Border Security

Featured Video of the Month

Pentax Imaging Company

Pentax Atmospheric Interference Reduction (PAIR) system technology offers newly developed image processing circuitry integrated in the lens to process atmospheric elements, letting the final image see through fog, snow, rain and smoke. The primary advantages of PAIR technology include: no image adjustment requirements, real-time clear images available immediately after video switching with multiple cameras, color image reproduction for more accurate information, and auto-focus feature. Call 303-728-0279 for additional information.

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News

Border Patrol seeks unusual ‘strategic consulting’ advice
Wed, 2010-07-28 01:44 PM
It looks as though the Border Patrol is seeking assistance from outside consultants to help it pick the brains of its own senior leaders, develop its overall strategy, design “effective automated...
CBP to install modular building at Predator ops center in Arizona
Wed, 2010-07-28 11:44 AM
Predator B
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has awarded a contract worth nearly $150,000 to Modular Genius, Inc., of Bel Air, MD, to deliver, install and hook up a triple-wide modular building at the unmanned...
CBP to purchase training goggles that simulate alcohol and drug impairment
Sun, 2010-07-25 11:17 AM
Fatal Vision goggles
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol plans to purchase 260 pairs of Fatal Vision simulator goggles which vividly demonstrate the concept of impairment and the dangers of alcohol and other drug misuse and...
Next steps concerning the U.S.-Mexico border
Tue, 2010-07-20 01:30 PM
Over the past year and a half DHS has been working with its federal, state, local, tribal and Mexican partners and says it has made progress in cracking down on border related crime and smuggling...
Senate appropriations panel boosts homeland security spending by 2.4 percent
Thu, 2010-07-15 10:25 AM
The Senate Appropriations homeland security subcommittee on July 14 completed its markup of the fiscal year 2011 spending program for homeland security by adding just over $1 billion to last year’s...
DNDO wants to develop a “global nuclear detection architecture”
Wed, 2010-07-14 04:51 PM
The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is worried that it might be losing sight of the forest because of all the trees. Rather than get lost in the development of individual devices intended to detect...
DHS wants whole body scanners that are portable
Thu, 2010-07-08 01:23 PM
Having become accustomed to stationary advanced imaging technology (AIT) systems – also known as full body scanners – the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now interested in acquiring portable...
CBP may procure up to 70 new coastal interceptor vessels
Thu, 2010-07-08 01:18 PM
Customs and Border Protection is planning to purchase as many as 70 high-speed “Coastal Interceptor Vessels,” which would operate off the coastline of the United States and perform patrol,...
CBP wants to detect ultra light aircraft crossing U.S. borders illegally
Thu, 2010-07-08 01:10 PM
Eager to detect small, ultra light, slow-moving aircraft, which might be carrying drugs or cash across the U.S. border, Customs and Border Protection is planning to procure what it calls Small...
CBP will use Polaris snowmobiles in North Dakota
Thu, 2010-07-08 01:03 PM
Polaris 600 Switchback
To zip across the ice and snow in pursuit of illegal immigrants and other intruders across the Northern Border, Customers and Border Protection intends to purchase four Polaris 600 Switchback...
CBP to examine environmental impact of its actions along U.S.-Canadian border
Wed, 2010-07-07 04:46 PM
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has decided to prepare four different environmental impact statements that will assess the effect of stepped-up patrols, surveillance, cargo scanning,...
Aspen Security Forum’s successful debut makes it a ‘must-attend’ event in future years
Fri, 2010-07-02 06:10 PM
The 1st Annual Aspen Security Conference, which was held at a resort in Aspen, CO, from June 28 through June 30, attracted such a stunning roster of current and former government officials, industry...

Commentary and Opinions

Rep. Ted Poe concerned with Mexican military choppers over Texas

[Editor’s note: Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) made these remarks on the House floor on May 18, 2010.]

