As Jessica Durst demonstrates, Rick Racine of BAE Systems explains to Spc. Jerry Akins and Sgt. Ken Pehoski how the company's GXP Xplorer works at the technology expo at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, Friday, July 26, 2013. More than 50 exhibitors showed their goods at the expo, which focused mostly on communications and security. The GPX Xplorer is a management application for geospatial data. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
As Jessica Durst demonstrates, Rick Racine of BAE Systems explains to Spc. Jerry Akins and Sgt. Ken Pehoski how the company's GXP Xplorer works at the technology expo at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, Friday, July 26, 2013. More than 50 exhibitors showed their goods at the expo, which focused mostly on communications and security. The GPX Xplorer is a management application for geospatial data. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Staff Sgt. Michael Watson of U.S. Army Europe's Operations Company listens as AR Modular RF's Mike Katzer describes the company's boosters for tactical radios at the technology expo at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, Friday, July 26, 2013. More than 50 exhibitors showed their goods at the expo. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
More than 50 exhibitors displayed their goods at the technology expo at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, Friday, July 26, 2013. Technology expos, organized by National Conference Services Inc., also will be held in Naples,Vicenza and Aviano, Italy, in late September. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Just hit the kill button on Trusted Systems' UserGuard and the classified session on a computer will be interrupted if someone without the right security clearance enters the room. Likewise, should the computer operater leave the work station without logging off, the motion sensor at right will also interrupt the session. The appliance, which was a prototype, was on display at the Trusted Systems stand at the Technology Expo at Wiesbaden, Germany's Clay Kaserne Friday, July 26, 2013. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany — It wasn’t exactly whiz-bang and flashing lights, but the high-tech gear showcased at the semi-annual technology expo intrigued visitors with examples of security innovations to protect classified material and user-friendly communications tools.
Security and communications were major focal points at Friday’s expo at Wiesbaden’s Clay Kaserne, which was the last stop of a two-week tour of U.S. bases in Germany.
“We take the leak out of Wiki,” read a poster from Trusted Systems, one of the 59 vendors at the expo. The company provides secure and controlled access to classified networks around the globe.
Bob Bauman, president of Trusted Systems, said his company’s efforts are simple, cost effective ways to keep up with rapidly evolving technology and threats.
Servicemembers were able to learn about the company’s transportable container for network devices and see the next generation of desktop identity management that allows a user to safely access classified material and networks at remote locations or at home.
The company says its products also protect networks from insiders who would leak classified information, such as Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, who is currently on trial for sending classifed material to WikiLeaks.
“Had this been in place, he never would have gotten what he got,” said Bauman, explaining that his company’s setup prevents a user from plugging in a data stick or a CD and copying information.
BAE Systems was demonstrating 3-D modeling capabilities and imagery intelligence software and tools, such as making scaled maps with terrain features included, populating databases that can be used to create new maps and software to help intelligence analysts get a better picture of locations and surroundings.
“The Army is our biggest customer,” said Rick Racine, a BAE Systems marketing and sales director.
Spc. Jerry Akins with the 60th Engineer Detachment said he already deals with a lot of the vendors at the expo, but was impressed with the day’s event.
“These are technologies that help us with our jobs,” Akins said.
Other soldiers were more impressed with the communications displays. Sgt. Joshua Wyatt with U.S. Army Europe headquarters was admiring a product by Corning that allows a person to create his or her own custom fiber optic cables.
“It’s a small little kit, but it makes it simple,” Wyatt said.
Of course, while most troops spent the day getting their geek on discussing data management, computing, tactical transceivers, SMART boards, wireless solutions and the like, at least one soldier from USAREUR’s headquarters was thinking in simpler terms after visiting a booth and learning about mobile video conferencing.
“No more fighting over conference rooms!” said Pfc. Julie Dillard.
If you go ...The expo, organized by National Conference Services Inc., was the final event of a two-week tour of U.S. bases in Germany. Stops scheduled in Italy include Naval Support Activity Naples on Sept. 24, USAG Vicenza on Sept. 26 and Aviano Air Base on Sept. 27. Stops at U.S. bases are slated to run from August to mid-December; here is a full schedule of technology expo stops at military bases.
