Monday, January 12
Fordham conference sheds new light on computer crime -- Newsday.com
Fordham conference sheds new light on computer crime -- Newsday.com: "In what the FBI calls Major Case 216, a 16-year-old Swedish hacker breaks into and rummages through the files in hundreds of U.S. computer systems, including sensitive ones involved in industrial secrets, nuclear power-plant operation and the military. Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point take a training course in which they construct computer networks that teams from the supersecret National Security Agency attempt to hack."
FOX New FBI Center in Omaha Aims to Combat Cyber Crimes
KPTM FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; Nebraska News, Sports; kptm.com New FBI Center in Omaha Aims to Combat Cyber Crimes: "'They're the best in the world, and they have the state of the art equipment, these individuals can do it all,' Robert Georgi,FBI Special Agent said.
It's a one of a kind all-encompassing cyber crime lab, combining the best brains in the business with the latest computer technology to track cyber criminals. 'For many years we've been playing catch up with computer crimes and cyber related crimes,' Georgi said.
Now with this new center policing the world wide web, the tables are turning and experts hope to stay one step ahead of cyber predators and thieves. Georgi says it's been a two year project in the works and two million dollars."
It's a one of a kind all-encompassing cyber crime lab, combining the best brains in the business with the latest computer technology to track cyber criminals. 'For many years we've been playing catch up with computer crimes and cyber related crimes,' Georgi said.
Now with this new center policing the world wide web, the tables are turning and experts hope to stay one step ahead of cyber predators and thieves. Georgi says it's been a two year project in the works and two million dollars."
Former judge hunts terrorists on the Internet
Former judge hunts terrorists on the Internet: "U.S. counterterrorism agents have found that it is important for leaders of different countries to share their solutions and challenges in fighting cybercrime. FBI Special Agent Anthony J. Ferrante was part of the New York squad that in 2006 uncovered a plot to blow up the Port Authority transit tunnel. Law enforcement agencies lurked in Internet jihadi meeting rooms, monitoring chatter about the plans.
'That case involved targets scattered in 22 countries,' Ferrante said."
'That case involved targets scattered in 22 countries,' Ferrante said."
Sunday, January 11
Fighting Cyberterror
http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21742015/fighting_cyberterror.htm#q=cyber+fbi
Video to text transcript from the Fox report"on Capitol Hill it's no secret that al-Qaeda and other terrorists have been using high tech. And the Internet to advance their causes and for years the feds have had success running on line anti terror stings. Now they're ramping up their efforts bringing together hundreds of the world's top experts in cyber security. And looking for more people like a certain well mom from Montana. Okay. The terrorists who struck Mumbai weren't just armed with -- weapons and explosives. Blackberries and cell phones helped them carry out the attacks and they -- their targets on Google earth. Look radicals and extremists are using technology and the Internet to train for terror according to experts. Blasting US soldiers in the president and video games using thousands of web sites for recruiting fundraising and coordinating strikes.'
Video to text transcript from the Fox report"on Capitol Hill it's no secret that al-Qaeda and other terrorists have been using high tech. And the Internet to advance their causes and for years the feds have had success running on line anti terror stings. Now they're ramping up their efforts bringing together hundreds of the world's top experts in cyber security. And looking for more people like a certain well mom from Montana. Okay. The terrorists who struck Mumbai weren't just armed with -- weapons and explosives. Blackberries and cell phones helped them carry out the attacks and they -- their targets on Google earth. Look radicals and extremists are using technology and the Internet to train for terror according to experts. Blasting US soldiers in the president and video games using thousands of web sites for recruiting fundraising and coordinating strikes.'
Nitesh Dhanjani: International Conference on Cyber Security 2009
Nitesh Dhanjani: International Conference on Cyber Security 2009: "International Conference on Cyber Security 2009
I'll be speaking at the International Conference on Cyber Security 2009 in New York (Jan 5 - 9). My talk is titled Suddenly Psychic (content modified from the talk of the same name I discussed before). The agenda is below."
I'll be speaking at the International Conference on Cyber Security 2009 in New York (Jan 5 - 9). My talk is titled Suddenly Psychic (content modified from the talk of the same name I discussed before). The agenda is below."
Cyber-spy shares her know-how tracking terrorists
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-cyberterror11-2009jan11,0,7148230.story
....Experts from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, China and the U.S. spent three days at the New York conference tackling the issue of cyber-crime -- including terrorism, child pornography and the underground economy in which passports, bank accounts and Social Security numbers are stolen, bought and sold. U.S. counter-terrorism agents are increasingly convinced it is important for countries' leaders to share experiences fighting cyber-crime. FBI Special Agent Anthony J. Ferrante was part of the New York squad that in 2006 reported uncovering a plot to blow up the PATH commuter train tunnel beneath the Hudson River. Law enforcement agencies lurked on Internet jihadi meeting rooms, monitoring chatter about the plans."That case involved targets scattered in 22 countries," said Ferrante. "Clearly, the Internet is a tool for recruitment, radicalization and raising money for terrorists," said FBI Special Agent Thomas Nicpon. "Working on our mission, it has become apparent to me that many of these countries do not possess the cyber skills we have in New York."
....Experts from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, China and the U.S. spent three days at the New York conference tackling the issue of cyber-crime -- including terrorism, child pornography and the underground economy in which passports, bank accounts and Social Security numbers are stolen, bought and sold. U.S. counter-terrorism agents are increasingly convinced it is important for countries' leaders to share experiences fighting cyber-crime. FBI Special Agent Anthony J. Ferrante was part of the New York squad that in 2006 reported uncovering a plot to blow up the PATH commuter train tunnel beneath the Hudson River. Law enforcement agencies lurked on Internet jihadi meeting rooms, monitoring chatter about the plans."That case involved targets scattered in 22 countries," said Ferrante. "Clearly, the Internet is a tool for recruitment, radicalization and raising money for terrorists," said FBI Special Agent Thomas Nicpon. "Working on our mission, it has become apparent to me that many of these countries do not possess the cyber skills we have in New York."
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Faces of the FBI - Video
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Faces of the FBI - Video: "The face of the FBI has changed over the past century, but the core mission remains the same—to protect the nation from dangerous threats."
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Congressional Testimony
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Congressional Testimony: "Increasingly, the FBI is called upon to address criminal and terrorist threats to U.S. interests in countries across the globe. Advances in technology, communications, and transportation have done more to blur international boundaries in the past decade than ever before. As a result, effectively combating transnational crime and terrorism now requires significantly greater cooperation among law enforcement, domestic security, and intelligence agencies on a global scale."
CyberCrime & Doing Time: US Army hacked as Gaza protest
CyberCrime & Doing Time: US Army hacked as Gaza protest: "Today the anti-Israeli hackers for the first time brought their Cyber Propaganda War to Washington DC in the form of their attack against the United States Army's Military District of Washington website, www.mdw.army.mil"
Friday, January 9
Massapequa native tracks cybercrime for FBI :: Hack In The Box :: Keeping Knowledge Free
Massapequa native tracks cybercrime for FBI :: Hack In The Box :: Keeping Knowledge Free: "He's known as the 'human firewall.' Massapequa native Shawn Henry is the head of investigating computer crimes for the FBI, and after he was introduced with that informal title, he talked of the breadth of the computer-crime problem facing the country and the world at a conference in New York of many of the world's computer experts Tuesday."
Web-based terrorist hunter to teach | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/09/2009
Web-based terrorist hunter to teach Philadelphia Inquirer 01/09/2009: "Shannen Rossmiller, a former Montana judge whose late-night hunts for al-Qaeda on the Web led to the two largest terror convictions in U.S. history, announced yesterday that she would begin teaching others her arcane and dangerous craft."
Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency - Huntington News Network
Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency - Huntington News Network: "The CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency has released its final report, 'Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency.' The Commission’s three major findings are:
1. Cybersecurity is now one of the major national security problems facing the United States;
2. Decisions and actions must respect American values related to privacy and civil liberties; and
3. Only a comprehensive national security strategy that embraces both the domestic and international aspects of cybersecurity will improve the situation."
1. Cybersecurity is now one of the major national security problems facing the United States;
2. Decisions and actions must respect American values related to privacy and civil liberties; and
3. Only a comprehensive national security strategy that embraces both the domestic and international aspects of cybersecurity will improve the situation."
El Defensor Chieftain: N.M. Tech Out $165,000 in Cyber Theft
El Defensor Chieftain: N.M. Tech Out $165,000 in Cyber Theft: "The Kansas City bank revealed that the money was processed on behalf of Fidelity and routed to the account of a man in Indiana who was listed as living in Casper, Wyo.
Agents who interviewed the man found that he had never lived in Wyoming, didn't use the e-mail address associated with the fund transfers and had never done business with Fidelity even though his birth date and Social Security number were used on the account."
Agents who interviewed the man found that he had never lived in Wyoming, didn't use the e-mail address associated with the fund transfers and had never done business with Fidelity even though his birth date and Social Security number were used on the account."
FBI Coordinates Global Effort to Nab 'Dark Market' Cyber Criminals
http://www.govtech.com/gt/582293?topic=117671
FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Shawn Henry said, "In today's world of rapidly expanding technology, where cyber crimes are perpetrated instantly from anywhere in the world, law enforcement needs to be flexible and creative in our efforts to target these criminals. Leads in many of these investigations take us to the online world of Internet forums, where criminals go to engage in the business of selling and trading an innocent person's credit card numbers and other personal information. By joining forces with our international law enforcement counterparts, we have been, and will continue to be, successful in arresting those individuals and dismantling these forums. The arrests in the U.K. are a good demonstration of the coordination taking place today between the FBI, the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA), and other law enforcement agencies around the globe."
FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Shawn Henry said, "In today's world of rapidly expanding technology, where cyber crimes are perpetrated instantly from anywhere in the world, law enforcement needs to be flexible and creative in our efforts to target these criminals. Leads in many of these investigations take us to the online world of Internet forums, where criminals go to engage in the business of selling and trading an innocent person's credit card numbers and other personal information. By joining forces with our international law enforcement counterparts, we have been, and will continue to be, successful in arresting those individuals and dismantling these forums. The arrests in the U.K. are a good demonstration of the coordination taking place today between the FBI, the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA), and other law enforcement agencies around the globe."
TG Daily - FBI ranks cyber attacks third most dangerous behind nuclear war and WMDs
TG Daily - FBI ranks cyber attacks third most dangerous behind nuclear war and WMDs: "Washington (DC) - Yesterday, the FBI announced it considers cyber attacks to be the third greatest threat to the security of the United States. The only two preceding it are nuclear war and weapons of mass destruction (WMD)."
National Journal Online -- Tech Daily Dose -- FBI Experts To Discuss Cyber Threats
National Journal Online -- Tech Daily Dose -- FBI Experts To Discuss Cyber Threats: "FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Shawn Henry and Deputy Director Christopher M.E. Painter are among several key law enforcement officials slated to speak at the International Conference on Cyber Security next week in New York City."
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Cyber Investigations - Cybercrime
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Cyber Investigations - Cybercrime: "The FBI's cyber mission is four-fold: first and foremost, to stop those behind the most serious computer intrusions and the spread of malicious code; second, to identify and thwart online sexual predators who use the Internet to meet and exploit children and to produce, possess, or share child pornography; third, to counteract operations that target U.S. intellectual property, endangering our national security and competitiveness; and fourth, to dismantle national and transnational organized criminal enterprises engaging in Internet fraud. Pursuant to the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace signed by the President, the Department of Justice and the FBI lead the national effort to investigate and prosecute cybercrime."
