9 percent of total sales.

According to the company's last report for the quarter ended April 1, 2011, consolidated net sales of $3,601 million declined by 0.6%, comprised of an organic sales decline of 2.9%, partially offset by sales growth from acquisitions of $82 million or 2.3%, compared to the quarter ended March 26, 2010.

Posted at 4:34 PM by Mike Moran | Category: Financials | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

ObjectVideo Files ITC Complaint Against Bosch, Samsung, and Sony

ObjectVideo has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting an investigation of Bosch, Samsung, and Sony. ObjectVideo claims features and functions of these companies product infringe on ObjectVideo patents and seeks a cease and desist order barring importation of relevant products.

Posted at 4:19 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

June Industry Roundup

The biggest myth in surveillance technology is that more pixels equate to higher image quality according to a recent poll by IPVideomarket.info. Editor John Honovich explores what he considers the Top 10 Surveillance Myths.

Video intelligence manufacturer 3VR Bolsters Executive Team with new CFO and Senior VP to help maintain growth tempo of 100% per year for the last three years.

Personal defense spray manufacturer Mace Personal Defense has plead guilty to felony charge of storing hazardous wasted without a permit at its Bennington Vermont location. The company has agreed to pay a fine of $100,000. The settlement concludes the matter for the company, charges are still pending against the company’s president Jon Goodrich.

Garda World Security is moving the company’s U.S. headquarters from Pasadena California to Boca Raton Florida this month after Palm Beach County offered $800,000 of incentives. The company estimates it can double its cash-handling business to $1 billion within the next 5 years.

Imaging technology company Pixim has acquired Advasense Technologies, a developer of cutting edge SMOS image sensor technology.

IP surveillance control manufacturer OnSSI will continue its 2010 program of offering discounts of up to 40% to schools and universities, a sector hard hit by recent economic trends.

IP video solution providerMarch Networks has forged a strategic partnership with Milcon Gulf Group to facilitate sales to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. IMS research estimates the rapidly growing video surveillance equipment market to rise to $600 million in the next four years.

HireRight vice president Marc Malloy warns that companies should be very careful about screening applicants based on social network profiles.

Security Software as a Service provider Brivo Systems was chosen by the AAA Iowa Cubs to replace access control capabilities that relied heavily on lock and key and motion detection with state of the art Cloud-based access control.

Security Solution provider NICE Systems is providing smart video capabilities for Brooke Army Medical Center’s expansion including a seven-story hospital wing and a 5,000-space parking garage.

Smiths Detection was awarded another $30 million order for advanced chemical warfare and toxic chemical warning devices for troops and first responders. The company has fulfilled more than $350 million in orders under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Chemical Agent Detector program.

Security solution provider Magal S3 has signed contracts in Eastern Europe of $5.6 million to extend the perimeter intrusion system at an airport and a $4.6 million order for intrusion detection systems around 20 power facilities.

Hospitality industry electronic security company VingCard Elsafe has launched a new access control concept that allows hotel guests to receive their room key directly on their NFC-enabled smartphones which work with existing RFID electronic locks.

Posted at 2:29 PM by Mike Moran | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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