Security Watch

Aug. 12, 2010
New ECS regulations for college campuses, upcoming tradeshows, more...

Although some campuses may already have mass notification and emergency communications systems in place and have adhered to new amendments passed in 2008 which went into effect July 1, 2010 under the auspices of The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, others are still trying to figure out their role. Last month, school officials, campus police and others gathered at Northwestern University in Chicago for a Clery Act Training Seminar presented by Security On Campus Inc., King Of Prussia, Pa., a national non-profit campus security organization focused on the prevention of college and university campus crime and victim assistance.

The two-day seminar covered the new regulations and policies of the Annual Security Report (668.46) that campuses have to include in their report by October 1, 2010 and also those of the Annual Fire Safety Report (668.49), also due October 1, 2010.
"The Annual Security Report and the Annual Fire Report may be published together or separately," explained Paul D. Martin, president of the Center for Campus Fire Safety. As cited in the Federal Register of October 29, 2009 published by The Department of Education, the two reports can be published together "as long as the title of the document clearly states that it contains both the annual security report and the fire safety report. If an institution chooses to publish the reports separately, it would have to include information in each of the two reports about how to directly access the other documentation."

According to Martin, the fire safety report mandates that campuses must maintain a fire log that records any fire that occurred in an on-campus student housing facility; and an entry or addition to an entry must be made within two business days. In accordance with the legislation, other requirements to be disclosed in the report include the number of regular, mandatory, supervised fire drills held during the previous calendar year; procedures for student housing evacuation in the event of a fire; and a list of the titles of each person or organization to which students and employees should report that a fire has occurred.

Clarifying the concept

"The Clery Act, originally the Campus Security Act, has always existed as part of the larger Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965," explained S. Daniel Carter, director of Public Policy, Security On Campus. "The requirement that institutions comply with the Clery Act is and always has been tied to their eligibility to receive federal funds under the HEA. The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) amended many parts of the HEA including Clery. While new emergency response requirements were added directly into Clery, the campus fire safety provisions were added separately to the HEA by the HEOA."

Campuses must include a statement of policy within their Annual Security Report, regarding emergency response and evacuation procedures, among which the following criteria must be included, according to the legislation:

"The procedures the institution will use to immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on campus; and

A description of the process the institution will use to confirm that there is a significant emergency or dangerous situation; determine the appropriate segment or segments of the campus community to receive a notification; determine the content of the notification; and initiate the notification system."

Any institution that provides on-campus student housing must also include a statement within the report regarding its missing student notification policy and procedures for those that reside in on-campus student housing facilities.

Regarding hate crimes on campus, an institution must report the following crimes reported to local police agencies or to a campus security authority that "manifest evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the victim's actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability," according to legislation. The crimes of larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation and destruction/damage/vandalism of property and any other crime involving bodily injury must also be reported.

A new transition on campus

Many within the fire and life safety industry speculate as to how these regulations will only affect higher education campuses and what impact this will have on the integrators and manufacturers themselves. Although the topic of emergency communications and mass notification is not new, it was considerably the topic of discussion at the 2009 NFPA Conference. Others, however, such as Dolores A. Stafford, president and chief executive officer of D. Stafford & Associates, Rehoboth Beach, Del., question whether the fire and life safety industry is "just starting to catch up with what's been going on with the HEOA. I'm not sure they were thinking about it and don't know whether that information was getting to them, "she explained.

Ted Milburn, vice president of Marketing, Cooper Notification, Long Branch, N.J., added that "the Act really has a lot to do with not just reporting but about notification and how to pull all of this together. I think people are still struggling over what that Act means and all the components involved," he continued.

Although the new regulations of the Federal Register do not directly state that an Emergency Communications System has to be in place on a campus, the impact and importance of mass notification systems may become more apparent for campuses with the new 2010 version of NFPA 72(r), which now includes requirements and new provisions for these systems used in a number of applications.

"The vendors I've talked to seem to be looking to find solutions for the customers, for campuses that already have systems," explained Stafford. "The companies that have sold them those systems are looking for solutions so that they can propose integration possibilities to those systems already in place at the campus."

As far as what level of integration campuses are experiencing, "we are seeing that in small pockets," explained Milburn. "The campuses that are a little more forward-thinking are starting to see the value in what we really call an interoperable or an integrated system."

Be sure to check out SD&I's October issue for an in-depth look at how these new regulations affect integrators and fire and life safety solutions manufacturers.

ASIS 2010-Top Educational Gathering of the Year

"I think, in many ways, my entire life had been a preparation to handle that particular moment," Chesley B. Sullenberger III, Captain, 'Miracle on the Hudson.'

Who doesn't want to see Chesley B. Sullenberger III face to face? You can when you attend the ASIS International 56th Annual Seminar and Exhibits, October 12 through 15 in Dallas.

Sullenberger is the keynote speaker on Wednesday October 13 at the Dallas Convention Center at 8 a.m. On Thursday you can hear insights from President Pervez Musharraf, the 10th president of Pakistan.

There's no denying that ASIS Seminars and Exhibits are the premiere security event of the year. It's here that security professionals can get up to date on the latest security intelligence and solutions. With more than 180 sessions; pre-seminar intensives; 15 specialty tracks; and the ability to earn recertification credits, you'll want to set the dates now and visit www.asis2010.org to register.