Thursday, January 8
TG Daily - FBI ranks cyber attacks third most dangerous behind nuclear war and WMDs
TG Daily - FBI ranks cyber attacks third most dangerous behind nuclear war and WMDs: "Shawn Henry, assistant director of FBI's cyber division, said terrorists are attempting to create a type of 'virtual 9/11' by 'inflicting the same kind of damage on our country, on all our countries, on all our networks, as they did in 2001 by flying planes into buildings.' Though, he indicates, this time the damage will come without commensurate levels of visible destruction."
'Cybergeddon' fear stalks US: FBI - Yahoo! News
'Cybergeddon' fear stalks US: FBI - Yahoo! News: "'Other than a nuclear device or some other type of destructive weapon, the threat to our infrastructure, the threat to our intelligence, the threat to our computer network is the most critical threat we face,' he added."
FBI warns of cyber attack threat - Breaking News - World - Breaking News
FBI warns of cyber attack threat - Breaking News - World - Breaking News: "Shawn Henry, assistant director of the FBI's cyber division, told a conference in New York on Tuesday that computer attacks pose the biggest risk 'from a national security perspective, other than a weapon of mass destruction or a bomb in one of our major cities.'"
National Journal Online -- Tech Daily Dose -- FBI Experts To Discuss Cyber Threats
National Journal Online -- Tech Daily Dose -- FBI Experts To Discuss Cyber Threats: "This gathering of international cyber security experts will host more than 300 delegates from around the world, officials said in a press release. ICCS -- which is sponsored by Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, BAE Systems and others -- will consist of three full days, 50 unique lectures, cutting edge demonstrations and networking opportunities."
[Owasp-nynjmetro] MEETING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIC EXPERTS
[Owasp-nynjmetro] MEETING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIC EXPERTS: "As many of you on the NY/NJ Metro chapter list already understand NYC is a very tight community in INFOSEC. We frequently see our peers at Infragard, ISSA, ISACA, HTCIA, ASIS, NYCBUG, NYCPHP and OWASP meetings. For example, the OWASP APPSEC 2008 event in NYC last month was a DIRECT result of that collaboration with volunteers and attendees from all organizations resulting in over 700 people - Thank you. If you did miss that event you can now
watch ALL of the 50+ presentations online at http://www.owasp.tv"
watch ALL of the 50+ presentations online at http://www.owasp.tv"
Fordham/FBI Conference Draws Experts In Fight Against Cyber Crime
Fordham/FBI Conference Draws Experts In Fight Against Cyber Crime: "Some 300 international experts on cyber security gathered at Fordham University Tuesday, Jan. 6 for a three-day conference on the emerging global threat of cyber crime and cyber terrorism.
The conference, which attracted representatives from 37 nations, runs through Thursday and is sponsored jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Division and Fordham’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences."
The conference, which attracted representatives from 37 nations, runs through Thursday and is sponsored jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Division and Fordham’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences."
FBI Thanks Fordham for Partnering on Conference
FBI Thanks Fordham for Partnering on Conference: "'The conference has been an apparent, and huge, success,' said Joseph M. Demarest, assistant director in charge (ADIC) of the FBI’s New York Division. 'We’re giving this to you to express our sincere appreciation to Fordham University.'"
Monday, January 5
LAPD Advertising Crime-Fighting Jobs as Rescession-Proof: Top News Stories at Officer.com
LAPD Advertising Crime-Fighting Jobs as Rescession-Proof: Top News Stories at Officer.com: "Applications for Los Angeles police officer jobs surged last month as LAPD recruiters began advertising crime-fighting as one of the few recession-proof careers.
The spike in interest, from 401 people taking the applicants' written test in December 2007 to 870 a year later, followed months of sharp but less eye-popping increases, recruiters said."
The spike in interest, from 401 people taking the applicants' written test in December 2007 to 870 a year later, followed months of sharp but less eye-popping increases, recruiters said."
Thursday, January 1
Please watch these videos!
Please watch these video clips. If you wondered how the technology and data age has impacted our world, and what the future looks like, watch closely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8
As you watch keep in mind the technology space that Ms. Venditti focuses on, visualization and intelligent search of data for crime analysis. Technology is available that helps form an understanding ...conceptually, of disparate (structured and unstructured) data sources. This technology combined with sophisticated visualization technology allows us to present quality data to the crime analyst to help them with their daunting task of identifying suspicious activity, behaviours and trends. A critic on YouTube commented that this is all computing power, not thinking. They are wrong. Artificial intelligence is here and technology, affordable technology, is designed to help understand this massive and growing amount of data. If you have to look up Terebyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terabyte) then do yourself a favor and look up Petabyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petabyte) and Exabyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exabyte) because they are measurement terms used with sizing data ...NOW! There are very few search technologies that are capable if searching the Petabyte volumes of data, let alone EB.... As an independent security advisor, Ms. Venditti puts you in touch with the technology providers who are offering the solutions (that are deployed now) to meet your needs. She is a virtual Business Development Manager working for YOU the client instead of the manufacturer, taking a reverse engineering approach to providing a security solution. Contact her via email to venditti@partnerforsecurity.com or visit http://www.partnerforsecurity.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8
As you watch keep in mind the technology space that Ms. Venditti focuses on, visualization and intelligent search of data for crime analysis. Technology is available that helps form an understanding ...conceptually, of disparate (structured and unstructured) data sources. This technology combined with sophisticated visualization technology allows us to present quality data to the crime analyst to help them with their daunting task of identifying suspicious activity, behaviours and trends. A critic on YouTube commented that this is all computing power, not thinking. They are wrong. Artificial intelligence is here and technology, affordable technology, is designed to help understand this massive and growing amount of data. If you have to look up Terebyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terabyte) then do yourself a favor and look up Petabyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petabyte) and Exabyte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exabyte) because they are measurement terms used with sizing data ...NOW! There are very few search technologies that are capable if searching the Petabyte volumes of data, let alone EB.... As an independent security advisor, Ms. Venditti puts you in touch with the technology providers who are offering the solutions (that are deployed now) to meet your needs. She is a virtual Business Development Manager working for YOU the client instead of the manufacturer, taking a reverse engineering approach to providing a security solution. Contact her via email to venditti@partnerforsecurity.com or visit http://www.partnerforsecurity.com/
Tuesday, December 23
What can you afford NOT to do on IT security? - Network World
What can you afford NOT to do on IT security? - Network World: "Even in an economy gone sour, a growing number of government and industry regulations impose security compliance costs that there is simply no getting away from. For instance, new data-protection laws in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and Nevada require companies to use data encryption tools and implement other security controls to safeguard the personal information of state residents.
Similarly, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, created by the major credit card companies, requires all businesses that accept credit and debit transactions to adopt a broad set of data protection controls. And the federal HIPAA law includes data security and privacy rules for health care providers in order to protect patient information."
Similarly, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, created by the major credit card companies, requires all businesses that accept credit and debit transactions to adopt a broad set of data protection controls. And the federal HIPAA law includes data security and privacy rules for health care providers in order to protect patient information."
Wednesday, December 17
Retired Marine, State Trooper Missing In Idaho - Boston News Story - WCVB Boston - Memorial Service
Ronald Gray Memorial Service - A Celebration of Ron's Life will be held on September 26th. Information regarding the memorial services and hotel arrangements can be found on http://www.findrongray.com/?p=92#more-92
Retired Marine, State Trooper Missing In Idaho - Boston News Story - WCVB Boston: "BOSTON -- Relatives fear officials aren't doing enough to find a war and state police veteran who disappeared during a hunting trip in Idaho.
Ronald Gray, of North Brookfield, disappeared 12 days ago while on a hunting trip in the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho."
....it isn't unusual for me not to hear from Ronnie for a couple of months, but today I said to myself, why haven't I heard from Ronnie. I tried calling his cell phone, but it was disconnected. I said this can't be good, I called the home phone and left a message. I then called ret. Sgt Bobby Anderson down in Florida and he confirmed my sinking feeling that I had, that something had happened. Ronnie has been missing and last seen on 9-19-08 in Idaho and no one knows anything. This is a very, very sad day. 12-17-08 Lv
Retired Marine, State Trooper Missing In Idaho - Boston News Story - WCVB Boston: "BOSTON -- Relatives fear officials aren't doing enough to find a war and state police veteran who disappeared during a hunting trip in Idaho.
Ronald Gray, of North Brookfield, disappeared 12 days ago while on a hunting trip in the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho."
....it isn't unusual for me not to hear from Ronnie for a couple of months, but today I said to myself, why haven't I heard from Ronnie. I tried calling his cell phone, but it was disconnected. I said this can't be good, I called the home phone and left a message. I then called ret. Sgt Bobby Anderson down in Florida and he confirmed my sinking feeling that I had, that something had happened. Ronnie has been missing and last seen on 9-19-08 in Idaho and no one knows anything. This is a very, very sad day. 12-17-08 Lv
Thursday, December 11
FBI CIO - Chad Fulgham
For Immediate ReleaseDecember 8, 2008
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel08/fulgham120808.htm
Washington D.C.FBI National Press Office(202) 324-3691
Chad Fulgham Named Chief Information Officer
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III today announced the appointment of Chad Fulgham as the Bureau’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), responsible for directing the organization’s overall information technology (IT) efforts.
“In today’s global environment, information technology remains key to how the FBI conducts its business—capturing information that can be instantly retrieved and shared as we build our investigations, providing the means to collaborate across distances, and keeping our information secure,” Mueller said, noting that Fulgham’s extensive experience working with multi-national corporations and cutting edge technology fit well with the Bureau’s IT needs.
Before being hired by the FBI, Fulgham worked in the Information Technology Division of Lehman Brothers, where he served as a senior vice president in various capacities over the past four years. In addition to being credited with the transformation of much of its technological infrastructure, he was responsible for performing organizational needs assessments, developing policy and instituting IT strategies, managing budgets, directing products and services selection, and overseeing technology operations. He will have many of the same responsibilities at the FBI.
Previously, he carried out many aspects of computer security and information risk management for IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and Arthur Andersen. He is a member of three Microsoft Advisory Boards and serves on the Financial Services Industry Advisory Boards for both AT&T and Verizon.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Fulgham spent five years in the Navy where he also worked with information security, network management, and communications, ending his tour of duty at Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.Fulgham replaces Zal Azmi, who left the FBI last October to enter private industry.
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel08/fulgham120808.htm
Washington D.C.FBI National Press Office(202) 324-3691
Chad Fulgham Named Chief Information Officer
FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III today announced the appointment of Chad Fulgham as the Bureau’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), responsible for directing the organization’s overall information technology (IT) efforts.
“In today’s global environment, information technology remains key to how the FBI conducts its business—capturing information that can be instantly retrieved and shared as we build our investigations, providing the means to collaborate across distances, and keeping our information secure,” Mueller said, noting that Fulgham’s extensive experience working with multi-national corporations and cutting edge technology fit well with the Bureau’s IT needs.
Before being hired by the FBI, Fulgham worked in the Information Technology Division of Lehman Brothers, where he served as a senior vice president in various capacities over the past four years. In addition to being credited with the transformation of much of its technological infrastructure, he was responsible for performing organizational needs assessments, developing policy and instituting IT strategies, managing budgets, directing products and services selection, and overseeing technology operations. He will have many of the same responsibilities at the FBI.
