Reply #36: ADDENDUM: Putting Securacom's role in context

[JackRiddler]

Here is a great article I found from 1997 - !!! - describing the implementation of the new security systems at WTC following the 1993 attacks.

The main plan seems to have been drawn up by KROLL ASSOCIATES - very high on the spook totem poll, these are the guys who contract presidential security to the Secret Service and what not. (Also, they employed Jerome Hauer!)

http://securitysolutions.com/mag/security_world_trade_center/

EXCERPTS:

Today, before anyone can gain access to the World Trade Center's sub-grade parking garages, they must meet a host of security requirements and pass through a system of access control devices that makes extremely unlikely the recurrence of a blast such as the one that rocked the complex, killing six people and injuring 1,000. ... Would-be terrorists will find it no easier to gain access by foot. Tenants and employees have to put their photo ID/proximity cards on turnstiles to gain entrance to the four buildings in the complex - the Twin Towers and Buildings 4 and 5 - managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. All visitors must wait to be issued time- and date-sensitive visitor badges with magnetic stripes that indicate clearly which floors or buildings they are authorized to enter. (...)

Despite its size, strength and sophistication, the World Trade Center did not have an automated access control system before the blast. Most public office buildings in America do not. But that trend is likely to change, now that the "It can't happen here" mindset has been replaced with the determination that "It won't happen here again" - at least not at the World Trade Center. (...)

"After the bombing, we had the top security consultants in the nation, Kroll Associates, do a complete security analysis for us, and we followed their recommendations," says Douglas G. Karpiloff, program manager, security systems for the WTC. A 26-year veteran of the Port Authority, Karpiloff, a Certified Protection Professional, was general manager of tenant services after the bomb went off. He is responsible for the overall facility management of the $50 million security improvement program: $15 million in completed interim improvements and $35 million for permanent improvements, from the 250 multi-ton perimeter planters that prevent vehicles from crashing into the buildings, to the network of fiber optics and copper that will connect the redundant PCs and their multi-task, multi-user operating system to the lobby, parking and perimeter access control systems, alarms, intercom and CCTV systems. (...)

According to Hurley, the Port Authority and WTC are unique because they have their own police force and emergency response personnel, who serve as an in-house fire brigade. The fire brigade has pre-positioned crash carts with Scott air packs and fire fighting equipment so they can begin fire suppression activities even before the fire department arrives. (...)

The parking access control system at the WTC was manufactured and installed by Ensec Inc., Boca Raton, Fla. The Enworks EN2000 system has a redundant host configuration and supports full function work stations. It is designed to integrate vehicle and driver access control, alarm monitoring and the parking security intercom. (...)

The lobby access control system will include Perey turnstiles. New, Motorola Indala proximity cards will be issued, which will be read by Motorola Indala readers when the holder places them just above the turnstiles. Visitors will be issued plastic photo ID cards with magnetic stripes that they will swipe through readers. The contractors for the permanent security system are E.J. Electric and Electronic Systems Associates, both of New York. Securacom, Woodcliff Lakes, N.J., is responsible for system integration. Also, ASSA of Brooklyn, N.Y., is installing a new key system. The UL437-approved, high-security cylinders and keys contain a proprietary keyway. Each cylinder and key has a bar code imbedded in it. A Qualisoft software control system for issuance of the keys includes remote, hand-held and fixed-location scanners that scan employee ID cards and then scan the key to make sure the key and the person match. All key rings are also weighed before daily distribution to make sure they have not been tampered with.

(MANY MORE DETAILS - a definite must-read for all those who are interested in this subject)

http://securitysolutions.com/mag/security_world_trade_center/

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So, Securacom clearly has an important role - system integration for the systems authorizing individual access to the buildings. It's a far cry from them "being in control of security," as the simplification goes, but it's very easy to imagine that they would be aware of ways of circumventing the system, creating false authorizations, etc. - This would presumably be true of several other contractors, and of course the Port Authority itself. After July 1, it would also be true of Silverstein. And it would no doubt be true generally of the federal law enforcement tenants of any of the buildings (i.e., FBI, Treasury, etc.) All these would be good places for a "nest of evildoers" to develop.