SecureTech 2014 highlights Canadian developments in biometrics and surveillance

World-class speakers, decision-makers and influencers from the public safety, emergency management and security industries gathered this week in Ottawa, Canada, for the three-day SecureTech 2014 conference.

SecureTech 2014 had 2,400 registrants (a 20 percent increase over the previous year), featured 160 exhibitors spanning 50,000 square feet of display space, and facilitated more than 110 business-to-business and business-to-government meetings.

It is organized by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, which represents a sector that employs 109,000 Canadians and generates more than $12 billion dollars annually.

CADSI president Christyn Cianfarani noted that the conference covered issues ranging from first responder equipment and communications in municipalities, to national privacy, and from cyber attack prevention, to the management of the US-Canada border. “To our knowledge, no other conference or trade show program in Canada or internationally addresses these issues,” she said in a statement.

Among the speakers was Canada’s Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney who spoke about legislation (Bill C-44) which would give the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) with greater surveillance authority in Canada as well as internationally in order to track individuals who pose a threat to Canadians.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Joe Oliver explained the Border Integrity Technology Enhancement Project, which is a $92-million perimeter security project that spans more than 700 km of border between Canada and the U.S. and includes biometric technologies. It involves a web of video cameras, radar, ground sensors, thermal radiation detectors and licence plate readers.

As BiometricUpdate.com noted earlier this week, the recent shooting near Canada’s Parliament buildings in Ottawa set the stage for serious talks about the need for solutions to respond to emergencies and especially the threat of terrorism in Canada and beyond.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  border security  |  Canada  |  police  |  SecureTech