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Washington Naval Yard Shooting – Case Analysis – Utica College

On 16 September 2013, Aaron Alexis conducted a mass shooting in Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard. He was a lone shooter killed by police after killing 12 and injuring 8. There were former instances of misconduct and mental issues. These are not considered in issuance of Common Access Card (CAC) or clearance. There were poor installation access control and building security procedures seen as contributing factors. The Attack and Defense Scenarios analyze two main issues. Issue 1: • Could the attack have been substantially more lethal if the shooter had pre-planned and preositioned additional key attack elements thereby increasing the efficiency of the attack? • Could the attack be a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from the true reason, data breach of classified information? Issue 2: • Could the risk of an attack been reduced through a layered defense implementation of X-ray machine/metal detector suites, more security cameras with facial recognition capabilities, and increased access controls (biometrics or improved identification badging)? Analysis of the issues result in the following risk assessment values: • Initial Risk Assessment (Baseline) = 18% • Attack Boost (Worst Case) = 12% increase • Defense Boost (Best Case) = 14% decrease • After applying the Ryan-Nichols Equation the NET value  requires $2.28Million dollars to mitigate the risk of the attack • Implementation of multilayered defense with enhanced access control systems and procedures are recommended Read the rest in the downloadable PowerPoint show file here:   http://treadstone71llc.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/washingtonnavalyardshooting-caseanalysis.ppsx  http://programs.online.utica.edu/programs/masters-cybersecurity.asp

China Installed More Than 60 Security Cameras On One Street Pole

News Bot   Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Paranoid much, China? Cause it sure as hell looks like it when you have more than sixty security cameras strapped onto a single street light. This photograph, taken at an intersection in Shanghai by NetEase , hilariously captures the personal privacy be damned, big brother monster attitude that everyone imagines China to have. It’s perfect, really. Read more… More… News Bot   Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Remember that PC streaming feature Mad Catz’ MOJO is supposed to be getting sometime after launch? It might be powered by NVIDIA’s GameStream technology. “We’re talking to NVIDIA and we hope to enable GameStream soon after the launch of the console,” Alex Verrey, Mad Catz’ Global PR Director told … More… There are no threads newer than the previous one. Click the back button in your browser to return to it.

Diebold Secures Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine

Advanced security solutions protecting one of world’s largest mines October 31, 2013 — NORTH CANTON, Ohio , Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE: DBD) is helping secure one of the largest gold mines in the world. Operated by Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation (PVDC), the Pueblo Viejo mine, located in the Dominican Republic , has proven and probable gold reserves of 25.0 million ounces. To secure this high-value site, Diebold installed and implemented advanced video surveillance , access control , intrusion detection and perimeter monitoring systems. The company integrated these systems via a customized software application, enabling on-site security personnel to efficiently monitor the entire property in real time. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080725/DIEBOLDLOGO ) PVDC is a joint venture between gold producers Barrick Gold Corporation and Goldcorp Inc. It achieved commercial production in January 2013 and has a projected life of more than 30 years. Diebold Secures Pueblo Viejo Gold Mine “As a vast gold reserve, the Pueblo Viejo mine requires numerous electronic security solutions to protect the site’s assets,” said Marshal Valentine , country security manager. “Diebold’s integrated solutions have provided a way to actively and intelligently monitor the entire site, enhancing security from the perimeter to individual locations inside the property.” For the site’s video surveillance system, Diebold installed more than 300 cameras and multiple digital video recorders. In addition, Diebold created a fully equipped command center where security personnel can monitor video images from across the site and automatically view video feeds associated with any alarm event. […]

