Trusted Traveler Programs Grow
May 17, 2007
The slow-developing program to give expedited passage at airport security to trusted travelers who pay a fee is finally gaining traction, reports USA Today.
More than five years after it was proposed following the 9/11 terrorism, trusted traveler programs are operating at six airports. Five more airports in recent weeks have signed with a private partner to operate the government's Registered Traveler program.
And at least four others -- Washington Dulles, Reagan Washington National, Denver and San Francisco -- say they are shopping for partners to run their Registered Traveler programs.
...
Rail Test Center To Evaluate Radiation Detection
May 17, 2007
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will soon begin conducting multiple projects in the Port of Tacoma, Wash., to evaluate technology and concepts of operations for radiation detection that will scan cargo at various points in transfer from ship to rail. By establishing a Rail Test Center (RTC) at the port, DHS will identify and evaluate radiological and nuclear detection solutions for intermodal rail port facilities that can be used across the country.
"The deployment of radiation portal monitors can be much more challenging at seaports where cargo containers depart the port by rail," says Vayl Oxford, director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Washington, D.C. ...
SIA Gears Up For Government Summit
May 17, 2007
This year's Security Industry Association (SIA) Government Summit, which takes place on June 11-13 at the Hilton Embassy Row hotel in Washington, D.C., is designed to keep participants up-to-date on policies driving federal procurement decisions and to create a strong, unified industry voice on Capitol Hill. At the Summit, industry leaders and government end-users will hear from the nation's leading policy experts on issues impacting the GSA Schedules Program, TWIC implementation, "earmarking" federal funds for physical security projects, and the SAFETY Act designation process. ...
DHS Announces Millions Available to Nonprofit Organizations
May 17, 2007
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Washington, D.C., hsa announced that nonprofit organizations in 46 designated areas are eligible to apply for funds as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2007 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This program will provide more than $24 million to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that are deemed high-risk for a potential international terrorist attack.
Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations through their eligible State Administrative Agency (SAA)....
Industry-Cooperative Employee Screening Plan Announced
May 3, 2007
The Transportation Security Administration, Arlington, Va., American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Alexandria, Va., Airports Council International -- North America (ACI-NA), Washington, DC, and National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Alexandria, Va., have announced plans to measurably maximize the effectiveness of screening employees at airports.
The six-point plan to harden and bolster employee screening uses a risk-based approach.
"Our strategy is to be nimble, flexible, mobile, and above all, dynamic," says TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "Effective security requires partners working together within a network of overlapping measures around which terrorists cannot easily engineer. For that reason, we achieve a better overall security result by using our resources flexibly, not tied down at checkpoints checking and re-checking people that work at the airport every day."...
Smart Card Alliance Wary Of Enhanced Driver's Licenses
May 3, 2007
The privacy and security of U.S. citizens would take a back seat to convenience if border states follow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommendations to pilot long-range, vicinity-read RFID-based state driver's licenses that would double as border crossing cards, according to a statement released by the Smart Card Alliance.
The Alliance recommends that states working on enhanced driver's license pilot programs with DHS retain their right to contribute to the technology specification and consider using more secure contactless smart card technology. This is the same technology used in new, government issued e-passports. It would help states to achieve a fast and secure means for citizens to cross U.S. land and sea borders under the new Western Hemisphere Traveler Initiative (WHTI) guidelines....
Air Cargo Still Vulnerable, Says GAO Report
May 3, 2007
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) have released a report conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Washington, DC, on Federal efforts to secure U.S.-bound air cargo.
The GAO found that though there have been steps taken to improve security for domestic air cargo, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is still falling short. Three years ago, Congress mandated TSA to develop technology to better identify, track and screen air cargo and issue a final rule to enhance and improve the security of air cargo transported on all passenger and cargo aircraft.
TSA has yet to comply with this mandate. TSA has identified the primary threats but has failed to assess inbound air-cargo vulnerabilities....
Don't Miss The GovSec Conference And Exhibition
May 2, 2007
May 9 kicks off the 6th annual GovSec, U.S. Law and Ready! Conference and Exposition in Washington, DC. This years conference—running through May 10 at the Washington Convention Center—has major focus on how to prevent the next physical or cyber attack, the psychology of terrorism, advances in communications technology, as well as Al Qaeda operations and tactics across the globe. Each day will feature specialty sessions on Emergency Management Fire Services, Homeland Security-Counterterrorism Interoperability and Communications and IT and Physical Security.
