Athena Security

Last updated
Athena Security
Founded2018
FoundersLisa Falzone
Chris Ciabarra
Headquarters
Key people
Website www.athena-security.com

Athena Security is an American security firm that develops Visitor Management [4] and weapon detection systems. [5] Its technology uses Apple iPad, thermal imaging cameras, low-frequency electro-magnetic technology, and artificial intelligence to detect threats, potential crime such as mass shootings, and those who may have a history of crime.

Contents

History

Athena Security was founded in 2018 by Lisa Falzone and Chris Ciabarra, both of whom co-founded Revel Systems in 2010. The first product created by Athena Security was a gun/weapon detection platform, inspired by the 2017 Las Vegas shooting and various school shootings. [6] By 2019, the system was installed in more than 50 schools, malls, and other businesses. [7] Athena has now been inspired by HomeLand Security and has built controls around the Security Screening Process [8]

Products

Athena Security designs weapon detection systems with visitor management systems. Its Weapons Detection System is designed with a metal detector which is made by CEIA, Apple iPad which is made by Apple, lidar sensors. These devices combined detect threats and human error and also send video feeds to law enforcement if a threat (such as a concealed threat of a gun) is detected. [9] The system can also broadcast loud messages alerting active shooters that authorities are in route to the location. It works as a standalone system or can be used along with existing surveillance systems. [10]

During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company transitioned gun detection technology into detecting elevated temperatures to combat the spread of the virus. [11] Thermal imaging is used to scan over 2,000 people per hour who walked past the system, with an accuracy rate of within .2 degrees Celsius. [6]

In May 2022, the company pivoted and released a walk through metal detector system (powered by CEIA) that detects threats faster than legacy metal detectors. [12] It uses sensors, thermal imaging, low-frequency electro-magnetic technology, and artificial intelligence to detect threats. The system can scan approximately one person per second without the need for them to remove items from their persons such as phones, belts, or jewelry. [13] The System uses best practices by Homeland Security to help officers run their entryway screening check point.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical security</span> Measures designed to deny unauthorized access

Physical security describes security measures that are designed to deny unauthorized access to facilities, equipment, and resources and to protect personnel and property from damage or harm. Physical security involves the use of multiple layers of interdependent systems that can include CCTV surveillance, security guards, protective barriers, locks, access control, perimeter intrusion detection, deterrent systems, fire protection, and other systems designed to protect persons and property.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal detector</span> Electronic instrument which detects the presence of metal nearby

A metal detector is an instrument that detects the nearby presence of metal. Metal detectors are useful for finding metal objects on the surface, underground, and under water. A metal detector consists of a control box, an adjustable shaft, and a variable-shaped pickup coil. When the coil nears metal, the control box signals its presence with a tone, light, or needle movement. Signal intensity typically increases with proximity. A common type are stationary "walk through" metal detectors used at access points in prisons, courthouses, airports and psychiatric hospitals to detect concealed metal weapons on a person's body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forward-looking infrared</span> Type of thermographic camera

Forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, typically used on military and civilian aircraft, use a thermographic camera that senses infrared radiation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thermographic camera</span> Imaging device using infrared radiation

A thermographic camera is a device that creates an image using infrared (IR) radiation, similar to a normal camera that forms an image using visible light. Instead of the 400–700 nanometre (nm) range of the visible light camera, infrared cameras are sensitive to wavelengths from about 1,000 nm to about 14,000 nm (14 μm). The practice of capturing and analyzing the data they provide is called thermography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airport security</span> Measures to prevent crime at an airport

Airport security includes the techniques and methods used in an attempt to protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats.

Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) is a technical branch of intelligence gathering, which serves to detect, track, identify or describe the distinctive characteristics (signatures) of fixed or dynamic target sources. This often includes radar intelligence, acoustic intelligence, nuclear intelligence, and chemical and biological intelligence. MASINT is defined as scientific and technical intelligence derived from the analysis of data obtained from sensing instruments for the purpose of identifying any distinctive features associated with the source, emitter or sender, to facilitate the latter's measurement and identification.

Motion detection is the process of detecting a change in the position of an object relative to its surroundings or a change in the surroundings relative to an object. It can be achieved by either mechanical or electronic methods. When it is done by natural organisms, it is called motion perception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security alarm</span> System that detects unauthorised entry

A security alarm is a system designed to detect intrusions, such as unauthorized entry, into a building or other areas, such as a home or school. Security alarms protect against burglary (theft) or property damage, as well as against intruders. Examples include personal systems, neighborhood security alerts, car alarms, and prison alarms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demining</span> Process of removing land mines

Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing land mines from an area. In military operations, the object is to rapidly clear a path through a minefield, and this is often done with devices such as mine plows and blast waves. By contrast, the goal of humanitarian demining is to remove all of the landmines to a given depth and make the land safe for human use. Specially trained dogs are also used to narrow down the search and verify that an area is cleared. Mechanical devices such as flails and excavators are sometimes used to clear mines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motion detector</span> Electrical device which utilizes a sensor to detect nearby motion

A motion detector is an electrical device that utilizes a sensor to detect nearby motion. Such a device is often integrated as a component of a system that automatically performs a task or alerts a user of motion in an area. They form a vital component of security, automated lighting control, home control, energy efficiency, and other useful systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunfire locator</span> System that detects and conveys the location of gunfire or other weapon fire

