Communications

Featured Videos

GSN 2011 Awards Dinner Winners and Sponsors: Cosmo Perrone, Principle, Cosmo Perrone & Associates and former Security Director, Port of Long Beach, CA:

The Port of Long Beach, CA, was named Winner of GSN’s 2011 award for “Most Notable Maritime/Port Security Program”. Cosmo Perrone, Director of Security for the Port from 2006 to 2011, tells GSN about...

GSN Awards Dinner 2011 - Winners and Sponsors Interviews: Howard Ryan, Founder, CEO Total Alert Systems

According to Howard Ryan, Total Alert Systems is a one-stop shopping mass notification portal used by government agencies, DOD, industrial and health care users. It is capable of sending alerts to...

GSN 2011 Awards Winners and Sponsor Interview: Travis Scott, VP of Agency Relations, Nixle, Inc

Rapidly growing Nixle, which has signed up 4500-plus municipal, county, state and federal agencies in all 50 states – mainly law enforcement and public safety agencies -- and developed an opt-in...

GSN 2011 Award Winners and Sponsor Interviews: James Norton, Director of Homeland Security and Federal Strategy, General Dynamics C4

James Norton, who served as a DHS official before joining GSN Awards Sponsor General Dynamics C4, describes the 8-year collaboration that took place between GDC4 and DHS in developing GDC4’s Rescue...

News

Creation of next-gen public safety comms net should be managed by non-profit, says study

Wed, 2012-02-01 07:36 AM

The next generation public safety communications network should be managed by a non-governmental, non-profit organization that could impartially reconcile the myriad standards and procedures...

CBP and Georgia Ports Authority to share radio communications

Tue, 2012-01-31 09:34 AM

Port of Savannah

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Savannah, GA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Jan. 30 with the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) agreeing to share radio communications. The agreement...

DARPA looks for new ways to power computing in recon, surveillance systems

Tue, 2012-01-31 08:09 AM

The agency responsible for developing new technology for the Department of Defense is looking to the public for new ideas on how to power computers that control reconnaissance, surveillance and...

Zetas ‘hitman’ trial details assassination cell activity in U.S. and Mexico

Thu, 2012-01-26 10:07 AM

Gerardo Castillo-Chavez

A federal grand jury in Laredo, TX, convicted a Zetas-linked “hitman” on a raft of conspiracy, racketeering and weapons charges on Jan. 25, after hearing testimony that outlined activities of the...

Colorado man arrested for providing support to Uzbek terror group

Tue, 2012-01-24 10:38 AM

Terror task force

U.S. terror task force agents arrested a Denver-area man as he tried to travel overseas to join a terror group in Uzbekistan on Jan. 23. Members of the FBI’s Denver and Chicago Joint Terrorism Task...

Supreme Court GPS ruling points to surveillance tech scrutiny, say privacy groups

Tue, 2012-01-24 10:24 AM

U.S. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling on Jan. 23 that said law enforcement has to obtain warrants before using GPS tracking devices on suspects’ vehicles, could show the court is ready to address the...

Rep. King calls for DoJ to identify journalists, lawyers in Kiriakou CIA leak case

Tue, 2012-01-24 10:17 AM

John Kiriakou

As the Department of Justice moves to prosecute an ex-Central Intelligence Agency officer for leaking the identities of fellow CIA operatives to the press and to terror detainees’ lawyers, the leader...

Quintron delivers VoIP system to White Sands Missile Range

Mon, 2012-01-23 02:13 PM

Quintron's new VoIP
main console

Quintron Systems, Inc., a supplier of advanced interoperable voice, physical access control and intrusion detection systems, announced on Jan. 20 that it has completed the initial delivery of a major...

LANL says researchers have developed rock-solid quantum cryptography for handheld devices

Mon, 2012-01-23 07:53 AM

QKarD transmitter

Researchers at the Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory have developed a miniature transmitter that can bring strong security to handheld devices like tablet computers or smart phones and could replace a...

GSN Exclusive – With SBInet behind it, CBP develops a new procurement strategy

Fri, 2012-01-20 04:16 PM

Mark Borkowski

U.S. Customs and Border Protection thinks it has learned a few important lessons from its ill-fated SBInet program, and has conceived of a brand-new approach to using technology to prevent illegal...

