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Hirsch Electronics, a supplier of IP enabled access control and security management solutions, received the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation in the North American electronic access control systems market. In bestowing the award, the independent market research firm lauded Hirsch’s technological innovations in identity management, multi-factor authentication, encryption, network enabled solutions, and system interoperability. They also praised the company’s achievements in delivering an end to end solution that enables organizations to achieve goals for risk mitigation, sustainable growth, and profitability. 

Frost & Sullivan stated Hirsch earned the award “by focusing on the convergence of security sub-systems and by developing products that integrate different access control technologies to assemble a multi-factor authentication platform.” Frost & Sullivan also asserted, “The progressive development vision of Hirsch has helped them provide an access control solution that is both future ready and compatible with existing legacy systems.”

“We appreciate the recognition of our innovative approach to problem solving,” said Rob Zivney, vice president, marketing, Hirsch Electronics. “We take tremendous pride from our ability to deliver products that effectively blend proven solutions with advanced technologies.”

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation is presented annually to the company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. This award recognized Hirsch for successfully developing and introducing new technology, formulating a well designed product family, and making significant product performance contributions to the industry.

Frost & Sullivan complimented Hirsch’s consistent success in evolving and adapting to changing market requirements, and cited Hirsch’s ScrambleSmart, ScrambleSmartProx, PIV Verification Station, and Velocity security management software among its latest technology innovations.

Frost & Sullivan noted the Hirsch RUU family of verification stations—named such because they answer the question, “Are you you?”—combines the high security ScramblePad keypad with a biometric fingerprint reader, contact smart card reader, contactless smart card reader, and LCD display to deliver “a compelling solution for the present day market.”

Hirsch has earned previous recognition from Frost & Sullivan including its Global Excellence in Technology Award in 2005 and its Entrepreneurial Company, Market Engineering Award in 2001. Hirsch is also in the Frost & Sullivan “Hall of Fame for Best Practices.” Hirsch has received numerous additional awards for innovation including the TFM (Total Facility Management) Show’s “Best of Show Award for Information Technology” and five Security Industry Association (SIA) New Product Showcase awards.

The supplier of IP-enabled access control and security management solutions recently received the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation in the North American electronic access control systems market. In bestowing the award, the independent market research firm Frost & Sullivan recognized Hirsch Electronics‘ technological innovations in identity management, multi-factor authentication, encryption, network-enabled solutions and system interoperability.  They also noted the company’s achievements in delivering an end-to-end solution that enables organizations to achieve goals for risk mitigation, sustainable growth, and profitability.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation is presented annually to the company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry.

Frost & Sullivan stated Hirsch earned the award “by focusing on the convergence of security sub-systems and by developing products that integrate different access control technologies to assemble a multi-factor authentication platform.”  Frost & Sullivan also asserted, “The progressive development vision of Hirsch has helped them provide an access control solution that is both future-ready and compatible with existing legacy systems.”

“We appreciate the recognition of our innovative approach to problem-solving,” said Rob Zivney, vice president, marketing, Hirsch Electronics.  “We take tremendous pride from our ability to deliver products that effectively blend proven solutions with advanced technologies.”

Frost & Sullivan complimented Hirsch’s consistent success in evolving and adapting to changing market requirements, and cited Hirsch’s ScrambleSmart, ScrambleSmartProx, PIV Verification Station and Velocity Security Management Software among its latest technology innovations.

Frost & Sullivan noted the Hirsch RUU family of verification stations –named such because they answer the question, “Are you you?” — combines the high security ScramblePad keypad with a biometric fingerprint reader, contact smart card reader, contactless smart card reader, and LCD display to deliver “a compelling solution for the present-day market.”

Hirsch has earned previous recognition from Frost & Sullivan including its Global Excellence in Technology Award in 2005 and its Entrepreneurial Company, Market Engineering Award in 2001. Hirsch is also in the Frost & Sullivan “Hall of Fame for Best Practices.”

The Security Industry Association (SIA), the largest international trade association representing electronic and physical security product manufacturers, specifiers, and service providers, recently honored Rob Zivney, vice president of marketing, Hirsch Electronics, with the SIA Statesman Award for his work on personal identity verification (PIV) related issues and recent congressional testimony, as well as his leadership role in SIA webinars and the SIA Government Summit.