CSC Continues Acquisition Track With ServiceMesh Deal

John Madden Summary CSC announced more than a year ago that it would reorganize and reinvest in strategic areas to spark additional growth, and the company has been true to its word. The vendor’s recently announced acquisition of ServiceMesh, a 140-person, privately funded cloud management and brokerage company, is CSC’s third deal in a year – made possible by cost-cutting and shedding some business in order to build up resources and free cash. This deal augments CSC’s overall cloud initiatives, particularly in how it accelerates CSC’s internal IP efforts around cloud orchestration and management. Acquisitions focused on building capabilities in strategic growth areas CSC unveiled its acquisition of ServiceMesh as part of its mixed Q2 earnings announcement. This is the second deal for the outsourcer in the last three months, and its third deal in a year – which is notable, as CSC has been very acquisition-averse in the past. All of these deals are to bolster CSC’s IP and capabilities in its strategic growth areas, which include cloud and Big Data/analytics as top priorities. The first two deals were focused on Big Data. First, in October 2012, CSC acquired 42Six Solutions, a software development company specializing in data processing and analytics for US government intelligence agencies and for the US Department of Defense. Secondly, in August 2013, CSC enhanced its Big Data practice with a deal for Infochimps, a small, privately held company known for its automated framework for elastic scaling of Hadoop, NoSQL, and stream processing analytics […]

Biometric Market To Flourish By 2018

Biometric market to flourish by 2018 – Goode Intelligence Goode Intelligence has predicted mobile security products and services will grow within the next five years, generating more than US$8.3 billion revenue by 2018. HumanIPO reported earlier this month on the National Cyber Security Alliance’s preferred smartphone security survey. Focusing on the mobile biometric security market, Goode believes the industry is driven by Apple’s release of Touch ID. “Apple has disrupted everything and has again disrupted a market and rebranded biometrics as a convenient method of  communicating with consumer technology,” the report stated. Within five years, 3.4 billion users are predicted to engage with biometrics on their mobile devices, alluding to a collective revenue of US$8.3 billion. Fingerprint sensors are forecasted to become a standard feature for high-end smart mobile devices by  2015, serving as a replacement with “cumbersome and inconvenient” methods currently available on mobile devices. With regards to mobile commerce, mobile devices are predicted as the primary mode for digital commerce. However, Goode reasons its progress is currently being hampered by identity verification and payment authorisation yet to be updated. Biometrics is suggested as a replacement for payment authorisation, as well as serving its goal in the authentication of products as supported by the Field Integrated Design Operations (FIDO) Alliance, among others. It will also contribute to scale security in the protection of sensitive information and transactions with services such as Mobile Device Management (MDM), secure containers and Mobile Application Management (MAM) succeeding in the creation of a […]

Biometric ID Cards For Foreigners Studying In Malaysia

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is in talks with the Education Ministry on the proposed implementation of security featured biometric identity cards for foreign students studying in local institutions of higher learning said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday. “We do have some problems with regard to foreign students. “We are currently in discussions with the Education Ministry to adopt the biometric identity card with security features such as barcode and RIFD chip for foreign students here,” he told reporters at a press conference in Parliament lobby. He said the identify card would serve as the students traveling permit when in the country rather than the students having to carry passports where ever they go. “Several countries, namely Saudi Arab, Yemen and several Middle East countries have indicated interest in adopting such a card for their students students here,” he added. Based on ministry’s records, there were some 80,000 international students in the country last year. The aim is to attract 200,000 foreign students by 2020. In a related issue, Ahmad Zahid said that a pilot project is currently underway to implement the biometric identity card for the 2.116mil foreign workers in the country by the end of next year. He added that cards would be issued according to the sectors employing the foreign workers to allow immigration officials to keep tabs. “By end of next year, all foreign […]

Is Street Photography Ethical?

Christina Harman In a day and age where there is a threat of images falling into the wrong hands, the issue of street photography is coming under fire from public opinion. Ironically, in a time where everything we do is being increasingly captured on camera anyways – whether by security cameras or at the ATM, public awareness – and opinions on the issue of street photography are also on the rise, and the debate goes on. Street Photography photography by Ian Carroll However some photographers wonder why there is even a debate on the ethics of street photography. Surely ethics aren’t an issue for photojournalists, or something that other photographers have to face. Why are street photographers being singled out and viewed with suspicion? Photography has always come under scrutiny Whether it’s a photographer photographing people in a culture that is superstitious of the camera, or a photojournalist being criticized for photographing the plight of someone – rather than helping – photography of any kind will always involve an ethical dilemma. Photojournalism in and of itself isn’t unethical; however, snapping photos at the scene of an accident can cause the issue of ethics to come into question. In the same way, street photography in and of itself is not an ethical issue. It’s the problems that arise from some of the tactics that are used, the potential conflicting motives that are involved with some cases of photography (should homeless people be photographed for art?), and the public concerns and […]

