The Port of Long Beach has won a national award for successfully integrating security technologies that help protect the largest seaport complex in the country.

The Port received the 2011 GSN Homeland Security Award for the “Most Notable Maritime/Seaport Security Program” during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Monday, November 14. The annual award is given by GSN: Government Security News, a publication dedicated to homeland security and technology, and read by experts in the field across the country.

The judges noted the Port’s recent strides in integrating security technology across the port complex that monitors activity above, under and on water. In the past two years, the Port has laid 35 miles of fiber optic cable throughout 18 square miles of Port property, added more high tech surveillance cameras, installed underwater sonar devices at several locations in the harbor, and augmented its radar system for better visibility and definition. In all, fourteen sensor and information systems have been installed and integrated into its Security Management Platform.

The new systems along with other technologies and a highly trained security force are designed to give an integrated, complete and detailed security picture of the Port.
The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest seaport in North America, handling $140 billion of cargo every year and supporting close to 1.4 million jobs across the country. Protecting this important national asset is one of the Port’s highest priorities. More than 30 percent of the Port’s non-personnel operating expenses are related to security, public safety, and business continuity.