Security Management Consulting, Inc. founded in 1998, is a highly regarded and experienced minority-owned company that provides security consulting services for corporate, industrial and government agencies.

Night Hawk Security and Consulting, LLC founded in 2007, is a privately-held minority and woman-owned business that provides alarm monitoring, security officers and patrol professionals and physical security assessments to businesses and government agencies.

With timing of the essence, the staff responded with the singular goal of honoring returning service members who are travel weary and itching to set foot on U.S. soil.   The Port Authority (of New York and New Jersey) earn their living by thinking, organizing, and acting quickly and decisively,” said Bosco. “So, it wasn’t difficult at all for them to organize personnel and equipment for the event. As the word spread of the AC-130′s arrival, airport workers, who could safely break away from their duties for a few minutes, did so in order to render a heartfelt “thank you” to our brave men and women in uniform.”

SOURCE: U.S. Department of State.

SYNOPSIS: On 24 January 2012 the U.S. Department of State (DoS) issued a Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.

U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This Worldwide Caution replaces the previous edition dated 26, 2011, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.

Recipients are encouraged to read the entire Worldwide Caution at the following DoS link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4787.html and notify their unit security managers of any unofficial international travel plans.

RALEIGH—The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce has appointed Denise Morris Martin, chief financial officer and owner of Security Management Consulting, Inc. and president and CEO of Night Hawk Security and Consulting LLC, to its 2011 – 2012 board of directors, which has a term of Oct. 1, 2011 through Sept. 30, 2012.

“We are pleased to have Denise as a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors,” said Harvey Schmitt, Chamber president and CEO. “I’m certain that the knowledge and experience our board members bring will further the Chamber’s efforts toward developing and sustaining the region’s thriving economy and quality of life.”

Security Management Consulting, Inc. founded in 1998, is a highly regarded and experienced minority-owned company that provides security consulting services for corporate, industrial and government agencies.

Night Hawk Security and Consulting, LLC founded in 2007, is a privately-held minority and woman-owned business that provides alarm monitoring, security officers and patrol professionals and physical security assessments to businesses and government agencies.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors members are elected from the Chamber membership to set Chamber policies and priorities.

About the Greater Raleigh Chamber

The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is the Triangle’s largest nonprofit business membership organization made up of more than 2,400 member firms representing two-thirds of the private sector employment in Wake County. The Chamber has represented the interests of the local business community since 1888.

GUIDELINES FOR HIRING A SECURITY CONSULTANT

When seeking the services of a security consultant, it is crucial to match your needs or requirements with the specific expertise and experience of the right consultant. Keep in mind the following as you begin looking for a security consultant.

If It Says “One Size Fits All,” It Doesn’t Fit Anyone.

Few consultants would presume to offer one-stop shopping for all your security needs. The consultant who claims to be an expert on workplace violence, CCTV, personnel security issues, warehouse and transportation security, and proprietary information programs – or an expert on your industry plus six others – might not be the genuine article. To keep up with changes in technology, law, management and organizational structure, a consultant would have to devote 19 hours a day to staying current. In short, these days you can’t be an expert generalist.

Beware Of The Bargain.

Most established, reliable consultants have an established fee structure. It was in place long before your call came in, because they know their business and how much time and effort the project will take and what their costs will be. There will always be some negotiation, but the basic pricing should remain constant, and that’s to your advantage as much as to the consultant’s.

Statement of Work.

If you’re only going to ask one consultant for a proposal, a good strategy is to ask that consultant to help you develop a statement of work. If you will have several candidates for the project, ask them to provide comments and questions in a draft proposal. This will level the playing field and help crystallize the working relationship and scope of services. You’ll know early on whether your expectations are realistic. Few consultants will decline to help out in this development process, because it allows them to showcase their expertise and knowledge of the project requirements; it is an excellent test drive without obligation.

There’s No Such Thing As Instant Experience.

Seek expertise with only the best professional reputations and competencies. How do you find and evaluate them? From the recommendations of those who knew them, on the basis of their academic and professional credentials and on the basis of their independent and creative natures.

The same applies to hiring a security consultant. Primary selection criteria include recommendations from other consultants and industry specialists you’ve had contact with and whose opinions you respect.

Other criteria include formal education, professional development programs and certifications by professional societies. A consultant’s publications and professional papers can be valuable as well, especially if peer review is a means of selection. Consultants who write for professional publications have to keep abreast of the myriad changes in technology, techniques and trends. Consultants who are not “product-affiliated” are most likely to provide economical, creative solutions, because they can make objective assessments and recommendations.