Oil and Gas Security Market – Including Physical Security Forecasts & Analysis (2013 – 2018)

[October 28, 2013] Oct 28, 2013 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — Oil and gas security market is expected to experience significant growth over the coming years due to the growing demand for energy. It has thus forced the companies to expand their existing infrastructure and also deal with a variety of security challenges such as terrorist attacks, criminal activities and global competition. This report on oil & gas security focuses on such technologies and products that are needed to protect the existing and future infrastructure. Few of the unconventional technologies mapped in this report include over & under water surveillance, long range sonar and radar systems and video surveillance using thermal cameras. Oil & gas pipeline security and the transportation security are required to ensure the smooth operation of energy industry, and are expected to drive the oil & gas market. This report focuses on the protective measures and solutions that need to be taken to protect the energy providers and resources against the threats such as attacks on supply infrastructure, accidents, natural and unnatural disasters and rising terrorism and cyber attacks. It also provides insights into the various intelligent security solutions which enable the providers to integrates collect and analyze the network through the data generated by their Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks and grids. The report broadly comprises of oil and gas security segments: physical security solutions, network security solutions; by types of applications: exploration and drilling, refining and storage and transportation, pipeline and distribution; […]

HID Global Sees Gradual Shift From Smart Cards to NFC

With NFC on access control, it will be able to drive to a level of critical acceptance Interviews | by Sharath Kumar BANGALORE, INDIA: We are about to embark on a new generation of access control technology in which mechanical keys – and even plastic smart cards – are either replaced – or at least, augmented — by digital keys and portable digital identity credentials that can be securely provisioned onto NFC-enabled smartphones and other mobile devices. In an interaction with CIOL, Ranjit Nambiar, director of sales, India and SAARC, HID Global shared insights on applications of NFC technology day-to-day businesses that are set to take off in India. Excerpts: CIOL: Can you share with us your journey from RFID cards to NFC Ranjit Nambiar: HID Global comes with an identity security background, which means, we are into the business of basically securing identities. Identities could be in any form. It could be in biometrics, access control, IT authentication, card control. If you look at the core of our technology, most of the solutions of what we have, Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is one of them. We extensively use RFID with respect to secure identity solution. We have other businesses also, which are non RFID centric. It’s a secure identity business with RFID as a core technology is what we use. We have come out with a new series of physical access control readers which are NFC enabled. The platform is called the ICLASS SE. ICLASS is a brand of […]

SmartMetric Biometric Activated ATM & Credit Card To Fight $8.6 Billion A Year In USA Card Fraud

SmartMetric, Inc. SmartMetric Biometric Card Solution Targets Fraudsters and Has Potential to Save Card Industry Billions per Year BAY HARBOR, FL–(Marketwired – Oct 25, 2013) – SmartMetric, Inc. ( OTCQB : SMME ) – Speaking today from the companies offices in Bay Harbor, SmartMetric™ Inc. President & CEO Chaya Hendrick said credit card industry figures show Card fraud costs the U.S. card payments industry an estimated US$8.6 billion per year*. Fraud comprises 0.4% of the US$2.1 trillion in total yearly U.S. card volume*. Using a person’s fingerprint to activate the “EMV” ATM or Credit Card will protect both financial institutions and card holders against significant fraud.  SmartMetric has developed a fingerprint reader that sits inside a person’s ATM or Credit Card. It is self powered allowing it to perform a fingerprint match while a person is standing at a retail checkout or on the street at an ATM. A person simply swipes their finger across the SmartMetric sensor on the surface of the card and the card’s internal computer processor performs a match with the person’s fingerprint that is pre-stored in the memory of the card itself. For added security a person’s fingerprint is always stored and encrypted inside the card and IS NOT stored on a bank’s computer. When a match occurs, the card’s EMV surface mounted chip is then turned on allowing a transaction at the millions of ATM and retail card machines around the world. Banks don’t have to retrofit existing retail ATM’s or POS retail card readers […]

