NYC World Trade Center Security: An Update

The Weekend

Well, how was everybody’s weekend???  Mine was actually really great.  This past Sunday, my beautiful girlfriend Anita, me, and her Mom ventured into the city to try out some Greek food at a famous restaurant in the city known as “The Parthenon”.  We also hooked up with the brother and sister in law there as well.  And believe it or not, I actually got down on my hands and knees and asked Anita’s mother, Mary, for permission to marry her.  To my relief, she gave a very resounding “YES!!!!”.  But on the way traversing across the I-290 West corridor, we took notice of the spectacular Chicago skyline. 

One of the buildings which stood out was the Trump Tower, and of course, who cannot forget about the Sears Tower???  All of these images triggered memories of the World Trade Center in NYC, and 9/11.  In fact, just last week, I was looking up images and information to see how the construction of the Freedom Tower was coming along.  And with all of this in mind, it is today I came across a Press Release which provides a further update, but from a Security standpoint.  The Biometrics Vendor mentioned is Diebold, Inc., and here are the details of it:  “Exercising its large-scale security integration capabilities, Diebold, Incorporated is managing the installation, integration and maintenance of a complex security software system for the new World Trade Center (WTC) site in New York City. The comprehensive Situational Awareness Platform Software (SAPS) system will collect, correlate and display information from a wide variety of the WTC site's critical security systems, as well as provide identity management capabilities . . . Diebold's integration efforts will connect an array of systems to the WTC security command center via a single interface, giving operators unified control and views of the entire WTC site. To ensure centralized management, Diebold will integrate numerous devices and technologies, including identity, credential and access management (ICAM) systems; video surveillance systems; intrusion and fire alarms; building management systems; vertical transportation; digital intercom; radio communication; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) detection systems; and vehicle scheduling and management systems”  (SOURCE:  http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9114/).

My Take

First, it is interesting to note that this all encompassing solution is primarily software based.  It is known as the “Situational Awareness Platform Software”, or “SAPS” for short.  As you can see from the above quote, this Security solution will collect and analyze information and data from all of the new WTC’s Security systems, and provide a comprehensive over view of what is happening.  Really, in a way, this can be likened to an all inclusive Security dashboard of sorts, giving a Security Administrator a panoramic view of what is going on at the WTC.  The Security Technologies employed in this regard are numerous and many, and include card access systems, CCTV Cameras, video surveillance, network intrusion devices, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) detection systems, car and vehicle systems, the whole works. 

Wow, it seems like that the whole Security Armageddon is being used here.  And of course, I am sure that Biometrics is being used (primarily for physical access entry), although any specific technologies were not particularly mentioned.  And SAPS will sprawl through much of the WTC real estate.  For example, it will cover 11 different buildings, 5 major skyscrapers, the 3^rd largest transportation hub in NYC, the 9/11 memorial, and even a few retail and museum venues.  So as you can see, this is a very complex and a very huge undertaking, and hopefully, this time, the lessons of 9/11 will be learned and applied. 

Meaning, it is not all just about technology, but the human component is also just as very much important, especially being vigilant about erratic or irrational behaviors.  Other larger plans for this Security model include mass notification software and even vehicle screening software.  The bottom line is that yea, this all sounds impressive, but let’s hope it works.  All it takes is a penetration the weakest point, and all of this fall apart.  So while it is important to look at the macro Security environment, it is just as equally important if nor more to look at the micro Security environment as well.

Comments

[Tag Heuer watches for sale]

This is such a wonderful list! I’ve saved it, just so that I can check the few things I have yet to learn off the list.

[Tag Heuer watches for sale]

This is such a wonderful list! I’ve saved it, just so that I can check the few things I have yet to learn off the list.