Homeland Security News

Tel Aviv, June 3rd, 2009 - eVigilo’s flagship MobileAlert, the emergency notification platform, was launched by Israel’s Home Front Command and the National Emergency Authority, as part of the government’s public emergency notification services, during the most extensive nationwide drill that started May 31st.

“The siren sound component is the primary life saving tool within the alert array. The cellular alert system is being currently evaluated to become the central element in this array.” Said Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai during official launch of eVigilo MobileAlert System at the Drill.

The drill will be managed by the Defense Ministry with the assistance of the National Emergency Authority.
Both parties were closely involved in the operational preparation and integration of the eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform into the existing emergency notification apparatus.

The exercise, aimed at training the Israeli home front, starting from the governmental level down to the civilian level, continued on Tuesday June 2nd with air raid sirens that were sounded across the country, and location based emergency mobile broadcast messages, initiated by the eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform, that are sent via multiple mobile operators.
On Wednesday, June 3rd, location-based emergency mobile broadcast messages were sent by eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform, to support the Political-Security Cabinet and national information system activities in selected regions.

eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform was developed in close collaboration with the Israeli Home Front Command and the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform provides an effective solution for the transmission of vital, life-saving information to the public in times of emergency via mobile, in addition to sirens, TV and radio.”This is a novel and unique solution.” says Brigade General Zeev Zuk-Ram, Head of the National Emergency Authority.

eVigilo CEO, Guy Weiss, said: “eVigilo is proud and thrilled to be part of the biggest, most extensive civil defense drill in Israel’s history. We are happy to provide the Home Front Command and National Emergency Authority the core element for public mass alert mobile notification, in times of emergency.”

eVigilo’s MobileAlert platform is worldwide the first cell broadcast based emergency mass notification platform whose capabilities have been tested under real conditions in a nationwide drill involving all first responders, the Army, public and private entities.

About National Emergency Authority
RACHEL, Israel’s emergency authority, was established by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai and is headed by Brigade General Zeev Zuk-Ram. RACHEL is responsible for coordination, in times of emergency, between the fire department, the Israel Defense Forces, the Home Front Command, Magen David Adom emergency medical services, the police, local authorities and others.

About eVigilo
eVigilo develops the industry’s only fully integrated, multi-technology mass alert platform that can reach millions of people in just seconds, to enhance safety and security and save lives in emergency situations. Developed in close collaboration with top experts in homeland security, the company’s flagship MobileAlert platform is the most effective and efficient turnkey solution for mass alert systems used by governments, homeland security and rescue forces, educational institutions, energy companies, industry and public utilities. eVigilo is managed by its founders and backed by a high caliber, experienced team of security and software professionals.
http://www.evigilo.net

eVigilo Press Contact
Feliks Vainik
feliks@evigilo.net
+972 54 2111 747

Smiths Detection announced the launch of the HazMatID Ranger, the hand held chemical identifier for military and first responders to protect and defend against CBRNE threats. Specifically designed for diverse field applications requiring broad portability, the system features flexible single-handed operation. It can also be used in tandem by two responders by detaching and operating its PDA computer and utilizing Bluetooth™ connectivity. Results can be transmitted to an external laptop for integration with test results performed by other Smiths Detection equipment. The Ranger can identify over 32,000 unknown solids or liquids including: white powders, WMDs, explosives, common and toxic industrial chemicals. This is the most extensive library available throughout the global market.

Smiths Detection announced the launch of Bio-SeeqTM PLUS, a next-generation handheld biological testing unit designed for global military and emergency response applications. The system provides on-site detection and identification of trace amounts of biological warfare agents (BWAs) such as Anthrax (pX01 & pX02), Tularemia, Plague and Pan Orthopox. The lightweight units were designed to be used by emergency responders, including those with little to no biological testing experience. The Bio-Seeq PLUS allows for ease-of-use when wearing protective gear as well as single-handed operations guided by easy-to-follow software prompts. It utilizes a sophisticated patented LATE PCRTM (Linear After the Exponential Polymerase Chain Reaction) technology which expands the capabilities of field-portable bio-analytical instruments to produce greater reliability of results.

