The House has passed its version of the FY ’11 Defense Authorization Bill that includes an amendment that would establish a National Office for Cyberspace (NOC) in the Executive Office of the President. The amendment would also establish a Federal Cybersecurity Practice Board within the NOC to develop policies and procedures for agencies to adhere to in meeting Federal Information Security Management Act requirements. It also requires agencies to do automated and continuous monitoring of their systems to ensure compliance. The amendment was sponsored by Reps. Jim Langeven (D-R.I.) and Diane Watson (D-Calif.).
Smiths Detection has opened a new office in the U.S. to service as the center of excellence for its Homeland Security Sales and Marketing, Global Service Organization and Finance and Administration for the Americas. The new office is located in Morristown, N.J., and combines functions at the company’s former offices in Pine Brook and Warren, N.J. The new office will feature a product showroom for customer demonstrations.
Implant Sciences [IMX] has hired the government relations firm Monument Policy Group to represent the company with key decision makers in Washington, D.C. “As our Washington advisor, Monument will provide counsel, advice, and connections to further support market penetration of Implant Science’s security solutions,” says Glenn Bolduc, Implant’s CEO.
Sagem Securite, a division of France’s Safran Group, has changed its name to Morpho to reflect “the company’s dynamic performance and objective of consolidating all security businesses within the Safran Group under a single name,” it says. The name change is also in line with the creation of its two subsidiaries, MorphoTrak and Morpho Detection.
George Mason Univ. (GMU) has received an $839,240 contract from the Department of Homeland Security Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) to develop continuous IP education programs that enhance the knowledge, leadership ability, professionalism, and capabilities of IP professionals. GMU will also develop an IP career development system that unifies education and training, and encourages adoption of standard IP professional requirements. The proposal for the program was unsolicited but DHS says it represents one part of its larger vision to create a comprehensive, unified education and training system hat produces and sustains the leaders and workforce required to ensure the protection of the nation’s critical infrastructure.