Government & Homeland Security

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.
SIA Member Profile: John Convy, Sr. VP Strategic Alliances, BRS Labs
How did you get into the security business? I sold the software company I started 10 years earlier, and had a 3 year non-compete agreement with the buyers, so I was looking around for new challenges when 9/11 happened. An friend of mine had just been appointed Deputy Sergeant at Arms for Security at the…
Keep Reading »School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 Moved Out of Committee
SIA-supported bill provides robust funding for school security SILVER SPRING, MD – The Senate Judiciary Committee voted today to approve the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 (S. 146). Sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), and supported by the Security Industry Association (SIA), the measure passed the committee with bipartisan…
Keep Reading »Insights from SIA’s Chairman: SIA’s School Safety Initiative
School safety is an issue that is top-of-mind for everyone right now. The tragic event in Newtown, CT in December reminded all of us that the safety of our schools and our children is paramount. In January I sent a letter on behalf of SIA to President Obama prior to his State of the Union…
Keep Reading »Insights from SIA’s Chairman: D-Block Spectrum for First Responder Communications
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 brought to challenges first responders face with electronic communications to the forefront. The lack of reliable interoperable communications led to fire fighters not being aware that police officers had received orders to evacuate the second World Trade tower after the first collapsed. Fire fighters lost their lives because…
Keep Reading »RFID and a Layered Security Approach
“In today’s climate, one would be hard pressed to argue that the safety and security of the children and educators in our public school system is not a compelling governmental interest. Mandatory identification badges issued to all students, staff and visitors further the school’s interest in providing a safe and secure environment for everyone on…
Keep Reading »Security Industry Association Opposes Texas RFID Legislation
Proposed legislation does not consider student safety, state economic concerns SILVER SPRING, MD – Don Erickson, CEO of the Security Industry Association (SIA), sent a letter to legislators in the Texas House and Senate in opposition to proposed legislation that would amend the Education code to prohibit the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology…
Keep Reading »Security Industry Association Voices Support for School Security Initiatives
Announces formation of committee to assist lawmakers on the issue SILVER SPRING, Md. – Jay Hauhn, Chairman of Board of Directors for the Security Industry Association (SIA), sent a letter to President Barack Obama on the subject of security in the nation’s schools. In the letter, Mr. Hauhn said that SIA members are committed to…
Keep Reading »SIA Profile: Kristina Tanasichuk, CEO, Government Technology & Services Coalition
How did you get into the Security Industry? While I think I was always a “security groupie” — constantly watching every cop/military/law enforcement/first responder show on television since I was young, the events of September 11th changed my life and focused my personal mission on assuring that our country would never suffer such an attack…
Keep Reading »Security Industry Association and Government Technology & Services Coalition Announce Collaboration
Organizations will share resources to build a stronger security industry SILVER SPRING, MD — The Security Industry Association (SIA) and the Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) have announced a new strategic collaboration between the two organizations. Through this collaboration, SIA and GTSC will work together on advocacy and public policy efforts and develop joint…
Keep Reading »SIA Submits Comments on FIPS 201-2
Draft Still Needs Tuning for High Security and Physical Access Systems Interoperability SILVER SPRING, MD — Today, the Security Industry Association (SIA) submitted important new comments to NIST regarding the revised draft of FIPS 201-2, the standard for Personal Identity Verification (PIV). SIAs PIV Working Group contributed comments and proposed improvements to make the PIV card more…
Keep Reading »