Aella Principals Contributing Authors on Security Book

Posted on October 30, 2009 by admin

“A Primer on Electronic Security for Schools, Universities & Institutions” Second Edition is under development for release in Fall 2010.

The Primer, originally published in 2006 by Henry Homrighaus Jr. , is designed to assist educators, engineers, security personnel, and suppliers to address and resolve the issues of potential terrorism or other acts of violence or disruption in our educational institutions.

The Second Edition updates the Primer to include the multitude of changes the security industry has seen in the last three years such as the convergence of Security, IT & Communications and the maturity of the digital video market segment.  To update the Primer, the author Henry Homrighaus Jr. added co-authors Frank J. Davies and Greg Bernardo.

Together the team of authors has launched a website to promote the upcoming Second Edition.  The website includes a blog which encourages discussion on topics found in the First Edition Primer and seeks to identify additional topics for inclusion in the Second Edition.  Digital (IP) video (which was still fairly immature at the first writing) is the first category of discussion in the blog focusing on the topic of H.264 compression.

See the website at http://www.schoolsecurityprimer.com

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National Aviation Security Strategy

Posted on September 1, 2009 by admin

The security and economic prosperity of the United States depend significantly upon the secure operation of its aviation system and use of the world’s airspace by the Nation, its international partners, and legitimate commercial interests. Terrorists, criminals, and hostile nation-states have long viewed aviation as a target for attack and exploitation. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the Heathrow plot of August 2006 are telling reminders of the threats facing aviation and the intent and capabilities of adversaries that mean to do harm to the United States and its people.

Aviation security is best achieved by integrating public and private aviation security global activities into a coordinated effort to detect, deter, prevent, and defeat threats to the Air Domain, reduce vulnerabilities, and minimize the consequences of, and expedite the recovery from, attacks that might occur. The Strategy aligns Federal government aviation security programs and initiatives into a comprehensive and cohesive national effort involving appropriate Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector to provide active layered aviation security for, and support defense in-depth of, the United States. Continue reading →

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Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards

Posted on August 31, 2009 by admin

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released an interim final rule that imposes comprehensive federal security regulations for high-risk chemical facilities.

This rule establishes risk-based performance standards for the security of our nation’s chemical facilities. It requires covered chemical facilities to It requires covered chemical facilities to prepare Security Vulnerability Assessments, which identify facility security vulnerabilities, and to develop and implement Site Security Plans, which include measures that satisfy the identified risk-based performance standards.

It also allows certain covered chemical facilities, in specified circumstances, to submit Alternate Security Programs in lieu of a Security Vulnerability Assessment, Site Security Plan, or both.

You can find more information at: http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1169501486179.shtm

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Protecting the Nation’s Water Supply from Attack

Posted on July 31, 2009 by admin

The nation’s standard guidelines for protecting the public from potential malevolent acts and other threats by enhancing the physical security of water and wastewater infrastructure systems draft guidelines were available for comment and trial use until June 30, 2007. The draft standards were then to be revised as necessary and submitted to the American National Standards Institute for approval as an American National Standard.

The voluntary standard guidelines Phase III of the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) program were jointly developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) with technical input from the Water Environment Federation (WEF). These security recommendations and improvements are beginning wider adoption with funding from DHS in 2009 and beyond.

Risk reduction standards for water, wastewater and stormwater systems are an essential part of protecting our nation’s infrastructure from potential terrorist threats. Continue reading →

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Disaster Preparedness for Small Business

Posted on June 4, 2009 by admin

Disaster Preparedness for Small Business – Have a Plan

Disaster comes in many forms for businesses, natural, man-made, and economic.  This blog is meant to provide some of the key items (food for thought).  Think about recent events that have hit many businesses, the down-turn in the economy,  the events of Huricane Katrina, the California wild fires, and devastation of areas by flooding in the midwest.  Clearly there are other events of the past that dictate awareness to their potential as well,  such as the events of  9/11, the industrial espionage that was discovered at Boeing, and other man-made domestic threats that impact companies ability to operate or even to continue to exist.

Think about the aspects of your business that are key to your operations.  For most companies the basics are communications, banking (access to funds), records (both finacial and customer), necessary supplies, your workforce, and a base of operations (where you work).

Continue reading →

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