Guest Editorial by Taylor Thomas, Marketing Specialist at Waveband Communications and First Source Wireless
TSA is the Transportation Security Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This administration was created after the attacks on 9/11 to protect the traveling public and the United States transportation systems.
Although TSA is mostly known for protecting airports, the agency is also protecting public transportation including bridges, railways, roadways, and tunnels.
TSA screen passengers and baggage for illegal property, firearms, drugs, and anything that can harm travelers such as explosives while flying and traveling via airplane.
TSA is responsible for the security of over 23,300 domestic and 2,600 international flights per day.
There are currently about 50,000 transportation security officers ensuring safe flights and protecting travelers.
TSA works closely with local law enforcement, canine teams, and Federal Air Marshalls that assist with screening passengers and supporting aviation security.
TSA needs to remain in constant contact with other agents and law enforcement.
TSA screen more than 2 million passengers a day in airports across the U.S and over 750 million every year.
In the event, a problem occurs, or conversations need to be had with other TSA employees, having the right communication is necessary.
TSA is continuously communicating with air marshals, aviation security, law enforcement, and other TSA agents in various parts of an airport.
How can TSA agents improve their communication?
In this article, we will explain ways that TSA agents use two-way radio accessories to effectively handle situations and communicate easier.
ICOM Whisper Quiet Contract
Before, communication between agents was loud and not secure. Information to other agents would be projected loudly across busy checkpoints.
This way was not efficient and needed to be changed.
In 2009, Icom America, a radio communication equipment manufacturer, was awarded the “whisper quiet” contract to TSA. By 2010, Icom provided TSA with 10,000 F50V radios to 240 airports across the nation.
These radios offered TSA the ability for paging capabilities, voice communication, and vibration notifications.
These radios allowed TSA to communicate at a normal voice level that improves response time and securing information.
Speaker Microphones were used alongside the radios to communicate information and allowing agents to respond faster. In addition to using ICOM radios during this time, TSA also relied on Motorola XTS radios and Motorola XTS radio accessories.
Today, radios and radio accessories are still being used by TSA to communicate in airports.
BK Technologies Contract
In 2015, BK Technologies, or RELM, an American manufacturer of two-way radios, was awarded a contract to provide TSA with the KNG series radios.
This contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and gave P25 radios to over 400 airports in the United States.
Today, BK Technologies radios like the KNG-P150, P400, and P800 are being used by TSA agents to communicate across departments to ensure the safety of Americans.
Radio Accessories Used by TSA
TSO, Transportation Security Officers, handle screenings, and operate X-ray machines for luggage.
TSA states that an important part of being a TSO is the ability to communicate information effectively to others.
These TSO’s must have the right equipment that allows them to communicate in a fast-paced environment.
Accessories such as surveillance kits and speaker microphones are paired with radios to give agents a more secure and reliable communication.
A speaker mic, like the BK KNG-P150 Speaker Microphone from Waveband Communications, lets agents easily communicate without the need to pick up the radio.
This gives TSA the ability to communicate quickly and respond to other agents faster. The speaker microphone sits on the agent’s shoulder giving agents a clearer and more soundly transmission than just using the radio.
Surveillance kits and receive only earpieces are used to enhance speaker microphones and radio use. In loud environments in crowded airports these accessories let agents hear communication right in their ear.
Surveillance earpieces are also important for relaying covert information, so travelers are not able to hear what is being said.
The receive-only earpieces plug directly into the radio or speaker microphone having all transmissions being heard through the acoustic tube.
TSA agents help protect travelers and ensuring their safety. The addition of radios helps all departments of TSA stay connected and well informed. Icom and BK Technologies, as well as radio accessories, assist agents with relaying critical communication.
Agents need to quickly communicate to others in environments that are crowded, fast-paced in loud.
Waveband Communications sells radio accessories for popular radios to many TSA agents in airports across the nation.
About the Author
Taylor Thomas is the Marketing Specialist at Waveband Communications and First Source Wireless. She concentrates her writing for public safety industries covering a wide range of topics on critical communications.
Taylor has attended numerous communications conferences including the International Wireless Conference, APCO Conference, and International Police Chiefs Conference.
(Find out why Waveband is the right choice. Courtesy of Waveband Communications and YouTube.)
TSA Nominated to Compete in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is now in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.
2020 was a very challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the much heralded AST ‘ASTORS’ Awards Winners Presentations and exclusive Luncheon at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC had to be canceled and rescheduled for 2021 due to the virus.
However, the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was again a huge success and many new categories were added including a section for COVID-19 Detection and Innovation.
2020 ‘ASTORS’ Excellence in Homeland Security and Government Award Recipients Include
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Excellence in Homeland Security
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The Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.
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Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to create general awareness training and materials for law enforcement and others to increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate
Excellence in Homeland Security
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The COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat with life and death consequences, the enormity of which many of us have never seen before.
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It is also a scientific challenge in need of innovative solutions and S&T is using every tool at its disposal to join the fight; including harnessing the knowledge of it’s experts on technology deployments, international collaboration, scientific breakthroughs, and support for America’s frontline workers.
