TSA Announces Move to Intelligence Based Screening
Following the failed attempt to blow up a Detroit bound jetliner on Christmas day 2009, the TSA imposed tighter security on passengers from 14 specific countries. This policy was controversial as it subjected many innocent people to increased scrutiny solely because they were born or resided in a county on this list. In addition, a large amount of time and resources were being expended to screen people who posed no risk. On April 2nd, 2009, TSA announced that it was moving to a new screening policy based on "intelligence." Now, according to an article at chameleonassociates.com, rather than just looking at a person's country of origin, additional passenger information will be considered such as, "their travel patterns, whether their ticket was paid for in cash, what stops they may be making in their journey, if they are traveling alone, and other behavioral data." Intelligence based screening is widely considered to be the most efficient, non-biased, common-sense screening policy. The difficulty comes in constantly training, monitoring and re-training TSA Officers to maintain the skill set needed to identify and address passengers who pose a potential threat. The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Government Liaison, Alejandro Beutel, hailed the new policy as, "a significant leap in the right direction."The policy shift has been widely praised. Only time will tell whether TSA can implement it effectively.
You can see further articles on the topic here: http://www.chameleonassociates.com/blog/2010/04/intelligence-based-screening-and-intelligent-screening/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/02/AR2010040204131.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/02/us/02terror.html?hp Reliant Security provides security and screening services to clients throughout the western United States. Sincerely, Matthew Cooper, CPP VP Reliant Security
Do Security Services Produce a Return on Investment?
Security Guard Services have traditionally been considered a cost-of-business that did not produce a return on investment (ROI). Business must spend money to keep from losing more money, or so the thinking goes. A recent article in Buildings.com shows how creative property managers are reconsidering this idea and discovering that security services really can produce a measurable return.See the article, "Making Security Pay" here: http://www.buildings.com/Default.aspx?TabId=3413&ArticleID=9526
The first way that security services can produce a ROI is by lowering general liability exposure for property owners according to Joe Marcello, Executive Vice President of National Operations for IPC International Corp. This translates into fewer claims and lower insurance premiums.
Patrol officers whose job is to prevent and report damage and vandalism can also by tasked with turning off lights, turning down heat and air conditioning after hours and performing other basic maintenance tasks. Leveraging the money already being spent on security services may achieve savings in other departments like maintenance and reception.
Security officers often provide concierge services in Class-A office buildings. In addition to providing security escorts, officers hand out fliers and applications, make appointments and reservations and screen visitors for business tenants. Building managers understand that a higher level of value-added services leads to higher rents and occupancy rates in competitive markets.
Another highly effective method for maximizing returns on security is to install cameras, card readers and other technical systems to automate security functions. These technologies allow companies to reduce the number of guard patrols without compromising the security of the facility.
In retail, manufacturing and distribution businesses, security services produce a return by preventing damage, loss and shrink. Commercial property managers are learning that security services can produce a clear return on investment for their businesses as well by thinking outside the box, utilizing technology and expanding the scope of the guard services.
Reliant Security provides value-added security services and technology solutions to clients throughout the western United States.
Sincerely, Matthew Cooper, CPP VP Reliant Security
Protecting Critical Infrastructure in an Apathetic Environment
Following the 9/11 attacks in the United States, the country implemented a broad range of security measures at seaports, airports and along the US border in order to strengthen the security of the country. Now almost ten years later without another attack, some security professionals worry that business and political leaders and the public at large are growing apathetic about the threat of terrorism.
Marshall Keith James of SoBran, Inc. wrote an interesting article for security managers who are working against the grain in this environment. http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/facing-challenge-protecting-critical-infrastructure-apathetic-environment-m-k-james-sobran-inc?page=0,0
Some of his advice to security managers is as follows:
- Articulate the threats to your operation without exaggeration
- Understand and test your security plan
- Identify potential targets and specific threats
- Avoid pre-packaged solutions which are "hazard centric"
- Counter apathy with enthusiasm
- Develop advisory relationships with security professionals experienced in plan development and implementation
Reliant Security provides professional security services and consulting to business and government clients throughout the Western United States.
Sincerely, Matthew Cooper, CPP VP Reliant Security
Security Requires More than Security Guards
As details emerge from the failed airplane bombing on Christmas Day, a variety of security screening policies and procedures will be introduced or updated. President Obama is asking his national security team for answers as to how this happened and how we can prevent it from happening again.
One article written by Philip Elliot for Associated Press on the event aftermath can be seen here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/80460127.html
While this near tragedy will likely result in some security improvements, especially regarding inter-agency intelligence sharing, the bottom line is that it will be virtually impossible to stop every terrorist attack every time if we are to maintain some semblance of the "free society" that we currently enjoy in the United States. The good news in this story is that yet again another heroic citizen intervened to help stop this disaster.
The intervention of the alert citizen highlights a key security concept that is often overlooked: real security requires security awareness and a proactive approach by every citizen.
This concept is called "domain awareness" in Maritime Security. Domain Awareness "is defined as the effective understanding of anything associated with the... domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_Domain_Awareness Maritime Security protocols require some level of domain awareness training for all employees who work at waterfront facilities.
The threat of international terrorism requires an alert and engaged citizenry. The threat of theft and crime at a business requires alert and engaged employees. The latter can be achieved through security preparedness planning and on-going training.