Biocryptology: Biometric System ‘To End Identity Fraud’ Launched

Biocryptology Primary fingerprint scanner Biocryptology, a biometric authentication service that claims to make identity theft “virtually impossible”, had its British launch today at London’s Science Museum. The system gives the user a portable fingerprint scanner which generates a random number from biometrics, which can be verified by a central service operated by the firm behind the technology, Primary-Net. When taking a fingerprint, the system uses a patented “life detection system” which reads parameters including blood flow, skin and finger temperature to ensure the target is alive. This should prevent attacks using copies of finger prints, as seen on bypasses of the authentication system on Apple’s latest iPhone . Biocryptology has been piloted, over the last two years, in a range of terminals designed for banks, military systems and immigration. One comercial US pilot was carried out by Nexus USA  in Rapid City, with the Biocryptology system provided by a company called Hanscan, which appears to be a predecessor to Primary-Net. Primary-Net has invested $30 million in the technology, which sees over 8,000 keys generated on a ‘Primary’ device at the sender end. The identity of the user is validated at one of Biocryptology’s three global data centres. The primary device is individual to the user, and carried by them, to be plugged in by USB, wherever identification is required. For the US trial, the firm developed another device, the Nexus SmartPay, which sits at the sales terminal, has its own fingerprint scanner and can identify multiple people. Klaas Zwart, […]

Point Grey Releases New Cricket IP-camera

Published on 25 Oct, 2013 Point Grey, a world-leading Canadian designer and manufacturer of innovative, high-performance digital cameras, recently announced the release of the all new Cricket IP security camera family. The Cricket IP camera packs exceptional imaging quality and rich IP surveillance features into a low cost, PoE-enabled network camera. The first two available Cricket models offer 720p and 1080p resolutions at 60 fps, using Sony Exmor CMOS sensors suitable for challenging low-light conditions and dynamic scenes. The Cricket camera employs Sony’s Xarina IP camera platform, which integrates Sony’s superior image signal processing and video encoding capabilities to provide multi-image wide dynamic range (WDR) functionality, 2D and 3D noise reduction, H.264 and MJPEG compression, multi-streaming, and ONVIF compatibility. Both models are compatible with 1/3″ manual iris or DC auto iris lenses, sold separately. “The Cricket camera offers excellent image quality, low light performance, and wide dynamic range capability comparable to more expensive security and surveillance cameras in the industry” says Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing at Point Grey. “We have taken our 15 years of experience working with the most sophisticated digital camera technology in the world and created a low-cost, compact and easy-to-use IP camera that delivers superior imaging performance without the unnecessary gimmicks.”

NIST Report Reflects Increasing Need for ABAC Then Over-Engineers Its Deployment

by Andy Han The National Institute of Technology and Standards (NIST) held a conference a few months back on Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC).  The primary objective of the conference was to promote a special publication on ABAC and the event brought together leaders from various government programs, technology vendors, industry analysts and subject matter experts on authorization and access control.  The event and paper are recognition that the adoption of ABAC is accelerating and that we needed to put in writing a shared understanding of when and how to deploy ABAC.  There was agreement on the central of the drivers for the adoption of ABAC: Organizations, including the federal government, need to govern how information is shared across systems, applications, and organizations.  The document’s purpose is thus to (1) establish a standard definition of ABAC and a description of its functional components and (2) provide “planning, design, implementation, and operational considerations for employing ABAC within a large enterprise with the goal of improving information sharing while maintaining control of that information” (vii). ABAC is endorsed by NIST as the best approach for this particular challenge because of the fundamentals of its design. ABAC allows organizations to pass attributes back and forth as information is shared across application, infrastructure, and organizational boundaries. Access control policies use those attributes to evaluate the relationships between subjects and objects and determine whether to allow an action. One of the core technical benefits of ABAC, according to the report, is “ABAC avoids the […]