Previously, he carried out many aspects of computer security and information risk management for IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and Arthur Andersen. He is a member of three Microsoft Advisory Boards and serves on the Financial Services Industry Advisory Boards for both AT&T and Verizon.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Fulgham spent five years in the Navy where he also worked with information security, network management, and communications, ending his tour of duty at Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.Fulgham replaces Zal Azmi, who left the FBI last October to enter private industry.
Wednesday, December 10
City gets 'crime-detecting' CCTV
City gets 'crime-detecting' CCTV: "Anti-social behaviour has become a familiar site in some towns and cities across the country. Anti-social behaviour has become a familiar site in some towns and cities across the country."
What technology is deployed in NYC and DC?
What are the 7 cities in the US that are deploying this technology?
The last I heard this technology existed in a lab at a University in CA, looking for a funding source to launch it into the commercial marketplace. IBM is close but no news has been released on just where they are deployed....unless they finally got Chicago to launch it.
What technology is deployed in NYC and DC?
What are the 7 cities in the US that are deploying this technology?
The last I heard this technology existed in a lab at a University in CA, looking for a funding source to launch it into the commercial marketplace. IBM is close but no news has been released on just where they are deployed....unless they finally got Chicago to launch it.
Tuesday, December 9
Taj Mahal Hotel - India November 27, 2008
It was August of 2001 when I traveled to Mumbai and stayed at the lovely Taj Mahal Hotel. The terrorist attacks of November 2008 serve as a reminder that it is critical to remain vigilant with our efforts to secure our nations infrastructure, our homeland, our citizens. Trust but VERIFY... is the motto I now live by. I ate at the Golden Dragon and drank at the Harbour Bar. I recall arriving late in the evening into the grand lobby of the TAJ, a woman from behind the desk wisked me up to my room where she checked me in "in room". This I later learned was for my safety.
This story is told of a family that survived the attacks in Mumbai.... courage and heroism ring loudly from the experiences they share.
American freed at TAJ Mumbai narrates his story Subject: American Freed At TAJ (Mumbai) narrates his story Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 10:12:08 +0530 Heroes At The Taj Michael Pollack 12.01.08, 7:40 PM ET My story begins innocuously, with a dinner reservation in a world-class hotel. It ends 12 hours later after the Indian army freed us.
My point is not to sensationalize events. It is to express my gratitude and pay tribute to the staff of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, who sacrificed their lives so that we could survive. They, along with the Indian army, are the true heroes that emerged from this tragedy.
My wife, Anjali, and I were married in the Taj's Crystal Ballroom. Her parents were married there, too, and so were Shiv and Reshma, the couple with whom we had dinner plans. In fact, my wife and Reshma, both Bombay girls, grew up hanging out and partying the night away there and at the Oberoi Hotel, another terrorist target.
The four of us arrived at the Taj around 9:30 p.m. for dinner at the Golden Dragon, one of the better Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. We were a little early, and our table wasn't ready. So we walked next door to the Harbor Bar and had barely begun to enjoy our beers when the host told us our table was ready. We decided to stay and finish our drinks.
Thirty seconds later, we heard what sounded like a heavy tray smashing to the ground. This was followed by 20 or 30 similar sounds and then absolute silence. We crouched behind a table just feet away from what we now knew were gunmen. Terrorists had stormed the lobby and were firing indiscriminately.
We tried to break the glass window in front of us with a chair, but it wouldn't budge. The Harbour Bar's hostess, who had remained at her post, motioned to us that it was safe to make a run for the stairwell. She mentioned, in passing, that there was a dead body right outside in the corridor. We believe this courageous woman was murdered after we ran away. (We later learned that minutes after we climbed the stairs, terrorists came into the Harbour Bar, shot everyone who was there and executed those next door at the Golden Dragon. The staff there was equally brave, locking their patrons into a basement wine cellar to protect them. But the terrorists managed to break through and lob in grenades that killed everyone in the basement.)
We took refuge in the small office of the kitchen of another restaurant, Wasabi, on the second floor. Its chef and staff served the four of us food and drink and even apologized for the inconvenience we were suffering.
Through text messaging, e-mail on BlackBerrys and a small TV in the office, we realized the full extent of the terrorist attack on Mumbai. We figured we were in a secure place for the moment. There was also no way out. At around 11:30 p.m., the kitchen went silent. We took a massive wooden table and pushed it up against the door, turned off all the lights and hid. All of the kitchen workers remained outside; not one staff member had run.
The terrorists repeatedly slammed against our door. We heard them ask the chef in Hindi if anyone was inside the office. He responded calmly: "No one is in there. It's empty." That is the second time the Taj staff saved our lives.
After about 20 minutes, other staff members escorted us down a corridor to an area called The Chambers, a members-only area of the hotel. There were about 250 people in six rooms. Inside, the staff was serving sandwiches and alcohol. People were nervous, but cautiously optimistic. We were told The Chambers was the safest place we could be because the army was now guarding its two entrances and the streets were still dangerous. There had been attacks at a major railway station and a hospital.
But then, a member of parliament phoned into a live newscast and let the world know that hundreds of people--including CEOs, foreigners and members of parliament--were "secure and safe in The Chambers together." Adding to the escalating tension and chaos was the fact that, via text and cellphone, we knew that the dome of the Taj was on fire and that it could move downward.
At around 2 a.m., the staff attempted an evacuation. We all lined up to head down a dark fire escape exit. But after five minutes, grenade blasts and automatic weapon fire pierced the air. A mad stampede ensued to get out of the stairwell and take cover back inside The Chambers.
After that near-miss, my wife and I decided we should hide in different rooms. While we hoped to be together at the end, our primary obligation was to our children. We wanted to keep one parent alive. Because I am American and my wife is Indian, and news reports said the terrorists were targeting U.S. and U.K. nationals, I believed I would further endanger her life if we were together in a hostage situation.
So when we ran back to The Chambers I hid in a toilet stall with a floor-to-ceiling door and my wife stayed with our friends, who fled to a large room across the hall.
For the next seven hours, I lay in the fetal position, keeping in touch with Anjali via BlackBerry. I was joined in the stall by Joe, a Nigerian national with a U.S. green card. I managed to get in touch with the FBI, and several agents gave me status updates throughout the night.
I cannot even begin to explain the level of adrenaline running through my system at this point. It was this hyper-aware state where every sound, every smell, every piece of information was ultra-acute, analyzed and processed so that we could make the best decisions and maximize the odds of survival.
Was the fire above us life-threatening? What floor was it on? Were the commandos near us, or were they terrorists? Why is it so quiet? Did the commandos survive? If the terrorists come into the bathroom and to the door, when they fire in, how can I make my body as small as possible? If Joe gets killed before me in this situation, how can I throw his body on mine to barricade the door? If the Indian commandos liberate the rest in the other room, how will they know where I am? Do the terrorists have suicide vests? Will the roof stand? How can I make sure the FBI knows where Anjali and I are? When is it safe to stand up and attempt to urinate?
Meanwhile, Anjali and the others were across the corridor in a mass of people lying on the floor and clinging to each other. People barely moved for seven hours, and for the last three hours they felt it was too unsafe to even text. While I was tucked behind a couple walls of marble and granite in my toilet stall, she was feet from bullets flying back and forth. After our failed evacuation, most of the people in the fire escape stairwell and many staff members who attempted to protect the guests were shot and killed.
The 10 minutes around 2:30 a.m. were the most frightening. Rather than the back-and-forth of gunfire, we just heard single, punctuated shots. We later learned that the terrorists went along a different corridor of The Chambers, room by room, and systematically executed everyone: women, elderly, Muslims, Hindus, foreigners. A group huddled next to Anjali was devout Bori Muslims who would have been slaughtered just like everyone else, had the terrorists gone into their room. Everyone was in deep prayer and most, Anjali included, had accepted that their lives were likely over. It was terrorism in its purest form. No one was spared.
The next five hours were filled with the sounds of an intense grenade/gun battle between the Indian commandos and the terrorists. It was fought in darkness; each side was trying to outflank the other. By the time dawn broke, the commandos had successfully secured our corridor. A young commando led out the people packed into Anjali's room. When one woman asked whether it was safe to leave, the commando replied: "Don't worry, you have nothing to fear. The first bullets have to go through me." The corridor was laced with broken glass and bullet casings. Every table was turned over or destroyed. The ceilings and walls were littered with hundreds of bullet holes. Blood stains were everywhere, though, fortunately, there were no dead bodies to be seen.
A few minutes after Anjali had vacated, Joe and I peeked out of our stall. We saw multiple commandos and smiled widely. I had lost my right shoe while sprinting to the toilet so I grabbed a sheet from the floor, wrapped it around my foot and proceeded to walk over the debris to the hotel lobby.
Anjali and I embraced for the first time in seven hours in the Taj's ground floor entrance. I didn't know whether she was dead or injured because we hadn't been able to text for the past three hours. I wanted to take a picture of us on my BlackBerry, but Anjali wanted us to get out of there before doing anything. She was right--our ordeal wasn't completely over. A large bus pulled up in front of the Taj to collect us and, just about as it was fully loaded, gunfire erupted again. The terrorists were still alive and firing automatic weapons at the bus. Anjali was the last to get on the bus, and she eventually escaped in our friend's car. I ducked under some concrete barriers for cover and wound up the subject of photos that were later splashed across the media. Shortly thereafter, an ambulance came and drove a few of us to safety. An hour later, Anjali and I were again reunited at her parents' home. Our Thanksgiving had just gained a lot more meaning.
Some may say our survival was due to random luck, others might credit divine intervention. But 72 hours removed from these events, I can assure you only one thing: Far fewer people would have survived if it weren't for the extreme selflessness shown by the Taj staff, who organized us, catered to us and then, in the end, literally died for us.
They complemented the extreme bravery and courage of the Indian commandos, who, in a pitch-black setting and unfamiliar, tightly packed terrain, valiantly held the terrorists at bay.
It is also amazing that, out of our entire group, not one person screamed or panicked. There was an eerie but quiet calm that pervaded--one more thing that got us all out alive. Even people in adjacent rooms, who were being executed, kept silent. It is much easier to destroy than to build, yet somehow humanity has managed to build far more than it has ever destroyed. Likewise, in a period of crisis, it is much easier to find faults and failings rather than to celebrate the good deeds. It is now time to commemorate our heroes. Michael Pollack is a general partner of Glenhill Capital, a firm he co-founded in 2001
This story is told of a family that survived the attacks in Mumbai.... courage and heroism ring loudly from the experiences they share.
American freed at TAJ Mumbai narrates his story Subject: American Freed At TAJ (Mumbai) narrates his story Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 10:12:08 +0530 Heroes At The Taj Michael Pollack 12.01.08, 7:40 PM ET My story begins innocuously, with a dinner reservation in a world-class hotel. It ends 12 hours later after the Indian army freed us.
My point is not to sensationalize events. It is to express my gratitude and pay tribute to the staff of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, who sacrificed their lives so that we could survive. They, along with the Indian army, are the true heroes that emerged from this tragedy.
My wife, Anjali, and I were married in the Taj's Crystal Ballroom. Her parents were married there, too, and so were Shiv and Reshma, the couple with whom we had dinner plans. In fact, my wife and Reshma, both Bombay girls, grew up hanging out and partying the night away there and at the Oberoi Hotel, another terrorist target.
