Security

It’s Apple Mac-Guyver: pocket sized detective tool hacks into computers

By Mike Hanlon

May 4, 2007 SubRosaSoft’s

MacLockPick is a USB sized gizmo that can extract passwords, e-mail addresses, recently accessed files, search strings, bookmarks and internet history from running or sleeping computers. But the US$499 device can only penetrate the defences of Macs running OSX – apparently, anyone who manages to build an empire of crime using Windows deserves to keep it. The “live forensics tool” is based on Flash drive technology and is available only to law enforcement officials - amateur gumshoes will have to tread the mean streets of the internet superhighway without it. Read More

OFRO+detect AUGV for enhancing security

By Mike Hanlon

March 22, 2007 Meet OFRO+detect, the first autonomous reconnaissance robot that detects not only potential attackers but also nuclear and chemical warfare agents. The unmanned ground vehicle (AUGV) is has a built-in Multi-IMS (ion mobility spectrometer) and can detect all current tactical gases as well as nuclear hazards. Offie was specifically designed under an international project for camp protection and border security. It can completely assume responsibility for protection of a defined area against unauthorized intruders. Integrated within its swivelling 360 degree sensor head, are an LCD and a thermal imaging camera, enabling it to detect intruders up to 100 m away in any conditions, terrain or weather and issue an alarm to the command post. During its autonomous patrols, the robot transmits noises, video or thermal images, and sensor data via a military WLAN to mission control, providing a real-time picture of the situation. Alarms are issued automatically as soon as objects penetrate the protection zone. Read More

New security alert tracking system monitors the vital signs of all employees and reports wirelessly

By Mike Hanlon

March 9, 2007 A new and unique employee security and safety tracking system will be shown for the first time at the ISC West EXPO, in Las Vegas, March 28-30, 2007. The system revolves around a bio-sensor chip with proprietary algorithms that collects information from the reflectance of light on the human body, in a non-invasive manner, to monitor key vital signs, including heart rate and oxygen saturation levels. The Third Eye SATS unit is a wrist-mounted device for employees, which collects and sends information wirelessly to the employer’s central monitoring system. If the heart rate exhibits unnatural fluctuations, the information is captured on the wrist unit and transmitted to the central monitoring system. The receiving system can be configured with a video surveillance system to trigger cameras to zoom in on the employee. Read More

Biometric Home Security - entry via fingerprint scan

By Mike Hanlon

February 9, 2007 America’s top-selling lock-set manufacturer Kwikset, has unveiled a stylish biometric keyless entry system for the home. SmartScan eliminates the need for a key or key code, with the deadbolt activated simply by swiping a valid fingerprint across its sensor. Programmable with up to 50+ user fingerprints, SmartScan also has a special timed "lock out feature" that allows homeowners three levels of access options. This feature allows continual access (24/7) for family members, temporary access for house sitters or contractors, and time restricted access for babysitters or housekeepers. Read More

The Digital Security Guard detects uninvited guests

By Mike Hanlon

November 15, 2006 Siemens has developed a video surveillance system known as Sistore that automatically identifies intruders and tracks them via cameras. As the research magazine Pictures of the Future reports in its latest issue, Sistore CX EDS digitizes the images recorded by video cameras in real-time, and then uses a special algorithm to search them for suspicious movements. If it discovers an intruder, the system from Siemens Building Technologies will then trigger an alarm in the security control center, and automatically begin tracking the person in question with other available cameras. Read More

Segway usage by police and security growing

By Mike Hanlon

May 31, 2006 It started life with one of the most disasterous Public Relations gaffes of all time, but has been gaining ground ever since and it’s still one of our favourite toys. Late last year, Segway introduced its i180 Police package, which has become the basis for many of the purchases by municipal police and private security firms in recent months, with an order announced yesterday for 100 extra Segways from the City of Chicago. Worldwide, more than 125 law enforcement agencies now use Segway HTs to patrol a variety of environments, including high-density urban centers, universities, medical center campuses, shopping malls and airports. Another dozen federal and municipal agencies use the products for bomb squad response and explosive ordinance disposal. Read More

