In Brief

Product Watch

Physical security products are all the rage.

By Todd Datz

April 15, 2005 — CSO — Physical security products are all the rage. Here's a look at some of the latest technology innovations.All Access Axalto is one of the world's leading smart card vendors; the company developed the first microprocessor card in 1979 and has sold some 3 billion of them to date. It offers a hybrid smart card, based on its Cryptoflex and Cyberflex technologies, that allows employees to use a corporate ID badge for physical access to buildings and services and logical access to PCs, networks and VPNs. Other players in the smart card market include Gemplus, HID, and RSA Security.

Axalto (www.axalto.com) Securing the Supply Chain Container security has received a lot of attention since 9/11 and with good reason: In a global economy where millions of freight containers are shipped every year, terrorists could smuggle a nuclear or explosive device into one of those boxes and slip it past authorities. Recently, GE Security, China International Marine Containers Group (the world's largest manufacturer of maritime shipping containers) and Unisys completed the first commercial field test of their tamper evident secure container (TESC). TESC uses a technology called an integrated Container Security Device, which is similar to a highway electronic toll system. (GE licenses it from All Set Marine Security AB in Sweden.) When a container passes within range of a wireless reader, a security device integrated into the container reveals to customs and logistics officials its location, time of arrival and whether it was opened by anybody without authorization en route.

GE Security (www.gesecurity.com)

Unisys (www.unisys.com)Secure and HumidifyIntegrating security into building management systems is a great example of convergence. Two of the largest companies in this space are Honeywell and Siemens. Both offer systems that integrate building controls such as HVAC, lighting, energy management and fire control systems with security technologiesincluding access control, CCTV and alarm monitoring. These systems give CSOs a holistic view of what's happening in their buildings.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com)

Siemens (www.siemens.com)Pan, Zoom and TiltThe world of video surveillance is becoming more and more digitized; standalone CCTV systems, though still widespread, are slowly giving way to networked, IP-based cameras. Axis Communications recently launched two network dome cameras that the company says combine the benefits of a legacy analog dome with those of a network camera. The Axis 231D and Axis 232D cameras feature continual 360 degree panning, 18X optical zooms and a 90 degree tilt function for covering large areas. The cameras can be controlled over IP networks such as the Internet. Axis says the cameras are well-suited for a variety of installationsincluding manufacturing plants, shopping centers, airports and school campuses.