U.S. Border Patrol welcomes milestone national academy class

Thu, 2012-01-19 10:53 AM

Border Patrol Academy

The Border Patrol convened the 1,000th session of the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico on Jan. 17. The new class of 48 men and women from around the nation will receive training at the Border...

ICE says public tip line generates investigative leads

Thu, 2012-01-19 10:27 AM

Tip line specialist

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s public tip lines have become a valuable source of investigative leads, said the agency on Jan. 18. The agency said a tip called in to the line helped close down...

Company News

Enhanced interoperability with broadband push-to-talk from Catalyst

Catalyst Communications Technologies, Inc., a provider of radio control over IP solutions to the push-to-talk marketplace, announced on Jan. 23 enhanced interoperability with broadband push-to-talk (PTT).

LRAD debuts its new LRAD 2000X acoustic hailing system

LRAD Corp. has announced that its new LRAD 2000X acoustic hailing system broadcasts highly intelligible voice communication that can be clearly heard and understood over five miles away.

Future Fibre Technologies opens local office and signals its long term commitment to India

A manufacturer and installer of fiber-optic intrusion detection systems, Future Fibre Technologies (FFT) has opened a new office in Delhi, India, to service and support the company’s growing activity in that country.

India’s development, rapid population growth and the increased security risks combine to present special challenges to the suppliers and operators responsible for protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure sites.

Telephonics names Kevin McSweeney as its chief operating officer

Kevin McSweeney, who has been with Telephonics since 2004 and has been running its radar systems division, has been promoted to be the company’s chief operating officer, according to a Telephonics news release issued on Jan. 18.

McSweeney will report directly to Joseph Battaglia, the president and CEO of Telephonics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Griffon Corp.

In-vehicle laptops for police cars to debut at Consumer Electronics Show

For the first time in the 45-year history of the Consumer Electronics Show, a patrol car from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), equipped with Raytheon Company's integration of the latest generation of public safety communications technology, will be on display.

The car will be shown at the invitation-only ShowStoppers event that runs from 6 – 10 PM on January 10 in the Lafite Ballroom of the Wynn Hotel, located on the Las Vegas strip.

Harris Corp. establishes mentor-protégé relationship with Unissant through DHS program

DHS has approved Harris Corp.’s mentor-protégé agreement with Unissant, Inc., a small software development and consulting firm based in Reston, VA.

The department’s mentor-protégé program encourages large, established prime contractors to assist in the development and maturation of small, disadvantaged businesses’ technical and management capabilities to provide greater assurance of successful contract performance.

Honeywell launches BlackBerry app for Total Connect 2.0 remote services

Honeywell has launched a new application for RIM BlackBerry devices, letting users control their security systems and view live streaming video from any remote location.

This version is the latest application of Honeywell’s popular Total Connect remote services, which allows consumers to utilize the Internet, smart phones, cameras and other compatible wireless devices to stay connected to their homes and businesses wherever they are.

Brevard County gets IP emergency network

Brevard County, FL, recently signed an agreement with AT&T to roll-out an IP network-based, next-generation 911 services network.

Brevard County and the roughly 540,000 residents in the county will use a variety of AT&T Emergency Services IP network (ESInet) capabilities, according to the company.

The new network completely overhauled and re-built the county’s aging pre-existing 911 network, it said, with three AT&T-managed facilities spread across the state hosting the capabilities.

Commentary and Opinions

Disaster Preparedness 2011: Ensuring Cloud service continuity during disasters

It’s a distressing feeling when you’re in the middle of an unfolding disaster, and suddenly it hits you -- your plans and resources are being overwhelmed by the event. At this point or soon thereafter, you’ll likely ask yourself a series of questions: How and when will we re-establish services for customers and employees? What will this disaster cost us in terms of revenue, reputation and recovery expenses? How can we avoid being in this position again?