The four of us arrived at the Taj around 9:30 p.m. for dinner at the Golden Dragon, one of the better Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. We were a little early, and our table wasn't ready. So we walked next door to the Harbor Bar and had barely begun to enjoy our beers when the host told us our table was ready. We decided to stay and finish our drinks.
Thirty seconds later, we heard what sounded like a heavy tray smashing to the ground. This was followed by 20 or 30 similar sounds and then absolute silence. We crouched behind a table just feet away from what we now knew were gunmen. Terrorists had stormed the lobby and were firing indiscriminately.
We tried to break the glass window in front of us with a chair, but it wouldn't budge. The Harbour Bar's hostess, who had remained at her post, motioned to us that it was safe to make a run for the stairwell. She mentioned, in passing, that there was a dead body right outside in the corridor. We believe this courageous woman was murdered after we ran away. (We later learned that minutes after we climbed the stairs, terrorists came into the Harbour Bar, shot everyone who was there and executed those next door at the Golden Dragon. The staff there was equally brave, locking their patrons into a basement wine cellar to protect them. But the terrorists managed to break through and lob in grenades that killed everyone in the basement.)
We took refuge in the small office of the kitchen of another restaurant, Wasabi, on the second floor. Its chef and staff served the four of us food and drink and even apologized for the inconvenience we were suffering.
Through text messaging, e-mail on BlackBerrys and a small TV in the office, we realized the full extent of the terrorist attack on Mumbai. We figured we were in a secure place for the moment. There was also no way out. At around 11:30 p.m., the kitchen went silent. We took a massive wooden table and pushed it up against the door, turned off all the lights and hid. All of the kitchen workers remained outside; not one staff member had run.
The terrorists repeatedly slammed against our door. We heard them ask the chef in Hindi if anyone was inside the office. He responded calmly: "No one is in there. It's empty." That is the second time the Taj staff saved our lives.
After about 20 minutes, other staff members escorted us down a corridor to an area called The Chambers, a members-only area of the hotel. There were about 250 people in six rooms. Inside, the staff was serving sandwiches and alcohol. People were nervous, but cautiously optimistic. We were told The Chambers was the safest place we could be because the army was now guarding its two entrances and the streets were still dangerous. There had been attacks at a major railway station and a hospital.
But then, a member of parliament phoned into a live newscast and let the world know that hundreds of people--including CEOs, foreigners and members of parliament--were "secure and safe in The Chambers together." Adding to the escalating tension and chaos was the fact that, via text and cellphone, we knew that the dome of the Taj was on fire and that it could move downward.
At around 2 a.m., the staff attempted an evacuation. We all lined up to head down a dark fire escape exit. But after five minutes, grenade blasts and automatic weapon fire pierced the air. A mad stampede ensued to get out of the stairwell and take cover back inside The Chambers.
After that near-miss, my wife and I decided we should hide in different rooms. While we hoped to be together at the end, our primary obligation was to our children. We wanted to keep one parent alive. Because I am American and my wife is Indian, and news reports said the terrorists were targeting U.S. and U.K. nationals, I believed I would further endanger her life if we were together in a hostage situation.
So when we ran back to The Chambers I hid in a toilet stall with a floor-to-ceiling door and my wife stayed with our friends, who fled to a large room across the hall.
For the next seven hours, I lay in the fetal position, keeping in touch with Anjali via BlackBerry. I was joined in the stall by Joe, a Nigerian national with a U.S. green card. I managed to get in touch with the FBI, and several agents gave me status updates throughout the night.
I cannot even begin to explain the level of adrenaline running through my system at this point. It was this hyper-aware state where every sound, every smell, every piece of information was ultra-acute, analyzed and processed so that we could make the best decisions and maximize the odds of survival.
Was the fire above us life-threatening? What floor was it on? Were the commandos near us, or were they terrorists? Why is it so quiet? Did the commandos survive? If the terrorists come into the bathroom and to the door, when they fire in, how can I make my body as small as possible? If Joe gets killed before me in this situation, how can I throw his body on mine to barricade the door? If the Indian commandos liberate the rest in the other room, how will they know where I am? Do the terrorists have suicide vests? Will the roof stand? How can I make sure the FBI knows where Anjali and I are? When is it safe to stand up and attempt to urinate?
Meanwhile, Anjali and the others were across the corridor in a mass of people lying on the floor and clinging to each other. People barely moved for seven hours, and for the last three hours they felt it was too unsafe to even text. While I was tucked behind a couple walls of marble and granite in my toilet stall, she was feet from bullets flying back and forth. After our failed evacuation, most of the people in the fire escape stairwell and many staff members who attempted to protect the guests were shot and killed.
The 10 minutes around 2:30 a.m. were the most frightening. Rather than the back-and-forth of gunfire, we just heard single, punctuated shots. We later learned that the terrorists went along a different corridor of The Chambers, room by room, and systematically executed everyone: women, elderly, Muslims, Hindus, foreigners. A group huddled next to Anjali was devout Bori Muslims who would have been slaughtered just like everyone else, had the terrorists gone into their room. Everyone was in deep prayer and most, Anjali included, had accepted that their lives were likely over. It was terrorism in its purest form. No one was spared.
The next five hours were filled with the sounds of an intense grenade/gun battle between the Indian commandos and the terrorists. It was fought in darkness; each side was trying to outflank the other. By the time dawn broke, the commandos had successfully secured our corridor. A young commando led out the people packed into Anjali's room. When one woman asked whether it was safe to leave, the commando replied: "Don't worry, you have nothing to fear. The first bullets have to go through me." The corridor was laced with broken glass and bullet casings. Every table was turned over or destroyed. The ceilings and walls were littered with hundreds of bullet holes. Blood stains were everywhere, though, fortunately, there were no dead bodies to be seen.
A few minutes after Anjali had vacated, Joe and I peeked out of our stall. We saw multiple commandos and smiled widely. I had lost my right shoe while sprinting to the toilet so I grabbed a sheet from the floor, wrapped it around my foot and proceeded to walk over the debris to the hotel lobby.
Anjali and I embraced for the first time in seven hours in the Taj's ground floor entrance. I didn't know whether she was dead or injured because we hadn't been able to text for the past three hours. I wanted to take a picture of us on my BlackBerry, but Anjali wanted us to get out of there before doing anything. She was right--our ordeal wasn't completely over. A large bus pulled up in front of the Taj to collect us and, just about as it was fully loaded, gunfire erupted again. The terrorists were still alive and firing automatic weapons at the bus. Anjali was the last to get on the bus, and she eventually escaped in our friend's car. I ducked under some concrete barriers for cover and wound up the subject of photos that were later splashed across the media. Shortly thereafter, an ambulance came and drove a few of us to safety. An hour later, Anjali and I were again reunited at her parents' home. Our Thanksgiving had just gained a lot more meaning.
Some may say our survival was due to random luck, others might credit divine intervention. But 72 hours removed from these events, I can assure you only one thing: Far fewer people would have survived if it weren't for the extreme selflessness shown by the Taj staff, who organized us, catered to us and then, in the end, literally died for us.
They complemented the extreme bravery and courage of the Indian commandos, who, in a pitch-black setting and unfamiliar, tightly packed terrain, valiantly held the terrorists at bay.
It is also amazing that, out of our entire group, not one person screamed or panicked. There was an eerie but quiet calm that pervaded--one more thing that got us all out alive. Even people in adjacent rooms, who were being executed, kept silent. It is much easier to destroy than to build, yet somehow humanity has managed to build far more than it has ever destroyed. Likewise, in a period of crisis, it is much easier to find faults and failings rather than to celebrate the good deeds. It is now time to commemorate our heroes. Michael Pollack is a general partner of Glenhill Capital, a firm he co-founded in 2001
Tuesday, December 2
Wal-Mart Assailed on Death - WSJ.com
Wal-Mart Assailed on Death - WSJ.com: "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. should have had better crowd control to prevent the death of a worker who was trampled the day after Thanksgiving amid the bargain-hunting frenzy whipped up by the sales known as door-busters, according to local police and a lawyer for the worker's family."
Monday, December 1
NYPD to Upgrade 911 System: Top News Stories at Officer.com
NYPD to Upgrade 911 System: Top News Stories at Officer.com: "The city plans to upgrade its 911 system after a six-year, multimillion-dollar delay.
The NYPD recently signed a $73 million contract with Alabama-based Intergraph Corp. for a state-of-the-art emergency dispatch system that can instantly compile location and caller histories, create maps, and locate the appropriate units to respond.
'It integrates everything available and sends it straight to the dispatchers in a much more user-friendly way,' said NYPD Deputy Chief Charles Dowd, commander of the communications division. 'It's automatic. It's faster.'"
The NYPD recently signed a $73 million contract with Alabama-based Intergraph Corp. for a state-of-the-art emergency dispatch system that can instantly compile location and caller histories, create maps, and locate the appropriate units to respond.
'It integrates everything available and sends it straight to the dispatchers in a much more user-friendly way,' said NYPD Deputy Chief Charles Dowd, commander of the communications division. 'It's automatic. It's faster.'"
What The Data Miners Are Digging Up About You
ABC News: What The Data Miners Are Digging Up About You: "In today's technological world we leave electronic traces wherever we go, whether shopping online or on the high street, at work or at play. That data is the raw material for a new industry of number crunchers trying to explain and influence human behaviour, as Stephen Baker explains in his new book The Numerati."
Sunday, November 30
BBC NEWS | South Asia | India considers anti-terror body
BBC NEWS South Asia India considers anti-terror body: "Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has opened cross-party talks on setting up a federal agency of investigation after the Mumbai attacks.Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has opened cross-party talks on setting up a federal agency of investigation after the Mumbai attacks."
Friday, November 28
2 AMERICANS KILLED IN MUMBAI ATTACKS - New York Post
2 AMERICANS KILLED IN MUMBAI ATTACKS - New York Post: "FABER, Va. - A meditation group in Virginia says a father and his 13-year-old daughter were killed in Mumbai's terrorist attacks. The Synchronicity Foundation says four more of its members on a trip to India were also injured when Islamic terrorists attacked a cafe in the Indian port city Wednesday night. Spokeswoman Bobbie Garvey says 58-year-old Alan Scherr and his daughter Naomi were identified by colleagues. The U.S. State Department has not yet confirmed any deaths of American victims, but colleagues and family members have given reports about some of the injured and missing.
Two Tennessee women were among the four people injured from the Synchronicity Foundation, which studies holistic meditation."
Two Tennessee women were among the four people injured from the Synchronicity Foundation, which studies holistic meditation."
Friday, November 14
Early Departures at the Bureau
Early Departures at the Bureau: "Joseph Demarest and Joe Billy. Demarest headed the New York office’s counter-terrorism division, one of the Bureau’s most vital jobs. He oversaw top secret investigations and ran the Joint Terrorist Task Force [JTTF] of 350 or so FBI agents and NYPD detectives."
InfraGard National Members Alliance
Laurie Venditti is appointed to the National Board of InfraGard Members Alliance as VP of Regional Communications.
InfraGard began as a collaborative effort 1996 between the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Cleveland Field Office and SMEs from local industry and academia. This effort was designed to harness private sector expertise for investigative efforts in the cyber and physical security arenas. Due to its immediate success, the program quickly expanded to other FBI Field Offices – leading the FBI to assign national program responsibility of InfraGard to FBI Headquarters in Washington DC and local program responsibility to each of the FBI’s 56 field offices. In 2003, the private sector members of InfraGard formed the “InfraGard National Members Alliance” (INMA).
