News / Analysis
America’s quest for homeland security includes the development of federal programs to protect our aviation, maritime and ground transportation sectors, efforts to detect a “dirty bomb” before it can emit deadly radiation, the search by the FBI for Muslim terrorists and the hunt for Osama bin Laden, his Al Qaeda followers and Islamic extremists pursuing jihad.
DHS tests streaming video software to send ‘live’ images to PDAs
December 1st, 2008
DHS is testing streaming video software that would enable law enforcement agents and first responders to capture unfolding events in real-time on their handheld PDAs, and to share those “live” video images with other personnel on the street as well as their command posts.
Final TSA rules tighten security precautions for passenger and freight railroads
December 1st, 2008
TSA has issued a final set of rail security rules that require railroads to maintain a “chain of custody and control” over their rail cars, if they carry more than a specified quantity of explosives, poisonous inhalation chemicals or radioactive material.
NIST to evaluate and accredit biometric testing labs
December 1st, 2008
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is establishing an accreditation program that will assess the ability of approximately three to five commercial laboratories to test the performance and interoperability of biometric systems that utilize fingerprint, facial, iris and voice recognition technologies.
A note from our Publisher, Edward Tyler
December 1st, 2008
I must share extremely sad news: Ed Badolato, one of the truly inspirational figures in the homeland security community, passed away on October 30th.
Ed had a public side and a private side, and I was privileged to see both of them over the years. On the public side, Ed’s career successes and broad national responsibilities were too numerous to count, but I’ll give it a try.
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National Intelligence forecasts the world in 2025
December 1st, 2008
Between now and 2025, Western-style democracy may not break out in China or elsewhere in the so-called “developing” world. But it’s a fairly good bet that Western-style materialism, the dream of the rising middle classes in China, India and elsewhere, will continue to grow. That means that pressures on natural resources are likely to grow, too.
That’s one prediction from the National Intelligence Council (NIC) of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which has just issued a relatively rare unclassified report, entitled Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World. “We don’t see a breakthrough on replacing petroleum in this period, “ Dr. Mathew Burrows, the author of that report and a counselor to the NIC, said flatly on Nov. 21, although he did call the transition to a post-petroleum world “inevitable.”
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks security engineering info
December 1st, 2008
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, seeks information regarding contractors who can provide security engineering services. Potential providers should have experience in performing design and analysis services related to blast loads on structures and structural elements, progressive collapse, vulnerability assessments to meet security engineering standards with reduced standoff distances, and ammunition and explosive safety standards. Types of services required will include concept design, final design and construction phase. Response deadline is Dec. 2, 2008. For additional information, contact John Denning at 402-995-2053.
Justice Department seeks emergency notification system and more
iRobot sweeps up six grants worth $4.4 million
December 1st, 2008
Bedford, MA-based iRobot Corp., the well-known designer and builder of both commercial and military robots, has been awarded six grants, worth a total of $4.4 million, for projects that will be funded by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research; Development and Engineering Center; the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center; the Office of Naval Research, and the U.S. Army Research Office. Under the contracts, iRobot will develop technology related to human-robot interaction, unmanned ground and aerial vehicle coordination, semi-autonomous unmanned ground vehicle tele-operation and navigation, and electronics diagnostics and health monitoring. The technologies are expected to result in increased capabilities for iRobot’s military robots, including PackBot, SUGV and Warrior. Thus far, the company has delivered more than 2,000 PackBots.
Thales to sail with new Coast Guard cutters and more
Aegis Bleu offers VASST plan to document vulnerabilities
December 1st, 2008
Lansing, MI-based Aegis Bleu, LLC has launched its Vulnerability Assessment Security Survey Tool (VASST), which it characterizes as the first mobile physical infrastructure self-assessment software tool. VASST allows one or more persons to survey a facility and then document vulnerabilities with photographic evidence, using a mobile PDA. It also can assess multiple facilities and consolidate information into a centralized reporting engine.
Pictometry unveils new image capture technology and more