Other resources that will help you identify the right consultant are commercial referral services and professional organizations. These groups use databases to link you with consultants who have already been screened and whose credentials have already been verified .

ADDITIONAL TIPS

• Determine whether your candidate is truly a full-time independent security consultant, not a part-time consultant or one that is tied to the sale of products or other services, such as a hardware salesman, guard contractor or private detective who professes to do it all.

• Examine the consultant’s credentials. Look for the “CPP” “Certified Protection Professional” designation from ASIS, or a Registered Member of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants.

• Does the prospective consultant carry professional liability (E&O) insurance? Not the state-mandated private investigator’s or guard providers Insurance, but Professional Liability Insurance with limits of liability sufficient to protect your assets, many do not. Ask the question, and require a copy of their security companies insurance certificate.

• Beware of the Bargain! A person who does not offer a total solution but only offers a list of tasks at a bargain rate may in fact never complete the real assignment, may not do it well, and it may cost you more. Require a fixed fee and a work plan. Often times the high-end consultant is more cost efficient and cost effective, not only in terms of project cost, but in terms of value to your institution, because he may have a better understanding of your needs, and can therefore work more efficiently.

• Once a consultant is engaged, you get hooked. Good consultant(s) will teach you what they know, what they have learned and they will work with you to devise mechanisms to address present and future needs. They know when to move on, and when to be available for new challenges.

The first day of the PPUG conference featured a welcome speech by Eugene Martin, President of Security Management Consulting (SMC). The highlights of the first day session included keynote speakers Allen Harper, Founder of N2NetSecurity, Luis Orbegoso, President of Lenel International, and lunch speaker Mike Regelski, Chief Technology Officer for UTC. Additional speakers included Colleen Moss of the Charlotte FBI who conducted a presentation on cyber security, Debbie Fox on the Picture Perfect 4.5 release,and SMC’s Mike Baranski conducting an end-user roundtable.

The second day of the PPUG Conference included four training sessions taking place all day long. The educational sessions included the following topics:

• “Introduction to SQL Reporting for Picture Perfect”
• “Code Considerations for Access-Controlled Doors”
• “Implementing IP Video Surveillance Systems”
• “Advanced SQL Queries”
• “Getting What You Pay For: Acceptance and Commissioning of Security Projects”
• “Introduction to UNIX/LINUX for Picture Perfect Administration”
• “Monitoring and Maintaining Picture Perfect: A Practical Guide”
• “Best Practices for Access Control Systems”

In addition, the PPUG Conference also included special evening activities for attendees and a prize drawing at the close of the event.

The 2011 event is currently being planned, and information will be posted to their website: www.ppug.org. Additionally, you can view a presentations in PDF form by clicking on the title by clicking here. For corporate security design and training, you may contact the PPUG corporate sponsor – SMC – at 877-788-9200  or complete the consultation form on our website.

• Establish and enforce the reliability standards for bulk-power systems
• Train, educate and certify industry professionals
• Summer and winter forecasts
• Asses adequacy via 10-year forecast
• Monitor the bulk power system

The acronym CIP refers to Critical Infrastructure Protection and is maintained by NERC to make certain the protection of Critical Cyber Assets that control or impact the reliability of North America’s bulk electric systems. These standards are in place to protect us from crippling cyber attacks and ensure preparedness and response to serious incidents that involve critical infrastructure. CIP defines these critical infrastructures into the following sectors as each utilizes unique protocols and applications:

• Banking and finance
• Transportation
• Power including electricity, oil, and gas
• Information and communications
• Federal and municipal services:
• Emergency services
• Fire departments
• Law enforcement agencies
• Public works

New threats are constantly emerging and many companies need assistance managing and maintaining a reliable bulk electric system. This is vital as these systems rely on the cyber assets that support critical reliability functions and processes to communicate with each other for data and services. That is why it is crucial to address these risks and ensure protection of cyber assets.

The NERC-CIP compliance experts at Security Management Consulting (SMC) provide assessment and deployment services to analyze issues and establish sustainable solutions. Our track record and experience is unparalleled in the industry. To speak with one of our NERC-CIP compliance company, call SMC at 877-788-9200 or fill out the contact form on our website.

So what exactly is Cyber Security? In a nutshell, it’s the protection of all things web-related – from information stored in computer databases, to applications, to the networks themselves. The need for this protection stems from our reliance on the internet and the emergence of new technologies, like Web 2.0, that foster online information sharing and collaboration. The simple fact is there are bad people out there are willing to harm anyone for personal gain.

