Companies Clamber for Homeland Security Cash

With peace on earth looking like a pipe dream, American companies are scrambling to capitalize on an estimated $38 billion of government money earmarked for homeland security next year.

Many sectors -- especially security, software and defense -- stand to benefit. From smaller firms, such as Identix (IDNX Quote), a maker of facial-recognition and fingerprint technology, to giants like Oracle (ORCL Quote), scads of companies are strategizing about spending.

The funding may end up being a boon for smaller companies in particular. A provision in the homeland security legislation requires government agencies to find small businesses and new market entrants to help fulfill contracting requests from the private sector. ...