Directed Energy Active Denial System for security applications

By Mike Hanlon

July 25, 2005 An Active Denial System that fires 95 GHz-millimeter-wave directed energy is being developed for multiple uses by a multi-organizational team. ADS systems are a new class of nonlethal weaponry using 95 GHz-millimeter-wave directed energy. This technology is capable of rapidly heating a person’s skin to achieve a pain threshold that has been demonstrated by AFRL human subject testing to be very effective at repelling people, without burning the skin or causing other secondary effects. The US Department of Energy Office of Security and Safety Performance Assurance (SSA) is exploring the potential to use directed energy weapons technology sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD), named Active Denial Technology (ADT), to help protect DOE nuclear assets. Read More

Armoured Security Vehicle (ASV) in demand in Iraq

By Mike Hanlon

July 15, 2005 Our recent story on the World's toughest bus which has been used to defeat many ambushes in Iraq caused a lot of reader response, so we thought it might be worth noting the United States Army’s US$500 million purchase of an additional 724 Armoured Security Vehicles (ASV) to protect troops in Iraq. The ASV is a 4X4 wheeled armoured vehicle that provides crew protection against medium calibre armour-piercing machine gun fire, large artillery projectile fragments, and land mines. The advanced exceedingly lightweight ceramic armour allows the vehicle to be able to "roll-on/roll-off" C-130 military transport aircraft. ASV’s off-road performance includes the capability to ford water depths of five feet, climb gradients of 60 percent, and overcome obstacles 2 feet high. Unlike many other vehicles, the ASV enables the crew to load, reload and clear gun jams under full armour protection. Special run-flat tires with central tire inflation offer the crew added mobility when under fire. When faced with nuclear, biological and chemical threats, ASV’s gas particulate air filtration system, used in tandem with a ventilated facepiece, offers additional protection. Read More

Contactless Palm Vein Authentication Technology targets de facto standard in biometric security markets

By Mike Hanlon

June 30, 2005 Fujitsu Limited today announced the global launch of its contactless palm vein authentication device for biometric authentication security. Fujitsu aims to establish a de facto standard in the area of high security biometric authentication with its palm vein authentication technology, and from July this year will collaborate with its group companies in North America, Europe, and Asia to aggressively drive its palm vein authentication business in these regions. The technology has a number of advantages over most biometric authentication technolgoies in that it is fast, hygenic, contactless, secure and cost-efficient. Read More

US Airforce testing remotely manned security vehicles

By Mike Hanlon

June 16, 2005 The mundane duties of routine patrolling and perimeter control take on new and dangerous meaning in a war zone, as has been found in Iraq, so it’s not entirely unexpected to see the US Air Force Research Laboratory experimenting with how unmanned detection, challenge and response systems might integrate robotics into the day-to-day security forces mission. “These systems are not intended to replace human interaction,” said Kevin Hodges, AFRL robotics program manager. “They remain under human control at all times and are designed to help our Airmen by keeping them out of harm’s way. Our focus is saving lives.” Read More

BodySearch security technology improves safety

By Gizmag Team

November 27, 2004 In an era of heightened security concerns - particularly at airports and major events - the ability to detect hidden materials quickly and unobtrusively has never been more paramount. AS&E's BodySearch personnel inspection system safely and quickly detects and displays threats or contraband hidden on a person - both in and under clothing. Designed to replace intrusive and time-consuming strip searches, the system provides better security than pat searches wherever these procedures are regularly performed. Read More

Advancements in vein scanning biometrics brings added security

By Mike Hanlon

Biometrics is a rapidly evolving technology which offers an effective means of dealing with these kinds of verification and identification concerns. One such provider of biometric and security services, Biometrics and Security, has developed a high-end vein scanning identification system that looks set to astound the biometrics community. Read More

Sony unveils Industry First Security Solution

By Mike Hanlon

Thursday October 9, 2003: Sony has released an end-to-end IP based surveillance system designed to enable co-ordinated emergency response from site administrators, police and other respondents, who can control cameras and gain access to the live footage simultaneously via the Internet. Read More

Security Phone

By Mike Hanlon

The "Smart Phone" Security Telephone system from Skandia connects wirelessly to a range of different sensors that monitor the home and let you know about it in the event of a disturbance. Read More