By 2011, it is estimated that 1.5 billion people will have broadband; which technology will better serve their needs -- WiMAX or LTE? WiMAX is already here, and LTE will take time to roll out -- but when it does, it will give WiMAX a run for its money; LTE offers spectrum flexibility, significant added capacity, and a platform for delivering premium applications cost effectively full story

Drakontas LLC develops, evaluates and promotes interoperable communications tools for first responders, law enforcement, public safety and homeland defense. Our core product, DragonForce™, is a suite of situation awareness tools that establishes a common operating picture and facilitates Command and Control (C2). Key features include: “real-time" blue force tracking, text messaging, shared imagery, and collaborative whiteboarding. DragonForce™ enhances observation, orientation, decision-making and execution across all echelons, thereby ensuring effective operational response and continued protection of the nation's critical infrastructure. Contact: www.drakontas.com / 215.887.5570 / info@drakontas.com.

Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, and operates in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. For more than 160 years, Siemens has built a reputation for leading-edge innovation and the quality of its products, services and solutions. Our experience spans all branches of the armed forces, state & local municipalities, and Federal agencies including DHS – TSA and S&T, and DOD. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA reported sales of $19.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. www.usa.siemens.com

The U.S. Treasury Department has proposed new rules to govern foreign investment in U.S. critical infrastructure assets; business and industry groups welcome new rules full story

An HSDW conversation on Cybersecurity with Tim Kelleher, vice president of enterprise security, Unisys full story

For more than 100 years, Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE:FSS) has been a leader in enhancing public safety, security and well-being. Federal Signal's advanced technology, including automatic license plate recognition, interoperable communications and public safety software, is helping first responders take control of mission-critical assets and events to protect people, property and the environment around the world every day. www.federalsignal.com

Wendell Shingler, former senior executive with the Department of Homeland Security has spent more than 35 years protecting and securing our nations assets and federal infrastructure!. Many federal standards in place today were developed by Wendell and his staff. Don't let the impact of the latest HSPD's or issues of accreditation scare you or the true meanings of Public Laws 107-53 or 107-296 keep you from running your business. Let Wendell and the SES team address the issues for you, develop implementation plans you can afford and most of all translate the requirements into terms that you will understand. SES consults on a variety of matters from critical infrastructure planning to corporate due diligence. SES is available to serve your needs throughout the world. Please visit www.sesresources.com or contact us at (516) 933-8800 for further details.

The key to protecting national infrastructure and facilitating lifesaving responses in the event of an incident is preparedness; the Infrastructure and Geophysical Division (IGD) of the Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate at DHS is working to find methods and technologies to improve the ability to protect buildings, facilities, and other kinds of physical structures full story

New safety standard will increase by 500 percent on average the amount of energy the tank car must absorb during a train accident before a catastrophic failure may occur full story

ASERO Worldwide (ASERO) - Founded by one of the foremost homeland security experts in the world, ASERO Worldwide is a global security and risk management consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. Our team of experts, which include former directors of the US Secret Service, ATF, FEMA and TSA, offers strategic consulting, protection of data and information systems, and HLS training and technology solutions to help clients protect their critical infrastructures at home and abroad. ASERO consultants assist clients in developing effective means to deliver realistic, lasting, and cost-effective security solutions by identifying innovative alternatives to substantial investments in infrastructure. www.asero.com (202) 478-3554.

In an emergency, Cooper Notification's Mass Notification Systems (MNS) are designed to protect, alert, and inform your most critical asset, your people. By combining four powerful brands - Wheelock, WAVES, SAFEPATH, and Roam Secure, we've created a comprehensive array of mass notification solutions. From outdoor High Power Speaker Arrays to indoor voice evacuation systems and from text messaging to desktop alerts, Cooper Notification's system solutions can direct your employees and surrounding community to safety. Security systems such as fire alarms and chemical sensors can be integrated with Cooper's MNS for improved system management. To alert your employees, call 941.487.2300. www.coopernotification.com.