Mr. Speaker, U.S. Border Patrol agents have spotted yet another Mexican military helicopter incursion into Texas. That makes three times these helicopters have crossed the border into America this year, that we know of. On Saturday [May 15, 2010], another Mexican military helicopter was in Texas, hovering near the Roma-Miguel Aleman International Bridge. Two other times this year, Mexican helicopters were photographed in Starr and Zapata Counties in Texas.

‘Amnesty is not the answer’

By Rep. Ted Poe

[Editor’s note: Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House on March 22, 2010.]

   Once again, there's a new push for an amnesty bill to pass this Congress. Yesterday, tens of thousands of people marched in Washington, D.C., wanting amnesty. And it was interesting. As I looked over this very peaceful crowd and all those people marching, I wondered why there were no American flags.

OPINION / Using good technology to find bad people

By Jonathan McDonald

Many government organizations are charged with combating terrorism, identifying criminals and effectively applying immigration policies. All these activities require that persons of interests (and organizations and networks) be accurately identified. Identification is an extremely complex process that is only compounded by increasing data volumes, complex relationships, and tightly coupled application and data architectures.

OPINION / Video conferencing technology offers new opportunities for homeland security collaboration

By William Sapp

In an operating environment where threats are imminent and the response must be equally swift, video communication technology can offer DHS and its communities of interest new ways to collaborate to improve homeland security operations.

Whether responding to a natural disaster or sharing intelligence to thwart a terrorist plot, video conferencing technology allows organizations to connect quickly and collaborate meaningfully.

Security diversions at the checkpoint: A Sikh perspective

Leaving Seattle recently, I was in for a surprise. As six of my colleagues and I stood in line for an airport security check, we were all told to step aside for secondary screening. They wanted to search our turbans -- mandatory religious articles of our Sikh faith. Each of us was pulled out of line while other passengers stared at the group being corralled. As several screeners investigated our turbans, the wasted time and resources made me uneasy.

Company News

Advanced airborne video solution successfully demonstrated, says Hughes

Hughes Network Systems, LLC, of Germantown, MD, a provider of broadband satellite networks and services, announced on July 26 it has completed a successful demonstration of its advanced airborne video solution to a key government agency, confirming full D-1 video resolution at air-to-ground user data rates of over 2 Mbps. 

American Science and Engineering receives $23 million order for SmartCheck inspection systems

American Science and Engineering, Inc., of Billerica, MA, a supplier of X-ray detection technology, announced on July 22 its receipt of a $23 million order for a government agency for a significant quantity of SmartCheck Personnel Screening Systems. The systems will be deployed in a rugged environment and will provide security officials with a fast, reliable and safe way to screen people for a wide variety of threats.

Syagen Technology to develop next generation, explosive trace detection

Syagen Technology, Inc., of Tustin, CA, has been awarded a development contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate to address the needs of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in effectively implementing its Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP).

 TSA developed the CCSP as a solution to help reach its mandate for conducting 100 percent screening of all air cargo on commercial airline flights after August 1, 2010.

American Science and Engineering, Inc. receives $3 million order for ZBV Military Trailers

American Science and Engineering, Inc., of Billerica, MA, a worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection systems, has announced the receipt of a $3 million order for multiple ZBV Military Trailers from an international government agency it did not identify.

The ZBV Mil Trailer is a ruggedized version of the company’s patented Z Backscatter Van system which is used for screening vehicles for car and truck bombs.

Veritainer and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory launch joint R&D project for perfecting cargo scanning system

 Veritainer, of St. Helena, CA, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), of Livermore, CA recently announced a Cooperative R&D agreement for perfecting Veritainer’s Crane Mounted Scanning (CNS) system.

$11.4 million in orders from TSA for Smiths Detection’s advanced explosive trace detectors

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has ordered from Smiths Detection, of Morristown, NJ, $11.4 million worth of the company’s explosive trace detection technology.

