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| There is a growing need for Quantum Secure products to increase the security of critical infrastructure |
With this phase of SAFE deployment, the WTC will centralise identity authentication and reporting along with policies and rules associated with management of different kinds of identities, alarms and events types into a single SAFE policy engine. The eventual goal of the SAFE suite deployment is to create a unique platform of real-time identity risk assessment and remediation platform that includes daily management of identities and alarms campus-wide, making it more likely to identify a potentially volatile situation.
Speaking about Quantum Securer's SAFE physical identity and access management suite in a recent interview, Lou Barany, Security Director for the World Trade Centre commented on how physical identity and access management is critical to the success of the project. Barany explains that, "If someone steals a card and is trying to get into a critical area, such as a closet containing sensitive assets, a central chiller plant, or a critical electrical area, it will generate a single alarm. But if there are multiple attempts made using that card, it will be flagged by the system because it does not clear a threshold of acceptability."
Quantum Securer's SAFE software suite for integrated physical identity and access management will unify employee, contractor, visitor and vehicle identity management in one integrated console and auditable database. By monitoring all identities and their assigned access privileges against pre-determined Port and City policies, SAFE will ensure that everyone accessing all areas of the WTC campus have proper authorisation to gain access to the areas and buildings throughout the campus.
These efforts cannot be strengthening at a better time, as President Barack Obama has placed a strong emphasis on critical infrastructure protection efforts at federal, state and local levels. "We must work to empower communities, an integral part of critical infrastructure security, to work with local infrastructure owners and operators, which will make our physical and cyber infrastructure more resilient," the President said in a November 2010 proclamation. "Working together, we can raise awareness of the important role our critical infrastructure plays in sustaining the American way of life and develop actions to protect these vital resources."
"The deployment of the SAFE software suite at the WTC highlights a growing need for Quantum Secure products to safeguard our nation's critical infrastructure" said Ajay Jain, President & CEO of Quantum Secure. "Other Quantum Secure customers in this space include airports and ports such as San Francisco International Airport and Toronto Airport, utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric Company, U.S. Department of Energy nuclear sites and the Empire State Building, to name a few."
The Quantum Secure SAFE solution helps critical infrastructure organisations significantly streamline their physical identity and access management efforts and simplify their compliance challenges, resulting in increased security, simplified management of internal and external controls and substantially reduced costs related to physical security operations.
"As volatility around the world continues to increase, governments face ever more demanding challenges for protecting people and property," added Jeff Vining, Gartner vice president and research analyst for government, homeland security and law enforcement. "To ensure safety and security, it is essential that governments deploy a comprehensive and collaborative approach that leverages technologies to ensure they are equipped to detect and assess a broad range of threats, and respond as effectively and efficiently as possible."
