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Los Alamos looks to create self-disabling nuclear warheads
Under a secret three year program, scientists have been working on methods to automatically destroy a warhead if it is stolen or tampered with; though details are secret, method might involve an acid that destroys the mechanisms and contaminates the radiactive core
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DoE inspector general rips into Los Alamos
Gregory Friedman notes severe inadequecies in cybersecurity and document management procedures; recent breaches spark review and needed changes; a look back in time shows security a longtime problem at the lab; reminiscing with Richard Feynman presents needed context
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Maine to host maritime security course for first responders
Classes will take place at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine; the 100 expected participants were chosen by local emergency authorities; pilot program may establish Maine course as the nationwide gold standard
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PCII takes on new partners, issues new rules
Protected Critical Infrastructure Information brings aboard Massachusetts, California, Texas, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; new rules address privacy and data submission concerns
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Canada Foundation for Innovation awards homeland security grants
Research into protecting infrastructure and developing new energy sources receive special attention; hundreds of million of Canadian dollars awarded for a wide range of scientific endeavors; Universities of Toronto and Calgary among winners
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Error rates cause havoc for TWIC roll-out
One percent error rate is fine for HSPD-12, but FIPS-201 sensitivity may cause problems at ports; long lines and delays are expected, and port officials are steaming
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Control Products seeks patent for anti-RPG parachute
System is launched from rocket tubes attached to a vehicle or arrayed around a perimeter; Kevlar parachutes snag incoming RPGs; reloading as simple as replacing rockets
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Smarter Security Systems launches new outdoor DVR line
Temperature-hardened and weatherproof SmarterDVRs are designed for remote, outdoor use in such rugged locales as oil fields — and even underwater; system sports motion-based recording and internet connectivity; lower power consumption a critical feature
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Zareba reports devastating first quarter numbers
With net income down 94 percent, the electrical fence company goes through growing pains as it attempts to shift from controlling livestock to controlling prisons and oil refineries
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Buffalo researchers use nano-sensors to locate power outages
Technology will save utilities from block to block searches for downed wires; nanosensors monitor any electrical system that runs on 120 volts — including refrigerators, freezers, home theatre systems, and even home medical systems
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Louisville offers critical infrastructure course
Three-day course is targeted toward security architects, security system designers, project managers and security directors, but does not grant credit toward a degree
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Investigative Services Agencies may buy Intrepid Defense & Security Systems
Negotiations are underway, as ISA tries to expand beyond corporate investigation and risk management into the homeland security market; Intrepid’s LifeVision3D —capable of providing 3D images of autombile undercarriages as easily as it can IEDs — would help ISA leap ahead
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Universal Detection Technology offers HAZMAT planning DVD
Known for its BSM-2000 spore detection system, UDT adds to its library of emergency planning resources
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epcSolutions solves the tailgating problem
Company’s Tetragate software combines video, iris scans, and RFID to prevent unauthorized entry by piggybackers; system counts the number of people near an entry point before and after card authorization; “any asset, one network” approach allows objects to be tagged to a person, thereby preventing theft
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The long view
Scientists Map Loss of Groundwater Storage Around the World
Global water resources are stretched by climate change and human population growth, and farms and cities are increasingly turning to groundwater to fill their needs. Unfortunately, the pumping of groundwater can cause the ground surface above to sink. A new study maps, for the first time, the permanent loss of aquifer storage capacity occurring globally.