The product, IONSCAN 500DT, which is intended for use at security checkpoints, identifies trace amounts of explosives collected on a single swab, in a matter of seconds. The technology uses ion mobile spectrometry technology in a dual tube design to provide the high sensitivity and accuracy needed to detect trace explosives.

CLEAR will resume operations at Denver International Airport in Fall 2010

CLEAR, of New York, NY, announced on June 3 that it would resume its operations in Denver International Airport after being closed for a year. CLEAR is a biometrics-based identification platform which offers its customers an expedited passage through screening lines and service at the airports.

Black Diamond releases new multi-biometric handheld device

Black Diamond Advanced Technology, of Tempe, AZ, announced the release of its new multi-modal biometrics collection system on June 9. The device, which upon first sight might appear to look like a digital camera, is equipped with a new embedded-processor dual-iris camera system, which is capable of outdoor, independent dual-iris image capture in less than five seconds on a rugged platform.

 

Technology Sectors

Market Sectors

Recent Border Security Videos

Sony Electronics

Miguel Lazatan, Senior Marketing Manager, explains that Sony’s Security Systems Group provides Video Surveillance products ranging from cameras, IP network cameras and recorders to video management software. With high-definition video, video analytics is increasingly important in government installations. The company’s View-DR wide dynamic technology includes dynamic frame integration, X4 sensor and visibility enhancement.

Morpho Detection, Inc

Garrick Bell, Eastern Regional Sales Director, explains that with the company’s ITMCS technology, Morpho’s products can identify small amounts of explosives and narcotics. New products at ISC West include the handheld Hard Mobile Trace Unit and the Itemiser DX desktop detector, which can get an accurate analysis of substances within 5 seconds. Customers include government, law enforcement, first responders and a growing commercial business.

Lenel Systems International, Inc.

Josh Phillips, Director of Marketing, describes the business of Lenel as providing integrated security technologies, bringing the best of breed software applications and multiple technologies into a single platform. Government markets include military and civilian buyers and the DoD, which use the OnGuard system, whose 2010 integrated access control, ID management and video surveillance system offers enhanced video surveillance.

Axis Communications

Fredrik Nilsson, General Manager for Axis North America, says that Axis clients worldwide include subways, airports, military, government and commercial perimeter protection. The trends in government, he believes, are high resolution video packaged into networks. In 2009, Axis increased R&D spending by 24 percent, because the company believed that a recession stimulates technology, and buyers prefer better quality video and lower installation costs.

FLIR

Andy Teich, President of FLIR’s Commercial Systems Division, describes two new products. The FLIR Thermal Fence ties FLIR cameras together into a network that includes a network console and an analytics algorithm with many capabilities. The Guardsman is a handheld thermal imager designed for guard safety. Teich also explains that the company’s high-volume business in the auto market lowers costs on all FLIR Thermal Imaging products.

More Recent Videos

Recent Webinars

A Holistic Approach to Cybersecurity Using Dynamic Traffic Intelligence
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 1:00pm

GSN Webinar - A Holistic Approach to Cybersecurity Using Dynamic Traffic Intelligence

No vendor can solve the entire problem. Learn how to use...

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Five Ways to Maximize Perimeter Security
Wed, 06/09/2010 - 11:00am

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Time: 11 A.M. Eastern Time

An Educational Webinar Sponsored by BIGBOOTH.COM and GSN Magazine

Budgets...

An Effective Approach to Continuous Monitoring Requirements under FISMA
Tue, 04/27/2010 (All day)

Recently, the OMB established a task force to develop new metrics to measure the performance of information security at Federal Agencies. Among other things, the new metrics...

More Recent Webinars

New Products

ICx introduces ClearPoint bottled liquid screener

Arlington, VA-based ICx T...

Bosch GVS1000 sees far in the dark

Fairport, NY-based Bosch Security Systems, Inc. has introduced the GVS1000, which the company describes as the industry's l...

IDenta says explosives ID kits identify underwear bomber’s PETN

Add Jerusalem-based Identa Corp. to the handful of companies that issued statements in the wake of the failed...