The U.S. National Weather Service offers Chicago-area critical infrastructure plants area-specific information on weather patterns so that can better cope with accidents and disasters full story

One unexpected lesson of the many nuclear tests conducted by the superpowers in the late 1950s and early 1960s was that high-altitude nuclear blasts create far-reaching atmospheric effects that could instantly shut down power grids; as modern life becomes ever-more dependent on electronic gadgets, and as the proliferation of nuclear weapons and missiles continue, fear grows that an adversary will seek to cripple the United States by creating an atmospheric EMP effect full story

LockDown-LockDry offers security and protection for your critical infrastructure. Our innovative products are designed to be easily installed, yet are tamper resistant. Originally developed for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, our products have been installed in government installations, at military bases, universities, telecommunication companies, and civilian facilities around the world. The LockDown System is a 12-gauge stainless steel manhole lock that prevents unauthorized entry into manholes or vaults while blocking the inflow of surface water and contaminants. The LockOut is a tamper-resistant handhole lock, securing handholes, utility vaults and fiber boxes from unauthorized entry. www.lockdown-lockdry.com

Duos Technologies Inc., headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, provides a broad range of technology solutions with an emphasis on Homeland Security. Its systems are based on its proprietary object detection and behavioral analysis software, managed by the company's multi-layer control platform. This allows seamless integration of a myriad of sensing technologies into a unified command and control interface. Its comprehensive automated systems also play a meaningful role in the transportation, petrochemical, and healthcare industries. For further information, visit www.duostech.com.

The new approach to critical infrastructure security is "holistic": Planning, training, positioning information gathering equipment, imposing intelligence on video streams and other information coming in, presenting all information in accessible fashion, offering a menu of responses when an incident occurs; Orsus offers a situation management solution to critical infrastructure operator full story

BAE's First InterComm device, also called the Vehicle Communications Assembly (VCA), is small enough (8.625" x 8.625" x 2.5") to be easily mounted inside first responder vehicles; once installed, the VCA relies on vehicle power full story

Underground Locating Equipment

Schonstedt Instrument Company manufactures two types of instruments used to locate underground objects:

1. Pipe and Cable Locators - to find and trace any linear, electrically conductive material such as telephone, cable TV and fiber optic lines, water/sewer and gas pipes, process piping, control signal conduits, and AC power lines
2. Magnetic Locators - to find ferrous metals such as boundary markers, paved-over valve and manhole covers, drums and storage tanks, valve boxes, well casings, septic tanks, etc. www.schonstedt.com

Insight Tech-Gear, a division of Insight Technology, Inc., accepts the mission to be the most trusted partner of technology-enabled awareness enhancing solutions to the First Responder, National Security, and Commercial markets. Current products range from industry leading tactical LED flashlights to law enforcement agency approved weapon mounted lights and lasers to cutting edge thermal imaging and night vision systems capable of exceptional performance and versatility. Your critical requirements deserve the finest solutions available; they deserve the advantage of Insight. www.insighttechgear.com, Toll Free: 877-744-4802

Seven years after 9/11, Canada lacks a coherent, coordinated plan to protect the nation's critical infrastructure; in a recent report experts dismissed natural disasters, terrorism, cyber attacks, and pandemics as the major threats to Canada; rather, the greatest threat, they said, is a "lack of clarity around governance" during a disaster full story

After the shock of the 9/11 attacks, Canada's decentralized structure for protecting the country's critical infrastructure was supposed to made tighter, more cohesive, and more effective; white papers were written, plans were unveiled, Web sites were designed -- but not much else has happened; experts are worried full story

Homeland1.com is revolutionizing the way in which the emergency preparedness community finds news, identifies training opportunities, networks and researches product purchases. With a full range of free articles, videos, training tips and product information, Homeland1.com addresses the needs of emergency managers, disaster planners and counter-terrorism officials. From command and control, to bioterrorism, disaster exercises, and funding, Homeland1.com is there. Praetorian Group, Inc., is the leader in online media for the public safety market and parent company of Homeland1.com, EMS1.com, FireRescue1.com, and PoliceOne.com. The sites have a combined membership of 330,000 first responders and 1.5 million unique visits every month. Learn More or Join Now. Membership is Free

