THE MAGAZINE

December 2008

KIDNAPPING

Plus: Retail Theft • Security Lessons • Nuclear Safety

COVER STORY

Outwitting the Outlaws

By John Barham

In Mexico, as in some other countries, kidnapping executives is a low-risk, high-return business for criminals. Companies must help employees avoid becoming victims.

FEATURES

Security Lessons Learned

By The Editors

Highlights from the keynote speakers and educational sessions of the ASIS International 54th Annual Seminar and Exhibits.

The Biometric Devil's in the Details

By Ben Rothke CISSP, QSA, and Benjamin Tomhave, MS, CISSP

Biometric controls aren't a silver bullet, but there are many advantages to them when using a detailed, strategic approach for deployment. (Online Exclusive)

HOMELAND SECURITY

DHS Takes on Transnational Gangs

By Joseph Straw

The U.S. government has launched a program to address gang activities that span international borders.

New Life for Terror Databases

By Joseph Straw

The University of Maryland's Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) hopes to have a unified Global Terrorism Database up and running by early 2009.

State Perspective - Wisconsin

By Joseph Straw

An interview with Brig. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin's adjutant general, responsible for the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard and the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management (DEM).

PRINT EDITION ONLY

Attention Shoplifters

By Alan F. Greggo, CPP

Information-sharing and action-oriented partnerships are helping retailers thwart organized retail theft activities.

Too Much Information?

By Laura Spadanuta

Cell phone providers participating in a government program will be able to notify subscribers of emergencies via text messages.

Nuclear Vulnerabilities

By Laura Spadanuta

Despite billions spent, the U.S. government still has no comprehensive plan to detect the movement of radiological and nuclear materials along smuggling routes, the Government Accountability Office finds.

New Standards for Drug Couriers

By Laura Spadanuta

The National Transportation and Logistics Association wants to regulate last-mile couriers of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, but smaller companies question whether participation is worth the cost.

Legal Report

By Teresa Anderson

An overview of the legislation approved by the 110th Congress as well as measures that did not pass muster.

Industry News

By Ann Longmore-Etheridge

ASIS participates in drafting new national security standards, three new board members are elected, and Werner Cooreman, CPP, PSP, is profiled.

Insights on Investigations

By Ginger McRae

Many companies resist conducting internal investigations, but doing so can yield benefits, such as helping to reduce liability and avoid lawsuits.

 

The Magazine — Past Issues

Product Showcase
View the newest security products in Las Vegas,
March 24-26.

EDITOR'S NOTE

The Many Faces of Diversity

By Sherry Harowitz

Addressing concerns about our November cover.

TECHNOFILE

Fighting Fraud

By John Wagley

An online vendor turns to a service that evaluates the risks from customer purchases and helps reduce fraud.

Protecting Personal E-Mail

By John Wagley

As the Sarah Palin incident demonstrates, any high level executive's personal e-mail account could be hacked for purposes of defamation or corporate espionage.

A Site to See: Internal Threat Encyclopedia

By John Wagley

A new online encyclopedia lists internal threats to computer networks, ranking them by severity.

Behind the Numbers: IT Security Decision Makers' Responsibility for Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery

By Forrester Research

Privacy Minded

By John Wagley

A new survey shows consumers are wary of giving retailers their personal information.

Numbers

88

The percentage of IT administrators who say they would steal valuable company data if they were fired. Access management vendor Cyber-Ark conducted the poll.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

2008 Seminar and Exhibits Product Showcase

A sampling of the newest security services and technologies you may have missed at the annual ASIS event in Atlanta.

INTERNATIONAL

Benchmarking Guidance for CSOs

By Stephanie Berrong

A new survey of top-level security professionals reveals the best practices of the most successful organizations.

British Reveal Risk Register

By John Barham

Once extremely confidential, the British government has decided to publish online this year's risk assessment.

Cyberwar Gets Real

By John Barham

As cyberattacks against Estonia, Georgia, and Syria show, cyberwar is a clear and present danger in a world dependent on the Internet.

CASE STUDY

The Import of Good Security

By Ann Longmore-Etheridge

A California company collaborated with its contract security team to develop an employee training program for C-TPAT compliance.

BOOK REVIEWS

Measures and Metrics in Corporate Security: Communicating Business Value

By George K. Campbell; Reviewed by Glen Kitteringham, CPP

As the security industry matures and security professionals increase their influence at the C-suite level, the importance of communicating security’s business value grows.

The Mind of the Terrorist: The Psychology of Terrorism from the IRA to al-Qaeda

By Jerrold M. Post; Reviewed by Mayer Nudell, CSC

Jerrold M. Post delves into what makes a terrorist tick.

Recruitment, Retention, and Turnover of Police Personnel: Reliable, Practical, and Effective Solutions

By W. Dwayne Orrick; Reviewed by Brian L. Royster, Ed.D

As the supply of qualified applicants dwindles, Orrick shows police departments how to recruit and retain good police officers.

The New Bodyguard: A Practical Guide to the Close Protection Industry

By Kevin Horak; Reviewed by Ross D. Bulla, CPP, PSP

A guide for those who want to work as body guards—without the mythology.

Understanding Surveillance Technologies: Spy Devices, Privacy, History, and Applications; Second Edition

By J.K. Petersen; Reviewed by Jack F. Dowling, CPP, PSP

A mammoth history of security technologies from ancient China to today's world of genetic mapping and network security.

 

Beyond Print

Beyond Print

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

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