SIA: Feds Should Help to Develop Electronic Security Standards

PRESS RELEASE

ALEXANDRIA, Va. " The U.S. government should help to develop voluntary standards for electronic security equipment, the Security Industry Association (SIA) urged in a Sept. 8 letter to two senior advisors to President Obama. The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 directed federal agencies to use voluntary consensus standards developed by private sector organizations where legal and practicable and to participate in the development of those standards when appropriate. "However, as a leading proponent for developing and advancing standards in the security industry in areas including access control, digital video and identity management, SIA is very concerned about the lack of agency compliance with the Act's requirements as they relate to the interoperability of disparate electronic and physical security system components," association CEO Richard Chace wrote in the letter. "Increased government participation in this area would be consistent with the administration's science and technology and homeland security goals and would be a prudent use of taxpayer dollars." The letter, which was sent to Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren, asks that guidance be issued to increase federal government participation in standards development activities. "Such action would be consistent with existing law, would produce significant savings for taxpayers and would speed the development of innovative products that will protect critical infrastructure," Chace wrote. The Security Industry Association (www.siaonline.org) is the leading trade group for businesses in the electronic and physical security market. SIA protects and advances its members' interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation on Capitol Hill and throughout the 50 states; producing cutting-edge global market research; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities; and providing sole sponsorship of the ISC Expos, the world's largest security trade shows and conferences.