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S&T has focused its efforts on laboratory research and providing valuable resources to inform the broader response community and help keep front line responders safe.
DHS S&T Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC)
Excellence in Homeland Security
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CARD, a chemical synthesis and chemical informatics centric data system (e.g. boiling point, melting point, toxicity, or spectroscopic information) containing both unclassified and classified data, is accessible from a classified website maintained on a server hosted by the Department of Defense.
There is a detailed description of how each chemical is prepared to include information relevant to each step, the reagents and reactants that are needed and the conditions necessary for the reactions to take place, such as time, temperature, mixing—like a recipe.
DHS S&T National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)
Excellence in Public Safety
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Hoist Rescue Gloves for Aerial Rescue
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Rescue helicopter hoist operators need gloves to protect the hand that guides the hoist cable during rescue descents and ascents, using a significant amount of force to mitigate the cable swinging for situations from hurricane evacuations and dive rescues to rescuing stranded hikers on a mountain side, missions vary and no two are ever alike.
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A partnership between S&T and Higher Dimension Materials, Inc. (HDM) resulted in an enhanced rescue hoist glove with increased flexibility, durability, and dexterity.
(See the enhanced Hoist Rescue Glove in action. Courtesy of DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate
Excellence in Homeland Security
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The Slash CameraPole is a self-triggering platform with wireless data retrieval to detect and give warning of suspicious activities at the U.S.-Canada border, specifically a cleared stretch of land at the border that is approximately 20-feet wide, 1,349 miles long, and is referred to as the “Slash.”
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This man-made, treeless zone is mandated by the International Boundary Commission and presents a formidable surveillance challenge, against such threats as illegal crossings, drug and illegal contraband smuggling and human trafficking.
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Using the Slash CameraPole system, Border Patrol has been able to establish an advanced border surveillance capability where none existed before.
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Partnering with MIT Lincoln Laboratory and several private companies to create the Slash CameraPole with numerous ingenious features, such as solar panels and a back-up fuel cell system make it independent of the power grid, multiple infrared cameras (two long-range, one foreground, and one base imager with a fisheye lens) mean it doesn’t miss a thing.
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The Slash CameraPole also employs advanced motion detection algorithms and automated alerts designed to improve classification of targets and lower the chance of false alarms from factors such as wild animals or vegetation moving in the wind.
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*DHS S&T Programs have now been recognized in their Fifth Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Excellence in Homeland Security
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The CDC has provided Law enforcement and EMS who must make contact with individuals confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 with guidance to help safeguard their health while performing their duties.
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Different styles of PPE may be necessary to perform operational duties. These alternative styles (i.e. coveralls) must provide protection that is at least as great as that provided by the minimum amount of PPE recommended.
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Law enforcement who must make contact with individuals confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 should follow CDC’s Interim Guidance for EMS.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Excellence in Homeland Security
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ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is charged with enforcing the nation’s immigration laws in a fair and effective manner.
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ERO identifies and apprehends removable aliens, detains these individuals when necessary and removes illegal aliens from the United States.
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ERO transports removable aliens from point to point, manages aliens in custody or in an alternative to detention program, provides access to legal resources and representatives of advocacy groups and removes individuals from the United States who have been ordered to be deported.
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ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of aliens who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Best Federal Government Security Program
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Federal Risk Management Process Training Program
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The Federal Risk Management Process Training Program (FedRMPTP), Newly available Online – is Interagency Security Committee certified for Facility Security Officials, Federal Security Supervisors and those involved with Federal facility acquisition, construction, and renovation projects.
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On October 19, 1995, six months after the Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12977, creating the Interagency Security Committee (ISC) to address continuing government-wide security for federal facilities.
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Prior to 1995, minimum physical security standards for non-military federally owned or leased facilities.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Excellence in Homeland Security
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The IC3 serves as the FBI’s central hub to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding occurrences of Internet crime
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IC3 provides the public with a reliable and convenient reporting mechanism to submit reports of suspected Internet-facilitated criminal activity and to develop alliances with law enforcement and industry partners.
(Actress Kirsten Vangsness, who plays tech-savvy FBI analyst Penelope Garcia on the show Criminal Minds, is promoteing the awareness of Internet crimes and scams and encourages the public to report suspected criminal cyber activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Courtesy of the FBI and YouTube.)
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Information is analyzed and disseminated for investigative and intelligence purposes to law enforcement and for public awareness.
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Since 2000, the IC3 has received complaints crossing the spectrum of cyber crime matters, to include online fraud in its many forms including intellectual property rights (IPR) matters, computer intrusions (hacking), economic espionage (theft of trade secrets), online extortion, international money laundering, identity theft, and a growing list of Internet facilitated crimes.
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It has become increasingly evident that, regardless of the label placed on a cyber crime matter, the potential for it to overlap with another referred matter is substantial.
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IC3 develops leads and notifies law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, local and international level.
Federal Protective Service in Collaboration with the Argonne National Laboratory
Best Risk, Crisis Management Solution
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Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST) – COVID-19 Telematics Capabilities
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DHS’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) provides integrated security and law enforcement services–including conducting security assessments and detecting and mitigating threats–to over 9,500 federal facilities. To accomplish this mission, FPS leverages the Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST), a joint solution developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory.