Smiths Detection announced the launch of the newest model in its Lightweight Chemical Detector series, the LCD 3.3, an individual hazardous vapor warning device. The new detector offers real-time, nerve, blood, blister and choking agent detection at, or immediately below, dangerous concentration levels. The LCD 3.3 will now be available to American, European, Middle Eastern, and African and Asian markets. The detector’s unique identification capabilities provide new levels of mission intelligence on chemical warfare exposure. These enable troops and first responders to mitigate chemical incidents in military and civilian attacks more quickly. The device also records and stores key data for post-mission analysis.

About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband. Its advanced technology security solutions also include Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging systems, millimeter-wave technology and a specialist software supply business for the management of large sensor and video surveillance networks.

President Obama said measures already had been taken to cut unnecessary expenditures, like a consulting contract to create new seals and logos that cost Department of Homeland Security $3 million since 2003.

18th - 19th May 2009, Hilton Euston Hotel, London, UK

Over 90 leading military decision-makers are expected to attend Unmanned Air Systems taking place in London in June 2009.

Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) are the fastest growing segment of the aerospace market. UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are already operated by over 50 countries worldwide and currently represent 25% of the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) market. This percentage will inevitably grow as UAVs are increasingly supplementing Manned Air Surveillance Platforms.

Speakers include Mr. Alex Lovett, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts and Colonel William Bridges, Chief of Airborne Reconnaissance Division, U.S. Department of Defense. Senior Military Officers and Leading UAS Experts from the U.S.A., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Canada will address all the key issues relating to Unmanned Air Systems, including

• The Latest Unmanned Air System Plans and Requirements of the U.K., U.S.A., France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Canada
• Key Unmanned Air System Programmes – MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk, Eurohawk, Watchkeeper, RQ-7 Shadow 200, ADS95 Ranger, Predator
• State-of-the-Art Sensor Payloads – Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
• New Technical Developments – Micro Air Vehicles

In addition to the conference, 2 master-classes of great relevance to Unmanned Systems will be presented by world-class experts:

A) Synthetic Aperture Radar Principles and Applications – by Professor Peter Hoogeboom, Senior Adviser Radar, TNO Defence Security and Safety, The Hague and Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

B) Current and Future UAS Developments – by Mr. Bill Sweetman, Editor-in-Chief of Defence Technology International

Further information is available from the conference website www.hansonwade.com.

Indesec Expo 2009, 21 – 23 October 2009, Location: Pragati Maidan, New Delhi - India’s only integrated homeland security and defence systems event – provides the opportunity for Indian and international companies to promote their solutions to Indian government officials from both the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence, paramilitary forces, senior members of the armed forces, security agency, individual state police and coast guard. Indesec’s three key areas of focus are homeland and border security, network centric operations, also known as Network Centric Warfare (NCW) or Network Enabled Capability (NEC) and maritime security.

Highlights:

• Growth Market: US $10 billion allocated for homeland security spend within the next two to three years coupled with the billions to be spent on the Indian armed forces’ forthcoming modernisation programme, makes India one of the key growth markets
• No Recession: The Indian Government has indicated no slowdown in homeland security & defence spend despite the global meltdown
• Easing Procurements: The Indian Government has stated that it is committed to removing bottlenecks and fast tracking homeland security equipment purchases by State and Central police forces
• Unique Platform: Indesec Expo 2009 - India’s only integrated homeland security and defence systems event, now in its 2nd edition, is focused on providing solutions to three key areas of defence including homeland and border security, network centric operations and maritime security
• Two Ministries with Two Budget Lines: Unlike other defence events, Indesec will be integrated to recognise the blurring of the edges between defence and homeland security, allowing visitors to see the latest technology from both, and exhibitors will have double opportunity to showcase products and services to two ministries with two separate budget lines
• Budget Holders and Influencers: In addition to Ministry representation, Indesec will attract the key decision makers from individual state police forces, paramilitary forces, anti terrorist and special forces, emergency and disaster relief forces, and corporates, all with separate budgets
• Meaningful Networking Opportunities: Meet the decision makers, influencers, end users from the Government Ministries, law enforcement agencies, Indian armed forces, corporate executives and a large number of the world’s leading homeland security & defence solution providers at one location
Sphere: Related Content

The Saudi Border project includes a radar grid covering 6,000km of Saudi borders with Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Yemen and Oman. EADS has completed the first stage of the project - 30km fence at northern border built at the expense of $900MLN.

