GSN: Government Security News

Cary, NC-based Knowledge Vectorâ€s KVI Suite connects sensors to a centralized interface through event-based middleware, the company reports. The technology automatically identifies events as they happen, recognizes their significance and manages the coordinated response, including contacting appropriate responders, according to Knowledge Vector. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementâ€s (ICE) Secure Communities Initiative (SCI) -- a partnership with local law enforcement agencies that uses biometrics to ID criminal aliens -- has identified more than 111,000 criminal aliens in local custody during its first year, according to a recent joint statement from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton.

Bethesda, MD-based Lockheed Martin reports that it has formed a new cyber-security technology alliance with other leading technology providers. The alliance members have agreed to collaborate on solutions that can help provide early threat detection, protection, and multi-layer autonomic self-healing capabilities to solve customers†hard problems and meet future challenges, according to Lockheedâ€s statement announcing the formation of the alliance.

The September 11, 2001 attacks spurred increased interest in the use of biometric technologies to improve the security of visa and immigration documentation and government-issued identification card programs. Unlike traditional identification methods, which require individuals to present an identification card, a personal identification number (PIN) or a password, biometric identifiers rely on unique biological information about an individual, which is much more difficult to falsify. Iris recognition technology -- a form of biometric technology that uses pattern-recognition techniques and high-resolution images of an individualâ€s iris -- generated significant initial interest because it is a highly accurate and less intrusive system for identification and verification than fingerprinting and other methods. Nearly 80 percent of the 1,000 U.S. residents surveyed for the Unisys Security Index, released in October 2009, said that they would be willing to use iris recognition technology. Widespread adoption remains elusive, particularly in the public sector, due to concerns about interoperability between various iris recognition technologies and a desire to avoid “vendor lock-in,” or standardizing on a single vendorâ€s solution.

General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of Falls Church, VA-based General Dynamics, reports that it has been awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract by DHS' Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to develop secure credentials for immigrants seeking employment within the United States.

Santa Ana, CA-based Hirsch Electronics, which earlier this year merged with smart-card-reader manufacturer SCM Microsystems, Inc., has named Rob Zivney to the newly created position of vice president, business development.

Doorzipper, created by inventor Stan Demster of Shawnee, KS-based KJD Services, is a new way to render a door virtually impervious to forced entry, the company says.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has looked into the more than $795 million the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and DHS have invested since 2002 in technologies to screen passengers at airport checkpoints, and in particular into why deployment of the explosives trace portal (ETP) was halted.

When the Department of State issued a purchase order to Rapiscan, Inc. for gamma ray vehicle and cargo inspection systems, even though Rapiscan did not have a Schedule contract with the General Services Administration in place for those specific products â€" which was one of the stated requirements of the solicitation â€" another competitor, Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), protested Stateâ€s action.The Government Accountability Office (GAO), which adjudicates such contract protests, has now sided with SAIC and instructed the State Department to instead award the overall contract to SAIC or the qualified bidder next in line.

The U.S. Navyâ€s Office of Naval Research (ONR) intends to launch a future-oriented-weapons grants program targeting the various emerging sci-fi-like laser, particle-beam and sonic weapons, known popularly but erroneously as “death rays,” but more accurately called directed-energy weapons. The ONR says in its recent announcement that “of particular interest is research in theories for future technologies that may be explored, developed and implemented to efficiently and effectively address the emerging Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) threats used against its existing or planned naval ship platforms, underwater systems, aviation systems and/or weapons systems.”

Baltimore-based SpotCrime, a data and news company, has signed a partnership agreement with Minneapolis / St. Paul's KSTP-TV. Under the partnership, SpotCrime will map crime data for KSTP-TV 5 Eyewitness News. KSTP is the flagship television station of Hubbard Broadcasting Corp.

Billerica, MA-based American Science and Engineering (AS&E) has received a $19.3 million follow-on order from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for multiple Z Backscatter Vans (ZBVs). The deal is for AS&Eâ€s mobile X-ray screening system and is meant to support counter-drug and anti-terrorism programs, according to the company.

St. Petersburg, FL-based Custom Manufacturing & Engineering (CMETM) has unveiled the Eagle Eye, which the company calls a 360-degree fully static solid-state pan capable camera module for commercial and military applications.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials met with their counterparts from the Mexican Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) last week to outline joint initiatives to combat transnational crime, increase law enforcement collaboration and increase the secure flow of travel and trade along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a DHS summary of the get-together.

In a recent report, DHS estimated that 12.6 million legal permanent residents (LPRs) were living in the U.S. on January 1, 2008. The LPR population includes, for example, green-card holders, but not those immigrants who have become U.S. citizens.

Threats from external sources are the biggest cyber-security challenge facing both defense and civilian agencies, according to Vernon Hills, IL-based CDW Government, Inc.â€s (CDW-G) 2009 Federal Cybersecurity Report.  Defense agencies report that state-sponsored cybersecurity-warfare programs are their most significant external threats, while civilian agencies identify independent international hackers and software problems as their primary concern, according to CDW-Gâ€s survey of 300 federal IT professionals. 

Raâ€anana, Israel-based NICE Systems Ltd. reports that it has been selected by China's Chongqing Metro to provide NICE's digital video security solution at the 18 monorail stations of its Line 3 route. The companyâ€s solution was selected following several other Beijing Metro deployments, according to a NICE statement.

A Milestone software-based IP video surveillance system is protecting historical treasures at the Academy of Santa Cecilia, in Rome, the company reports. The system proved its scalability and flexibility when these historical treasures from Italian culture and music were moved to a new location at the Parco della Musica Auditorium, according to Denmark-based Milestone.

ComNet Communication Networks, of Danbury, CT, a provider of fiber optic and Ethernet network solutions, has introduced a new high-capacity managed Ethernet switch. The company describes the Comworx CNGE2FE24MSPoE as its first environmentally hardened, managed Ethernet switch that provides a high port density in a compact package and provides power over Ethernet (PoE) to peripheral devices such as IP cameras and video encoders.

Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, introduced legislation on November 10 that would upgrade existing and construct new land ports of entry, particularly in Texas; provide cash incentives to recruit and retain Customs and Border Protection agents; equip each CBP officer with satellite-enabled, secure, interoperable two-way radios, and fund other ways to bolster security along the Southwest border.The measure, S. 2767, known as the Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act of 2009, was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.