SIA is on the forefront of advocacy in front of government agencies on behalf of the security industry as the association also works to facilitate government purchases of security products and services. Moreover, SIA formed a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Science & Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security to remain on the cutting edge of developments.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Commercial drones and security
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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…

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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…

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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…

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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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SIA Perimeter Security Symposium, October 2022
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Event Report: SIA’s Capitol Hill Symposium on Perimeter Security

Government and industry met to identify challenges in hardening of facilities and public spaces At the Security Industry Association (SIA) Capitol Hill Symposium on Perimeter Security in Washington, D.C., on October 27, 2022, industry and government connected to explore threats to safety and the share information on the evolution of technology to secure facilities and…

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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…

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