Critical Infrastructure
The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, developed by the Department of Homeland Security, recognizes identifies 16 specific sectors of critical infrastructure in American society. The Plan provides guidance for the public and private sectors to work together to ensure their security. SIA participates in the planning for security as the face of the private sector industry.
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 »Transportation Worker Identity Credential: Reviving the Qualified Technology List With Simple Self-Certification Approval Process
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a biometric-enabled smart card identity credential that is issued to maritime workers to enable unescorted access into secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels regulated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). TWIC is administered by DHS through two component organizations – the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and…
Keep Reading »SIA Statement on Attacks at North Carolina Power Substations
The Dec. 3 incident in which gunfire damaged substations and cut off power to tens of thousands of North Carolina residents is a reminder that threats to critical energy infrastructure are a constant concern. The risk of cyber and physical attacks, including ones similar to what occurred this weekend, can be mitigated and vulnerabilities can be reduced by…
Keep Reading »Making the Case for a Systems Approach to Ballistic Security
In Bullet-Resistant Systems, Key Components Come Together to Build Something Greater For those unfamiliar with ballistic security, it would be easy to assume the process is as simple as a single piece of bullet-resistant glass. The terms themselves – “ballistic”, “bulletproof” and “bullet-resistant” – tend to inspire confidence, and the average person may not be…
Keep Reading »SIA GovSummit Tackles Top Issues in Perimeter Security and Combating New and Enhanced Threats
The Security Industry Association put together an excellent industry/government/researcher event in the form of the 2022 SIA GovSummit, held May 25-26 in Washington, D.C. Pulling together more than 50 speakers on dozens of topics, this year’s GovSummit featured presentations on standards, budget trends, new initiatives and all manner of topics covering everything from how SIA can…
Keep Reading »SIA Technology Insights – Spring 2022
SIA Technology Insights is a journal produced semiannually by SIA that distills the most current thinking for applying today’s security technologies.
Keep Reading »The Still Essential 90-Year-Old Technology: Radar Can Do What Visual Security Solutions Alone Cannot
Since 1934, when radio detection and ranging was introduced to the U.S. military, radar has added value to numerous applications across a wide range of industries. Utilizing microwaves to determine the range, angle and velocity of objects, radar’s dynamic ability to map human and vehicle movement and deliver early warnings of intruder activity has made…
Keep Reading »Illumination for Safety, Security…and Crop Growth: The Right Lighting Systems Can Serve Multiple Purposes in Agriculture
Potential vulnerabilities in the United States’ critical infrastructure have come under increasing scrutiny in the two decades since 9/11. When most people think of “critical infrastructure facilities,” transportation, telecommunications and municipal utilities usually come to mind first. The food and agriculture sector, though, represents one of the most important resources for public health and welfare.…
Keep Reading »SIA Tech Brief: Upgrade Path to AI –Video Over IP, Sensor Fusion and Aggregation of AI Processors
Introduction Many market researchers (Forbes, Gartner, Deloitte) predict the biggest growth in artificial intelligence (AI) will be in workforce augmentation, not automation. AI algorithms train with data sets to recognize a threat and run a series of repetitive tasks, check outcome effectiveness, then optimize the process and repeat. Many employers (including Amazon) are requiring managers…
Keep Reading »What the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Means for Security and Life Safety Companies
Dear Security Industry Association (SIA) members, On Nov. 15, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. This infrastructure bill is the most significant U.S. investment in infrastructure in decades and includes $550 billion in funding far above baseline for many existing highway, transit, rail and other programs. SIA commends the president…
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