Three leading defense concerns - EADS, Raytheon and Thales - are competing to take part in the later stages of the Saudi Border project. It’s estimated that the Saudi Arabia ’s border fence market is larger than the U.S./Mexican & U.S./Canadian border fence markets combined, with a $20 billion 2009-2018 cumulative market.

The Canadian Government has announced investment of more than $35 million in the following new research projects in the fields of CBRN protection. These projects will improve Canada’s ability to withstand potential chemical, biological, radiological-nuclear and explosives threats. [Read more →]

2nd California Counter-Terrorism K-9 Training Conference
3/2/09-3/3/09, Perry, FL

2009 Biometrics Summit
3/2/09-3/5/09, Miami, FL

Light & Medium Armored Vehicles
3/2/09-3/5/09, London, UK

NIOSH, Personal Protective Technology Program
3/3/09-3/3/09, Pittsburgh, PA

25th Annual National Test and Evaluation National Conference
3/2/09-3/5/09, Atlantic City, NJ

Who Bears the Costs of Terrorism?
3/5/09-3/5/09, London, UK

Border Security 2009
3/4/09-3/5/09, Warsaw, Poland

Fire Service PPE Symposium
3/9/09-3/11/09, Charlotte, CA

Sans & InfoSec 2009
3/9/09-3/11/09, Orlando, FL

Photonics in Surveillance and Biometrics 2009
3/9/09-3/11/09, Washington, DC

Terrorism Seminar 2009: Preparing Law Enforcement for Threats to National Security
3/9/09-3/12/09, San Antonio, TX

National Facilities Management & Technology Conference & Expo
3/10/09-3/12/09, Baltimore, MD

Asia Pacific Airport & Aviation Security 2009
3/11/09-3/12/09, Melbourne, Australia

GovSec and U.S.Law 2009
3/11/09-3/12/09, Washington, DC

Defense Technology & Requirements
3/11/09 3/12/09, Washington, DC

Cyber Security - East Conference
3/12/09-3/13/09, Washington, DC

Performance-Based Logistics
3/16/09-3/19/09, Washington, DC

Global Security Asia
3/17/09-3/19/09, Singapore, Singapore

Defence Acquisition Symposium 2009 - A New US Presidency
3/18/09-3/19/09, London, UK

Biometrics Institute New Zealand Conference
3/20/09-3/20/09, Wellington, New Zealand

Coastal Surveillance Middle East
3/22/09-3/25/09, Manama, Bahrain

7th Annual National Security Australia 2009
3/23/09-3/24/09, Sydney, Australia

EMS Today 2009
3/24/09-3/28/09, Baltimore, MD

Defense Logistics Europe
3/24/09-3/26/09, Brussels, Belgium

Security Document World Conference and Exhibition
3/26/09-3/27/09, London, UK

Maritime Security and Domain Awareness Conference
3/26/09-3/27/09, Washington, DC

Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing Conference
3/29/09-3/31/09, Hong Kong, China

Search and Rescue 2009
3/30/09-3/31/09, Washington, DC

Project Management for Defense
3/30/09-4/1/09, Washington, DC

9th Battlefield Healthcare
3/30/09-4/2/09, Washington, DC

International Symposium on Nuclear Security
3/30/09-4/3/09, Vienna, Austria

Defense Industrial Base Critical Infrastructure Protection Conf. and Technology Expo
3/31/09-4/3/09, San Antonio, TX

Initiate Systems, Inc., a developer of master data management (MDM) solutions, introduced a new product, designed to help intelligence and law enforcement agencies to connect the dots between pieces of information in multiple, disparate systems or within systems across multiple agencies. With this offering, agencies can link together information that had been thought to be unrelated – providing the potential to identify suspected persons of interest, link events to persons or identities or connect already known persons of interest to others not yet identified.

Despite inevitable cuts in national security budgets, hundreds of millions in President’s Obama proposal of 2010 budget will go for the cybersecurity programs of DHS. These programs have been severely criticized in recent years for poor implementation and reactionary-rather-than-preventive approach.

The 2010 budget prescribes $355 million to maintain the daily routines of the National Cyber Security Division and the the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative. The funds will be mostly spent to provide security of the nation’s information lifelines.

Market Research Media forecasts that the U.S. Federal Cybersecurity market will be growing steadily – at about 6.2% CAGR in the next six years.

Melissa Hathaway, a newly appointed member of the White House’s National Security Council, is assigned to review DHS cybersecurity efforts.