Smiths Detection offers advanced integrated security solutions based on trace detection equipment, X-ray screening systems and other proven and developing technologies for a multi-layered approach to securing critical infrastructure. Detect and identify explosives, weapons, narcotics, chemical and biological warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and contraband. Use our HI-SCAN X-ray inspection systems and IONSCAN trace detectors to screen visitor and employee personal belongings, mail and deliveries. Deploy the CENTURION for real-time monitoring of the HVAC system for an accidental or deliberate release of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. Tie it all together with FirstView, a web-accessible video surveillance system. Learn more at www.smithsdetection.com.

Learning from the experiences of the U.S. Department of Defense full story

The lack of communication interoperability among first response, rescue teams, and law enforcement during the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina was only the most dramatic and poignant demonstration of a persistent and debilitating flaw in U.S. agencies' planning for disaster -- and performing during disaster; communication interoperability is essential not only in disasters, but for routine, every-day operations of law enforcement; SyTech's comprehensive approach to interoperability offers a solution full story

Enhancing Your Power to Respond

Prepared Response, Inc. is the leading innovator in crisis management and emergency preparedness solutions and training. Prepared Response's solutions have been repeatedly proven to save lives as well as protect property including schools, hospitals, malls, stadiums, government facilities, and other public and private critical infrastructure. The company's flagship product, the Rapid Responder® &crisis management system, is certified by DHS's SAFETY Act program as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology. Rapid Responder is deployed in more than 10,000 facilities across the US including the first statewide crisis management system now operating in Washington state. www.preparedresponse.com

Coda Octopus Group, Inc (OTC BB: CDOC) - Worldwide leader in technology for maritime and infrastructure security, providing products, solutions and engineering services to domestic and international clients. Products include patented Real Time 3D Sonar, Echoscope™ and Underwater Inspection System (UIS™) developed for U.S. Coast Guard and law enforcement and security agencies across the globe. This technology is particularly suitable for rapid 3D underwater inspection of ports, harbors and other critical maritime infrastructure, underwater intruder classification and ship hull inspection. CodaOctopus Group companies include Innalogic Inc, specializing in portable secure wireless video surveillance systems and Colmek Systems Engineering, providing custom engineering and bespoke design services to US government clients. www.codaoctopusgroup.com

Harsh winters, age, and neglect threaten Ontario's infrastructure; potholes are created when moisture from rain and thawing snow finds its way into cracks and crevices in road surfaces and then expands during rapid freezes to damage the asphalt; potholes not only hamper traffic, but expose water mains and electrical wires buried beneath roads full story

In February 2006 al Qaeda terrorists tried to blow up the world’s largest oil processing plant at Abqaiq; the Saudi government responded by setting up a 15,000-strong special force to protect oil, gas, and water desalination infrastructure full story

Since 1997, Aralia Systems has been a leading global provider of intelligent video analytics surveillance software solutions for governments and large enterprises. Aralia believes it is the world's only solution, which manages all aspects of forensics from video management to analytics, alarming, searching and reporting in real-time or retrospectively on an open architecture platform. Aralia's solutions can be integrated with existing analog video systems or fully digital systems, and operates on standard IT servers. www.araliasystems.com

EMP-shielded rooms (8x20 feet) and micro-grids by Instant Access Networks, LLC, (IAN). Versions include walk-in safes (no power), with generator power or commercial power connections at 100-1200A. MOBILE EMP-protected command center trailers (32 feet long, up to 13'5" high, at 14,400 GVWR, with GMC 3500 total CGVWR under 26,000 lbs only requires ordinary driver's license). IAN shielded rooms protect mission-critical fiber optic network nodes and data/communication centers. Customers can buy rooms, lease them or space in them as business continuity co-locations. Email cmanto@stop-EMP.com for details or see website at www.stop-EMP.com. For participation in pilot studies in mission-critical facilities, see www.safe9-1-1.com.

