ODNI ANNOUNCES STUDENT OPPORTUNITY THIS SUMMER IN NATIONAL INTELLIGENCEANALYSIS

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is seeking about 30 highly motivated graduate students and college seniors interested in careers in intelligence analysis to study and work with currently serving analysts during an intensive two-week residential seminar.

The hands-on seminar, the first such exercise sponsored by the ODNI, will be held July 13 through July 24 in Washington , D.C. and will address the theme: ?Political Instability ? International Systems in Transition.?

The program will include lectures, field trips to agencies and work on an intelligence problem under the direction of analysts drawn from the Intelligence Community. Students who qualify will receive Secret level security clearances for the duration of the seminar.

The curriculum is being developed by the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University and by the seminar?s co-sponsors, the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Analysis and the Office of the Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence. Successful applicants will receive travel expenses, room and board, course materials and a $1,000 stipend.

Application deadline is April 30.
http://www.dni.gov/cae/index.htm

Be on the Lookout for New Police Tool: Twitter

When Milwaukee police wanted to get word of a murder out quickly, they did it in 113 characters on Twitter.

"Latest homicide in the city is NOT a random act. Male, 33, shot in 1500 block N. 39. More details as we have them," read the recent entry.
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Be-on-the-Lookout-for-New-Police-Tool--Twitter/1$46213

Mistake by 911 operator could have been prevented with technology

LV writes: Technology exists that would have translated this communication in real-time, understood the information content and sent an alert out to flag that a weapon was at the site of the domestic disturbance.


Mistake by 911 operator is cited
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090408_Mistake_by_911_operator_is_cited.html
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH - When Richard Poplawski's mother called 911 to ask that her son be removed from their home in the Stanton Heights section of the city, she acknowledged that he had weapons. But that crucial piece of information never was relayed to the three Pittsburgh police officers who responded Saturday and were fatally shot.
"It should have gone out," said Robert A. Full, Allegheny County's chief of emergency services.

"There was human error," Full said Monday. "We are all living this, now, forever and ever."

Full would not identify the 911 call-taker other than to say she had been on the job for less than a year, including training. She was placed on paid administrative leave and has been offered counseling.

Former Fraternal Order of Police President James Malloy described such an omission as "heartbreaking." Officers knowing that someone involved in a domestic dispute has guns would handle the situation with more caution, he said.

Margaret Poplawski called 911 at 7:03 a.m. Saturday asking for police to remove her son from her home.

On a recording of that call, she sounded calm, even irritated, several times when she was asked to repeat basic information. She paused twice to chide her son in the background, saying, "Are you moving or what? Or the police gotta come?"

Poplawski: I'm requesting that he gets out. He came in last night when I was gone. . . . He stays, he comes and goes, but I want him out.

911 call taker: Does he have any weapons or anything?

Poplawski: Yes. They're all legal.

Call taker: OK, but he's not threatening you with anything?

Poplawski: Look, I'm just waking up from a sleep. I want him gone.

Call taker: OK, we'll send 'em over, OK?

Poplawski: Sounds good.

The message went to the police dispatcher: "No weapons."

DHS Announces Nearly $970 Million in Preparedness Grant Final Allocations

?Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) ? $388.6 million to protect critical transit infrastructure from terrorism, including:
?Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) ? $15 million to target resources for security plans, vulnerability assessments, employee security awareness training and GPS tracking systems for railroad cars transporting toxic inhalation materials.
?Intercity Passenger Rail (Amtrak) ? $25 million for Amtrak to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies within the Amtrak rail system.
?Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) ? $11.7 million to assist operators of fixed-route intercity and charter bus services to support security plans, facility security upgrades and vehicle and driver protection.
?Trucking Security Program (TSP) ? $2.2 million to implement security improvement measures and policies that focus on the purchase, installation or enhancement of equipment and systems related to tractor and trailer tracking systems; to help develop a system for DHS to monitor, collect and analyze tracking information; and to develop plans to improve the transport and distribution of supplies and commodities during catastrophic events. DHS did not receive enough applications to fully fund the program through the initial solicitation, so only $2.2 million is being announced at this time.
?Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) ? $388.6 million to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities to protect against improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons; and to conduct training and exercises and support implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
?Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP) ? $48.6 million to increase preparedness capabilities of jurisdictions responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure sites and key resource assets, such as chemical facilities and nuclear power plants, through planning and equipment acquisition.
?Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program ? $33 million to improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure and interoperable EOCs to address identified deficiencies and needs. The grant provides funding for construction or renovation of a state, local or tribal government?s principal EOC.
?Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) ? $48.6 million for planning, training, exercises and equipment to states, territories, local and tribal governments to carry out initiatives identified in Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans, and improve interoperable emergency communications for responding to natural disasters and acts of terrorism.
?Driver?s License Security Grant Program (DLSGP) ? $48.6 million to prevent terrorism, reduce fraud and to improve the reliability and accuracy of personal identification documents that states and territories issue.
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1239203061205.shtm

Homeland Security shifts policy to target employers with illegal workers

By Josh Meyer and Anna Gorman Chicago Tribune Washington Bureau March 31, 2009
www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-immigration_tuesmar31,0,5809124.story
WASHINGTON ? Stepping into the political minefield of Immigration reform, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will soon direct federal agents to emphasize targeting American employers for arrest and prosecution over the laborers who enter the country illegally to work for them, department officials said Monday. The shift in emphasis will be outlined in revamped field guidelines issued to agents of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement division as early as this week, according to several officials familiar with the change in policy. It is in keeping with comments that President Barack Obama made during last year's campaign, when he said past enforcement efforts have failed because they focused on illegal immigrants rather than the companies that hire them?