The InfraGard National Members Alliance’s (INMA) mission is to provide a trusted forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience and information related to the protection of our nation’s critical infrastructure from both physical and cyber threats. The INMA is a non-profit Delaware LLC with 501(c)3 status. The INMA LLC is comprised of 86 separate 501(c)3 InfraGard Member Alliances (IMAs) that represent over 26,000 InfraGard Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) nationwide. A Board of Directors comprised of the following Directors and Officers serve as the leadership of the INMA.
InfraGard Members: "Welcome and congratulations for taking the first step to building a safer and more secure Country by joining a tremendous organization with over 26,000 members in 86 chapters, representing all 18 sectors of our Nation’s critical infrastructures. These are selfless men and women who choose to volunteer their time, their knowledge, and their experience to make a difference through collaboration, the sharing of best practices and building relationship based on trust to protect critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. If you are already a member, thank you! If not, what are you waiting for?
Dr. Kathleen L. Kiernan
Chairman of the Board
InfraGard National Members Alliance"
InfraGard began as a collaborative effort 1996 between the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Cleveland Field Office and SMEs from local industry and academia. This effort was designed to harness private sector expertise for investigative efforts in the cyber and physical security arenas. Due to its immediate success, the program quickly expanded to other FBI Field Offices – leading the FBI to assign national program responsibility of InfraGard to FBI Headquarters in Washington DC and local program responsibility to each of the FBI’s 56 field offices. In 2003, the private sector members of InfraGard formed the “InfraGard National Members Alliance” (INMA).
The InfraGard National Members Alliance’s (INMA) mission is to provide a trusted forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience and information related to the protection of our nation’s critical infrastructure from both physical and cyber threats. The INMA is a non-profit Delaware LLC with 501(c)3 status. The INMA LLC is comprised of 86 separate 501(c)3 InfraGard Member Alliances (IMAs) that represent over 26,000 InfraGard Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) nationwide. A Board of Directors comprised of the following Directors and Officers serve as the leadership of the INMA.
InfraGard Members: "Welcome and congratulations for taking the first step to building a safer and more secure Country by joining a tremendous organization with over 26,000 members in 86 chapters, representing all 18 sectors of our Nation’s critical infrastructures. These are selfless men and women who choose to volunteer their time, their knowledge, and their experience to make a difference through collaboration, the sharing of best practices and building relationship based on trust to protect critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. If you are already a member, thank you! If not, what are you waiting for?
Dr. Kathleen L. Kiernan
Chairman of the Board
InfraGard National Members Alliance"
InfraGard Members - INFRAGARD NATIONAL MEMBERS ALLIANCE AND iKEEP SAFE ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF A PARENT RESOURCE CD TO HELP ALL PARENTS TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM ONLINE THREATS - Articles
InfraGard Members - INFRAGARD NATIONAL MEMBERS ALLIANCE AND iKEEP SAFE ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF A PARENT RESOURCE CD TO HELP ALL PARENTS TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM ONLINE THREATS - Articles: "(Washington, DC) – In recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA) and the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKSC) announced today the creation of a Parent Resource CD to help parents keep their children safe from the growing threat of Internet predators. The CD will be released by the end of November.
The CD includes a message from the FBI encouraging parents to take action to protect their children on the Internet. A tutorial for parents walks them through the steps to ensure that their children are protected from dangerous sites and that home computers are secured by safety measures such as firewalls."
The CD includes a message from the FBI encouraging parents to take action to protect their children on the Internet. A tutorial for parents walks them through the steps to ensure that their children are protected from dangerous sites and that home computers are secured by safety measures such as firewalls."
Investigating Terrorism Tips Video - CBSNews.com
Investigating Terrorism Tips Video - CBSNews.com: "New York's Joint Terrorism Task Force, JTTF, is a highly secretive facility where officers investigate tips on terrorism daily. Bob Orr interviews Tom Nicpon FBI ASAC NYC Field Office.
June 20, 2008"
June 20, 2008"
Thursday, November 13
Tracking Terror Video - CBSNews.com
Tracking Terror Video - CBSNews.com: "Tracking Terror
Only On The Web: David Martin spoke to NCTC Director Admiral Scott Redd about the U.S. government's antiterrorism apparatus and how it deals with potential threats.
September 6, 2006"
Only On The Web: David Martin spoke to NCTC Director Admiral Scott Redd about the U.S. government's antiterrorism apparatus and how it deals with potential threats.
September 6, 2006"
Searching For Terrorists Video - CBSNews.com
Searching For Terrorists Video - CBSNews.com: "Searching For Terrorists
As al Qaeda strengthens, FBI officials are looking for any clues that might tip off a possible attack against the U.S. during the summer months. Bob Orr has the story.
July 13, 2007"
As al Qaeda strengthens, FBI officials are looking for any clues that might tip off a possible attack against the U.S. during the summer months. Bob Orr has the story.
July 13, 2007"
Target Targets Criminals Video - CBSNews.com
Target Targets Criminals Video - CBSNews.com: "Target Targets Criminals
The U.S. retail company Target has turned to the forensics field, a la 'CSI.' As Priya David reports, Target's security division has aided the FBI and other officials with solving gruesome crimes.
October 5, 2008"
The U.S. retail company Target has turned to the forensics field, a la 'CSI.' As Priya David reports, Target's security division has aided the FBI and other officials with solving gruesome crimes.
October 5, 2008"
The Associated Press: US cracks down on Islamic charity
The Associated Press: US cracks down on Islamic charity: "WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration acted Wednesday against an Islamic charity suspected of helping to bankroll Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that the United States considers an international terrorist organization.
The Treasury Department's action against the Union of Good means that any bank accounts or other financial assets belonging to the charity found in the United States will be frozen. Americans also are barred from making donations to the group, which the U.S. government alleged was created by leaders of Hamas to transfer money to Hamas.
'Terrorist groups such as Hamas continue to exploit charities to radicalize vulnerable communities and cultivate support for their violent activities,' said Stuart Levey, the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence."
The Treasury Department's action against the Union of Good means that any bank accounts or other financial assets belonging to the charity found in the United States will be frozen. Americans also are barred from making donations to the group, which the U.S. government alleged was created by leaders of Hamas to transfer money to Hamas.
'Terrorist groups such as Hamas continue to exploit charities to radicalize vulnerable communities and cultivate support for their violent activities,' said Stuart Levey, the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence."
Obama Team Faces Major Task in Justice Dept. Overhaul - washingtonpost.com
Obama Team Faces Major Task in Justice Dept. Overhaul - washingtonpost.com
Obama Team Faces Major Task in Justice Dept. OverhaulGoal Is to Restore Confidence in Law Enforcement Actions
By Carrie Johnson Washington Post Thursday, November 13, 2008; A02
As a transition team for the Obama administration begins work on a Justice Department overhaul, the key question is where to begin… Although retired federal judge Michael B. Mukasey, who took charge of the department in the winter, has drawn praise for limiting contacts between White House officials and prosecutors, and for firmly rejecting the role of politics in law enforcement, restoring public confidence in the department's law enforcement actions will be central, lawmakers and former government officials say… Topping the list of concerns is the Office of Legal Counsel, a once-obscure operation whose advice guides some of the government's most sensitive and controversial policies, from domestic wiretapping to the appropriateness of handing out public funding to religious groups… David Ogden, a chief of the department's civil division in the Clinton years, will lead the transition effort. Thomas J. Perrelli, who was a counselor to Attorney General Janet Reno and a classmate of Obama's at Harvard Law School , will serve as a deputy
Obama Team Faces Major Task in Justice Dept. OverhaulGoal Is to Restore Confidence in Law Enforcement Actions
By Carrie Johnson Washington Post Thursday, November 13, 2008; A02
As a transition team for the Obama administration begins work on a Justice Department overhaul, the key question is where to begin… Although retired federal judge Michael B. Mukasey, who took charge of the department in the winter, has drawn praise for limiting contacts between White House officials and prosecutors, and for firmly rejecting the role of politics in law enforcement, restoring public confidence in the department's law enforcement actions will be central, lawmakers and former government officials say… Topping the list of concerns is the Office of Legal Counsel, a once-obscure operation whose advice guides some of the government's most sensitive and controversial policies, from domestic wiretapping to the appropriateness of handing out public funding to religious groups… David Ogden, a chief of the department's civil division in the Clinton years, will lead the transition effort. Thomas J. Perrelli, who was a counselor to Attorney General Janet Reno and a classmate of Obama's at Harvard Law School , will serve as a deputy
Top Two Officials In U.S. Intelligence Expect to Lose Jobs - washingtonpost.com
Top Two Officials In U.S. Intelligence Expect to Lose Jobs - washingtonpost.com: "The nation's top two intelligence officers expect to be replaced by President-elect Barack Obama early in his administration, according to senior intelligence officials." A number of influential congressional Democrats oppose keeping Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and CIA Director Michael V. Hayden in their posts because both have publicly supported controversial Bush administration policies on interrogation and telephone surveillance. One Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee said there is a "consensus" view on the matter.
Sunday, July 27
Big Brother's new software - Network World
Big Brother's new software - Network World: "Any way you look at it, video surveillance technology is becoming more sophisticated.
A recent report by ABI Research projects that revenue generated from surveillance software will more than triple from $245 million this year to $900 million-plus in 2013. Technological breakthroughs have added several more capabilities to surveillance cameras in recent years, from face-recognition software to cameras designed to mesh with radio-frequency identification tags. Added to this, ABI Vice President and Research Director Stan Schatt says that the advent of Wi-Fi has made it possible to place wireless cameras just about anywhere while still being able to send footage back to a central location."
A recent report by ABI Research projects that revenue generated from surveillance software will more than triple from $245 million this year to $900 million-plus in 2013. Technological breakthroughs have added several more capabilities to surveillance cameras in recent years, from face-recognition software to cameras designed to mesh with radio-frequency identification tags. Added to this, ABI Vice President and Research Director Stan Schatt says that the advent of Wi-Fi has made it possible to place wireless cameras just about anywhere while still being able to send footage back to a central location."
We're Watching, How Chicago Authorities Keep An Eye On The City - CBS News
9-2006
We're Watching, How Chicago Authorities Keep An Eye On The City - CBS News: "Chicago has had a head start over most cities – in 1995, Mayor Daley had a vision of putting police, fire and emergency responders into one building. The project cost $217 million.
'I said, just build me something that we know is gonna last. And, basically technology would change. It was controversial. Someone said it was a waste of money,' Daley says. 'And unfortunately, when 9/11 came, 'You're a genius.''
It is considered state of the art. But there are still large holes in this 'virtual shield.'"
We're Watching, How Chicago Authorities Keep An Eye On The City - CBS News: "Chicago has had a head start over most cities – in 1995, Mayor Daley had a vision of putting police, fire and emergency responders into one building. The project cost $217 million.
'I said, just build me something that we know is gonna last. And, basically technology would change. It was controversial. Someone said it was a waste of money,' Daley says. 'And unfortunately, when 9/11 came, 'You're a genius.''
It is considered state of the art. But there are still large holes in this 'virtual shield.'"
STRIKE ON VERIZON HORIZON - New York Post
STRIKE ON VERIZON HORIZON - New York Post: "Thousands of Verizon workers took to the streets yesterday as a warning shot to company officials ahead of a threatened strike that would cause major disruptions along the East Coast.
About 5,000 employees of the communications giant rallied outside the company's Financial District headquarters - demanding a contract that protects their current health-care benefits and union jobs.
