IT worker confidence down

Confidence among IT workers plunged over 12 points from 109.9 to 97.5 in August. This is only the second time in its history that it fell below the base of 100. Sector employees rating their finances as excellent or good fell dramatically from 62 percent the previous month to 47 percent in August.

In addition, only 70 percent stated they were happy in their current jobs, compared to 75 percent in July. U.S. worker confidence fell 5.5 points, taking it to the lowest level on record as the national Hudson Employment Index dropped below the base of 100, also for only the second time ever, to 98.2.

After holding steady near 31 percent for nine consecutive months, the number of workers expecting hiring slipped to 30 percent. At the same time, the percent anticipating job cuts rose from 16 percent in July to 18 percent, which shows the same pattern from one year ago. Job security concerns also climbed a point to 21 percent this month, as the percent reporting job satisfaction slipped from 74 percent to 72 percent.

Henry Bros. to upgrade surveillance platform

Saddle Brook-base Henry Bros. Electronics, Inc., a provider of technology-based integrated electronic security solutions, has been awarded a $1.1 million contract with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to upgrade the existing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system throughout the Port Authority's PATH system.

Henry Bros. will install new system servers that are capable of controlling more than 600 cameras throughout the PATH system, and will install high-speed data transmission equipment to connect PATH stations from New Jersey to New York. The company will also upgrade the PATH's surveillance system to a fully digital recording platform and provide a new network of video workstations from which data is accessed.

Uplinkearth buys Nevidia

Somerset-based Web hosting provider Uplinkearth completed its acquisition of Nevidia Internet Solutions, a Canadian Windows Web host.

All current employees of Nevidia Internet Solutions will be retained, and the Nevidia brand name will remain in tact.

In addition, customers of Nevidia will remain on the same servers, as they are currently located in the Uplinkearth data center.

Services provided by Nevidia include Web hosting, domain names, web design, and an array of other customer oriented products that closely integrate with services already offered by Uplinkearth.

MedQuist picks VoiceGard

Mount Laurel-based MedQuist announced a contract with VoiceGard, the leader in developing and implementing business solutions for today's business communication recovery needs, to help provide critical backup for telecommunications continuity to support in the event of an emergency.

The partnership will enable MedQuist, a provider of electronic medical transcription, health information and document management services, to continue offering clients access to technical support when the support center cannot receive phone calls, through an interactive Web portal. VoiceGard's Recovery Center provides MedQuist with a backup system for reaching client support. When an emergency is declared, VoiceGard re-routes MedQuist client calls to a predetermined location.

Midi debuts security course

Princeton-based Midi, a provider of online ethics and compliance training solutions, released of its new Information Security course.

The course raises awareness of the risks of information breaches and helps employees understand how to avoid and deal with problematic situations. Midi, which works with best-of-breed subject matter experts in creating its courses, partnered in the creation of the course with intrusion prevention and security risk management company McAfee Inc.

The course, designed to be approximately 40 minutes long, covers employee responsibilities in numerous areas, including: The safe and appropriate use of electronic media, including Internet and e-mail; protection against viruses, worms, other malicious codes; safe use of passwords; proper transmission of sensitive data; access of physical/network access for visitors and/or contractors; and social engineering threats.

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