The conference addresses the needs of federal, state, county and local Homeland security, while also highlighting the leading edge in security, and the newest ideas and issues. It also gives attendees a chance to network with 10,000 colleagues. ...
CBP Launches Nation's First 'Model Port' at Houston Airport
Apr 6, 2007
Yearlong efforts to establish products and processes to make international travel into the United States more welcoming has resulted in Houston's airport becoming the nation's first model port of entry.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which welcomes more than 400 million travelers into the U.S. each year, spearheads the model port effort.
The concept is a joint initiative between Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The program introduces improved signage, multi-lingual explanatory videos and modernized procedures designed to ease the process of arriving in America....
Report Says DHS Is Failing To Protect Food
Apr 6, 2007
A recent federal audit found that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has failed to provide adequate leadership to safeguard the domestic food supply from potential contamination by terrorists, reports Bloomberg Media.
The post-harvest food chain, which includes storage, processing, packaging, transportation and sale of products, is "highly vulnerable to attack," reads a report by the department's inspector general, citing experts interviewed by auditors.
According to the 151-page report posted on the DHS Web site at www.dhs.gov, Homeland security officials have underestimated the extent of the threat and given little attention to the issue....
MTA. Seeks Designs for Cameras In Subway Cars
Apr 6, 2007
New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA.) has asked two subway car manufacturers to create designs for digital security cameras that could be installed inside the cars, reports The New York Times.
Images from the cameras could be used in criminal investigations and to help investigators in the aftermath of a terrorist attack.
Michael Lombardi, senior vice president for subways of New York City Transit, says the authority had asked Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. and Alstom, the two companies that are producing the latest model of subway car, known as the R160, to propose ways to add security cameras to the cars. Lombardi says the MTA. will review the designs and test them in a small number of cars to examine whether the cameras could withstand bumps, jolts, dust particles and stop-and-go conditions....
DHS Awards Grants, Provides Technology To Emergency Responders
Apr 6, 2007
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded two multi-million-dollar grants to state emergency response agencies and emergency workers, in addition to creating a program aimed at delivering the latest technology solutions to first responders.
States and local governments will receive $194 million to help prepare and implement emergency management activities through the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program.
State emergency management agencies use EMPG funds to enhance their emergency management capabilities in areas of planning, equipping, training, conducting exercises and providing for all-hazards emergency management operations. In addition, the funds are used to pay for personnel who write plans, conduct training and exercise programs, maintain emergency response programs and educate the public on disaster readiness....
HHS Launches Online Toolkit for Responses to Radiation Emergencies
Apr 5, 2007
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed a downloadable online diagnostic and treatment toolkit designed for health care providers, primarily physicians, who may have to provide medical care during a radiation incident.
A team of subject matter experts from the HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute and National Library of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated to develop and design the tool kit.
The new information package includes easy-to-follow procedures for diagnosis and management of radiation contamination and exposure, guidance for the use of radiation medical countermeasures, and other features to facilitate medical responses. ...
Senate Supports Efforts to Keep Border Closed to Mexican Trucks
Apr 5, 2007
The U.S. Senate spoke out against the Bush administration's attempt to allow unfettered access to U.S. highways by Mexican trucks by passing a supplemental appropriations bill March 29 that included a provision to stop the pilot program.
"I applaud the Senate's passage of this important provision," says Jim Hoffa, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters transportation labor union. "We cannot allow the administration to push through this pilot program before Mexico is able to adhere to the safety and security standards outlined by Congress."
The Senate's provision blocks funding for the pilot program, requires the Transportation Department to publish details of the plan and provides time for public comment. It will also require that the pilot project meet congressionally mandated safety and security standards. ...
DHS Releases Regulations For Securing High-Risk Chemical Facilities
Apr 5, 2007
The Department of Homeland Security released an interim final rule imposing for the first time comprehensive federal security regulations for high-risk chemical facilities.
The new rule gives the department authority to seek compliance through the imposition of civil penalties, up to $25,000 per day, and the ability to shut down non-compliant facilities.
The department sought and reviewed comments from state and local partners, Congress, private industry and the public to develop consistent guidelines using a risk-based approach. ...
