Applying Israel’s Homeland Security Experience Worldwide
No other country has had such extensive experience in Homeland Security as Israel. Consequently the country’s companies bring comprehensive solutions, impressive achievements and immense capabilities to the Homeland Security market. This innovative range of solutions, which enhance the security of people and property as well as aircraft, airports, borders, infrastructures and installations, is the result of living under constant threat of terror attacks.
These leading edge systems, many of them based on systems developed for the Israel Defense Forces, include video, closed-circuit television (CCTV) and digital surveillance systems, sensors and access control networks to complement conventional fencing and burglar alarm packages. Other companies have pioneered biometric technologies for ID verification, while computer and Internet security are guaranteed by encryption technologies that protect data transmission, e-commerce and m-commerce.
No other country has such a high percentage of former army, security forces and police officers with experience in combating terrorism who can act as consultants in developing security concepts and systems for each unique situation.
Israel Aircraft Industries ELTA Systems Group has developed new technologies for new threats. These include Flight Guard to protect commercial aircraft from terrorist missile attack, and C4 systems for protecting borders, coastlines and installations. Elbit Systems has comprehensive security systems and turnkey solutions for prevention, detection, deterrence and response.
In defense against terrorist or criminal activity the first line of protection remains good fencing. Magal Security Systems is a veteran Israeli company in the field of perimeter fencing. The company’s computerized security systems automatically detect, locate and identify the nature of outdoor intrusions. The company’s offerings range from taut wire detection to active infrared photoelectric detection.
Trans Security Systems and Technology provides electronic surveillance and perimeter security using fiber optic technology, while Galdor Systems offers integrated security systems and turnkey solutions to perimeter protection. Laser Guard is a high-tech start-up that has developed an alert system incorporating advanced software algorithm design. Fences and doors also need reliable locks and Mul-T-Lock develops and manufactures high-security locking solutions such as cylinders, padlocks and master-key systems for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential applications.
Controp Precision Technologies has developed a real time, advanced panoramic intruder protection system that automatically detects motion within a wide panoramic view. D-Fence Electronic and Intrusion Systems offers a range of protection systems combined with fencing including sensors, alarms and electrified window bars and G.M. Advanced Fencing and Security Technologies specializes in electric fencing systems combined with sensor cables, a computerized control center and integrated perimeter security.
Maximum Security (1984) Ltd. offers intruder detector systems based on motion detectors, infrared barriers and anti-masking detectors, while Ortek manufactures sophisticated surveillance systems to complement fencing. Opgal Optronics manufactures and markets thermal imaging systems, while PIMA Electronics leads in control panels and central monitoring systems. Cellocator is a leading AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) equipment provider for fleet management and security solution.
Israeli companies have also led the way in adapting burglar alarms to the 21st. century. Electronics Line (E.L.) 3000 provides innovative security with remote management solutions to the residential and commercial markets. This trend of integrating detectors, sensors, wireless systems, CCTV cameras and remote monitoring so that intruders are not only detected but captured on film is characteristic of the products of many Israeli developers and manufacturers of alarm systems. Av-Gad Systems develops, produces and markets alarm systems and electronic devices, while Visionic has developed a wireless home network and alarm systems.
In contrast, Elmo-Tech has developed systems, which keep people in, rather than preventing intruders from infiltrating. A fully owned subsidiary of Dmatek, which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, Elmo-Tech has developed advanced electronic monitoring systems which keep track of prisoners, or criminals under house arrest or on probation. Elmo-Tech’s systems have been successfully tried out by the prisons system in Britain. This is a spin-off of their original products to monitor the whereabouts of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.
An integral part of any sophisticated perimeter fencing and building or installation alarm system is Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) so that security staff can visually monitor movements outside and inside of buildings and fences.
Israeli companies have pioneered leading edge systems that combine CCTV with the latest software, communications, command and control solution packages.
Crow Electronic Engineering develops, manufactures and markets such innovative electronic detection equipment including digital CCTV and central monitoring systems. VideoDomain Technologies provides leading edge remote surveillance solutions to protect businesses and transportation networks. The company’s enabling technology allows it to stream high quality, real-time video through copper wires. Vigilant provides intelligent video solutions while Migvan Security Devices (MSD) has produced variable speed dome cameras.
In the area of aviation security Nice Systems has developed video recorders which when installed in aircraft enable pilots to view events in the passenger cabin and broadcast video signals to ground control centers during the flight. For airport security, A-EYE Advanced Vision Technologies has developed software whose applications include the more efficient operation of x-ray security scanning systems for detecting concealed weapons and explosives. Vidisco has developed innovative and portable X-ray systems.
However, advanced technologies have also created new problems, particularly in the realm of data security. Computers and all the secrets they contain are vulnerable when linked to worldwide networks via the telephone, while e-commerce and m-commerce will only be able to flourish if security can be guaranteed for payments made over the Internet.
The Internet has opened up global horizons but it also presents new dangers. Hackers can obtain secret information, while viruses can wipe out the hard disks of millions of computers within a relatively small time. Israeli companies have been world leaders in pioneering secure communications and privacy over security networks.
Check Point Software Technologies, for example, has successfully developed products guaranteeing secure enterprise connectivity. Products include the enterprise security and virtual private network suite FireWall-1 and one of the industry’s premiere band-with management solutions FloodGate-1. These products have enabled Check Point, which is publicly traded on the US NASDAQ market, to record annual sales of nearly $500 million.
An additional Israeli company specializing in “firewall” products includes Security 7, which was acquired by the US giant Computer Associates. Security 7 has developed “Safegate” offering industrial strength security and protecting enterprise networks from unauthorized contact. Other Israeli companies engaged in this sector include DataSec. Specializing in IT security services, DataSec builds data security infrastructures for its clients.
Israeli firms also offer expertise in the sphere of information surveillance. Verint Systems, known until recently as Comverse Infosys and which recently had an IPO on NASDAQ, is a leading provider of analytic software solutions for communications interception, digital video security and surveillance, and enterprise business intelligence. A range of products for government and law enforcement agencies enables intelligent collection, storage, processing, monitoring, distribution and management of communications. Synel Industries has developed hardware and software for intelligent data collection including access control.
Another Israeli company, CipherActive, develops and markets accelerated standard encryption solutions, thus enabling wide usage of cryptography in resource constrained environments as well as in high volume systems.
Several companies have developed scanners, which recognize fingerprints to validate ID. Securit Electronic Security has assisted in the production of an automated biometric-based passport control systems. On-Track Innovations (OTI) combines the ability to support biometric identification with portable smart cards in such applications as a driver license, passport, social security information or other ID. OTI is traded on Germany’s Neuer Markt.
In the area of pattern recognition technology, Imageid has developed a software, which is able to recognize a specific object within a group of like objects. This technology is important in the identification of people traveling in disguise. NNT Israel has also devised innovative face recognition and fingerprint technologies.
Israel’s high-tech expertise and leading edge technologies and know-how have enabled various government authorities, organizations and businesses worldwide to stay one step ahead of terrorists and criminals. As those with malicious intent become ever more resourceful and sophisticated in their ability to penetrate the best guarded borders, installations and buildings, Israeli companies enable their clients to benefit from their experience in a world where new dangers are emerging as technology proliferates.