U.S. CBP Recognized with Multiple Awards in 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Eighth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

DEAC Sabatino Named 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Government Leadership Person of the Year

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane Sabatino, a 24-year veteran who began her federal career as an Immigration Inspector at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in 1998, and now leads the Office of Field Operations with more than 31,000 employees, overseeing a budget of more than 6.6 billion dollars, provided out keynote address.

• During her keynote address to 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, DEAC Sabatino described the changes to CBP through the tragedy of 9/11 and the relentless commitment to its mission and ongoing investment in the latest technologies and innovations to protect our borders and Homeland.

• The resounding theme of the DEAC’s remarks was her pride in the women and men of the CBP and their families who support them.

• With oversight of the identity management portfolio, described by DEAC Sabatino as Identity as a Service (IDaaS), the key to frictionless travel and the reduction of fraud, she shared a personal story related to a national study on identical and fraternal twins from 1978.

• As an identical twin, DEAC Sabatino and her sister participated in the study, and she shared that it may have been a harbinger of her future career!

• Hear directly from (DEAC) Diane Sabatino in an exclusive interview (see above) from the Awards Ceremony, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS), our 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program Platinum Sponsor, who has been recognized for its Fifth Consecutive Year in the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.

Additional CBP Awards Include:

• CBP One™

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) developed CBP One™, a mobile application to serve as a single portal for travelers and stakeholders to interact virtually with CBP.

• More importantly, this platform served as a vital tool to combat the impact of the influx of undocumented non-citizens at the southern border.

• CBP One™ consolidates OFO’s mobile application development within a single platform for travelers and stakeholders to interact virtually with CBP, and direct each user to the appropriate travel or trade services based on their needs.

• This initiative was particularly innovative in that the new approach created the most agile mobile platform that empowered CBP to quickly implement vital services to ensure efficient Ports of Entry (POE) Operations, enhanced services for travelers, and provided unprecedented transparency for stakeholders.

• The CBP One™ platform was developed to be highly adaptable to implement new capabilities quickly by leveraging core capabilities such as document scanning, video conference licenses, liveness verification, facial matching, global positioning services (GPS), and plug-ins for interactive messaging.

• These capabilities, combined with an agile approach to operational analysis, requirements development, and programming, have resulted in significantly reduced timelines for implementing new capabilities.

• Global Entry (GE) Modernization Initiative

• Global Entry (GE), is a CBP program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

• At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration.

• The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and exit.

(See how the Global Entry (GE) process continues innovating the arrival experience, offering members a streamlined and increasingly contactless processing experience. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and YouTube. Posted on Mar 29, 2022.)

• CBP began the Global Entry Modernization Initiative in 2018, with the first step involving integrating facial comparison technology into the Global Entry arrival experience.

• This process was greatly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and as of April 2022 all Global Entry kiosks have been upgraded to utilize facial comparison technology.

• Facial comparison provides a faster and more secure experience for trusted travelers by automating the comparison of the traveler to their document photo.

• The next step of this Global Entry modernization has been moving airports towards a receipt-less, and touchless process.

(Hear from DEAC Sabatino, and see how the Global Entry (GE) process continues innovating the arrival experience, offering members a streamlined and increasingly contactless processing experience. Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and YouTube. Posted on Mar 29, 2022.)

• During Fiscal Year 2022, CBP upgraded kiosks at 16 airports to no longer issue a receipt, meaning that for the Global Entry traveler, the new process is faster, with fewer touchpoints, and better protects their privacy.

• San Diego Field Office, Port of Otay Mesa, California

• On November 18, 2021, CBP officers at Otay Mesa, California Port of Entry had the largest narcotics seizure in CBP history.

• The CBP officers encountered a tractor-trailer arriving from Mexico with auto parts manifested as the commodity they were carrying.

• However, a CBP drug detection dog alerted to the trailer, and a total of 7,976.20 kilograms (17,584.33 pounds) of Methamphetamine and 176.42 kilograms (388.94 pounds) of Fentanyl Pills were discovered by the CBP Officers whose diligence and outstanding enforcement performance resulted in this discovery of the largest fentanyl seizure in history, to date.

• Securing U.S. borders — by air, land, and sea — is central to our national security.