Frost & Sullivan: Global Commercial Biometrics Market to Grow Considerably as Awareness Increases – IT Industry Today

EIN Presswire —  Fingerprint technology continues to be the most used, even as face and iris recognition gain prominence LONDON , Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Increasing awareness of biometrics across industries will spur the global commercial biometrics market. While historically the adoption of biometrics has been concentrated in the government sector, recent years have witnessed considerable demand for applications such as ATMs, retail points of sale, and finance. Iris and face recognition algorithms have undergone substantial advancements and are gaining prominence, while fingerprint technologies remain the most popular. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan ( http://www.autoid.frost.com ), Analysis of the Global Commercial Biometrics Market , finds that the market earned revenues of $1.48 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach $6.15 billion in 2019. In addition to fingerprint, facial and iris biometrics, the study covers hand geometry, voice, and signature technologies. “Better end-user recognition of the unique capabilities of biometric technologies, including enhanced security as well as physical and logical access control in applications, has helped vendors win a number of projects and contracts,” said Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Ram Ravi . “Focus on building robust, error-free and efficient solutions will create added revenue-generating opportunities for biometric vendors.” Although improvements in technology augur well for the market, any large-scale biometric project in enterprises takes long to implement and cover every employee. Since many businesses work within a restricted budget for a limited time span, the high cost and extended duration of deploying biometrics restricts installation […]

Sony Spinoff Goes Global With Biometric ID Gadget

Turkey is working on a nationwide project to install biometric authentication systems in hospitals and pharmacies nationwide. A biometric authentication system is a way to confirm identification with fingerprints, a vein on a finger or in another part of a human body. The system has a higher security threshold than password authentication, as it makes it more difficult for people to pretend they are someone else. By introducing the system, the Turkish government aims to confirm a patient’s identification. Recently, five firms have been selected to supply biometric systems for the project. Four of the five are Japanese, and three — Fujitsu Ltd., Hitachi Ltd. and NEC Corp. — have already established themselves internationally in the field of biometric authentication. The fourth Japanese company is Mofiria Ltd., based in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, which spun off from Sony Corp. in 2010. Sony began developing original technology on vein authentication systems around 2000. Mofiria’s technology used in the vein authentication system is relatively simple and thus the size of the device is small. Someone merely places a finger on the authentication device and it scans the concentration of veins found on the finger’s first and second joints. Then a near-infrared light emitting diode (LED) is projected onto the joints to make a clear image of veins, and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) censor takes a photo of the vein to confirm authentication. Mofiria President Satoshi Amagai was appointed to head the vein authentication business section at Sony in 2007. Then-President Ryoji […]

EU-Funded Project Takes Biometric Security Systems To Next Level

European Commission MEMO Brussels , 22 October 2013 EU-funded project to take biometric security systems to the next level In recent years we’ve seen face, voice and fingerprint identification software move from Sci-Fi films into real life affordable devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The TABULA RASA consortium, which is supported by EU research and innovation investment, has set out to identify just how well this new software works, in particular against the growing phenomenon of “spoofing ” i.e. using everyday materials such as make-up, photographs and voice recordings to subvert or directly attack biometric systems. Biometric systems have proven to be one of the most efficient security solutions available today. However, some biometric sensor vulnerabilities still exist, including some which have been well publicised in the International media. The TABULA RASA consortium comprises 12 different organisations across seven countries that have worked together over a period of three years to research as many vulnerabilities as possible, to develop countermeasures accordingly and ultimately a new breed of safer biometric systems. In the course of its research, TABULA RASA hosted a “Spoofing Challenge,” which invited researchers from around the world to develop attack plans and to attempt to deceive various biometric systems. Participants showed that there are many different and creative ways to attack the systems. The most innovative attack proposed during this challenge used make-up to spoof a 2D face recognition system and succeeded in being recognised as the victim. Other contestants used well-known attacks such as photographs, masks […]

Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies Canada Works To Keep Educational Facilities Safe

 |  16.10.2013, 19:51  |  117 Aufrufe  |  0   |  MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Oct. 16, 2013) – Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies (IRST) Canada is pleased to announce its commitment to safe schools with the launch of a suite of information resources to help school boards, educators, college security, physical plant managers and construction professionals involved in educational facility design and maintenance enhance the safety of students, staff and visitors. “With the start of the new school year, it’s important for those who have a role in protecting students to be well prepared,” says Mark Wilson, General Manager, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies Canada. “We have developed these resources to help guide those with responsibility for school safety. We want this year – and every year – to be a safe school year.” The resources can be accessed free of charge at www.doorsecurity.ca/safeschools (free login required), and include: Security and Safety Assessments for Colleges and Universities Security and Safety Assessments for K-12 Schools Five case studies featuring K-12 Schools Ten case studies featuring Universities and Colleges Virtual K-12 Campus Tour video Virtual University Campus Tour video The Convergent Campus – Integrating Security Technologies the Right Way video The suite also features on-demand webinars featuring Paul Timm, President of RETA Security, Inc. Timm is a renowned school security expert, boasting credentials that include Physical Security Professional (PSP), as well as experience as a SCAT Member (NOVA) and Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF). The first, School and Campus Safety for Students and Educators, focuses […]

MasterCard Certifies OTI?s ?Wave? NFC Device, Paving Way Toward Greater NFC Adoption Of Wallet-less World

MasterCard Certifies OTIs Wave NFC Device, Paving Way Toward Greater NFC Adoption and a Wallet less World The Wave is the industry’s first audio jack plug-in NFC payment solution and the only to receive certification from a major payment company like MasterCard. Based on OTI’s patented NFC technology, the compact Wave dongle is device agnostic, easily plugging into any smartphone, tablet or PC, allowing users to pay with their device while enjoying real-time benefits from loyalty programs and other incentives as delivered by the corresponding application. It opens up a whole new world of mobile device applications, while alleviating the burden of a wallet full of credit cards. “Receiving certification from MasterCard provides essential validation of our technology platform and opens up significant greenfield opportunities for our Wave solution,” commented Ofer Tziperman, OTI’s CEO. “We can now begin to target large-scale implementations with banking institutions and payment card providers, as well as projects involving public transportation, institutional memberships, and loyalty and rewards programs. “As the first major player in the payment industry to certify OTI’s Wave, MasterCard provides validation of our NFC solution — now the payment industry’s only certified NFC audio-jack add-on solution. We expect other major payment companies to follow suit and provide certification in the near future. “With NFC-enabled applications expected to grow at a 35% CAGR to $34.5 billion by 2016, it’s clear the payment industry is rapidly adopting NFC technology. NFC is becoming increasingly recognized as the fastest, most efficient, most versatile and secured […]

The Visitor Control Center At Navy?s Building 197

September 16th, 2013 | Defense | Posted by jim mcelhatton close Author: jim mcelhatton Name : Email: [email protected] Site: About: See Authors Posts (28)   Access into the Washington Navy Yard’s Building 197, where a shooting rampage in Washington left at least a dozen people dead Monday, includes a security clearance check and vetting by contract-hired “visitor control technicians,” contract records show. Authorities have identified Aaron Alexis, 34, a Navy veteran, as the dead gunman. While it’s unclear how Alexis got into the building Monday morning, the Associated Press reported that he may have used someone’s identification. In April, the Navy hired Kansas-based contractor Transtecs Corp. for “visitor control office support services” at the Washington Navy Yard, according to the government’s online procurement database. While there’s no indication that Transtecs’ work has come under question in the shooting, contract records related to the company’s hiring do shed light on the sort of vetting the Navy requires to get into Building 197, which houses the Navy’s Sea Systems Command. A 30-page task order on the company’s website says Transtecs provides the labor to support the ID badging system and associated equipment at the building. A person who answered the phone for Transtecs Monday said the company declined to comment. Entry into the building includes a check of the Joint Personnel Adjudication System to verify an individual’s clearance level prior to authorizing access, the task order shows. “The contractor shall utilize the government furnished Picture Perfect Access Control System to issue […]