About 65,000 technicians, operators and sales reps could walk off the job as early as Aug. 3."
About 5,000 employees of the communications giant rallied outside the company's Financial District headquarters - demanding a contract that protects their current health-care benefits and union jobs.
About 65,000 technicians, operators and sales reps could walk off the job as early as Aug. 3."
TERROR THREAT IS IN THE CARDS - New York Post
TERROR THREAT IS IN THE CARDS - New York Post: "NYPD detectives are investigating a chilling new terror threat - a series of cards from a 'New York Jihad' that look like birthday-party invitations but warn of bombs in lower Manhattan this summer, The Post has learned.
The cards were mailed last week to the homes of seven city residents, including former Fox News television producer Kelley Vick and a person in the 26th Police Precinct, which covers West Harlem, according to Vick and police sources."
The cards were mailed last week to the homes of seven city residents, including former Fox News television producer Kelley Vick and a person in the 26th Police Precinct, which covers West Harlem, according to Vick and police sources."
Monday, July 14
A New Fashion Catches On in Paris - Cheap Bicycle Rentals - NYTimes.com
A New Fashion Catches On in Paris - Cheap Bicycle Rentals - NYTimes.com: "About 20,600 Vélib’ bicycles are in service here, with more than 1,450 self-service rental stations. The stations are only some 300 yards apart, and there are four times as many as there are subway stations, even in a city so well served by its metro system."
MSU Researcher Creates System Matching Tattoos to Suspects: Top News Stories at Officer.com
MSU Researcher Creates System Matching Tattoos to Suspects: Top News Stories at Officer.com: "A Michigan State University researcher has created an automatic image retrieval system, whereby law enforcement agencies will be able to match scars, marks and tattoos to identify suspects and victims (see also Michigan State University)."
ACLU files lawsuit to challenge surveillance law - Network World
ACLU files lawsuit to challenge surveillance law - Network World: "The new law, approved by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, allows the U.S. National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies to conduct surveillance of a wide range of people 'reasonably believed' to be outside the U.S. The law also will likely require a U.S. court to dismiss more than 40 lawsuits that have been filed against telecommunication carriers that allegedly participated in the NSA program before there was court oversight of the surveillance.
The FISA Amendments Act still allows broad, untargeted surveillance, including spying on U.S. residents who are talking with people overseas, said Jameel Jaffer, director of the ACLU National Security Project."
The FISA Amendments Act still allows broad, untargeted surveillance, including spying on U.S. residents who are talking with people overseas, said Jameel Jaffer, director of the ACLU National Security Project."
CCTV camera identifies people by race - Network World
CCTV camera identifies people by race - Network World: "Males, 25, a mechanical engineer who recently graduated with a master's degree from London's Royal College of Art, wrote the software for a camera that determines a person's race."
Is public CCTV effective? @ The Latest for Security Executives SecurityInfoWatch.com
http://www.securityinfowatch.com/online/The-Latest-for-Security-Executives/Is-public-CCTV-effective/16559SIW305: "While we continue to spend more on public CCTV systems, the debate on CCTV effectiveness has reached a polarizing and inconclusive standoff. On the one side, you have a number of studies and leading thinkers who cleary contend that CCTV systems are ineffective. On the other, you have numerous municipalities who are weekly green-lighting new CCTV projects."
Sunday, July 13
Salute the Sky - Fly Over Tributes
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80924c91
Friday, July 4, 2008 11:08 AM
In honor of Independence Day, NFL Films takes a look at the always exciting pregame flyby.
Friday, July 4, 2008 11:08 AM
In honor of Independence Day, NFL Films takes a look at the always exciting pregame flyby.
A suburban housewife's 911 Call to Action - Shannen Rossmiller
Rossmiller developed her remarkable talent for chatting up terrorists after September 11, when she started going into online forums and cajoling valuable information from other visitors. She has passed along numerous case files to federal authorities. Her information has led US forces abroad to locate Taliban cells in Afghanistan, discover a renegade stinger-missile merchant in Pakistan, and help another foreign government identify a ring of potential suicide bombers. She has also assisted in nabbing two domestic would-be terrorists and seen them both convicted of felonies: National guardsman Ryan Anderson received five concurrent life sentences, and Michael Reynolds, convicted in July and awaiting sentencing, faces a similar fate. Timothy Fuhrman, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City office, says Rossmiller was “instrumental in the successful outcome of those cases.”http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2007/10/30/one-of-the-best-counter-terrorist-agents-is-a-suburban-housewife/
Monday, July 7
Crime analyst helps find patterns of criminals to prevent violence
Two charts related to gang violence and a poster with common gang markings cover the slate-colored walls of one of the offices at the Oklahoma City Police Department
http://newsok.com/crime-analyst-helps-find-patterns-of-criminals-to-prevent-violence/article/3263409/
http://newsok.com/crime-analyst-helps-find-patterns-of-criminals-to-prevent-violence/article/3263409/
Saturday, June 28
ioimage video analytics help reduce thefts by 75 percent at Chilean fish farms
ioimage video analytics help reduce thefts by 75 percent at Chilean fish farms
The second largest producer of farmed salmon after Norway, Chile experiences up to $2 million a year in theft of salmon and salmon eggs. With 28 salmon pools and a total perimeter of 8,000 square meters, Trusal runs one of the country’s major fish farms and was suffering significant losses from intruders, fishing boats and predators. ioimage has announced today that Trusal S.A. has implemented ioimage video analytics to protect its salmon pools in Puerto Montt from threats approaching from sea and land. Since installing ioimage’s video analytics, thefts have been reduced by 75 percent and manpower by 30 percent.Several logistical issues had to be taken into consideration in selecting an effective security system that would also minimize the incidence of false alarms. “The layout of the sprawling property makes a perimeter fence unfeasible,” said partner and installer Andres Dieterich, Project Manager of Technology & Systems. “The solution had to be capable of detecting intrusion by boats and unauthorized persons, while differentiating between marine predators and harmless small animals entering the perimeter.” Since surveillance was to be carried out over both land and sea, variable environmental factors such as precipitation and wind velocity needed to be addressed as well.“ioimage offered the only solution that could deal with all of these problems with a single installation,” said Dieterich. “It gives us a high level of security in a complex setting with an exceptionally low false alarm rate. Some salmon farms utilize radar technology, which is ineffective without video verification. The ioimage system has reduced the need for operator attention to a monitor, enabling security staff to attend to other functions. In addition, installation was easy and the service has been excellent.”
The second largest producer of farmed salmon after Norway, Chile experiences up to $2 million a year in theft of salmon and salmon eggs. With 28 salmon pools and a total perimeter of 8,000 square meters, Trusal runs one of the country’s major fish farms and was suffering significant losses from intruders, fishing boats and predators. ioimage has announced today that Trusal S.A. has implemented ioimage video analytics to protect its salmon pools in Puerto Montt from threats approaching from sea and land. Since installing ioimage’s video analytics, thefts have been reduced by 75 percent and manpower by 30 percent.Several logistical issues had to be taken into consideration in selecting an effective security system that would also minimize the incidence of false alarms. “The layout of the sprawling property makes a perimeter fence unfeasible,” said partner and installer Andres Dieterich, Project Manager of Technology & Systems. “The solution had to be capable of detecting intrusion by boats and unauthorized persons, while differentiating between marine predators and harmless small animals entering the perimeter.” Since surveillance was to be carried out over both land and sea, variable environmental factors such as precipitation and wind velocity needed to be addressed as well.“ioimage offered the only solution that could deal with all of these problems with a single installation,” said Dieterich. “It gives us a high level of security in a complex setting with an exceptionally low false alarm rate. Some salmon farms utilize radar technology, which is ineffective without video verification. The ioimage system has reduced the need for operator attention to a monitor, enabling security staff to attend to other functions. In addition, installation was easy and the service has been excellent.”
Dolmabahçe Palace Deploys Agent Vi’s Video Analytics Software to Protect Rare Artwork, Other Priceless Items
Dolmabahçe Palace Deploys Agent Vi’s Video Analytics Software to Protect Rare Artwork, Other Priceless Items: "Agent Vi’s video analytics software enables facilities such as the Dolmabahçe Palace to detect, track and analyze specific activities captured by video and allows security cameras to become active eyes that automatically report specific behaviors of interest, in real-time and with extreme accuracy. Deploying Agent Vi’s software on existing cameras, the Dolmabahçe Palace has added motion, non-motion, theft, and loitering detection capabilities to its security system. This installation of Agent Vi’s software on more than 100 cameras at the complex, marks the first commercial deployment of Agent Vi’s software on Axis Communications cameras, allowing unprecedented flexibility in setting up rules to best meet the Palace’s needs.
Cernium Continues Growth; Completes Move to Northern Virginia
Cernium Continues Growth; Completes Move to Northern Virginia: "Cernium develops intelligent video products for use in a variety of applications, including industrial, government and campus security. The company’s product suite includes Perceptrak®, a software application integrated with Milestone Systems’ XProtect™ Enterprise IP video management platform; Cernium High Density Analytics Server™ (HDAS), an analytics-only software solution for large-scale, enterprise-wide video surveillance installations; Cernium Edge™, advanced video analytics for digital signal processors; and ExitSentry®, the industry-leading airport exit lane monitoring solution. Cernium develops intelligent video products for use in a variety of applications, including industrial, government and campus security. The company’s product suite includes Perceptrak®, a software application integrated with Milestone Systems’ XProtect™ Enterprise IP video management platform; Cernium High Density Analytics Server™ (HDAS), an analytics-only software solution for large-scale, enterprise-wide video surveillance installations; Cernium Edge™, advanced video analytics for digital signal processors; and ExitSentry®, the industry-leading airport exit lane monitoring solution."
ioimage Intelligent Video Appliances Slash Crime Rate at Japanese Condominium Complex
ioimage Intelligent Video Appliances Slash Crime Rate at Japanese Condominium Complex: "The customer, which manages some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and hospitality-related businesses, selected the CIEFFE portfolio of interoperable encoders, standard resolution and megapixel cameras, video analytics and advanced video management software as the backbone of its phased security deployment. The initial implementation includes more than 160 IP cameras and integrated video management software. The solution was chosen for its exceptional video quality, and sophisticated video monitoring and event handling functionality, which meets the demanding performance requirements of the operator. Its flexible architecture enables future expansion and allows the customer to ultimately deploy an integrated IP video surveillance network across all of its properties worldwide. The customer, which manages some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and hospitality-related businesses, selected the CIEFFE portfolio of interoperable encoders, standard resolution and megapixel cameras, video analytics and advanced video management software as the backbone of its phased security deployment. The initial implementation includes more than 160 IP cameras and integrated video management software. The solution was chosen for its exceptional video quality, and sophisticated video monitoring and event handling functionality, which meets the demanding performance requirements of the operator. Its flexible architecture enables future expansion and allows the customer to ultimately deploy an integrated IP video surveillance network across all of its properties worldwide."
Watch This Space: Video Surveillance Software Revenue to Grow Fourfold by 2013
Watch This Space: Video Surveillance Software Revenue to Grow Fourfold by 2013: "A new study from the firm forecasts a nearly fourfold increase in revenue from video surveillance software between now and the end of 2013, rising from about $245 million to more than $900 million.
In fact, surveillance software has a myriad uses. The homeland security applications are self-evident, but it is also starting to be used in marketing, to identify customer's 'eyeball connections' with products and analyze their retail behavior. In a retail environment it can also analyze customer traffic patterns, helping to improve store layouts. ABI Research expects the retail market segment to grow exponentially. Casinos are also using it to keep staff from restricted areas."