In addition to the educational and networking events, you'll want to take advantage of the hospitality of the city of Dallas, which is experiencing a renaissance with more than $15 billion in new and ongoing development. Culture, cuisine, sports and leisure activities-Dallas has it all. There are plenty of activities for guests with a detailed programmed just for them. And families or others who really want to experience some good old western fun can make plans to attend the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, which runs September 24 through October 17 at Fair Park in Dallas.

CEDIA-Delivering the Ultimate Education Package

The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo, targeting the residential electronic systems industry, is making its way to the south, slated for September 22 to 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. For attendees it's all about technology, with new educational tracks and solutions designed for the custom solution installer.

The launch of CEDIA's Networking and IP Education track is designed to help electronic system designers and technicians keep up with the fast-paced and ever-developing areas of integration and convergence in the security industry. Courses include EST233 Networking for Technicians; EST243 IP for Technicians; EST253 Wireless Network Technologies; EST350 Networking and IP Workshops for Integrators; EST333 Advanced Networking; and ESD341 Designing Ethernet Networks.

New courses for this year's CEDIA Expo from The Electronic Systems Business College (ESB) include ESB078 Building a Workforce-Employee Development; and ESB095 A Simple Guide to Turning a Profit as an Electronics Systems Contractor.

Also new this year from The Electronics System Designer College (ESD) is workshop ESD025, The Best Seat in the House-The Production (and Reproduction) of Sporting Event Surround Sound.

A host of other inaugural courses are offered this year especially for security professionals, from home design workshop to learning about video display technologies. Here are some selected highlights:

EST243 IP for Technicians

The purpose of this hands-on course is to provide a foundation for understanding Internet Protocol (IP). It is appropriate for both beginners and individuals looking to formalize and increase their IP networking knowledge base. Details are available at http://digital.virtualmarketingpartners.com/vmp/CEDIA/virtual-expo-2010/index.php#/96.

EST225 Audio Technologies for Technicians

This course is designed to educate participants on current audio technologies and formats. It will explain how audio signals are created and reproduced including analog and digital formats and surround sound technologies. Details are available at http://digital.virtualmarketingpartners.com/vmp/CEDIA/virtual-expo-2010/index.php#/95.

EST200 Electronic Systems Technician Workshop

This full-day workshop is for electronic systems technicians with 18 to 24 months experience. The goal of the course is to broaden knowledge and help prepare the participant for real-world job challenges in areas such as home theater layout and installation, system verification and professional behavior. Details are available at http://digital.virtualmarketingpartners.com/vmp/CEDIA/virtual-expo-2010/index.php#/92.

Test your skills in a race against the clock

Free to all attendees and sponsored by ADI is the CEDIA University Learning Lab EST Skill Challenge. It gives those who dare an opportunity to measure their skills in a variety of events designed to prove you have the ability to do quality work-quickly! Daily prizes will be given for the best times in each event. Head over to Building B Outside rooms 208 to 211 to compete.

Technology pavilion debut!

Also new for 2010 - CEDIA's Technology Council is unveiling the Future Technology Pavilion, which will highlight energy management monitoring systems as part of a broader look at emerging trends in home technology.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from four future technology panel discussions:

- HDMI Hot Seat: HDMI Integration Issues
- The Future of Entertainment: Cloud Computing/Over the Top (OTT)
- The Future of Residential Communications
- Digital Home Health

Made for Resellers

Arecont Vision launched a new Reseller Partner Program designed for systems integration reseller partners to grow their business by leveraging Arecont Vision's leadership position in the megapixel IP camera market. Available to companies with direct accounts or purchasing from Arecont Vision's authorized distribution partners and to those that offer Arecont Vision Solutions, tier one support and demonstration equipment, it provides tools designed to provide important business advantages such as the Channel Partner Certification Program, Monthly Newsletters, Project Registration, Preferred Leads and Expedited Support. Key features include: a dedicated partner portal access; an advanced replacement program; system and network design tools; strategic account manager support; and more.

Paxton Offers Dealer Support Tool

Code named the "Paxton Solutions Center (PSC)," an advanced dealer support tool from Paxton Access, Orlando, Fla., a manufacturer of access control and security products, is engineered to bring the latest information to the individuals' computer though an automatic online update service, similar to computer code updates. This free application ensures that the latest documentation and tools are always available. Key sections include ways to educate sales and support people, as well as documents necessary to quote and support Paxton products.

NEWSMAKERS

Paxton Access Inc., Orlando, Fla., appointed Chris Donohue and Frank Brown to the technical support team...Schneider Electric, Clovis, Calif., promoted Pelco President and CEO Dean Meyer, to the new position of Executive Vice President, Buildings Business...Smith & Wesson Security Services, Freeport, N.Y., appointed Tyke Burgwald midwest regional sales manager...Three new national business development manager key positions are now filled within Siemens,' Buffalo Grove, Security Solutions Business Unit: Grant Barnes, managed security services; Chris Payne, integrated security solutions; and Taylor Carr, Southeast U.S....CAD Audio, Solon, Ohio, appointed Glenn Roop executive director of Business Development.