Serious search

Two "terrorism readiness" Web sites of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security contain information that citizens could need to prepare themselves for potential threats. The sites—www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov—are being powered with search technology from Atomz. The new functionality will help users quickly and accurately find the information they seek.

The Web sites are part of the Ready campaign, which is focused on educating Americans about how they can prepare themselves for possible terrorist attacks or other emergencies. The sites are built and maintained by Ruder Finn Interactive under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security.

"Our ready.gov and listo.go Web sites serve as important resources for citizens seeking information on how to prepare for and react to an emergency or disaster," says Lara Shane, director of special projects at the Department of Homeland Security. "Delivering fast, accurate search results is a critical feature of the site and is fundamental to helping visitors find the right, up-to-the-minute information they need."

The Web sites provide advice on such matters as making a kit of emergency supplies, planning what to do in an emergency, and ways to stay informed.

Because Atomz Search is a Web-native application, built from the ground up to be delivered through the Internet, it can scale quickly to handle tens of thousands of searches each minute, according to Atomz.

"As a hosted software company, Atomz has placed a premium on security and application availability from its inception," says Steve Kusmer, Atomz CEO.