In fact, surveillance software has a myriad uses. The homeland security applications are self-evident, but it is also starting to be used in marketing, to identify customer's 'eyeball connections' with products and analyze their retail behavior. In a retail environment it can also analyze customer traffic patterns, helping to improve store layouts. ABI Research expects the retail market segment to grow exponentially. Casinos are also using it to keep staff from restricted areas."
BBC NEWS | UK | England | Hampshire | CCTV cameras 'taught to listen'
BBC NEWS UK England Hampshire CCTV cameras 'taught to listen': "Crimes would be captured on camera faster and response times improved."
Sunday, June 15
PC World - Business Center: Web's Designer Praises Online Collaboration
PC World - Business Center: Web's Designer Praises Online Collaboration: "The challenge of the Web is to build a system that enables people to creatively solve problems that they couldn't solve on their own, said Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web and director of the World Wide Web Consortium.
Speaking Wednesday at the 'Future of the Web Debate,' at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Tetherless World Research Constellation, Berners-Lee said one of the Web's key challenges is what he calls 'connective creativity.'"
Speaking Wednesday at the 'Future of the Web Debate,' at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Tetherless World Research Constellation, Berners-Lee said one of the Web's key challenges is what he calls 'connective creativity.'"
Friday, February 1
DHS: Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants
DHS: Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants: "Release Date: February 1, 2008
In Fiscal Year 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will award more than $3 billion in grants to states, territories, urban areas, and transportation authorities under 14 programs to bolster national preparedness capabilities and protect critical infrastructure. Fiscal year 2008 grant programs provide $376.3 million over last year to enhance the nation's ability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. This includes the Department's two largest grant programs: the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) totaling $1.69 billion and the Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP) totaling $852.4 million."
In Fiscal Year 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will award more than $3 billion in grants to states, territories, urban areas, and transportation authorities under 14 programs to bolster national preparedness capabilities and protect critical infrastructure. Fiscal year 2008 grant programs provide $376.3 million over last year to enhance the nation's ability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. This includes the Department's two largest grant programs: the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) totaling $1.69 billion and the Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP) totaling $852.4 million."
Thursday, January 31
Researchers Create Facial Recognition System Breakthrough
Researchers Create Facial Recognition System Breakthrough: "The Herald
via NewsEdge Corporation
January 29th, 2008 - Airport security checks could be transformed by enhancements in face recognition technology, being developed by Scottish researchers.
A team from Glasgow University have shown they can double the accuracy of computerised face recognition, by inputting an 'average image' of a face, created by combining a number of photographs."
via NewsEdge Corporation
January 29th, 2008 - Airport security checks could be transformed by enhancements in face recognition technology, being developed by Scottish researchers.
A team from Glasgow University have shown they can double the accuracy of computerised face recognition, by inputting an 'average image' of a face, created by combining a number of photographs."
Tuesday, January 29
Top Stories - Department of Homeland Security Goes Virtual With Training
Top Stories - Department of Homeland Security Goes Virtual With Training: "BRUNSWICK, GA -- Last year, more than 50,000 federal agents and police officers went to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, or FLETC, in Brunswick, Georgia, for training.
A part of that training now includes a state of the art simulation lab worth more than five million dollars.
The lab is made up of more than 40,000 square feet of ground breaking equipment."
A part of that training now includes a state of the art simulation lab worth more than five million dollars.
The lab is made up of more than 40,000 square feet of ground breaking equipment."
Friday, January 25
CIA: Cyberattack caused multiple-city blackout | Tech News on ZDNet
CIA: Cyberattack caused multiple-city blackout Tech News on ZDNet: "A cyberattack has caused a power blackout in multiple cities outside the United States, the CIA has warned.
The SANS Institute, a computer-security training body, reported the CIA's disclosure on Friday. CIA senior analyst Tom Donahue told a SANS Institute conference on Wednesday in New Orleans that the CIA had evidence of successful cyberattacks against critical national infrastructures outside the United States.
'We have information that cyberattacks have been used to disrupt power equipment in several regions outside the U.S.,' Donahue said. 'In at least one case, the disruption caused a power outage affecting multiple cities.'"
The SANS Institute, a computer-security training body, reported the CIA's disclosure on Friday. CIA senior analyst Tom Donahue told a SANS Institute conference on Wednesday in New Orleans that the CIA had evidence of successful cyberattacks against critical national infrastructures outside the United States.
'We have information that cyberattacks have been used to disrupt power equipment in several regions outside the U.S.,' Donahue said. 'In at least one case, the disruption caused a power outage affecting multiple cities.'"
Energy’s zooming cybersecurity attack rate calls for management reforms auditors say
Energy’s zooming cybersecurity attack rate calls for management reforms auditors say: "Inspector General Gregory Friedman hopes to lock down security on the Energy Department's interconnected computer networks, after auditors called 132 security breaches serious enough to report to law enforcement in fiscal 2006 — 22 percent more than in the prior year.
The department's 69 organizations support as many as eight separate intrusion and analysis groups, which do not use a common incident-reporting format and do not always retain crucial information about cyberattacks, the IG said in a report released today. Some sites opt out of monitoring their networks or even disable the sensor equipment."
The department's 69 organizations support as many as eight separate intrusion and analysis groups, which do not use a common incident-reporting format and do not always retain crucial information about cyberattacks, the IG said in a report released today. Some sites opt out of monitoring their networks or even disable the sensor equipment."
Fight over, all together now against terrorism - Las Vegas Sun
Fight over, all together now against terrorism - Las Vegas Sun: "With months of acrimony behind them, Gov. Jim Gibbons and local law enforcement officials are coming together this week to embrace a new cooperative approach to fighting terrorism on the home front."
Friday, January 18
DoCoMo Labs USA :: Communications :: Interview 2
DoCoMo Labs USA :: Communications :: Interview 2: "Serendipity and Signal Processing............. .. ............ .............. .............. Aesthetic Scientist interview with Sean Ramprashad, Ph.D., Senior Research Engineer, Media Lab, DoCoMo USA Labs"
Wireless Meltdown - Government Technology
Wireless Meltdown - Government Technology: "When Philadelphia announced its ambitious 'Digital Inclusion' plan for a citywide municipal Wi-Fi program in 2005, cities across the country took notice. Philadelphia was planning to become the first metropolitan city with a citywide Wi-Fi network covering 135 square miles. It claimed the network would benefit citizens, business, schools and community organizations."
Westchester County, N.Y., Named One of World's Most Intelligent Communities - Government Technology
Westchester County, N.Y., Named One of World's Most Intelligent Communities - Government Technology: "Westchester County, N.Y., has been named one of the Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year by The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), a non-profit international think tank that focuses on job creation and economic development in the broadband economy."
Columbia-based Islamic charity faces new terrorism charges
Columbia-based Islamic charity faces new terrorism charges: "A federal grand jury returned new terrorism-related charges today against members of a former Columbia-based Islamic charity, including a former U.S. congressman from Michigan."
Tuesday, January 15
More public cameras seen as way to focus on criminals -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
More public cameras seen as way to focus on criminals -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com: "Across South Florida, cities see high-tech surveillance cameras as the next big crime-fighting tool."
Monday, January 14
City of Cameras - WPTV NewsChannel 5
City of Cameras - WPTV NewsChannel 5: "Police surveillance cameras could be coming to your West Palm Beach neighborhood, that’s if you’d like to buy one. It’s part of a program called, “City-Cam.”"
Friday, January 4
DHS | Enforcement News
DHS Enforcement News: "Coast Guard Intercepts, Repatriates 30 Cuban, 34 Haitian Migrants
December 29, 2007 (Miami) - The crew of the Coast Guard CutterPea Island repatriated 30 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cubanãs, Cuba, and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous repatriated 34 Haitian migrants to Port au Prince, Haiti, subsequent to three separate at-sea interdictions. More at USCG.mil"
December 29, 2007 (Miami) - The crew of the Coast Guard CutterPea Island repatriated 30 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cubanãs, Cuba, and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous repatriated 34 Haitian migrants to Port au Prince, Haiti, subsequent to three separate at-sea interdictions. More at USCG.mil"
Wednesday, January 2
Welcome to Security Director News
Welcome to Security Director News: "BALTIMORE—Petards, a surveillance system developer, last week announced that its parent company, Petards Group plc, sold its U.K. Government and Commercial software business including the company’s Universal Video Management System to BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies for $5 million."
The Moment We Soar Like An Eagle
Dear Laurie,
The votes are in, and we are proud to congratulate you for your outstanding literary achievement. The editors of The International Library of Poetry were thrilled to inform you that your poem was honored with the prestigious Editor’s Choice Award because of your artistic accomplishments and unique perspective--characteristics found in the most noteworthy poetic works. http://www.poetry.com/
http://www.poetry.com/Publications/display.asp?ID=P5573478&BN=999&PN=1
The votes are in, and we are proud to congratulate you for your outstanding literary achievement. The editors of The International Library of Poetry were thrilled to inform you that your poem was honored with the prestigious Editor’s Choice Award because of your artistic accomplishments and unique perspective--characteristics found in the most noteworthy poetic works. http://www.poetry.com/
http://www.poetry.com/Publications/display.asp?ID=P5573478&BN=999&PN=1
Monday, December 31
Guantanamo Terror Convict to Be Set Free - washingtonpost.com
Guantanamo Terror Convict to Be Set Free - washingtonpost.com: "ADELAIDE, Australia -- Convicted terror supporter David Hicks was due to walk free Saturday after more than six years of captivity in Guantanamo Bay and Australia, but will face strict controls on his movements after a court found he was still a security risk."
Homeland Security Intelligence: Just the Beginning
Homeland Security Intelligence: Just the Beginning: "Since the 11 September 2001 attacks, the federal government has proposed and implemented numerous new domestic intelligence programs to bolster its counter-terrorism capabilities. These domestic intelligence programs run the gamut from increased aerial surveillance to increased wiretap authority to the creation of passive surveillance systems to detect the presence of nuclear, chemical, or biological agents. Additional controversial domestic intelligence programs include the Justice Department’s proposed Operation TIPS for public reporting of suspicious activity, the modification of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to increase the use of information acquired in court-approved wiretaps, and the creation of the Total Information Awareness program—since renamed the Terrorism Information Awareness program—to determine whether large-scale data mining could be a feasible way to track or catch terrorists."
DHS puts cybersecurity toward top of 2008 to-do list
DHS puts cybersecurity toward top of 2008 to-do list: "Cybersecurity, immigration and border security, secure identification, and continuing to “institutionalize the department's functions” are the four areas that the department’s agenda will focus on in 2008, said Chertoff, who will mark his third year as secretary of DHS in February 2008."
Cyber Security Threats To Pipelines and Refineries
"Cyber Security Threats To Pipelines And Refineries"Pipeline & Gas Journal (11/07) Vol. 234, No. 11, P. 56 ; Williams, Tyler
The cyber security threat to critical infrastructure systems continues to be a clear and present danger. Terrorists and hackers that want to paralyze the United States could deal a devastating blow by disabling key infrastructure systems such as power plants, oil and gas pipelines and refineries. Pipelines are especially vulnerable because they tend to be located in unpoliced and isolated areas. Although the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system offers a measure of protection, an entire pipeline could be taken out of commission if an attacker gained access to a physical Ethernet port at a field site. An combined cyber and physical attack also poses major implications, particularly if an attacker accesses critical servers in a SCADA control center. By infiltrating a server in the control center, the hacker could feed false information to the asset owner, making it appear as though an event was in the making at a far off site in a bid to distract emergency sources at the site so that it could target another critical site at a separate location. While such an attack seems far-fetched, several power companies in the U.S. routinely report instances of hackers trying to circumvent their security to tap into their computer networks. A similar event took place in Estonia this spring after hackers pummeled the government and other Website with cyber attacks as retribution for the removal of a beloved Russian war memorial there.
