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VigilancePro from OpticVision
VigilancePro offers organizations protection from both internal and external threats; this endpoint security solution allows organizations to set their security and alert policies; it integrates with existing security systems; and it connects physical and digital security to fill the gaps in existing IT security infrastructures
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TeleContinuity granted Type II carrier license in Japan
Japan is earthquake prone, so Japanese companies and organizations are especially interested in business continuity and disaster recovery solutions; one innovative communication continuity solution comes from TeleContinuity, and the prediction here is that the Type II carrier license, and a good distribution agreement with ECOSS Japan, would make the company’s products a success in the not-always-easy-to-penetrate Japanese market
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Economic barriers to better IT security
In the real world, investment in risk avoidance may not be profitable; establishing economic incentives for IT suppliers to produce more secure products is a major problem because software publishers are not held liable for the shortcomings of their products; a new paper examines this conundrum
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Insiders are the greatest threat to companies' security
There is a 72 percent likelihood that the next successful attack on your company will come from an insider, says IBM Tivoli executive
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Sea cucumber inspires new plastic for body armor, brain implants
Sea cucumbers’ skin is usually supple, allowing them to slide through narrow spaces between rocks and corals; when touched, however, a defensive reaction makes their skin go rigid in seconds, thanks to enzymes that bind protein fibers together; researchers apply this process to clothing, creating garments which switch stiffness in response to a pulse of electricity
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Congressional funding for campus security urged
There are 17 million students who live in open environments on college campuses across the United States; a year after the deadly Virginia Tech shooting, there are growing calls for Congress to help fund campus security; high-tech alert systems, such as text messaging, are seen as crucial to warn students of possible threats
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Snake-like robots to help in search and rescue missions
Robots can perform many missions, but they have difficulties operating on uneven, obstacle-strewn surfaces; Norwegian researchers develop a snake-like robot, equipped with sensors, cameras, and communication gear, to slither under, over, and around the rubble of collapsed buildings in search of trapped victims, chemical and biological agents, unexploded munitions, and more — and report back to the command center in real-time
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Color-coded map identifies cities at risk from bioterrorism
Vulnerability to bioterrorism involves three dimensions of risk — social aspects, natural hazards, and construction of the city and its infrastructure’ new map captures these variables as they apply to U.S. cities
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Pointer Telocation shows Cellocator CelloTrack
The GPS-based asset tracking market is growing, and a specialist introduces an advanced system to help companies in asset management, inventory control, loss prevention, and security
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3n, Medworxx show hospital incident management solution
Simulation and virtualization are growing in popularity, and two companies compile their offerings to enable hospitals to simulate different scenarios and prepare for them; system also allows medical centers to mange these incidents
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Rating vendors' information security
A new Moody’s service aims to create the security world’s equivalent of Aaa to C ratings, replacing the need for companies to do individual vendor assessments; it would only work if enough companies sign up
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Firms concerned about business continuity
More than 85 percent of companies surveyed claimed that threats to business continuity have grown more intense over the past twelve months; one key variable of level of corporate preparedness: CEO’s attention to the issue
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Robots designed to search disaster areas for survivors
Researchers to build robot that uses vision and tactile sensors to navigate homes, buildings, and the outdoors; robot will be equipped with a small camera and a vision algorithm that will allow it to see, recognize and avoid running into objects; goal is to send swarms of these robots to crawl over the rubble of disaster areas in search of survivors
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MPRI to help CDC prepare for disasters
Simulation and virtualization are becoming more popular as tools for preparedness; MPRI, a subsidiary of L-3 company, will use its simulation and training expertise to help CDC prepare for all-hazard disasters, including bioterrorism and pandemic outbreaks
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Experts: Australia must take lead on climate change
Australia is more economically vulnerable than any other wealthy nation to the effects of global warming; new report says: “Australia would be a big loser — possibly the biggest loser among developed nations — from unmitigated climate change”
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More headlines
The long view
Strengthening School Violence Prevention
By Brian A. Jackson, et al.
Violence by K-12 students is disturbingly common. Ensuring that schools have effective ways to identify and prevent such incidents is becoming increasingly important. Expanding intervention options and supporting K-12 school efforts in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) would help.
Huge Areas May Face Possibly Fatal Heat Waves if Warming Continues
A new assessment warns that if Earth’s average temperature reaches 2 degrees C over the preindustrial average, widespread areas may become too hot during extreme heat events for many people to survive without artificial cooling.
Trump’s Cuts to Federal Wildfire Crews Could Have “Scary” Consequences
By Alex Brown
President Donald Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce have gutted the ranks of wildland firefighters and support personnel, fire professionals warn, leaving communities to face deadly consequences when big blazes arrive this summer. States, tribes and fire chiefs are preparing for a fire season with minimal federal support.