As technology evolves so do we

Through the eyes of an idealistic teenager, the world is a perfect place. All one must do is imagine the possibilities, and the impossible becomes reality. I remember sitting with my friend's father when I was in high school and being told that one day the world would appear differently. He was correct, of course, and his words take new shape all the time. Back when Rudy Giuliani was mayor of New York City, Giuliani was constantly cast in a bad light. His method of governing was restrictive, even authoritative, his critics cried. One such example was his proposal to install surveillance cameras in Washington Square Park. For some, the cameras could help take back the park from drug dealers and other nefarious characters; for others, the devices threatened to take away some basic individual freedoms. Of course, I agreed with the latter and enjoyed the eventual peace of the former. Fast forward to 2005, as I watched the early news reports from London on July 7. The wake of destruction didn't make sense, with eerie similarities of Sept. 11, 2001, in the United States and March 11, 2004, in Spain. One could only hope those responsible would be caught and their capture help explain the events. I know I am not alone in thinking these same cameras that once threatened privacy now provide comfort. Only a few days after, investigators identified the four individuals behind these attacks. Using the footage taken at the stations, the authorities were able to see when they entered the transit system and what items were carried. More importantly, the footage enabled a slowly moving investigation to move quickly. The security market is attracting a lot of attention right now, particularly from entrepreneurs and investors looking to improve on existing surveillance systems, like the ones used above. Throughout this issue, you will see example after example of this. Our world is small; together we make up an industry that encompasses many technologies. But our goal is the same. Keep doing the jobs you are doing; they are very important.