The cyber security threat to critical infrastructure systems continues to be a clear and present danger. Terrorists and hackers that want to paralyze the United States could deal a devastating blow by disabling key infrastructure systems such as power plants, oil and gas pipelines and refineries. Pipelines are especially vulnerable because they tend to be located in unpoliced and isolated areas. Although the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system offers a measure of protection, an entire pipeline could be taken out of commission if an attacker gained access to a physical Ethernet port at a field site. An combined cyber and physical attack also poses major implications, particularly if an attacker accesses critical servers in a SCADA control center. By infiltrating a server in the control center, the hacker could feed false information to the asset owner, making it appear as though an event was in the making at a far off site in a bid to distract emergency sources at the site so that it could target another critical site at a separate location. While such an attack seems far-fetched, several power companies in the U.S. routinely report instances of hackers trying to circumvent their security to tap into their computer networks. A similar event took place in Estonia this spring after hackers pummeled the government and other Website with cyber attacks as retribution for the removal of a beloved Russian war memorial there.
FBI Prepares Vast Database Of Biometrics - washingtonpost.com
FBI Prepares Vast Database Of Biometrics - washingtonpost.com: "CLARKSBURG, W. Va. -- The FBI is embarking on a $1 billion effort to build the world's largest computer database of peoples' physical characteristics, a project that would give the government unprecedented abilities to identify individuals in the United States and abroad."
City Is Doubling Police Program to Reduce Crime - New York Times
City Is Doubling Police Program to Reduce Crime - New York Times: "Every new police officer in New York City will be sent onto the streets of some of the city’s toughest neighborhoods as part of a broad anticrime operation that the authorities say has helped produce historic drops in crime, the city announced on Wednesday."
Thursday, November 29
Silent Attack - Government Technology
Nov 21, 2007, By Jessica Jones
On April 25, skin-burning water flowed from the tap in Spencer, Mass., sending 100 people to the hospital and forcing everyone else to avoid their faucets and hoses.
One week after the incident, investigators discovered that two city workers accidentally released an excessive amount of sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, into the water system after they forgot to switch the feed system from manual to automatic.
Silent Attack - Government Technology
On April 25, skin-burning water flowed from the tap in Spencer, Mass., sending 100 people to the hospital and forcing everyone else to avoid their faucets and hoses.
One week after the incident, investigators discovered that two city workers accidentally released an excessive amount of sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, into the water system after they forgot to switch the feed system from manual to automatic.
Silent Attack - Government Technology
Wednesday, November 28
Ammonia pipeline incident paralyzes FL community
Ammonia pipeline incident paralyzes FL community: "It all started when a 16-year-old boy drilled into an ammonia pipeline at the river Monday night, unleashing a gas cloud that seriously burned him, caused emergency evacuations and closings and potentially harmed the environment. Damage to the pipeline itself, officials say, will be about $250,000. "
http://www.alliedaviation.com/locations/nyo/corpcontact.html
http://www.alliedaviation.com/locations/nyo/corpcontact.html
Sunday, November 18
Jean Nouvel Tower Near MoMA - Architecture - New York Times
Jean Nouvel Tower Near MoMA - Architecture - New York Times: "Commissioned by Hines, an international real estate developer, the tower will house a hotel, luxury apartments and three floors that will be used by MoMA to expand its exhibition space. The melding of cultural and commercial worlds offers further proof, if any were needed, that Mr. Nouvel is a master at balancing conflicting urban forces."
Played for a Sucker - New York Times
Played for a Sucker - New York Times: .....
"But Mr. Obama’s Social Security mistake was, in fact, exactly what you’d expect from a candidate who promises to transcend partisanship in an age when that’s neither possible nor desirable."......
"As Peter Orszag, the director of the Congressional Budget Office, put it in a recent article co-authored with senior analyst Philip Ellis: “The long-term fiscal condition of the United States has been largely misdiagnosed. Despite all the attention paid to demographic challenges, such as the coming retirement of the baby-boom generation, our country’s financial health will in fact be determined primarily by the growth rate of per capita health care costs.”"
"But Mr. Obama’s Social Security mistake was, in fact, exactly what you’d expect from a candidate who promises to transcend partisanship in an age when that’s neither possible nor desirable."......
"As Peter Orszag, the director of the Congressional Budget Office, put it in a recent article co-authored with senior analyst Philip Ellis: “The long-term fiscal condition of the United States has been largely misdiagnosed. Despite all the attention paid to demographic challenges, such as the coming retirement of the baby-boom generation, our country’s financial health will in fact be determined primarily by the growth rate of per capita health care costs.”"
Saturday, November 17
Texas Security Issues Survey Results
The survey found that while administrators consider video to be the single most important tool in securing school environments, budgets for investing in newer security technologies are tight, with only about a quarter of schools expecting a security budget increase in 2008. Distributed online to administrators from public K-12 schools across Texas, the survey asked participants to rank their most significant security issues and their level of preparedness in dealing with those issues. Results indicated that, while Texas schools are moving to address security in their schools, they are not yet adequately prepared to deal with the many types of threats they face in today's world. The high level findings of the survey revealed the following: * The majority of schools (62 percent) consider unauthorized and dangerous people entering the building to be an extremely important concern; however, 78 percent of schools reported being only "somewhat prepared" to deal with an armed intruder on campus. * Funding for security technologies is not currently met with school budgets: almost 75 percent of respondents expect their budgets for video surveillance technologies to either remain steady or decrease in 2008. * Eighty-four percent indicated that if they could select just one tool to help improve security on campus, they would invest in video surveillance; 81 percent of respondents said they are currently using some kind of video cameras in their schools. * Although the majority of schools (60 percent and 72 percent, respectively) feels "extremely prepared" to deal with student infractions such as fights and vandalism and major weather or fire events, only 13 percent feels extremely prepared to deal with an armed intruder on campus. Only 9 percent feels extremely prepared to deal with student abductions from campus. In their fight to protect students, 81 percent of survey respondents indicated they are currently using some kind of video, but only 42 percent are using video proactively to identify problems before they occur. When asked if they could invest in a single security tool, 84 percent of respondents said they would invest in video over intrusion alarms, metal detectors or identity badges. However, 72 percent said they expected security budgets to remain the same or decrease in 2008 and 69 percent said they would need to conduct fundraising to pay for new security equipment. According to the survey, 35 percent of Texas schools are still relying on VCRs and tapes -- a system known as legacy or analog, that is nearly impossible to use proactively. "This survey tells us that Texas schools recognize the power of video technologies to keep students safe on campus," says Andrew Wren, president of Wren. "However, a lot of education still needs to take place to help them learn not only how to use video surveillance in a more proactive manner, but also how to leverage their existing technologies when faced with budget limitations. Cost-effective network video solutions can help schools address both of these issues."
Thursday, November 15
THERE'S NO HIDING FROM THE TRUTH - YOU'RE ON CAMERA!
THERE'S NO HIDING FROM THE TRUTH - YOU'RE ON CAMERA!: " Mayor Bloomberg has said New Yorkers must face the fact that they're being watched by security cameras all the time. He isn't kidding. It's not just the Police Department and MTA watching them. Countless private security cameras eye the city at all times - and some are broadcast to the masses. "
Security Industry News
The Era of Searchable Surveillance Has Come
"The proliferation of security cameras, analytics and digital video recording devices has lead to the dilemma of data overload.Security professionals are tasked with protecting critical assets, but for decades they have been forced to struggle with grainy video, reduced manpower and financial resources, and technology shortcomings that have kept them in an unfavorable position of reactive threat assessment.The idea that installing more surveillance cameras provides more security is not a panacea. What if that video data cannot be searched in a useful way? The proliferation of security cameras, analytics and digital video recording devices has lead to the dilemma of data overload: numerous hours and security personnel are required to troll through raw video in the hope of pinpointing the exact time of a security violation. This is hardly conducive to rapid investigation and resolution.
With the advent of Intelligent Video Management Systems (IVMS), however, security personnel are finally being empowered to take a more proactive role in preempting incidents and rapidly resolving investigations. New IVMS advances can convert the unstructured video content captured by surveillance systems into a powerful base of structured information -- a central source of security information that can be readily accessed, analyzed and used to meet today’s security needs." ....Stephen Russell - 3VR
Security Industry News
"The proliferation of security cameras, analytics and digital video recording devices has lead to the dilemma of data overload.Security professionals are tasked with protecting critical assets, but for decades they have been forced to struggle with grainy video, reduced manpower and financial resources, and technology shortcomings that have kept them in an unfavorable position of reactive threat assessment.The idea that installing more surveillance cameras provides more security is not a panacea. What if that video data cannot be searched in a useful way? The proliferation of security cameras, analytics and digital video recording devices has lead to the dilemma of data overload: numerous hours and security personnel are required to troll through raw video in the hope of pinpointing the exact time of a security violation. This is hardly conducive to rapid investigation and resolution.
With the advent of Intelligent Video Management Systems (IVMS), however, security personnel are finally being empowered to take a more proactive role in preempting incidents and rapidly resolving investigations. New IVMS advances can convert the unstructured video content captured by surveillance systems into a powerful base of structured information -- a central source of security information that can be readily accessed, analyzed and used to meet today’s security needs." ....Stephen Russell - 3VR
Security Industry News
Tuesday, November 13
Cameras would give police much-needed help, remind people they should behave properly
In response to “High-crime areas should have cameras” (Nov. 3),: This is an excellent idea. The police need all the help they can get. Cameras do not require sleep or overtime pay. They also catch things the human eye may miss. One may think that it is easy to misinterpret another’s actions; true, but some things are obvious.
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=386114&Category=7&subCategoryID=
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=386114&Category=7&subCategoryID=
Monday, November 12
NY Investigates - Mike Filardi - Investigator
Mike Filardi, retired Sergeant for a prominent New York State Police Department is offering his expert investigative services. His website is http://www.nyinvestigates.com/ . Some of the services that he is offering include:
Identity Theft
Computer Crimes
Email Harassment
Protection of Intellectual Property
Personal Injury
Civil Liberty
Insurance Claims
Fraud
Child Custody & Protective Cases
Missing Persons
Parental Screening
Marital Infidelity
Identity Theft
Computer Crimes
Email Harassment
Protection of Intellectual Property
Personal Injury
Civil Liberty
Insurance Claims
Fraud
Child Custody & Protective Cases
Missing Persons
Parental Screening
Marital Infidelity
Metropolitan Police Department: CCTV - Neighborhood Locations
Metropolitan Police Department: CCTV - Neighborhood Locations: "CCTV – Locations of Neighborhood Cameras Following are the locations of the CCTV cameras designed to combat crime in DC neighborhoods"
Churches using security cameras to fight crime | WINK News - Southwest Florida | Local & Florida
Churches using security cameras to fight crime WINK News - Southwest Florida Local & Florida: "16 churches have been burglarized in Lee County just this year. While most of those churches are willing to forgive, some are now setting up security cameras that will never forget."
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