Data security: TRANSEC-compliant, IP-based VSAT network secures critical communications

Protecting data is critical to government agencies and, most important, for the military. Incorporating Transmission Security (TRANSEC) for Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based Communications on the Move (COTM) satellite systems is a necessity because, in combat situations, even a small spike in traffic can be a critical piece of intelligence for an adversary or foreign government.

Virginia Tech shooting shows campus security has come a long way

When reports emerged from Blacksburg, VA, last Thursday afternoon that a shooter had descended upon Virginia Tech’s campus, confirmation that a campus police officer had been killed and headlines of a possible second victim overwhelmed news channels, Websites and every social media outlet.

Throughout the day, there was a jarring litany of that old cliché by anyone that remembers the unspeakable tragedies of April 2007, which claimed 33 lives on Virginia Tech’s campus:

History really does repeat itself.

Disaster Preparedness 2011: Bridging the communications gap after a catastrophe

When natural disasters strike or catastrophic man-made events occur, existing infrastructure is often disrupted or compromised; power and communications frequently fail and personal contact can become difficult. Rural areas may become isolated and urban areas impassible and dangerous. Maintaining civil order, implementing evacuations, conducting rescue operations and providing relief distribution becomes highly problematic.

Facilitating communication with acoustic hailing devices (AHDs)

Disaster Preparedness 2011: Telework plans are crucial for preparedness

The Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 created a lot of buzz around the word “telework.” President Obama signed this Act into law in December 2010.

According to an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memorandum, the Act provides a framework for agencies to better leverage technology and to maximize the use of flexible work arrangements, which will aid in recruiting new federal workers, retain valuable talent and allow the government to maintain productivity in various situations.

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Recent Communications Videos

GSN 2011 Award Winners and Sponsor Interviews: Ann Pickren, VP Solutions, MIR3,Inc

Ann Pickren discusses MIR3’s Mass Notification System that was awarded a Winner’s Trophy in GSN’s 2011 Homeland Security Awards Program. She explains that the company is focused totally on its robust mass notification platform which can reach people no matter what device they are using or where they are located. MIR3 focuses heavily on federal, state and local government agencies, counting NASA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Air Force and Army among its clients.

ASIS 2011: Chris Peterson, Founder and Owner, Vector Firm

According to veteran technology sales executive Chris Peterson, Vector Firm is a management consulting business which specializes in the sales and business development departments of security businesses. The company’s clients range from multi-billion dollar contractors to $5-million systems integrators that want to break the $5-million barrier. Vector’s contribution to these companies, he says, is building strategies, processes and tools, both on a strategic and a tactical level.

ASIS 2011: Mark Desmarais, Clear View Systems Product Manager, Raytheon Corporation

Mark Desmarais discusses Raytheon’s new “Security and Transportation Systems” business, recently created in a restructuring instituted by Raytheon’s Network Centric Systems president, Dan Crowley. With the company’s Clear View technology serving as the command and control system and brains of the STS security application, says Desmarais, the reorganization links together Raytheon business units in public safety and security, civil communications and air traffic, as well as software and IT security applications.

FPED VIII, 2011: Tim Sorenson, Sr. Director of Commercial Technology, Cooper Notification

Cooper Notification of Oceanport, NJ is a division of Cooper Industries, a $5.1 billion company in Houston, TX, according to Tim Sorenson. The company offers a multi-layered mass notification solution that is comprised of indoor, outdoor and personal alerting, now called “distributed recipient”. It’s a holistic solution, says Sorenson, that ties everything together into one interface and lets you distribute the right message at the right time to the right people. Markets include commercial and the military, with a lot of equipment going to the warfighter.

ISC West 2011: Andrew Stadheim, CEO, Barix Technology, Inc

Andy Stadheim is CEO of Barix Technology, Inc, in Oakdale, MN, which is the U.S. Distributor of Barix AG, a manufacturer of IP Audio products headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. He says the applications of Barix products are in broadcast satellite, mass notification, mass transit and other transportation agencies and facilities, including airports. Barix has always pushed open standards, according to Stadheim, with the result that the company is very good at networking and integrating dissimilar legacy analog and new systems.

White Papers

Are Trade Shows Still Relevant?

There was a time when a trade show budget was never questioned. If your company had a product to launch,training to conduct, leads to generate or branding to imprint, the industry’s major trade show was the place to do it.

