Federal
Advocacy Starts With You: Highlights From Security Industry Leaders Taking Their Stories to Capitol Hill
With a new congress come new opportunities for engagement. The 2022 midterm elections changed the landscape of Capitol Hill, and work that didn’t get across the finish line in the last Congress has to begin the process over again, so the Security Industry Association (SIA), with support from the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and The…
Keep Reading »Calls to End Biometrics for Air Traveler Verification Are Misguided, Put Americans at Risk
In a recent letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), several U.S. senators have called for ending the successful and popular use of facial recognition technology for traveler verification at TSA screening checkpoints. Unfortunately, the senators’ demand is based on mischaracterizations despite visible information provided by TSA on how the technology is used. It’s always…
Keep Reading »Omnibus Funding Package for 2023: What’s Relevant for the Security Industry
Inside the $1.7 trillion funding bill: technology upgrade money, grants funding, dollars for school safety, standards projects, even new headquarters for FBI and DHS In the final weeks of 2022, Congress unveiled, and quickly passed, a $1.7 trillion omnibus package to fund the government through September 2023. The sweeping spending package is comprised of 12…
Keep Reading »Want to Grow Your Government Business? Participate in an “Industry Day”
Industry Days (and Reverse Industry Days) are a great way for those in the security industry to get a better understanding of how government agencies work and learn about their acquisition plans. Usually held before a Request for Proposal (RFP) is released or before any major program changes are initiated, Industry Days allow for agencies…
Keep Reading »Guest Opinion: Act Now to Secure Public Space: Commercial Drones Continue to Evolve and We Have No Plan!
I’ve written before about the urgent need to update and develop airspace regulations for commercial drone technology, and I want to share further thoughts and ideas with the security industry and policy leaders, as I am frustrated with the speed of change on these matters. The time has come to make real changes and develop…
Keep Reading »Congress Sends NDAA FY23 to Biden’s Desk, Adds Semiconductor Procurement Restrictions
Bill would authorize more than $850 billion for national security programs Congress has advanced the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023); included in the legislation is the authorization for more than $850 billion for national security programs. Included in the “must-pass” package are procurement provisions addressing…
Keep Reading »Bill Would Require Federal Prisons to Upgrade to Video Surveillance, Radio and Public Address Systems
Prison Camera Reform Act responds to Justice Department concerns with insufficient camera coverage, inoperable cameras, footage quality, inadequate video retention and system interoperability challenges. Updated Jan. 25, 2023 S. 2899 – The Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021 – which cleared the House floor on Dec. 14, 2022 – was signed by President Joe Biden…
Keep Reading »The 2022 Midterm Elections’ Impact on the Security Industry
How SIA is preparing for the 118th Congress The 2022 midterm elections are over and now attention turns to the 118th Congress. Republicans will have a slim majority in the House next year after netting 9 seats in November, and Democrats will maintain control of the Senate after flipping the Pennsylvania seat, regardless of how…
Keep Reading »2022 Midterms Post-Elections Recap: Who Holds the Power
The 2022 midterm elections are now in the rearview mirror. The Senate race in Georgia between Herschel Walker and Senator Raphael Warnock will be advancing to a run-off on December 6, but the control of the chamber was secured by Democrats after Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s win in Pennsylvania. In the House, Republicans have done…
Keep Reading »FCC Adopts New Rules Implementing the Secure Equipment Act of 2021
FCC prohibits new device authorizations for Chinese telecommunications and video surveillance products on the FCC’s Covered List Following its adoption earlier this month, on November 25 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published its Report and Order as required by the Secure Equipment Act of 2021. The Security Industry Association (SIA) applauds actions by the FCC,…
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