Archives: December, 2011

It’s likely to take years to accomplish, but federal officials are moving to a secure online identity system in which – like a credit card – you’ll have one on-line identity for access to all federal agencies. The envisioned system is known as “federated identity management.”  “Currently,” explains Nextgov,  “Internet users must create a new […]

Pay some heed to what’s happening on the bioterror security front. CNN is reporting that “recent and proposed budget cuts at all levels of government are threatening to reverse the significant post-9/11 improvements in the nation’s ability to respond to natural diseases and bioterror attacks.” That ominous advisory is based on a report, “Ready or […]

The U.S. Army continues to develop small, handheld radios for use by troops in the field – devices that look attractive for civilian security crews as well. Army Rangers in Afghanistan are testing Rifleman Radios developed by General Dynamics that have computer interfaces, weigh only two pounds and draw less power than earlier models. The […]

Technology is easing the tension that exists at the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) airport checkpoints – and maybe that has application at other security stations. Security Debrief reports that TSA is installing recently purchased millimeter wave Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units at 16 airports. The new machines eliminate passenger-specific images while identifying suspicious materials carried […]

And now for the big picture: Here’s a summary of the Strategic National Risk Assessment, issued in support of the National Preparedness System, and a key statement on an overall approach to homeland security. The summary, notes Homeland Security Watch,  includes these sections: 1. Overview, 2. Strategic National Risk Assessment Scope, 3. Overarching Themes to […]

Anti-terrorism training that pictured Muslims as little different from al-Qaeda will be overhauled by Spring, the White House has announced. The Department of Homeland Security has been tasked with providing an anti-terrorism curriculum that “will purge ‘offensive and inaccurate information’ and disseminate new standards for training down to local law enforcement and even community groups.” […]

The nation’s electrical grid is supposed to be treated as a whole for security purposes, but isn’t, says a report from the MIT Energy Initiative. That’s because security standards apply only “to the bulk power system and (do) not include the distribution system.” “Distribution utilities on the local level are operating outside current regulations, making […]

Effective security systems aren’t all fences and gates; human sensibilities are involved as well.  The Los Angeles Police Department seems to have taken that precept to heart in responding to Occupy LA, with peaceful tactics that are being commended. This post from the Homeland Security Policy Institute should be of interest to all security professionals.