“Rob has been instrumental in support of SIA’s government relations programs and initiatives,” said Richard Chace, executive director, SIA. “His extraordinary leadership has positioned SIA to address the public policy challenges impacting the electronic physical security industry.”

The SIA Statesman Award was presented during SIA’s 2008 Government Summit in Washington, DC. The award recognizes Mr. Zivney’s continued efforts on behalf of the industry and SIA to educate and establish working relationships with the federal government and industry leaders.

Mr. Zivney has spent more than 30 years in the security and building controls industries with expertise in access control and intelligent building systems. He serves on the SIA Board of Directors, chairs SIA’s PIV Working Group, and represents SIA to the Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board (IAB) Physical Access Committee. Further, he is active in standards activities with SIA, ASHRAE/BACnet, OASIS/oBIX, NMSAC and RTCA. A sought after industry speaker, his opinions and market outlook are often quoted in the industry trade.

The award recognizes and reinforces Hirsch Electronics’ commitment to the industry and consistent contribution of resources for the overall good of the security industry. Hirsch Electronics’ senior management, technologists and other professionals are active in many security related associations and serve in leadership roles on many leading committees and councils.

“We believe that a strong, healthy security industry is critical to homeland security,” said Mr. Zivney. “The involvement of Hirsch’s leadership and expertise contributes to the industry’s strength and ultimately provides our clients with insight into evolving security standards, regulations, development, technologies, and innovative applications.”

Rob Zivney, vice president of marketing for Hirsch Electronics, will represent the Security Industry Association (SIA) before the US House Subcommittee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding implementation progress of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). Signed into law by President Bush in 2004, HSPD-12 requires all federal government employees and contractors to have a trusted identity badge for both physical and logical access.

Mr. Zivney is a member of the SIA Board of Directors, Chair of SIA’s Personal Identity Verification Working Group, and represents SIA to the Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board Physical Access Committee.

At the hearing on Federal Security: ID Cards and Background Checks, the Subcommittee will review the status of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and release a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.

The hearing is set to occur today, April 9, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at 2247 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

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UPDATE
The following was released by SIA this afternoon (4/9/08) after Zivney’s testimony…

In testimony today before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement, Rob Zivney, vice president of Marketing for Hirsch Electronics and member of the Security Industry Association (SIA) Board of Directors, called implementation of HSPD-12 a pioneering effort which will require both a financial investment and development of new infrastructure.

“The opportunity to testify on behalf of our industry is a testament to the legislative inroads and successes SIA has realized in recent years,” said Richard Chace, executive director and CEO, The Security Industry Association. “We look forward to working closely with committee members to implement our recommendations.”

At the hearing, Zivney urged the subcommittee to direct the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of E-Government and Information Technology to establish a dedicated “physical security team” composed of professionals with substantial knowledge of physical security technologies and physical security infrastructure within federal agencies. As part of its responsibilities, this physical security team would support the ongoing efforts of the Interagency Security Committee charged with developing physical security policies, standards, and strategies at non-military government facilities.

He also recommended OMB establish a policy for implementation of physical security similar to OMB Memorandum M-05-24. Currently, PIV-I and PIV-II are “unfunded mandates.” However, physical access control systems are outside of that scope and have neither funding nor a mandate. This requested policy must recognize that the PIV card is not compatible with most installed PACS currently in use and that the PACS will have to be, at a minimum, upgraded or most likely, replaced.

Finally, Zivney called on the committee to use SIA as a resource for the effective utilization of the PIV credential with physical access control systems. He noted that SIA not only has the skills and knowledge for deployment and use, but as an ANSI standards development organization, is able to produce standards for physical security systems.

Additional highlights of Zivney’s testimony include:

• HSPD-12 and the associated standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), specifically the identity vetting processes, form a far stronger foundation for our federal government agencies’ security than we have ever witnessed in the past.

• The scope of the investment and time required for HSPD-12 implementation were underestimated by the government when it set goals for the deployment of HSPD-12 through the OMB Memorandum M-05-24.