Forms of Cyber Attacks

There are many types of cyber threats and each has their own level of potential impact requiring a unique solution for each situation. The impending level of danger will determine the level of sophistication the safety measure will require to protect you from an attack.

There are a wide range of cyber attacks: from simple malicious codes – known as spyware or malware – to devastating viruses that can erase all of the information on your computer and allow hackers to access your personal data. Frequently, the codes sneak through your security system when you visit a web page or by opening an email. These codes can exploit the holes in assorted applications and place themselves inside the computer system. Once “inside” they can copy and contaminate other computers by attaching themselves to the emails that are sent through your local network. These malevolent codes are usually very complex as they “trick” your system by claiming they do one thing, and instead do something all together different. While spyware and malware can cause havoc, cyber attacks could include worms or viruses which can cause much more harm.

While codes can be dangerous, another serious threat could be hackers or attackers. No matter how you analyze it, worms and viruses can only perform the actions that they were programmed to do. But hackers are human beings and they can uncover the information they want and use it for whatever they choose. However, sometimes hackers are just testing out their skills and are just pulling a prank rather than trying to steal information for personal gain.

Implementing a Cyber Security Plan

Regardless of the threat, it’s paramount that you and your company know about cyber security and how to protect yourself. It’s necessary to analyze your computers and uncover where your vulnerabilities are. This is why it’s crucial to continuously update your software since new threats are being produced every hour and having an updated system could help protect you from being attacked. In addition, if you store sensitive customer information, it would be smart business to work with experts who can determine weaknesses in your system and provide solutions to repair it. All it takes is one security breach to do permanent damage to your business and brand.

Cyber security needs to be a part of any smart business plan. New threats are constantly popping up and they are looking to harm your business. If you would like assistance in developing a cyber security plan, the experts at Security Management Consulting can help. Just fill out the consultation for on our website or give us a call at 877-788-9200.

Additional Benefits of Penetration Testing

Protect Your Company Image & Maintain Customer Loyalty. As a business owner, one of your most valuable assets is your good name. All it takes is one incident of compromised customer data and information can be extremely costly – in more ways than one. Performing a penetration test allows you to avoid data incidents that could compromise your company’s reputation.

Avoid Fines While Meeting Regulatory Requirements. Performing penetration testing allows your firm to satisfy the auditing/compliance regulations including the following:

• Sarbanes-Oxley
• GLBA
• PCI
• HIPAA

Penetration tests can also provide detailed reporting that can help your company avoid fines levied for not being in compliance.
Complete the Necessary Prerequisites for Cyber Security Insurance. If your firm is interested in getting cyber security insurance coverage, then penetration testing is quickly becoming a requirement.

Avoid Costly Network Downtime. A security breach can be devastating due to lost productivity and revenue, in addition to the IT efforts required to properly recover. The end result could cost your company millions. Penetration testing allows you to thwart this monetary loss by properly identifying and accessing risks before security breaches take place.

Justify Your Security Spend. Penetration testing can evaluate future investments while analyzing the effectiveness of your existing security products.

Penetration testing can save your company millions and provide valuable peace of mind as you will know the security vulnerabilities of your company and formulate a strategy to combat it. If your firm is ready to perform a penetration test – and would like to partner with an Inc. 5000 company – then contact the security design experts at Security Management Consulting. Just complete the contact form on our website or give us a call at (877) 788-9200 to get started.

A major challenge of the award-winning Duke Energy Center project was the intricacy of the security required for the building. Security Management Consulting (SMC) was selected to formulate a strategy to solve those issues and to provide a leading-edge security design. This was accomplished with a full team approach which included working closely with TVSA (architectural firm of record), Childress Klein Properties (building manager) and Wells Fargo/Wachovia (the owner). The end result was a detailed, multi-pronged security approach and design that evolved from a series of meetings held over several months.

“The intricacy involved with designing a security system that provides a safe and secure work environment for a multi-use LEED platinum-certified complex of this size was achieved through a combined effort,” said Frank Ehrman, CPP, PSP, of SMC. “A modern security control center created by SMC now operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, providing for the safety and protection of the people and the property.”

The Duke Energy Center project is available for viewing online at
http://www.buildingofamerica.com/news/articles/cd/1010/dukeenergycenter/index.html

With more than a decade of experience, The Building of America Network in partnership with Construction Communications, based in Southfield, Michigan, has been publishing since 1996. For more information about their company, visit www.buildingofamerica.com.

If you would like to learn more about SMC – or need a complex security system designed for your corporation or government agency – please visit our website or give us a call at (877) 788-9200.