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| A Primedia Property | |
| March 10, 2005 | Vol. 1, No. 5 |
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Table Of Contents $11 billion in grants for technology initiatives on horizon Chertoff defends higher airline fees Stolen blank Nevada licenses pose threat to Homeland DHS dabbles in prime time ADVERTISEMENT iCLASS Meets Government Standards HID supports GSC-IS V2.1 with fully-compliant iCLASS contactless smart card readers that are available to output the FASC-N in multiple configurations, providing versatility to support both existing and new access control systems. Standard communication protocols make it easy to replace existing access control card readers with HID GSC-compliant card readers. http://www.hidcorp.com/products/iclass/ In the News $11 billion in grants for technology initiatives on horizon New legislation introduced to Congress recommends more than $11 billion in grant funding to be spent on technology-focused initiatives to prevent terrorist attacks and address key security vulnerabilities, according to a report by a Virginia-based information services and consulting firm. The report, from Input, Reston, Va., says current top priorities in the Homeland security agenda focus on increasing dependency on highly technical solutions to protect the nation against terrorist threats at its borders, seaports and within mass transportation systems. "Concern over national security inadequacies and potential terrorist attacks continues to drive the grant funding trends," says Suzy Haleen, manager of grant products at INPUT. "Anxiety over the safety of our major roadways and points of entry has produced a large number of aggressive and valuable technology grant programs covering many facets of transportation and border security." House Bill 153 -- "Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2005" -- is proposing $7.5 billion to be spent over the next five years to increase rail and public transportation security. The majority of the funding will be allocated to prevent the seizure of communications and infrastructure, as well as to respond to any type of attack, whether chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive in nature. Technology recommendations include inter-operable communications systems, protection for public transit operations, employee security preparedness training and improved security surveillance systems. Senate Bill 12 -- "Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005" -- is valued at $3.5 billion over the next five years. This funding will target border and port security enhancements and cargo container security upgrades. Large-scale technology projects in the bill include the implementation of radiation detection portal equipment and integrated cargo inspection systems. Chertoff defends higher airline fees U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has defended controversial plans to increase airline passenger security fees and says it makes sense that passengers pay for their increased security, Reuters reports. The Bush administration has proposed a $3 hike in fees to a maximum of $8 for one-way travel as a key element in the proposed 2006 Homeland Security budget. The increase is strongly opposed by airlines, which contend the government should pay for security. In his first public remarks on the fee proposal, Chertoff said it is "economically sound" and places the burden on travelers who benefit from the security. "To the extent that we pay for things that we care about, I think passengers would understand the need to pay a small amount of money to guarantee their security so they get where they're going," Chertoff told a U.S. Senate committee. The government estimates the fee increase will generate $1.5 billion to mainly help pay for screeners at more than 420 airports. The increase would nearly double passenger security fees to about $3.78 billion. Stolen blank Nevada licenses pose threat to Homeland The Department of Homeland Security has been notified of the theft of 1,700 blank Nevada state driver's licenses last weekend, and the FBI has offered to assist in the investigation, The Las Vegas Sun reports. Nevada National Guard commander and state Homeland security adviser Giles Vanderhoof sent a notice to officials in Washington, D.C., so that news of the theft at a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles office in North Las Vegas could be sent out across the country as part of a Homeland security bulletin. FBI spokesman Special Agent David Schrom said that the FBI has been in contact with the agencies investigating the theft, the North Las Vegas Police and the state Department of Public Safety. Schrom added that, at this point, there is no evidence that the theft is in any way connected to terrorism. "The licenses could be used by someone attempting to smuggle illegal aliens in the country," Vanderhoof says. "They could be used for all kinds of things." The burglars drove a vehicle through a 9-by-11-foot window in the back of a DMV building. They got away with 1,700 blank driver's licenses and the equipment needed to turn them into fake driver's licenses, police say. The equipment stolen included a computer and license printer, but the thieves will not be able to access DMV information from the computer because the programs are encrypted. DHS dabbles in prime time Following the Pentagon, CIA, FBI and other government agencies, the Department of Homeland Security has hired a Hollywood liaison to work with moviemakers and scriptwriters. Bobbie Faye Ferguson, a onetime actress who worked with Hollywood at NASA for seven years, is now reviewing 14 movie, TV and documentary projects. If she approves of a script or idea, the department will offer advice and technical help to the directors, producers and actors about portraying the nation's Homeland defenders. "I've had dozens and dozens of inquiries," Ferguson told USA Today. "It's always been a topic they've been interested in, but more so now." Already, the department has given guidance to last year's The Terminal, in which Tom Hanks played an immigrant stranded at JFK airport in New York, and to the TV shows "CSI: Miami" and "NCIS." Some critics say the government shouldn't spend money trying to burnish the image of its agencies. Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse says Ferguson will help "give the public a better understanding of how the department ... protects the country." She was hired in October at a top government salary and makes more than $100,000. For now, she is a one-woman show. As a result, Homeland Security is spending less than other agencies on its entertainment office. This Week's Reader Poll Question On selected weeks, GOVERNMENT SECURITY REPORTS will ask its readers a question concerning the state of the security industry. Your responses may be printed in an upcoming issue of Access Control & Security Systems or Government Security. QUESTION: Is the hiring of a DHS entertainment consultant good for the Department's overall image? Please e-mail your responses to prothman@primediabusiness.com. Please include "poll response" in the subject line, and include your name, title and location for consideration. News You Can Use Acoustic Inspection Device n: * Type of technology used by law enforcement and other first responders to inspect a sealed container to determine its contents. The handheld machine shoots an acoustic pulse through the container, where sound waves are reflected to show the user what's inside. Read how acoustic inspection devices and other hot technologies are aiding first responders in an article from the February issue of GOVERNMENT SECURITY, entitled "Powerful Technology, Stronger Response", available right now at www.govtsecurity.com. Procurement Watch
Events March 14-16 Global Terrorism Conference Ritz Carlton, Arlington, Va. Organizer: ASIS Intl. Crime Council Information: 703-519-6200 www.asisonline.org March 14-17 March 16-18 March 22-23 March 28-April 1 April 4-5 April 4-6 April 5-7 April 6-8 New Announcements from GOVERNMENT SECURITY magazine Now on www.govtsecurity.com February 2005 Browse our latest issue at your leisure |
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