The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released its latest Market & Policy Overview (MPO) report. The report, dated May 27, 2008, covers potential mergers and acquisitions in the industry, plus reviews of latest competitive issues for government projects.
Among the chief sentiments of the report is that the government mergers and acquisitions market is getting ready to grow. The research report pointed to a recent sale of a majority stake in Booz Allen Hamilton's government business to the Carlyle Group, which the report indicates could prepare the company for a potential IPO within a year or two. The MPO document also noted industry buzz that the Harris Corporation, which develops wireless secure communications, could be on the block.
The report also made note of a "battle brewing" between LaserCard and L-1 over the passport card (a card version of the passport to be used at terrestrial borders). According to the report, which cited a May 16, 2008 article in The Washington Times, LaserCard has been lobbying Congress and pointing out potential security vulnerabilities of the L-1 passport card. The SIA report notes that the Stanford Washington Research Group doubted that the protest would effect any change in the card program.
Also of security importance in the SIA MPO report was news that the US-VISIT program 10-print competition is underway. The report indicates that pilot projects may be in place in the fall of 2008.
Other topics in the report included corporate earnings for government-focused security firms, body armor funding, and some military spending initiatives.
The report is available from SIA.