Security Guards and police will provide the front line defense but there will never be enough of them to secure every area at every time. These first responders need to be altered to suspicious persons and behavior by citizens and employees who are aware of their surroundings and taking responsibility for their collective security.
Reliant Security provides professional security services and training to clients in the Western United States.
Sincerely, Matthew Cooper, CPP VP Reliant Security
Washington State Continues to Issue Licenses to Illegal Immigrants
The recent decision by the Department of Homeland Security to delay the compliance date for Real ID Act to May 2011 (http://www.govtech.com/gt/735010?topic=117688) has highlighted the fact that Washington State does not require proof of legal residency when issue driver's licenses. KNDO News reports that Washington is one of only four states that does not require proof of legal status.
See the report here: http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=11720475
The Washington State policy underscores the need for security contractors and all employers in Washington State to conduct thorough background investigations on all potential employees to make sure that they are legally qualified to work in the US.
Reliant Security monitors the latest industry trends and changes in the legal environment in order to provide our customers with the information needed to adhere to current best practices.
Sincerely, Matthew Cooper, CPP VP Reliant Security
Survey Finds More Employees are Willing to Steal Company Information
Tim Wilson writing in DarkReading.com presented some alarming findings taken from recent surveys about financial industry employee attitudes towards security and proprietary company data.See the article here: http://www.darkreading.com/insiderthreat/security/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=221900815
Almost half of the respondents said that they would be willing to illegally take company information for personal use or use with another employer. A quarter of those surveyed said that, "the recession has made them feel less loyal toward their employers." Disgruntled and laid-off employees were perceived as representing the greatest risk to companies.
Although the survey was specifically focused on data security, one can safely assume that these employee attitudes towards theft are held more broadly among workers. Companies that utilize dedicated security personnel can train their guards to be aware not only of risks from outside the company, but also to watch for signs of internal theft as well. A combination of dedicated security officers as well as up-to-date electronic monitoring lets employees know that the company has a well-crafted, sophisticated approach to security. In addition, when companies provide security awareness training to all employees, those employees will help senior managers to be aware of potential risks and security weaknesses within their organizations.
Reliant Security provides a full range of security services as well as security training to companies throughout the Western United States.
Sincerely, Matthew Cooper, CPP VP Reliant Security
90% of American Companies Fail to Screen Contractors
Earlier this year Devon Wijesinghe, Chief Strategy Officer for e-Verifile.com, wrote an interesting article for SecurityPark.net in which he posited that ninety percent (90%) of American companies fail to perform background and criminal history checks on the contractors that they hire. See the article here: http://www.securitypark.co.uk/security_article262790.html
Mr. Wijesinghe asserts that recent US court decisions have found companies liable for the actions of contractors and vendors. He believes this trend will continue into the future.
Reliant Security understands the importance of performing background checks which is why all of our officers undergo a rigorous background check by the FBI.
Protect you company from financial loss and embarrassment by screening your contractors and by hiring contractors who screen their employees.
Sincerely, Matt CooperVP Reliant Security
www.reliantsecurity.net
Selecting the Right Private Security Contractor
Selecting_the_Right_Private_Security_Contractor_WP
Those who follow the security industry will undoubtedly be aware of the recent scandal involving hazing practices at ArmorGroup North America, a security contractor in Afghanistan owned by Wackenhut. See the article here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/01/eveningnews/main5280465.shtml
The attached White Paper recently released by Gardaworld details the questions that companies should ask when evaluating a security contract firm. The focus of the paper is government security contracting however the evaluation principles fully apply to the private market.
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Please click on the link at the top to download a complete copy of the White Pager.
Sincerely, Matt CooperVP Reliant Security
www.reliantsecurity.net
Integration in Access Control Systems
Greetings!
At Reliant Security, we are constantly scouring the various security sites, blogs, etc. for the latest information.
RS2 Technologies published a great White Paper on Integration in Access Control Systems. Here is an excerp:
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Integration_in_Access_Control_Systems
Executive Summary
In the first two papers of the RS2 White Paper series, we examined the
subjects of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Open Architecture as they
relate to access control systems. We concluded that an important element
of TCO was the use of Open Architecture and that, in turn, Open Architecture
was the “cornerstone of integration.” We stated that this integration
allowed end users to build completely integrated security systems incorporating
access control, badging, CCTV, digital or network video recording
and analytics, intercom, intrusion detection, wireless/IP locksets and other
functions such as visitor management.
This White Paper endeavors to provide a useful definition of integration
(as it pertains to access control systems), provides several examples
(including diagrams) of discrete integrated systems, and discusses what
the next step(s) might be along the road to even higher levels of integration.
It also lists some of the questions that end users should ask the vendors
of access control systems and the systems integrators who install these
systems. Readers are then encouraged to apply these conclusions to their
own evaluations of access control systems.
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Please click on the link at the top to download a complete copy of the White Pager.
Sincerely, Matt CooperVP Reliant Security
www.reliantsecurity.net
Mini E-course on Business Security
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• 15 loss prevention solutions every business should know
• 7 steps to assessing your current level of security risk
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• How to protect your valuable information
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• How to develop a rock-solid security strategy for your business
• And much, much more!
Sign-up and enjoy this fantastic resource.
Sincerely,
Matthew Cooper
503.452.1050