• Even as efforts continue to expand the zone of security away from the physical borders of our nation, highly adaptive criminal networks attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in enforcement capabilities between the ports of entry.

• At the ports, criminals attempt to conceal their activities within the legitimate flow of trade and travel. Between the ports of entry, human and narcotic traffickers exploit gaps in terrain access, visual surveillance, and deterrence infrastructure.

• Trade is growing at an unprecedented rate, and CBP is charged with facilitating lawful trade, creating a level playing field for American businesses, protecting consumers, and reducing business costs.

• With the value of imports nearing $3 trillion, the amount of international trade crossing U.S. borders has never been higher.  An important part of this volume is entering via e-commerce channels, express couriers, and international mail, but no longer primarily via air. 

• E-commerce shipments are making their way into the U.S. via trucks, trains, ocean vessels, and airplanes.  Global supply chains have transformed in the past few decades, making it harder to trace products back to their original source and to pinpoint responsibility across the network of parties involved.

(Learn More about the CBP and their partnerships in securing our nation, in this American Security Today exclusive interview with Frank Russo, Director of Field Operations for New York and New Jersey, facilitated by Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems (NSS). Courtesy of AST, My Pristine Images, and YouTub.)

• The world continues to change, in more dynamic ways than ever.  CBP remains committed to meeting existing and emerging challenges head-on.

Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.

These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.

Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.

The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event, in the heart of New York City.

This year’s exclusive sold-out ‘ASTORS’ luncheon featured representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders who came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines, and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for generations to come.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which came out in force, to discuss comprehensive collaborations between private and public sectors that have led to the development of intelligence and technologies which serve to protect our nation.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program emphasized the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders.

The keynote address was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane Sabatino, who described the changes to CBP through the tragedy of 9/11 and the relentless commitment to its mission and ongoing investment in the latest technologies and innovations to protect our borders and Homeland.

The resounding theme of the DEAC’s remarks was her pride in the women and men of the CBP and their families who support them.

AST was also joined by Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton, who spoke, as always, about his love for the City of New York, the Profession of law enforcement to which he has dedicated his life, and for which he continues to drive thought leadership and innovation.

New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Department Kenneth Corey, came out to address Luncheon attendees and shared some of his experiences and the changes in policing he’s witnessed over his more than three decades of service.

FDNY Chief Joseph Jardin honored the men and women of the FDNY, not only those who currently serve but all of those who have selflessly served, with a special recognition of those lost on 9/11.

Chief Jardin spoke about the continuing health battle of many following 9/11 with cancer and respiratory disease, yet now knowing the full consequences, would not have made a different decision to respond.

As Chief Jardin noted, mission-driven service is in the lifeblood of every firefighter, volunteer and sworn and has been so throughout the history of the Fire Service.

Former head of the FBI’s active shooter program, Katherine Schweit joined AST to sign complimentary copies of her book, ‘STOP THE KILLING: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis,’ thanks to the generosity of our 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Sponsors. 

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by NEC National Security Systems (NSS), ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America, guardDog AI, Fortior Solutions, IPVideo Corporation, Rajant Corporation, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is among the nation’s top events annually held to recognize and honor industry leaders of physical and border security, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness-management and response, law enforcement, first responders, as well as federal, state, and municipal government agencies which share in the mission to keep our nation safe and secure.

We were pleased to welcome the esteemed New York City Fire Department (FDNY); the New York City Police Department (NYPD); and the NYC Hospital Police,  as well as Executive Management from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and many other DHS agencies, Federal law enforcement agencies, and private/public partnerships such as the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the 30×30 Initiative, a coalition of professionals advancing the representation of women in policing; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) (rail safety advocates).

The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

In 2022 over 240 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields.

Each year, to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government, and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands at ISC East, the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo (NDEM EXPO), and the ASIS NYC Expo.

ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, hosted in collaboration with sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their Legacy of Wins, include:

Advanced Detection Technologies, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Cellbusters, CornellCookson, CyberArk  Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, High Rise Escape Systems, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Select Engineering Services LLC, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and West Virginia American Access Control Systems, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Be On the LookOut for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2022 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2022 Products and Services’ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

A complete list of 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners will be announced shortly.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

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