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Argonne and FPS have continuously sought ways to improve the tool’s ability to assess, detect, and mitigating threats, and this year, no threat was more pervasive in this country than COVID-19.
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To confront the threat that COVID-19 posed to the FPS workforce, MIST was enhanced to allow FPS Headquarters and FPS Management to track and display each federal building affected by COVID-19, and to analyze local hospitals and EMS facilities in relation to federal buildings and office locations.
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The Federal Protective Service and Argonne National Laboratory have also been recognized in the 2019, and 20188 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs respectively.
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To Learn More, please visit the DHS Federal Protective Service at https://www.dhs.gov/topic/federal-protective-service.
John Verrico
Excellence in Homeland Security
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Chief of Media and Community Relations, DHS Science & Technology Directorate
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John Verrico, who is also the former President of the National Association of Government Communicators, has nearly 40 years of experience as a public affairs professional in federal and state government agencies, working extensively in media, community and employee relations, with significant emphasis in science, engineering and the security fields.
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A retired Navy Master Chief Journalist, John’s career has been focused on helping government agencies tell their stories and share important news with the public. He takes special care to ensure government information is accessible and that complex issues are easily understood.
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As an international speaker and leadership coach, John helps people keep their motivational torches lit so they can face their own ‘monsters.’
Kathleen Kiernan, Ed. D
Excellence in Homeland Security
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Kiernan Group Holdings CEO
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Dr. Kathleen Kiernan is the Founder and CEO of national security, education, risk management and compliance firm Kiernan Group Holdings, Chair Emeritus of InfraGard National Members Alliance, and adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University and Naval Post Graduate School.
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Preparedness without Paranoia® the experience-based training in awareness, preparedness, response and recovery training for active assailant and workplace violence prevention is delivered on a learning management system.
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GOT Preparedness® (Got Online Training), was built specifically for dispersed and remote workforces and we have trained thousands of individuals domestically and internationally.
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She has delivered operational and educational capabilities across the globe and developed a methodological based approach to the resiliency cycle at an individual and organizational level.
Joseph Pangaro
Excellence in Public Safety
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CEO at True Security Design
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As the owner and CEO of Pangaro Training and Management, Joseph Pangaro, concentrates on providing the best and most up to date training programs for the Law Enforcement, School and Business communities.
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True Security Design (TSD) law enforcement training programs are centered around supporting today’s modern professionals’ by teaching them vital skills through courses designed to engage and empower its participants.
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A 27-year veteran police lieutenant and experienced school security director, Lt. Pangaro is uniquely qualified to provide law enforcement training programs that are centered around supporting today’s modern professionals’ by teaching them vital skills through courses designed to engage and empower its participants.
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Pangaro Training also teaches in police academies and police agencies throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
New Jersey City University
Excellence in Public Safety
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NJCU is one of the few programs nationally in higher education designated an Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) per the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and a Cyber Defense CAE per the National Security Agency.
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The Department of Professional Security Studies focuses on a student–centered, scholar-practitioner approach to education.
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It’s mission is to facilitate access, create opportunities and provide a supportive environment for achieving academic success through learning and appreciation of subject matter, professional and personal growth and the development of identified and marketable global and disciplinary competencies.
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The New Jersey City University (NJCU) Cybersecurity program is an interdisciplinary center for cybersecurity education, training and research, which aims to provide current and future professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to strive and compete within the cyber security community outreach.
New York City Emergency Management
Excellence in Homeland Security
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New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), is under the guidance of Commissioner Deanne Criswell, a former FEMA official and head of OEM for the city of Aurora, CO, who is responsible for oversight and development of the city’s emergency management plans.
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NYCEM regularly tests plans by conducting drills and exercises, and responds to emergencies to ensure that other agencies not only follow these plans, but to foster communication amongst the responding agencies.
NYCEM also operates the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where city, state and federal agencies join representatives from the private and nonprofit sectors to coordinate complex responses to emergencies and disasters.
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The agency also developed and runs the Notify NYC emergency alert program, by which citizens can sign up to receive phone and email alerts about emergencies and events happening in their neighborhoods.
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NYCEM is also the administrator of New York City’s community emergency response teams. Each community emergency response team (CERT) is coterminous with one or more New York community boards.
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The agency also maintains the Citywide Incident Management System which is based on the National Incident Management System.
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Excellence in Public Safety
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX) boating courses provide instruction to boaters at all levels, from the fundamental to the advanced.
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The agency’s courses (virtual and classroom) are taught by experienced and knowledgeable CGAUX instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
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They are offered in two modalities: virtual, video conference with CGAUX Virtual PE Instructors, and classroom setting with CGAUX PE Instructors.
The 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, X.Labs and Reed Exhibitions, every one a returning Sponsor from 2020, 2019 and More.
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
| COVID Innovations | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
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.
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 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
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘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 level as well as from private firms allied to 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 the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and 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 – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
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For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, and the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