• Traditionally the functions of authentication and authorization have resided locally with the administrator of the physical access control system (PACS). The HSPD-12 and Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 201 model have changed this: the credential issuer to a large degree now handles authentication while authorization remains a function of the PACS. This has created a unique challenge facing federal agencies, the development of a substantial shared infrastructure to accommodate the increased functionality and security features of the PIV II credential.

• HSPD-12 requires information technology departments, human resources, and security departments interface and cooperate on an unprecedented level. These three disciplines traditionally are different in cultures and basic objectives. This creates challenges for all parties involved.

• In the absence of clear guidance and specifications for the systems that will use the PIV card, some manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge and assumed substantial research and development costs to produce next generation equipment capable of utilizing the features of a PIV II credential. This work has been conducted without the benefit of having operational PIV II credentials available to manufacturers to develop and test associated product.

For a copy of the testimony or additional hearing details, contact Peggy O’Connor, SIA’s manager of PR and Communications, at poconnor@siaonline.org or 571-236-6172.

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About the Security Industry Association
The Security Industry Association (SIA) is a nonprofit international trade association representing electronic and physical security product manufacturers, integrators, specifiers, and service providers. SIA advocates for and supports the industry by providing education, research, technical standards and representation and defense of its members’ interests.

About Hirsch Electronics
Hirsch Electronics manufactures physical security systems for worldwide markets. Hirsch is a recognized leader in IP-based security solutions that interoperate with other networked databases, devices and systems. Hirsch’s award-winning role-based access control (RBAC), identity management, and security management systems integrate access control, digital video, alarm monitoring, smart cards and biometrics.

Hirsch Electronics confirmed earlier this month that its Verification Station’s biometric technology has passed the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) rigorous testing and was placed on the TSA’s “Biometrics for Access Control” Qualified Products List (QPL).

According to the TSA’s website: “Airport operators are encouraged to use the qualified products list to improve upon their existing access control systems by incorporating biometrics technologies.” (Source: http://www.tsa.gov/join/business/biometric_qualification.shtm) The requirements for QPL biometrics were spelled out in detail in a 140 page “Guidance Package — Biometrics for Airport Access Control” that establishes the criteria and standards that TSA believes biometric products should meet for acceptable performance for airport access control systems.

Hirsch developed the Verification Station, model family RUU, in conjunction with Cogent Systems, a global biometric identification solutions provider. Hirsch’s RUU integrates Cogent’s ID-Gate biometric subsystem, one of only two products that met TSA’s testing requirements for airport physical access control. “Hirsch chose to integrate Cogent’s technologies, because we knew their quality solutions would support and enhance Hirsch’s reputation for high security and product reliability,” stated Kevin Reyes, Hirsch’s manager of strategic OEM partners.

The biometrics in the Hirsch Verification Station passed the extensive TSA tests including requirements for a failure-to-enroll rate less than 3% and a 99.86% operational availability rate. TSA’s test required a false rejection rate (FRR) of less than 1%; the RUU biometric’s FRR is just 0.01% to 0.001%. TSA’s test required a false acceptance rate (FAR) of less than 1%; the RUU biometric’s FAR is 0.01% to 0.0001% FAR. TSA’s test required a transaction time of less than six seconds; the RUU biometric extraction and ID time is 1.5 seconds.

“We believe the Hirsch Verification Station is an excellent choice for airports, ports and other high-risk sites, uniquely providing the highest standards in identity management and access control,” commented Chris Crump, Cogent’s director of commercial business.

The Verification Station Model RUU
The Verification Station is the market’s only high security, multipurpose biometric edge reader. The RUU delivers uncommon versatility: four authentication factors (card, code, fingerprint and PKI certificate check), four applications (verify claimed identities, control access, encode smart cards, and enroll card holders in access control system), 12 modes (finger-only, card+finger, card+finger+code, etc.), and three power choices (Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), terminal block, wall socket). The RUU is the only biometric product with a scrambling keypad to secure the PIN code entry from theft. The Verification Station is IP addressable and can communicate with identity management systems, card management systems, access control systems, and PKI certificate authorities. The Verification Station is part of Hirsch Electronics’ integrated, end-to-end solution for identity management and regulatory compliance and won the Security Industry Association’s Special Achievement Award for outstanding technical innovation.

