THE MAGAZINE

October 2008

HELPING FIREFIGHTERS SAVE LIVES

Plus: Investigations • Port Security • IT Controls

COVER STORY

A Burning Issue: How to Save Lives

By Matthew Harwood

Fire has been one of history's most destructive forces. New technologies now in development offer the potential to lessen these losses by addressing such thorny problems as how to track firefighters in a burning building, how to detect fires much earlier, and how to control a raging fire's path.

FEATURES

Port Financing Shows Potential

By Joseph Straw

The Port of Houston is adapting the idea of a business district as a way to find matching funds for homeland security port grants. It offers a possible model for other localities in search of funding solutions.

Investigating the Insider

By Michael J. Missal and Andrew H. Feller

Companies that investigate their own employees must be cognizant of the legal issues. They need to know both how to conduct a fair investigation and how to protect their interests via attorney-client privilege.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Outlook for Container Scanning

By Joseph Straw

The government is unlikely to meet the 2012 deadline for scanning cargo containers headed for the United States, but the law allows for two-year extensions.

DHS Funds to Boost Bomb Squads

By Joseph Straw

Because IEDs continue to be the terrorist weapons of choice, the Department of Homeland Security is encouraging states to allocate some of its homeland security funding to counter-IED initiatives.

State Perspective - Washington

By Joseph Straw

Interview with James M. Mullen, director of Washington State's Emergency Management Division

Numbers

204

The number of canine explosives detection teams the Transportation Security Administration plans to deploy in 2008, in addition to 426 already fielded, according to the Government Accountability Office.

INTELLIGENCE

How Safe are Stun Guns?

By Laura Spadanuta

The National Institute of Justice is conducting studies to ascertain whether stun guns are safe for police and other security personnel to use.

PRINT EDITION ONLY

A New Generation for 911

By Laura Spadanuta

The government is testing new technology that will allow 911 centers to receive text messages from those in distress.

Protecting Personal Information

By Laura Spadanuta

Critics say federal privacy laws have not kept pace with technological change.

Legal Report

By Teresa Anderson

Rulings on employee monitoring, age discrimination, and wrongful termination; plus legislation on airport screening, aviation security, and when workplace disability laws apply.

Industry News

By Ann Longmore-Etheridge

Ronald Lander, CPP, receives the Roy N. Bordes Council Member Award of Excellence for his service to ASIS.

Detailing Contractor Obligations

By Jack Thomas, CPP

Companies can ensure a good ongoing contractor relationship by spelling out performance expectations up front in the contract.

 

The Magazine — Past Issues

EDITOR'S NOTE

In Search of Less-Evident Truths

By Sherry Harowitz

How to fight "group think" and seek fresh perspectives.

TECHNOFILE

Keeping Tabs on IT Staff

By John Wagley

New software can keep track of the changes IT employees make to the corporate network, improving security in the process.

Security Software for Free

By John Wagley

ING Direct USA has begun offering its customers a suite of free solutions to keep their computers malware free.

An Eye for Security

By John Wagley

Iris recognition is becoming an increasingly accurate and simple biometric to deploy and manage.

A Site to See: GFI Email Security Testing Zone

By John Wagley

This month's Site to See is GFI Email Security Testing Zone, which scans for a broad range of vulnerabilities, including the strength of an organization's e-mail system and the most prevalent malware.

Quick Bytes: Endpoint Security

A new study from Sophos says corporate endpoints could be less secure than many realize.

Numbers

278

The percentage increase in malware in the first half of 2008 compared to the same period a year before, according to ScanSafe. The statistic is from the San Mateo, California-based security vendor’s Global Threat Report.

 

Behind the Numbers: Identity and Access Management

By Forrester Research, Inc.

INTERNATIONAL

Banking Against Proliferation

By John Barham

By following a financial paper trail, banks can discover whether their clients are purchasing weapons of mass destruction.

A Deadly Serious Game

By John Barham

Simulated exercises of a flu pandemic show firms have not planned adequately for business continuity.

Liberia's Success Story

By John Barham

By putting woman in power, Liberia's Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made her government more stable, more effective, and less corruptible.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Top 10 Performing Security Industry Stocks for July

By SecurityStockWatch.com

Top 10 Security Industry Private Investments for July

By Venture Business Research

Certification Profile

By Vicki Moeser, ASIS Public Relations Manager

This month's certification profile is Owen Monaghan, CPP.

CASE STUDY

Keeping Track of Deposits

By Ann Longmore-Etheridge

Around since 1921, Pep Boys keeps up with the times through electronic tracking of deposits and transaction monitoring.

BOOK REVIEWS

Introduction to Security, Eighth Edition

By Robert J. Fischer, et al., Reviewed by Susan Gallagher

A core book for ASIS International certifications, the text covers the full gamut of security topics concisely in a well-presented, easy-to-read format.

Workplace Strategies for Pandemic Preparedness

By Excal Visual; Reviewed by Mayer Nudell, CSC

This video, along with its materials, acts as a starter kit for creating a pandemic preparedness plan at work.

Where Have All the Emails Gone?

By David Gewirtz; Reviewed by Brent Campbell

Computer scientist and journalist David Gewirtz's account of how 5 million e-mails vanished from White House accounts and backups in 2007.

Emergency Characterization of Unknown Materials

By Rick Houghton; Reviewed by Col. Christopher G. Essig

A valuable reference guide to the threat posed by hazardous materials.

 

Beyond Print

Beyond Print

See all the latest links and resources that supplement the current issue of Security Management magazine.

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