• New magnets to reduce rare-earths dependence on China

    China produces more than 95 percent of the world’s rare Earth elements, and Japan, the United States, and other industrial societies are increasingly anxious about the dependence of important sectors of their economies on Chinese whims; researchers are now working on new types of nanostructured magnets that would use smaller amounts of rare Earth metals than standard magnets; many hurdles remain, but GE Global Research hopes to demonstrate new magnet materials within the next two years

  • Australia unprepared for cyber attacks

    The head of cyber security at BAE Systems Australia is calling for expanded training for cyber security experts in Australia; he believes that there is a lack of proper training and there must be greater cooperation between the government and the private sector; a government report finds that the Australian government is underprepared for cyber security threats; in February 2010 hackers brought down the government’s main site and the parliament’s homepage for two days

  • SBInet, the sequel

    DHS has begun the process of contracting to replace the SBInet system it scrapped last week by issuing a request for information (RFI) on interconnected surveillance towers; the department’s plan calls for acquiring proven, ready-made technology tailored to the terrain of each border region, as opposed to the now-defunct $1 billion SBInet; DHS is looking for tools that will offer automatic, continuous wide-area surveillance that are largely open, or not tied to any one brand’s proprietary technology

  • AVERT evaluates vulnerabilities, assess solutions

    Ares Corp.’s AVERT software tool analyzes the security of a given facility in order to understand vulnerabilities and evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed countermeasures; it aims to help users develop security solutions within budget and security constraints; traditional vulnerability analyses rely on subjective judgment and checklists, but the AVERT software applies probabilistic algorithms and Monte Carlo analysis to identify and quantify security vulnerabilities by simulating user-defined attacks against the site to determine worst case paths one or more intruders might take to specific targets

  • Private security screeners an alternative to TSA at airports?

    Representative John Mica (R-Florida) believes that using private security screeners at airport checkpoints is more efficient and cheaper; last November Mica sent letters to roughly 200 airports urging them to switch from the TSA to private screeners; seventeen airports in the United States currently use private screeners, including San Francisco International, Kansas City International, and Jackson Hole; advocates believe that private security firms offer better customer service and perform better because they are more easily held accountable; others are more skeptical, citing the fact that private screeners must follow the same procedures as TSA screeners and that it is uncertain whether using them actually saves money

  • Brivo: using the Internet to control, secure devices

    Cloud computing offers efficiency and economy — but the Achilles Heel of the technology is security; Brivo uses software as a service (SaaS)-based physical access control systems (PACS) to leverage the power and versatility of the Internet to provide real-time device control for organizations that need to protect buildings and facilities

  • Boom in Pakistan's private security industry

    Pakistan’s deteriorating law and order has led to a boom in the private security industry in the country; companies are investing millions of dollars to train and update their security operations; an estimated 30,000 private security guards have found employment with 400 private security agencies that have sprung up in Pakistan in recent years

  • New scanner allows distant fingerprint reading

    A prototype scanning device can scan fingerprints from up to two meters away, an approach that could prove especially useful at security checkpoints in places like Iraq and Afghanistan; the scanner detects fingerprints by shining polarized light onto a person’s hand and analyzing the reflection using two cameras configured to detect different polarizations; in addition to checkpoints in the field, the device could make authorization more efficient in lots of settings: instead of punching a keypad code or pressing fingers to a scanner, individuals could simply hold up a hand and walk toward a security door while the device checks their identity

  • Biometrics market expected to hit $12 billion in 2015

    A new report estimates that the global biometrics market will hit $12 billion by 2015; the market is currently valued at $5 billion; fingerprint identification technology will see the biggest gains growing to $6 billion by 2015; the market for face, iris, vein, and voice recognition will expand to $3.5 billion; large government ID and security programs are key drivers in fueling growth

  • Low cost, easy to use fingerprint scanner hopes to be game changer

    iEvo has just introduced a low cost, easy to install fingerprint scanner that can accurately scan fingerprints through dust, dirt, water, grease, and even latex gloves; the U.K.-based company has specifically designed the technology with the needs of consumers in mind; its features emphasize easy installation, low maintenance, and aesthetics to appeal to designers, installers, as well as safety officials; the company believes that poorly designed early fingerprint technology that did not cater to the end user hampered the industry

  • Biometric firm that targets drunk workers secures $2.1 million

    TruTouch technologies recently secured an additional $2.1 million in venture capital funding after its initial ten year $60 million investment; the company sells non-invasive alcohol intoxication detection devices that use infrared light; its technology is primarily aimed at preventing workplace injuries and detecting drunk drivers, but is also applied to diagnostic medicine; TruTouch has also recently inked a deal with Takata Corp. to install its devices in cars; the device would measure a driver’s alcohol level and if they are over the limit ignition is blocked

  • DHS pulls plug on virtual border fence project

    DHS has cancelled the ambitious SBInet border security project; the project aimed to erect a virtual fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, consisting of a system of cameras and sensors which would allow officers to monitor crossings and dispatch Border Patrol agents to catch anyone entering the United States illegally; Boeing, the primary contractor, was hobbled by technical problems involving the effectiveness of video cameras and other elements, resulting in the project falling far off schedule; a year ago, after DHS had spent $672 million on the project and Boeing had little to show for the money, the project was put on hold; DHS will now look at an alternative system which is likely to rely more on UAVs and thermal imaging

  • Invisible tanks to be deployed within five years

    British military scientists plan to develop an army of “invisible” tanks ready for use on the battlefield within five years. Armored vehicles will use a new technology known as “e-camouflage” which deploys a form electronic ink to render a vehicle invisible; highly sophisticated electronic sensors attached to the tank’s hull will project images of the surrounding environment back onto the outside of the vehicle enabling it to merge into the landscape and evade attack

  • Ontario casinos implement ground breaking facial recognition technology

    Casinos in Ontario are introducing ground breaking facial recognition technology in May; in tests, the system has had a 91 percent success rate in identifying problematic gamblers; all gamblers will be required to have their faces digitally scanned and run through a database before entering; the technology includes sophisticated privacy guards to ensure privacy and identity protection; it will cost $3 to $5 million to implement and will scan more than fifty million people a year

  • U.S. lacks infrastructure to increase use of ethanol fuel

    Scientists at Purdue University say the United States lacks the infrastructure to meet the federal Renewable Fuel Standard with ethanol; researchers say the United States has hit the “blending wall” and lacks the ability to consume more ethanol than what is currently produced; less than 3 percent of vehicles on the road are equipped to handle ethanol fuels and there are only 2,000 pumps; the federal Renewable Fuel Standard requires nearly three times as much renewable fuel to be produced per year by 2022