
New products and innovation were the order of the day at ASIS this year, with many companies debuting products on the tradeshow floor. Many of these products seek to improve and expand the ability of those in the security industry to do their jobs.
An annual theft survey reports more than 530,000 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended by just 23 major retailers in 2006.
Since September 2001, the nation has undergone some significant changes in the way it addresses transportation security and, particularly, identity verification. For example, the TWIC program, governed under the auspices of the Transportation Security Administration, now requires that every transportation employee in America, at every port, terminal and station, be positively identified by a government-authorized credential in the form of a smart card.
In spite of, or perhaps because of, my 30 years of military service, I remain skeptical of both the efficiency of government and how much it can be trusted to handle private information.
It's no surprise that cities are transforming the way they protect themselves. Local police and security personnel now carry anti-terrorism and disaster response technologies. And utilities and other critical urban infrastructures have come under increased scrutiny. Behind the scenes, federal and state grants are reshaping urban security strategies nationwide.
It’s a $12 billion issue in the United States each year. Drive around pretty much any large urban area and you’ll see it -- graffiti.
Petards Inc. recently announced that it has been chosen to provide the security monitoring solution for the Victor Cullen Center, a campus-style juvenile detention center located in Sabillasville, Md.
Fusion centers are popping up in local jurisdictions across the country. And the private sector holds major stakes in the success or decline of an implementation. Wednesday’s ASIS show featured the educational session, “Private Sector’s Role in State and Regional Intelligence Fusion Centers.”
If my tired and well-worn feet are any indication of the prosperity of this tradeshow, this year’s version of Solutions Start Here is a whopping success.
The number of choices, vendors, and types of solutions is exploding. Large numbers of alternatives are normally an advantage to the buyer, but it can add much confusion when trying to make the right choice.
Business is all about managing risk, and risk management comes down to making solid business decisions to avoid and mitigate potential threats, including natural disasters.