Tag: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Staying chill
March 25, 2026Ken Showers
If you’re looking for me at ISC West, I’m not there! But the good news is that Security Systems News (SSN) is on the floor and if you take a good look, you can probably find us and flag us down for a good chat.
In truth I may have dodged a bullet in that respect this year. Yes, it’s true I’m missing out on some amazing content, and even better people and projects, buts it’s also an opportunity to support the team. I can also get some work done without having...
ISC West travel meets TSA reality
March 18, 2026Cory Harris, Editor
ISC West is just days away, and tens of thousands of security professionals are preparing to descend on Las Vegas for the biggest industry event of the year. I’m one of them - or at least I’m supposed to be.
But as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers across the country work without pay and staffing shortages worsen, the reliability of air travel itself is suddenly in question.
When airport security becomes unpredictable, even a routine cross‑country trip feels...
Conflict abroad, security crunch at home
March 3, 2026Cory Harris, Editor
As the conflict escalates between the United States, Israel, and Iran, the security industry is bracing for a wave of new demand.
Early strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered retaliatory attacks across multiple countries have pushed organizations worldwide to reassess their readiness - accelerating the need for stronger physical security, tighter cyber defenses, and converged operations at a scale not seen in years.
With civilian and military...
CISA directs agencies to purge end‑of‑support devices
February 12, 2026Ken Showers
WASHINGTON — The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a binding operational directive that requires federal agencies inventory, remove, and replace unsupported edge devices as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tries to address growing threats targeting public and private infrastructure.
Titled, “Mitigating Risk From End-of-Support Edge Devices,” the directive applies to devices considered “Federal...
Major insurers begin requiring DMP’s JamAlert for jewelry store coverage
January 27, 2026SSN Staff
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—As gold prices surge and organized retail crime increasingly targets high‑value merchandise, jewelry store owners across the U.S. are facing rising insurance premiums - and, in some cases, new technology requirements from major carriers.
According to jewelers and insurance brokers, several internationally recognized insurers have begun requiring cellular jamming detection devices before issuing or renewing coverage for jewelry retailers. In multiple instances, they are...
Emergency24 appoints Joe Parisi as director of customer experience
January 12, 2026SSN Staff
DES PLAINES, Ill.—Emergency24, a family-owned, independent central station serving alarm dealers nationwide, has announced that Joe Parisi has joined the company as director of customer experience, effective immediately.
In this new role, Parisi will focus on strengthening the dealer experience across monitoring operations, data entry, onboarding, technology, and ongoing dealer support. His leadership will support Emergency24’s long-standing commitment to service consistency, operational...
FCC updates Covered List to include foreign UAS and UAS critical components
December 23, 2025SSN Staff
WASHINGTON —In advance of several large mass gathering events in the United States, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America250 celebrations, and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics, the federal government has updated its covered list to include UAS and UAS components it deems a risk to national safety.
In a press release issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), they additionally noted that, “Relying on foreign-made UAS threatens national security.”
Following review...
SIA announces winners of 2025 Women in Biometrics Awards
November 4, 2025SSN Staff
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named five women biometrics leaders as recipients of the 2025 SIA Women in Biometrics Awards.
The 2025 SIA Women in Biometrics Awards winners are: Lena Abdelahad, senior vice president and head of biometric identity technologies, HID; Kristen Halligan, biometric system program specialist, Identity Operations Division, Office of Biometric and Identity Management (OBIM), U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Vanessa...
Big week in the Big Apple
October 8, 2025Cory Harris, Editor
There’s something uniquely energizing about attending industry events in your own city - especially when that city is New York.
Next week, I’m thrilled to be part of not just one, but two impactful gatherings in the security space - Securing New Ground (SNG) and the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation (FEHSF) Ridge Awards Gala.
Both events represent the very best of what our industry has to offer - vision, leadership, and a deep commitment to service. And both are happening...
One, two, buckle my shoe
July 9, 2025Ken Showers
Nineteen years of security precedent were overturned on July 8 as the TSA repealed the rule requiring passengers take off their shoes for security screenings.
Foul things are afoot with this recent ruling that much is sure. I can’t say it hurts my feelings to not have to go through the extra effort of removing my shoes every time I go through airport security anymore. Any frequent flyer can recognize the TSA line for the inconvenient quagmire of human misery that it appears to be. However,...