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The Borough of Islington in London, UK, is host to the Design Center, a converted Victorian warehouse that houses exhibits of architecture and design products as well as the offices of some 100 businesses in the design trade. The Design Center, however, is required by building-use regulations to limit occupancy to a maximum of 4,100 people at any given time. In order to comply with this requirement on a cost-effective basis, the building's management installed electronic access control equipment in its entrance foyer using Fast Lane Access, a system developed by SMF Security International.

Related terrorist activity in Western Europe fell from 74 in 1985 to eight in 1993. This was revealed by Andrew Corsun, an analyst at the Office of Intelligence and Threat Analysis, before delegates of the 12th ASIS Annual Government-Industry Conference on Terrorism. Meanwhile, other analysts at the convention gave updates on threats to stability in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Latin America., Despite the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East, related terrorist incidents in Western Europe have actually decreased. From a high of seventy-four attacks in 1985, the rate dropped [...]

Rohm and Haas Co. added breath analysis to an existing urine-testing program to enhance its capability to test employees for substance abuse. The substance-abuse testing program is needed to prevent alcohol- or drug abuse-related accidents in the specialty chemicals company. Intoximeters Inc.'s Alcomonitor CC was the equipment chosen for the breath analysis program.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art's security manager Andrew Wyczlinski consulted with Solid State Electronics to design a sensor for its prized marble statue called 'The Greek Slave.' The desired security system allows gallery patrons to appreciate Hiram Powers' antique work of art without visible restrictions and simultaneously provides security personnel increased control over potential damages to the statue. The SX-V security panel and Thermocon S-80 passive infrared sensors were chosen for the art gallery.

Atlantic Florida East Coast Fertilizer installed a wireless security system which includes Pulnix's Synchro-Quad series of outdoor photoelectric beams. Atlanti Florida formerly used a hard-wired security system which tended to give false alarms. The company took advantage of renovations occasioned by damage from Hurricane Andrew to replace the hard-wired system with a wireless system. The features of the wireless security system are discussed.

Elcombe Systems Ltd's Mainstreet Manager automatic emergency phone system helps Circle K Corp convenience stores to call for assistance during instances of loitering, shoplifting and armed robbery. The telephone has oversized keys and a panic button programmed by the user to automatically dial four pre-selected emergency numbers sequentially. A sensitive built-in microphone enables the 911 system or other contacted parties to listen to what is actually happening in the scene of the crime.

Leeds University in Leeds, UK, heightened its mail room security by using the SCANMAIL 10K to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) sent in innocent-looking packages. The SCANMAIL 10K is microprocessor-controlled and and can detect IEDs known as letter bombs conjoined with plastic or other explosives. The SCANMAIL can also detect guns, knives and bullets despite the presence of similar metallic objects such as staples, paper clips or metal tags. The device can scan packages as large as a phone book and will trigger an audible and visible alarm.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles adopted Dataflo Corporation's Watchdog Security Management System to enhance guard tour inspection accuracy and accountability while keeping personnel resources to a minimum. The software-based tour management system uses bar codes to mark critical facility points that include the exhibit areas, office doors, storage locations and conservation areas. The ten security supervisors assigned to the museum use a microwand to keep track of various conditions and download the gathered data into the security office's PC.

General Meters Corporation's University One-Card System provides Malibu, CA Pepperdine University students with an identification card that functions as a meal, library, vending and access control card. The university's 800-acre campus has fifteen card readers mounted on doors and parking lot entrances that are controlled by a single PC and GMC circuit board-based network monitor. The system quickly responds to the swipe of a card with the entire loop of information flow taking approximately half a second.

Disaster recovery plans are essential for companies operating in areas that are prone to calamities such as hurricanes and floods. Developing such plans is therefore an imperative for companies which wish to have reliable back-up plans to ensure they maintain business continuity in the event of a natural disaster. This task becomes is fairly complex but can be made much simpler with the use of a specialized software program. AT&T Universal Services Card Corp. chose this path when it was reviewing its disaster recovery program. It chose REXSYS, a software program developed by Recovery Management Inc.

