WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI has awarded a nearly $1 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to help create a massive computer database of people's physical characteristics as part of an effort to better identify criminals and terrorists.

The FBI wants to use eye scans, combined with other data, to help identify suspects.

The overall deal is worth between $850 million to $1 billion and could run as long as 10 years, said Thomas Bush, the FBI's assistant director of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division.

"We are looking forward to this future effort," Bush said.

Judy Marks, the president of Lockheed's Transport and Security Solutions division, said, "We're tremendously pleased to partner with the agency once again to deliver the next quantum leap in capability."

Lockheed Martin built the FBI's current fingerprint database. The new program is being billed as the Next Generation Identification -- and is assailed by privacy advocates who say it should cause alarm among all Americans.

"It's the beginning of the surveillance society where you can be tracked anywhere, any time and all your movements, and eventually all your activities will be tracked and noted and correlated," Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Technology and Liberty Project, told CNN last month.  

The FBI currently has 55 million sets of fingerprints on file. In coming years, officials want to use the new database to compare palm prints, scars, tattoos, iris eye patterns and facial shapes.

Lockheed is being tapped with expanding the database to include these new types of biometric information. The idea is to combine various pieces of information to positively identify someone.

Fingerprints will still be the big player," Bush told CNN.

Panasonic's Iris Reader Awarded Best New Access Control Product At IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards 2007

Panasonic System Solutions has been awarded the Best New Access Control Product for its 3x faster BM-ET200 Iris Recognition Reader at this year's Security Industry Innovation Awards.

The 2007 awards ceremony, held during IFSEC on the 21^st of May at Birmingham's exclusive Hilton Metropole Hotel, brought together the security industry's elite for a night of recognition, inspiration and entertainment. Attended by over 500 professionals, the evening focused on recognising the people, products and technology advancements that have pushed the boundaries of innovation and shaped the industry throughout the year.

Panasonic's Sean Taylor, Nordic Sales Manager, was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the System Solutions division which has recently embarked on full European domain ownership. Following the ceremony Mr. Taylor commented, "Panasonic is delighted to win the Security Innovation Award for Best New Access Control Product, and this is a real tribute to the dedication and excellence of our design and engineering staff.

The BM-ET200 is the third generation of Iris reader from Panasonic System Solutions, and provides market leading  advancements in biometric technology, combining speed, accuracy and a cost effective system that can be easily integrated to access control or identity management solutions.”

The winning product itself, the BM-ET200, is Panasonic's smarter, user-friendly, 3x faster iris recognition reader equipped with unparalleled accuracy that can operate within large scale applications or even in stand alone mode.  Utilising a USB port, information can be stored and transferred securely.

The BM-ET200 includes features such as mirrors, lighting guidance, voice instructions and tamper detection alarms making it the fastest, safest and easiest-to-use iris recognition reader system currently available on the market.  With a false acceptance rate of just 1 in 1.2 million, the award winning BM-ET200 is ideal for a range of applications such as airports and entry/exit control for warehouses, head offices and hospitals.

The win reflects Panasonic's commitment to making today's world as secure as possible, whilst continuously challenging the boundaries of surveillance, signage and biometric technology. Mr. Taylor concluded, "The BM-ET200 Iris Reader is a welcome compliment to the ever increasing portfolio of Panasonic System Solutions products and defines Panasonic as a true system provider."

 Winners of IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards Announced

Birmingham, 22 May 2007.  Last night the security industry celebrated its successes into the early hours of the morning following the presentation of the IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham. Acknowledging the people, products and technological advancements that have played a big part in shaping the security industry over the past year, the annual Security Industry Innovation Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts, including representatives from the British Security Industry Association, the General Defence Diversification Agency and the Police Scientific Development Branch.

“Looking at the changes that have occurred within the UK security industry over the last twelve months it’s clear to see that the industry is raising the bar and setting itself high standards to achieve, “ explains James Blue, event director, IFSEC.  “These awards gives the industry the ideal opportunity to recognise the companies that are realising these high standards.”

BSIA Chief Executive, David Dickinson, comments: "Year on year, the innovation and expertise of our industry never fails to amaze. I congratulate all the winners, who are testament to the sheer talent of the private security industry."

The winners of the IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards are as follows:

Best of the Best AwardCieffe, Nettuno Mega PX

Best New Access Control Product, sponsored by Security InstallerPanasonic System Solutions Europe, BM-ET 200

Best New CCTV Product, sponsored NorbainCieffe, Nettuno Mega PX

Best New IP Security Product, sponsored by KINGS Security SystemsBT Redcare, RedCare Assure

Best New Physical Security Product, sponsored by SMT magazineConcept Smoke Screen, Rapid Deploy

Best New Intruder Alarm Product, sponsored by info4security.comUltra Vision Security Systems, Ultra Sensor

Best new project or installationNTL:telewest and controlware communications ground-breaking IP-based CCTV solution

ACPO use of technology for improving public safetyConnexion 2 for Solo Protect

Security Industry Leadership Award, sponsored by BaxallJohn Saunders OBE

Security Industry Personality Of The Year, sponsored by JVCIan Nisbet, G4S Cash Services



IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Awards take place alongside the world’s leading annual security event, IFSEC.  IFSEC 2007 is open from 21-24 May 2007 at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.  For further information on the event please visit www.ifsec.co.uk.

-ENDS-

GAPING security flaws have been exposed at Sydney Airport, with The Daily Telegraph able to gain easy and unfettered access to potential terror targets at Australia's largest airport.

Access was granted to its most sensitive areas without any background checks or security searches. These included the airport's 30-million-litre jet fuel tanks, a number of 747 aircraft, refuelling stations, baggage cars, conveyor belts and customs areas.

With only photo ID, an airport contact and a cursory glance from contract security guards, we penetrated the inner sanctum of the international airport without scrutiny of identity or motive.

There were no background and criminal history checks, no metal detectors, no bag or body searches, and no explosives or drugs dogs.

The Daily Telegraph exposed the risks in the wake of the foiled terror plot to blow up New York's JFK Airport and in the lead-up to APEC.

All it took to obtain 24-hour access was to go to the airport's security office and have a holder of an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) request a "visitor pass''. The only requirement was a driver's licence and the pass was issued in five minutes - no questions asked.

Entering the tarmac via one of dozens of "back door'' security gates, The Daily Telegraph spent more than an hour moving unhindered to and from potential terror targets.

New airport staff members have the same access for a maximum three months on temporary passes until the police background checks, which take six to eight weeks, are conducted and an ASIC issued.

The condition of entry for both temporary and visitor pass holders is that they are escorted by an ASIC holder, or face a fine of just $550. Once inside it was assumed that all personnel were there for lawful reasons and there were no further challenges to their legitimacy.

The security shortcomings leave the country's biggest airport vulnerable to terrorist attacks on a scale rivalling the recent attempt on New York's JFK Airport.

Four Muslim radicals were charged with conspiring to attack JFK airport by blowing up jet fuel supply tanks, attempting to set off a chain reaction along the network of fuel pipelines that would have killed thousands of people and destroyed the airport.

Sydney Airport's aviation fuel pipelines also run under the airport and along the tarmac. Even without access to the tarmac, the seven aviation fuel tanks situated off Airport Drive are set back only 30m from a wire fence.

A Sydney Airport spokesman said the visitor and staff passes complied with the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005.

"The Australian Government and its expert security assessment agencies have determined these rules,'' the spokesman said.

On two separate occasions, The Daily Telegraph walked around the tanks for about 30 minutes without being approached by security.

The Transport Workers Union's Sam Crosby said flawed security put thousands of airport workers and passengers at risk.