A gunfire locator or gunshot detection system is a system that detects and conveys the location of gunfire or other weapon fire using acoustic, vibration, optical, or potentially other types of sensors, as well as a combination of such sensors. These systems are used by law enforcement, security, military, government offices, schools and businesses to identify the source and, in some cases, the direction of gunfire and/or the type of weapon fired. Most systems possess three main components:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perimeter fence</span>

Demarcation of a perimeter, when the protection of assets, personnel or buildings is required, is normally affected by the building of a perimeter fence system. The level of protection offered varies according to the threat level to the perimeter. Different types of perimeter fencing include:

Materials MASINT is one of the six major disciplines generally accepted to make up the field of Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT), with due regard that the MASINT subdisciplines may overlap, and MASINT, in turn, is complementary to more traditional intelligence collection and analysis disciplines such as SIGINT and IMINT. MASINT encompasses intelligence gathering activities that bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), or Human Intelligence (HUMINT).

A flame detector is a sensor designed to detect and respond to the presence of a flame or fire, allowing flame detection. Responses to a detected flame depend on the installation, but can include sounding an alarm, deactivating a fuel line, and activating a fire suppression system. When used in applications such as industrial furnaces, their role is to provide confirmation that the furnace is working properly; it can be used to turn off the ignition system though in many cases they take no direct action beyond notifying the operator or control system. A flame detector can often respond faster and more accurately than a smoke or heat detector due to the mechanisms it uses to detect the flame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future Attribute Screening Technology</span> Surveillance program

Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST) is a program created by the Department of Homeland Security. It was originally titled Project Hostile Intent. The purpose is to detect "Mal Intent" by screening people for "psychological and physiological indicators" in a "Mobile Screening Laboratory".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radiation portal monitor</span> Passive radiation detection device

Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) are passive radiation detection devices used for the screening of individuals, vehicles, cargo or other vectors for detection of illicit sources such as at borders or secure facilities. Fear of terrorist attacks with radiological weapons spurred RPM deployment for cargo scanning since 9/11, particularly in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counter-IED equipment</span>

Counter-IED equipment are created primarily for military and law enforcement. They are used for standoff detection of explosives and explosive precursor components and defeating the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) devices themselves as part of a broader counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, or law enforcement effort.

Lisa Falzone is an American businesswoman who is a co-founder of Revel Systems POS with Chris Ciabarra, an iPad point of sale company that she raised over 100 million dollars. Falzone also co-founded Athena Security, a temperature detection and a walk-through metal detector company that she raised 6 million dollars.

Christopher Ciabarra is an American businessman who is the co-founder and former chief technology officer of Revel Systems which Ciabarra exited shortly after the company got a 500m evaluation. Ciabarra help raise over 100m in funding at Revel. Revel was a manufacturer of point-of-sale systems which Ciabarra created on the Apple iPad. Ciabarra founded Athena Security INC with Lisa Falzone after they sold their first company to private equity. Ciabarra also created Network Intercept, a Los Angeles security software firm. Ciabarra has provided Internet security advice worldwide and to the United States Department of Homeland Security. Ciabarra in 2018 co-founded Athena Security INC which has created a "Gun Detection System" to help save student lives around the world from active shooter situations. Ciabarra has also created at Athena: Temperature Checking System and a Walk Through Metal Detector to maintain public safety.

Airport privacy involves the right of personal privacy for passengers when it comes to screening procedures, surveillance, and personal data being stored at airports. This practice intertwines airport security measures and privacy specifically the advancement of security measures following the 9/11 attacks in the United States and other global terrorist attacks. Several terrorist attacks, such as 9/11, have led airports all over the world to look to the advancement of new technology such as body and baggage screening, detection dogs, facial recognition, and the use of biometrics in electronic passports. Amidst the introduction of new technology and security measures in airports and the growing rates of travelers there has been a rise of risk and concern in privacy.

References

  1. Bryant, Adam; Sharer, Kevin (2021). The CEO Test. harvard Business Review Press. ISBN   9781633699526.
  2. Warner, Bernhard. "A.I. security cameras are the latest high-tech attempt to combat mass shooters". Fortune.
  3. "Our Management Team". Athena Security. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  4. "Visitor Management System". Athena Weapons Detection System Software. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  5. Adams, John. "Weapons Detection". Athena Weapons Detection System Software. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  6. 1 2 Davis, Suzanne Majors. "Security company's sensors count people, detect hidden guns". Austin American Statesman.
  7. Shelden, Randall G.; Young, Morghan Velez (10 December 2020). Our Punitive Society. Waveland Press. ISBN   9781478646785.
  8. "Weapons Detection". Athena Weapons Detection System Software. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  9. Reints, Renae. "A New Security Startup Wants to Stop School Shootings with Artificial Intelligence". Fortune.
  10. Pursell, Brennan; Walker, Joshua (15 August 2020). Outsmarting AI. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN   9781538136256.
  11. Cox, Joseph (17 March 2020). "Surveillance Company Says It's Deploying 'Coronavirus-Detecting' Cameras in US". Vice.
  12. Falzone, Lisa (9 May 2022). "Austin's Athena Security Launches Next Generation Walk-Through Metal Detection Solution That's 10X Faster And More Accurate Screening For Concealed Weapons". Austin Startups.
  13. "Entryway Security Solution from Athena Security". Facility Executive. 9 May 2022.