About Cogent Systems
Cogent, South Pasadena, CA, is a global biometric identification solutions provider to governments, law enforcement agencies, and commercial enterprises. Cogent provides quality identification systems, products and services with leading technology, accuracy and speed. Cogent’s Automated Fingerprint/Palmprint Identification Systems, or AFIS, enable customers to capture fingerprint and palm print images electronically, encode prints into searchable files, and accurately compare a set of fingerprints/palm prints to a database containing potentially millions of prints in seconds.

About Hirsch Electronics
Hirsch Electronics manufactures physical security systems for worldwide markets. Hirsch is a recognized leader in IP-based security solutions that interoperate with other networked databases, devices and systems. Hirsch’s award-winning role-based access control (RBAC), identity management, and security management systems integrate access control, digital video, alarm monitoring, smart cards and biometrics. Hirsch security solutions are IT-centric, highly secure, and scalable to even the largest organizations.

Representative Sanchez to discuss homeland security and tour the Hirsch Electronics facility

Hirsch Electronics, a manufacturer of access control and security management solutions, announces the scheduled visit of U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez to their corporate facility in Santa Ana, CA.

The congresswoman will tour their factory and exchange information regarding successes in securing our homeland including seaports, transportation, petroleum reserves, critical infrastructure, federal buildings and other high-risk facilities.

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez represents the California 47th Congressional District of California, which encompasses the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and some of Fullerton in Orange County. She began her congressional career in November 1996, and is serving her sixth term in the House of Representatives.

As the second Ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security, she is working on protecting the country and its citizens. In December of 2004, she voted for S 2845, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which implemented many of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and was signed into law.

Hirsch Electronics manufactures physical security systems for worldwide markets.

Robert Beliles was previously senior manager, physical security market management at Cisco Systems in San Jose, CA. Beliles brings to Hirsch more than 11 years of product marketing and product management experience with Cisco Systems, Inc. He is also the co-author of several networked physical security system patents-pending.

“Hirsch has earned a strong reputation for reliable, high-security management systems for access control and identity management,” commented Hirsch president, Larry Midland. “Bob brings us additional depth to pursue the strong business opportunities presented.”

IP network and other IT technologies are driving changes in how physical security systems are deployed and used. The convergence of these technologies with physical security systems is creating unprecedented opportunities to deliver new capabilities and cost-savings to both government and enterprise organizations, similar to what occurred when voice and IP technologies converged into IP telephony.

“Hirsch has been a trailblazer in security solutions that leverage IT technologies, as one of the first vendors to offer IP network-based interoperability solutions that link the physical security system with human resources systems, directory services, video systems, external watch lists, provisioning systems, command and control, and information security”, said Steve Hunt, President of 4A International, a security industry consulting and analyst firm. “With the addition of Bob to Hirsch’s executive team, I expect Hirsch will continue to deliver innovative technologies and solutions for quite some time to come.”

“The opportunities and benefits of networked physical security are enormous,” observed Beliles. “I was very impressed by Hirsch’s early leadership in adopting technologies, such as XML and encrypted end-point communications, which demonstrates that Hirsch is at the forefront of this next wave of convergence. As a result, customers not only benefit from products from a proven security vendor, they also enjoy the ability to build security systems with advanced technologies today.”

At Cisco, Beliles co-founded the company’s physical security initiative leading to the acquisition of two video surveillance systems vendors. During his time there, he led teams that introduced new capabilities to Cisco’s flagship network switch and some of Cisco’s first and widely deployed VoIP-capable products. Prior to joining Cisco, he held systems engineering and sales positions with Advanced Micro Devices, Hewlett Packard, and Philips Information Systems. Beliles holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from Clemson University.

About Hirsch Electronics
Located in Santa Ana, CA, Hirsch Electronics designs and manufactures security systems for worldwide markets. Hirsch is a leader in IP-based physical security solutions that interoperate with other networked databases, devices and systems, such as human resources, provisioning, and directory services. Hirsch’s award-winning role-based access control (RBAC), identity management, and policy-based security management systems integrate access control, digital video, alarm monitoring, smart cards and biometrics. Hirsch security solutions are IT-centric, highly secure, and scalable. Customers use Hirsch solutions to authenticate identities, authorize access to appropriate areas of the building or network, route alarms, and perform audits and analysis. Hirsch solutions enable customers to mitigate risk and liability, to prevent incidents, to ensure regulatory compliance, and to safeguard employees, information and assets. An industry pioneer, Hirsch redefined physical access control with the invention of the scrambling keypad more than 25 years ago. Continual development earned the company a reputation for high-security, product reliability and company integrity.

