Amtrak Lags in Implementing Security Technologies

Madrid attacks refocus attention on passenger rail system's vulnerability, lack of DHS funding

By Dan Verton

March 22, 2004 12:00 PM ET

Recommended

Computerworld - WASHINGTON -- In the aftermath of the March 11 terrorist attacks that killed 201 train passengers in Madrid, some U.S. lawmakers and IT professionals are raising questions about the lack of security systems in place throughout the U.S. commuter rail system, particularly the federally subsidized Amtrak network.
In a letter sent to Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge on March 12, Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) demanded an explanation for the imbalance between the billions of dollars in Department of Homeland Security funding earmarked for new security technologies at air and sea ports and the meager $115 million made available to protect railroads.
"We have continued to shortchange security for our nation's rail system," Snowe and Castle wrote in their letter. "More must be done to introduce improved security procedures and technologies to our rail system so we can be better protected."
A DHS spokesman said rail system security is primarily the responsibility of Amtrak and state and local authorities. The spokesman also acknowledged that Amtrak passengers aren't screened against any DHS terrorist watch-list database.
Amtrak declined to comment on what, if any, security measures beyond bomb-sniffing dogs have been deployed to protect the rail system.
But technology and security analysts said there are IT-based systems available today that can substantially improve Amtrak's security in the near term without having a negative impact on passenger movement and convenience.


Amtrak claims to have beefed up electronic monitoring of bridges and tunnels in the aftermath of the Madrid terrorist attacks.

For example, a $4,000-per-camera license from Reston, Va.-based ObjectVideo can provide security managers with software that lets them set rules for detecting suspicious behavior using existing security cameras. The company just last month signed a distributor agreement with Madrid-based IT Deusto, and the Madrid metro system is now planning a pilot project using the software. Since the attacks in Spain, a demonstration of the technology during a U.S. embassy-sponsored technology expo scheduled for next month in Madrid has been sold out, according to ObjectVideo CEO Raul Fernandez.
"The problem with large closed-circuit television infrastructures is there are a lot of cameras, but nobody's watching them," said Fernandez. "That's where technology comes in." Had ObjectVideo's software been deployed in Madrid, it would likely have been able to detect the bombers leaving backpacks behind and would have automatically dispatched security personnel to investigate, he claimed.
For remote areas of the U.S. rail system, Axis Communications Inc., a Lund, Sweden-based surveillance firm, has developed a "network camera" system that can be

Recommend Digg Twitter ShareThis

Email Print Send Feedback Reprints

Jump to comments

Security

Additional Resources

WHITE PAPER

EFD vs. HDD - What You Need to Know

Enterprise flash drives provide a new Tier 0 storage layer capable of delivering high I/O performance at a very low latency. Proper use of EFDs in an Oracle environment can deliver increased performance compared to fibre channel drives. Read the recommendations for identification of the best DB components for EFDs.

WHITE PAPER

Gartner Research Report: Magic Quadrant for Application Delivery Controllers, 2009

The market for products to improve the delivery of application software over networks remains dynamic and innovative. Vendors focused on solving enterprises' most-pressing application problems have become the top players.

WHITE PAPER

Eight Criteria for Server Load Balancing

Server load balancers are a simple yet highly effective means to scale an application environment while ensuring its availability. Today's solutions should also address application performance and security. Read about the top eight criteria you should consider when choosing a server load balancer and how Citrix NetScaler meets those requirements.

White Papers & Webcasts

Death to PST Files
Download Now

Four Ways to Improve Your TSM Environment with a SEPATON VTL
Watch Now

The Tangled Web: Silent Threats & Invisible Enemies
Download Now

Tape Killed the IT Guy
Watch Now

Forrester Consulting Mobility Study: Taking Control of Enterprise Mobile Device Diversity
Download Now

BRM: What You Can Do To Reduce Risk In Challenging Times
Watch this webcast now!

What IT Must Do to Support Employee-Owned BlackBerry, iPhone and Android Mobile Devices
Download Now

Web 2.0, Social Media and the Dark Web - A Web Criminals Paradise?
In this discussion, learn about the challenges of protecting your users from the potentially unsafe content hidden in the "Dark Web".

eGuide: Enterprise Security
Smart Security Strategies for 2010. Read now!

Disaster Recovery 2008: Reduced Costs and Improved Performance
How long can your Enterprise afford to be without your data? With an accelerated disaster recovery program, you never have to answer this...

All White Papers | All Webcasts