Researchers built a system of "blower boxes" which exert pressure on buildings similar to the buffeting of winds from gusts exceeding 250 kilometers per hour; the goal is to find ways to construct sturdier, more resilient structures full story

Conversation with Mark Adams, chief architect of mobility at Northrop Grumman, on using WiMax for public safety and civil defense full story

ICx Technologies is a leader in the field of security technologies, manufacturing products ideally suited for critical infrastructure protection. Our proprietary sensors deliver superior awareness and actionable intelligence for wide-area surveillance, intrusion detection and facility security. ICx infrared camera and radar solutions prohibit intruders from utilizing nighttime as a shield or fog as a blanket. These advanced sensors give the user the ability to see in total darkness and penetrate most weather conditions day or night. Integrating easily into legacy security systems, these technologies are already in use in several installations including major nuclear power plants, ports, and government facilities. www.icximagingsystems.com

Agiosat Global Communications is a leading provider of satellite-based critical infrastructure networks for government and industry. These Company operated FCC licensed networks provide resilient and redundant connectivity for clients in routine daily use, as well as crisis and recovery situations. Innovative approaches to delivery of these services separate Agiosat from the herd. Featuring advanced IP-centric architecture, with triple redundant, geographically diverse network teleport hubs, you can have confidence that critical infrastructure requirements can be met for your organization. Come see what the Agiosat Global Communications team can create to fulfill your critical communication and continuity requirements. www.agiosat.com

Bentley offers end-to-end bridge solution which will allow bridge engineers to create and renovate bridge infrastructure full story

Nuclear power has advantages, but if this method of generating power is to be viable long term, discovering new solutions to radioactive waste disposal and other problems is important full story

The SyTech Radio Interoperability System (RIOS) allows users of non-compatible voice and signaling systems to communicate regardless of format, frequency, or physical distance. With RIOS, law enforcement, public safety, industry, and federal agencies have the ability to create powerful, easy-to-use interoperability networks by interconnecting their current communication resources. From complex trunking systems to simplex portables, RIOS (1) consolidates communication assets, (2) interoperates communities, regions, and states, and (3) delivers real-time communications to emergency-response managers and state officials located anywhere with an IP connection. www.SyTechRIOS.com

CoreStreet is the leader in Credential Validation solutions for Identity & Access Management and delivers proven technologies used by governments and corporations worldwide to authorize critical events and physical access to core assets with confidence. The CoreStreet Validation suite provides population-scaleable PKI certificate validation technology to validate the credentials of individuals as they interact with their IT applications. The CoreStreet PIVMAN solution provides mobile authentication and validation of identities and roles for first responders and multiple other use cases. For security convergence the company provides developer kits to PACS vendors to enable products with FIPS-201 functionality and with Card-Connected™ technology www.corestreet.com

A technological sleeper cell: The Chinese have manufactured counterfeit Cisco routers and switches and offered them at exceedingly low prices; U.S. vendors upgrading or replacing U.S. government IT systems used these counterfeit devices -- and the FBI and other government agencies are now worried that the gear offers the Chinese undetectable back-doors into highly secure government and military computer system; the FBI investigates full story

Quantum encryption is supposed to offer air-tight security owing to the laws of quantum mechanics; to send a key over the quantum channel you must simultaneously send additional data over the traditional Internet channel, and then verify that the classical data has not been changed through an authentication process; data traveling though the quantum channel was 100 percent secure, but the combined system showed vulnerabilities full story

HS Daily Wire, the leading online source for news, analysis and trends in homeland security, is a unique combination of an electronic business report and content-rich website covering business and technology developments in the homeland security market. HS Daily Wire provides information on products, services and solutions to prepare, cope with, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters and side-effects of globalization, focusing on market trends, emerging technologies, clean energy and regulatory changes. And because our Web site content is updated daily, we are the go to source for top level government officials and business executives responsible for making multimillion dollar decisions. Visit www.hsdailywire.com for a free subscription.