BUSINESS NEWS.

The fourth annual Avert Hiring Index indicates that a. percent of applicants misrepresented their education or employment records last year. Avert, Inc., of Fort Collins, Colorado, compiled the index from the 1.8 million background verifications performed by the company in calendar year 2000.

Background screenings also uncovered applicants with flawed driving records (35 percent) and unfavorable credit records (26 percent). Another 6 percent had a criminal record within the past seven years. In checking references, the company found that 13 percent of the employers reported that applicants were ineligible for rehiring.

All figures were reasonably consistent with those from previous years. Avert is an Internet-based company providing employment background checks and human resource services.

Editor's note Employers should note that legal restrictions apply to the collection of some of these data categories.

Following the acquisition of Simplex by Tyco International Ltd., Simplex and Grinnell Fire Protection have combined forces under the umbrella of Tyco Fire and Security Services. The new organization, SimplexGrinnell, will provide fire detection and alarm, fire suppression, and integrated systems and services.

Fargo Electronics, Inc., has announced the formation of a global technology alliance to promote effective, advanced smart card solutions. Among members of the alliance are Bull CFS, CardLogix, CardSmart Technologies, Germplus, IDenticard Systems, ImageWare, Intraproc GmbH, NFive Software, Schlumberger, SmartDynamics LLC, Supercom Smart Cards Inc., and UbiQ Inc.

Actall Corporation has moved to a new address in Westminster, Colorado.

The Five Star Certification Award from Goldman Sachs has been presented to NexWatch for its contributions to the success of Goldman Sachs. NexWatch implemented a smart card technology system for all Goldman Sachs offices worldwide.

Westvaco Corporation has formed a new, wholly owned subsidiary, Westvaco Brand Security, Inc., to deter counterfeiting, diversion, duplication, substitution, and tampering with brands.

Precise Biometrics has become an eTrue Preferred Partner. Precise's fingerprint readers will provide authentication for True's biometric log-on service.

Pointsec Mobile Technologies, Inc., has been chosen by the U.S. Navy and Army for desktop and mobile computer security both on land and at sea.

CAP Index, Inc., has named Shepp Johoman, Inc., its first distributor in Canada for CRIMECAST CANADA products and services.

Logicon FDC, a Northrop Grumman company, has earned Advanced Security Specialization in the United States from Cisco Systems, Inc. This specialization ensures that the partner has the expertise and ability to implement Cisco's security solutions.

Tivoli Systems Inc. and Gilian Technologies Inc. have formed a business partnership to help protect e-business infrastructures against internal and external hacker attacks and Web site defacements.

QUALCOMM Incorporated, a digital wireless communications company, is a new client of Allied Security. Allied will provide access control, electronics monitoring, customer service, and on-site vehicle patrol at the company's 1g Southern California facilities.

Rainbow Technologies and Kyberpass Corporation have announced a strategic teaming agreement to increase one another's presence in the European e-security marketplace.

California Assembly member Tony Strickland presented an award to Security Door Controls in recognition of its ISO 9001 Certification and its beneficial impact on the local and state economies.

Sensormatic Electronics Corporation is partnering with Productivity Solutions, Inc.. to incorporate UltraMax antitheft technology into ACM Self Checkout systems for food and discount store retailers so customers can deactivate antitheft labels when they self-scan their purchases.

Sensormatic's Access Control Division has been recertified as a Microsoft Certified Partner for its development and implementation of business solutions.

Sensormatic's UltraMAX antitheft technology has been installed in the new team store for the Manchester United soccer club. The store features the largest retail entrance in the United Kingdom.

Coles Myer, an Australian retailer, has awarded a 3-year contract to Sensormatic for supplying antitheft technology, including hardware, tags, labels, and maintenance. The Kroger Company has also awarded Sensormatic a 3-year contract to implement a source-tagging program.

Internet Security Systems. Inc., Marsh, and Cottrell and Maguire have agreed to offer free security assessments as a part of Marsh's Net Secure c-business insurance program. The assessments will make it easier for clients to qualify for cyber risk insurance.

Triana Science and Operations Center, a NASA-funded facility at the University of California at San Diego, is using biometric technology from Bioscrypt Inc. to provide security for its operations.

OpenNetwork Technologies has entered into a reseller and services agreement with CALNET Inc.. in which CALNET's e-business services organization will incorporate OpenNetwork's DirectorySmart into its commerce, portal, security, and digital media solutions.

Pinkerton will adopt the ORALscreen drug test system from Avitar, Inc.. for internal testing of approximately 100,000 new applicants annually.

The Executive Protection Institute and Risk Prevention International have formed an alliance to provide an executive protection training program in Mexico.

Lucent Technologies has launched a new venture, Lumeta Corporation, which offers enterprise network management and security services.

Drug Detector will be the first product capable of detecting traces of illicit drugs to be sold in retail drug stores, as the result of an agreement between its manufacturer, American Bio Medica Corporation, and Eckerd Drug Stores.

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa of Asheville, North Carolina, has implemented digital video products from AXCESS Inc. to monitor and record activity throughout the resort.

F-Secure has moved its world headquarters and part of its support operations to a new location in Helsinki.

Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc., has entered into a joint venture with Powertrusion International, Inc.. to develop a self-contained, solar-powered surveillance and monitoring system for low-cost perimeter security.

The Detection Systems division of PerkinElmer Instruments has been awarded an increase in its contract for the development of ARGUS, a certified, automated explosive detection x-ray system, by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Identix Inc. has added Indianapolis-based Best Access Systems as a nationwide dealer of its access control systems.

American Bank Note Holographics has opened a new holographic production facility inside one of Crane & Company's high-security paper facilities in Dalton, Massachusetts.

Identicator. Inc., has moved its U.S. corporate office to a larger facility in El Segundo, California. Its Western Region and International Sales and Marketing personnel have moved to the new building as well.

Atabok Inc. and NEC Corporation have agreed for NEC to use Atabok's technology to ensure safe and efficient online distribution of applications throughout Japan.

Sandra Jones & Company has enlisted the services of Melanie McGee to provide a range of data solutions and Internet services for its clients.

Security Broadband Corp. has expanded its partnership with March Networks to provide the next generation of video- and audio-enhanced alarm-management hardware and services for a broadband home security system.

Axcelerant Inc. has relocated to University Research Park after selection by the University of California, Irvine.

Kronos Incorporated will begin offering and supporting access control and digital imaging systems manufactured by IDenticard Systems, Inc.

A J.P. Freeman Report has concluded that Integral Technologies is the market leader in digital CCTV recording systems.

Optex Inc. has donated four photobeams to Michigan Technological University, where they were used to create a prototype device for aiding visually impaired students and helping them run in relay races.

OmniTek, an Ademco Group company, has entered into a license agreement with Inside Technologies that will enable OmniTek to develop a new family of smart card readers to be manufactured and sold worldwide based on Inside's secure contactless technology.

Dataradio Inc. has recently been awarded a contract by York Regional Police of Ontario for a multisite mobile data system.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons has selected a digital CCTV recording system from NICE Systems to provide digital video surveillance and recording at nine correctional facilities.