Security professionals may obtain the latest information on terrorism from several US government resources. These include the FBI's Terrorism in the United States publication, the FAA's Criminal Acts Against Civil Aviation periodical and the State Dept.'s Terrorist Tactics and Security Practices report. Another information source is ASISNET, which may be accessed via Pinkerton's Global Risk Network, and the Consular Affairs Bulletin Board at 202/647-9225., EDUCATION is an essential weapon in the fight against terrorism. Considerable information regarding trends, new threats, and potential solutions is available to security professionals through government publications and programs. An [...]

Ron Postelle, general manager of Autohaus Los Gatos in Campbell, CA, bought SecurityCall's SC 1100 telephone wiretapping detection device to protect his customers from fraudulent credit card transactions. Postelle decided to get the device after a customer reported a fraudulent credit card transaction, probably from a wiretap into the dedicated telephone line to Autohaus' modem. Postelle believes that the $399-device is a cost-effective way of insuring customers against wiretapping.

Scarsdale Security Systems Inc. of Scarsdale, New York, NY, uses the Ferrups Uninterrupted Power System (UPS) which is manufactured by Best Power Technology Inc. Scarsdale Security Systems installed the UPS to prevent loss of data and provide continuous alarm monitoring when the normal power supply of electronic equipment is interrupted. The UPS is linked to an uninterrupted battery system which provides emergency power during prolonged power interruptions.

Northern Electric Co in the UK uses cryptag smart coded tags and radio frequency readers produced by Identec Limited in County Durham. The electric utilities company needed reliable access control methods for 25 office and depot sites. The Identec products are efficient and practical additions because they are able to monitor and record the movement of people and log the sounding of alarms. They also do not inconvenience staff who need not go through extra motions to identify themselves.

The Crime Analysis Unit of the Riverside County Sheriff's Dept is using a software package developed by Harlequin Ltd. The 'Watson' software is capable of determining links between telephone calls, dates, time and duration, as well as links between people and events. It is equipped with database tools, analytical functions and automatic chart drawing capabilities. The system is easily installed and comes with a dongle which connects to the printer port of the user CPU.

The InstaKey allows security managers to cope with frequent personnel changes and the possibility of intrusion through unsurrendered or duplicated keys. Endicott Johnson Corp installed InstaKey locks in their branch stores nationwide and found the system to be effective. The lock can accommodate up to 10 key changes built into every lock, which comes with ten master keys and replacement keys for the first lock change. The next key is simply inserted and turned to realign the lock and render the previous key non-functional.

Checkmate Investigating Services Dir Robert Hoffman discovered a small wireless video camera that facilitates undetected videotaping activities. SWS Security's Wireless Video System is slightly larger than a pack of cigarettes and can transmit video signals several hundred feet to the receiver while capturing images twenty feet away. Users must gain FCC approval if the video device will be used to gather evidence since the courts do not consider illegally obtained video footages.

Focuses on the use of Simplex Time Recorder Co.'s 4210 with TrueAlarm fire alarm system by the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. Compatibility with existing systems and efficiency of its network technology.

Focuses on Framingham, Mass.-based Liability Consultants Inc.'s decision to switch to the Timeslips 5 for DOS computerized system in billing clients. Timeslips as a time and expense tracking, billing, and accounts receivable system; Software as exceeding the company's expectations; Use of the single-user version; Purchase of TimeView compatible calendar software program.

Presents First Federal Savings and Loan Association's use of Litton Poly-Scientific Paradoor motion detection system to provide ease of egress for employees. Paradoor as a nonvolumetric, passive infrared detector providing a curtain, or limited area of motion detection; Convenience factor as the product's main selling point; Paradoor as a convenient security medium.

Discusses the file deletion problems in the personal computer. Anecdote by Jim Fisher, CCP, assistant director of security at the Center for naval Analysis in Alexandria, Virginia; Reason for the lack of security and finality when some deletes information; Impact of a deleted file on an IBM-compatible PC; Strategy to erase data from a hard drive or disk; Recommendations by Fisher.

Features the Detroit Zoological Society's turning on the Southfield, Michigan-based Guardian Alarm Company to protect its electromechanical dinosaurs from vandalism. Use of alarm arrangement without immediate police dispatch; Use of passive infrared (PI) detectors; Use of Crow Electronic Engineering Inc. sensors; Use of the dinosaurs' controls as power source for sensors.