Scott Chillemi, learning center manager for Hirsch Electronics, was appointed to serve a two-year term as Chair of The Security Industry Association’s (SIA) Education & Training Committee. This is a non-voting vice president position on SIA’s Board of Directors. The Education & Training Committee Chair is responsible for overseeing efforts and guiding the strategic path in order to provide professional development and training programs for SIA’s member companies and the broader security industry.

“The entire industry benefits from better trained, highly skilled personnel,” said Chillemi. “SIA facilitates education and training through its extensive offering of classroom and online-based courses, such as those available at www.siaonline.org. Our committee will continue to increase the awareness and usage of SIA developed or sponsored educational programs.”

Chillemi has been involved with the SIA Education & Training Committee for seven years, four of them as vice chair, including the development of SIA’s Curriculum Map which uses job role and industry focus to help individuals build personalized professional development curricula.

Chillemi has served as Hirsch Electronics’ Learning Center Manager for more than eight years, managing professional trainers and designing and implementing training programs. He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Certified Netware Engineer (CNE). Mr. Chillemi has co-authored three technical books, including NetWare Unleashed, Learning NetWare 4 and The Windows NT System Administrator’s Survival Guide.

All of SIA’s newly elected and appointed officers and directors assumed their positions effective September 12, 2007.

About The Security Industry Association (SIA) The Security Industry Association is a nonprofit international trade association representing electronic and physical security product manufacturers, integrators, specifiers, and service providers. SIA advocates for and supports the industry by providing education, research, technical standards and representation and defense of its members’ interests.

The manufacturer of high security access control and security management systems recently appointed Ayman S. Ashour and Douglas J. Morgan as the Board’s newest members.

Said Hirsch president, Larry Midland, “The additional board members will help Hirsch to capitalize on the tremendous growth opportunities we see both domestically and internationally for access control, for identity management products such as biometrics and smart cards, and for our integrated security management platform, Velocity. I’m excited to work with both Ayman and Doug as Hirsch builds upon its worldwide reputation as the security industry’s most trusted supplier of highly-secure and highly-reliable products.”

As the press release from Hirsch states, Ayman S. Ashour brings to the board a twenty-five year track record of success in the security industry including strategic and practical operational experience on a global scale. Ashour is founder and principal of Newton International Management, LLC, a business consulting company delivering market growth & strategy formulation, market/channel/product development, and technology assessments to end users and suppliers in the identification & security industry. His prior experience includes serving as COO and later CEO of the ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group (ITG). Previously, Ashour held executive positions with Williams Asia encompassing the Asian businesses of Chubb, Kidde & Yale; Guardforce International & Chubb Physical Security; and Kidde Fenwal, Kidde Fire Fighting, and Kidde International.

Ashour graduated from the University of Manchester where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering. He served as an Adjunct Professor at the MBA program of Suffolk University in Boston.

Douglas J. Morgan brings more than 30 years experience to the board. Morgan co-founded and served as CEO of Unified Technologies, Inc., a hardware/software development company, which assisted Hirsch Electronics with its design of the original ScramblePad digital keypad and controllers in the early 1980s. Morgan subsequently joined Hirsch and served as its VP of engineering and development before leaving to found Stratos Scientific Corp. Other business experience includes founding and serving as President of DynaMicro, Inc., chairman of Visual Technologies, Inc., and positions with Computer Sciences Corporation, NCR, and Hewlett Packard. Morgan is currently the CEO and chairman of Performance Strategies, Inc, providing consulting services in the areas of strategic planning, corporate communications, business development, and technology, and Internet utilization.

Morgan is a magna cum laude graduate from both Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and Stanford University with a Masters Degree in Engineering. He was also a National Science Foundation Fellow. He has served on the Board of Directors or advisory boards of several companies and as an expert witness in intellectual property cases. He holds five U.S. patents.