Millions of dollars every year were spent by manufacturers and service providers and no one ever blinked (the accounting department always blinked but were afraid to say anything) – these shows were untouchable.

To follow the trends and see how the landscape is changing for Trade Shows please download this White Paper. This paper was written by Chris Peterson.

Chris Peterson is Co-Founder and Principal Owner of Vector Firm, a management consulting and training firm focused on the sales and business development operations of companies within the security industry. Through consulting and training engagements, Vector Firm creates intelligent strategies, repeatable processes and effective tools that enable its clients’ sales teams to focus on one thing – execution. In every solution, Vector follows its philosophy that sales is a science and that success is a result of a sales team’s daily action being tied to a strategic plan.

Upcoming Events

Event Details	Dates of Event
SANS Monterey 2012	Jan 30 - Feb 4
2012 Adobe Government Assembly	Feb 8
SANS Phoenix 2012	Feb 13 - 18
SANS Secure India 2012	Feb 20 - 25
The Airport Law Enforcement Symposium Feb 23-24, 2012	Feb 23 - 24
Physical Security: Introductory Applications and Technology	Feb 27 - Mar 1
Conducting Corporate Investigations	Feb 27 - 28
ISC CHINA 2012 (International Security Conference & Exposition CHINA)	Feb 27 - 29
RSA Conference 2012	Feb 27 - Mar 2
SAP Public Sector Partner Exchange	Feb 28 - 28
SANS Secure Singapore 2012	Mar 5 - 17
SANS Germany 2012	Mar 5 - 10
Homeland Security Finance Forum 2012	Mar 6 - 6
Basic Hands-On CAMEO Training	Mar 12 - 14
ASIS Assets Protection Course: Principles of Security (APC I)	Mar 12 - 15
SANS Mobile Device Security Summit 2012	Mar 12 - 15
Aviation Week's Innovation Challenge Showcase	Mar 13 - 14
Symantec Government Technology Summit	Mar 20 - 20
STI at SANS 2012	Mar 23 - 30
SANS 2012	Mar 23 - 30
The 9th Two Day Conference On Indian Medical Devices & Plastics Disposables Industry 2012	Mar 23 - 24
SANS Northern Virginia 2012	Apr 15 - 20
Active Shooter	Apr 18 - 19
SANS AppSec 2012	Apr 24 - May 2
SANS Cyber Guardian 2012	Apr 30 - May 7
Telework Exchange Spring 2012 Town Hall Meeting	May 2 - 2
5th Sample Prep - Sample Preparation for Virus, Toxin, & Pathogen Detection & Identification	May 3 - 4
SANS Security West 2012	May 10 - 18
SANS Toronto 2012	May 14 - 19
Counter Terror Expo US	May 16 - 17
CEIC 2012 (Computer and Enterprise Investigations Conference)	May 21 - 24
SANS Rocky Mountain 2012	Jun 4 - 9
Data Center Brainstorm 2012	Jun 19 - 19
SANS Forensics and Incident Response Summit 2012	Jun 21 - 27
Vanguard Security & Compliance 2012	Jun 25 - 28
SANS Canberra 2012	Jul 2 - 10

New Products

Bluetooth-compatible CyberKey for mobile access authorization

Videx has announced CyberKey Blue, a rechargeable key that uses Bluetooth technology. The combination of CyberKey technology and Bluetooth technolo...

Introducing the ‘In Case of Emergency’ iPhone app

Legalzoom.com, an online legal service, and Donate Life America (DLA), a non-profit organization, have created and are offering ICE App, intended to help users input the compreh...

NIR, SWIR, and extended VNIR ranges targeted for airborne signal detection

Fitchburg, MA-based...

Mobile Active Defense launches GeoLocation-based firewall and content filtering for iPhones and smart phones

Mobile Active Defense, LLC (M.A.D.) has announced the release of its patent-pending mobile firewall and contents filtering mecha...

Maxxess launches eMobile Smartphone-based security service

An innovative 'next generation' smartphone service called eMobile has been introduced by Maxxess.

"eMobile provides a very ex...

More New Products