Alleged Money Scam Roils Islamic Center

Charges, Countercharges at Mosque
By Del Quentin Wilber and Michelle Boorstein Washington Post Tuesday, March 31, 2009; B01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/30/AR2009033002925.html?
In the Islamic Center of Washington, beneath the 160-foot minaret that towers over Embassy Row, a tale of intrigue has simmered for years. It is marked by bitter recriminations between two men who are credited with rehabilitating its reputation as a prominent symbol of Islam in the United States. The center's business manager has been accused of stealing $430,000 from the mosque in a complicated check scam. The key witness against him is the center's director and imam, a Saudi who says he noticed the crime when he spotted too many checks being written to a gardener. The Iranian-born business manager has a different story. He says the imam told him to take the money. About half was used to pay off debts and living expenses of two women who were close to the imam, and the rest was used to pay informants for tips about the mosque's security, he said. It was enough to confound a jury, which deadlocked 9 to 3 after the business manager's three-week trial last May. Now prosecutors are attempting to retry him, and the manager is firing back. He has accused the imam of committing perjury and obstructing justice. A federal judge is expected to rule in coming weeks on whether to drop the charges or prevent the imam from testifying?

Miami Drug Case Has Hezbollah Tie

by IPT News Mon, 30 Mar 2009 at 11:17 AM
http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2009/03/miami-drug-case-has-hezbollah-tie.html
An arrest in Colombia earlier this month seems to support concerns that Hezbollah is working with Mexican and South American drug cartels to establish a better foothold in the West. El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish-language edition of the Miami Herald, reported on the arrest of Jose Alberto Henao Jaramillo, who is wanted in a drug and money laundering case in Miami. That case already netted more than 100 arrests http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/america_latina/story/409615.html by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, El Nuevo Herald reported. Among them is Chekri Mahmoud Harb, who goes by the name "Taliban," and has alleged Hezbollah connections. The paper cites a Colombian government intelligence report which said "part of the money was presumably distributed for terrorist activities of groups like Hezbollah." Harb is charged with four conspiracy counts related to drug trafficking. It's a tangible sign http://www.investigativeproject.org/documents/misc/261.pdf amid growing concerns that Hezbollah is tapping South and Central American drug routes to extend its reach http://www.investigativeproject.org/blog/2009/03/a-journalists-chilling-call-for-competition.html closer to the American border.

Dead bird in black soap seized at BWI Airport

March 31, 2009 - 12:19pm
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1637737
(Photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
BALTIMORE - Security officials at BWI Airport are still shaking their heads over what they found in the luggage of a traveler from Nigeria. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered a bird encrusted in black homemade soap while conducting a baggage inspection Friday. The traveler, who arrived from London, repeatedly denied having any animal products. "During the inspection, we uncovered something that looked like black soap," CBP Spokesman Steve Sapp says. "But upon further inspection, it turned out to be a dead bird encrusted inside that black soap. The traveler told us the bird was sacrificed, and she was bringing it in for a friend." Sapp says the concealed bird was a potential threat to American poultry since Nigeria has the bird flu. Investigators also found nearly four pounds of beef and three pounds of chicken bullion in the passenger's luggage?.

TSA's Secure Flight Begins Vetting Passengers

US Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) Press Release
Contact: TSA Public Affairs (571) 227-2829
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2009/0331.shtm
WASHINGTON ? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today the implementation of the Secure Flight program, which shifts pre-departure watch list matching responsibilities from individual aircraft operators to TSA and carries out a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. To date TSA has assumed the watch list matching responsibility for passengers on domestic commercial flights with four volunteer aircraft operators and will add more carriers in the coming months. "The implementation of Secure Flight is a critical step towards mitigating threats we know exist in our aviation system," said TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides. "Secure Flight improves security and protects passenger privacy and civil liberties by ensuring the confidentiality of government watch list matching protocols." Under Secure Flight, airlines will gather a passenger's full name, date of birth, and gender when making an airline reservation to determine if the passenger is a match to the No Fly or Selectee lists. By providing the additional data elements of gender and date of birth, Secure Flight will more effectively help prevent misidentification of passengers who have similar names to individuals on the watch list?

Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated by Spies

By SIOBHAN GORMAN TECHNOLOGY APRIL 8, 2009 Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123914805204099085.html
WASHINGTON -- Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials. The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war. "The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid," said a senior intelligence official. "So have the Russians." The espionage appeared pervasive across the U.S. and doesn't target a particular company or region, said a former Department of Homeland Security official. "There are intrusions, and they are growing," the former official said, referring to electrical systems. "There were a lot last year." Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U.S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet. uthorities investigating the intrusions have found software tools left behind that could be used to destroy infrastructure components, the senior intelligence official said. He added, "If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on." Officials said water, sewage and other infrastructure systems also were at risk?

President Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Rand Beers as Homeland Security Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs Directorate

Beers? responsibilities at NPPD will include continued operations leadership, as well as oversight on intelligence, cybersecurity, technology and coordination with state, local and tribal partners. IP leads a complex national mission to protect the country?s critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) from threats by analyzing intelligence and executing public and private coordination in order to mitigate risks and effects. CS&C works to prevent or minimize disruptions to our critical cyber and communications infrastructure to protect the overall security of the United States.
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1239207536374.shtm

Three Officers Killed In Stanton Heights Shootings

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ?

A man opened fire on officers during a domestic disturbance call Saturday morning, killing three of them, a police official said.

Friends said he feared the Obama administration was poised to ban guns.

Three officers were killed, said a police official at the scene who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Police spokeswoman Diane Richard would only say that at least five officers were wounded, but wouldn't give any other details.

The man who fired at the officers was arrested after a several-hour standoff.

One witness reported hearing hundreds of shots.

The shootings occurred just two weeks after four police officers March 21 in Oakland, Calif., in the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001.

NY gunman angry over poor English skills, job loss

AP Article by William Kates
cuts from the article read.... A woman who answered the phone at a listing for Henry D. Voong said she was Jiverly Voong's sister but would not give her name. She said her brother had been in the country for 28 years and had citizenship.

Zikuski told "Today" that the shooter had worked in Binghamton for Shop-Vac, which closed in November. The sister told the AP on Friday that her brother worked at a company where "they make the vacuums."
The mayor told ABC that the gunman "had lost a job recently and was somewhat angry." "He had language issues, didn't speak English that well, and was really concerned about his employment situation," Ryan said.

Initial reports suggested Voong had recently been let go from IBM, which has roots in the region, but a person at IBM said there was no record of a Jiverly Voong ever working there. His father, Henry Voong, does work there.

..The attack at the American Civic Association, which helps immigrants settle in this country, came just after 10 a.m. as people from all over the globe ? Latin America, China, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Africa ? gathered for English and citizenship lessons in an effort to become a bigger part of their new home.
...A string of attacks in the U.S. in the last month left 44 people dead in all.

A gunman killed 10 people and himself in Samson, Ala.; shootings that began with a traffic stop in Oakland, Calif., left four police officers and the gunman dead; an apparent murder-suicide in Santa Clara, Calif., left six dead; and a gunman went on a rampage at a nursing home Sunday, killing seven elderly residents and a nurse who cared for them.

The InfraGard National Members Alliance and the Center for Information Security Awareness Launch FREE Information Security Awareness Course

New Awareness Program Will Provide Free Online Awareness Training For Individuals And Small Businesses Nationwide.

March 27, 2009, Fairfax, VA - The InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA) and the Center for Information Security Awareness are pleased to announce the launch of a FREE online information security awareness training program that focuses on the workplace as the foundation for better security education and training.

A growing number of studies have identified employees and other insiders as the cause of the majority of data and security breaches and better security awareness and training is central to reducing these incidents.

The web-based course, created by The Center for Information Security Awareness, is professionally narrated throughout and consists of 14 separate lessons covering key information security issues that can impact the workplace. These include cyber threats to the workplace and the nation, understanding how employee behavior is exploited, the importance of regulatory compliance, better workplace security, effective password practices, understanding social engineering, improved email practices, safer web surfing practices, protection of sensitive data, as well as laptop, PDA, and mobile security.

Participants can also elect to obtain their personalized Certificate in Information Security Awareness in the Workplace. The examination consists of a 100 randomly-generated questions based upon the material covered in the course materials and an individual may take the exam as many times as necessary to achieve a passing score.

The free course and additional information may be found at www.InfraGardAwareness.com.

This interactive and engaging training targets issues central to Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and dovetails seamlessly with InfraGard National Members Alliances priorities. Were pleased to make this important training available to anyone for free and also encourage people to earn this certification. Each opportunity to gain additional professional development contributes to enhancing the capabilities and contributions of our extensive membership to homeland and national security, said Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, InfraGard National Members Alliances Chairman of the Board.

We at the Center for Information Security Awareness are excited to partner with InfraGard in this important initiative. By working together in offering this free awareness training, well make meaningful progress in improving awareness of computer and information security best practices. Our goal is to reduce the frequency of data security breaches in America, said Jon McDowall, director of education and co-founder of the Center for Information Security Awareness.

About the InfraGard National Members Alliance

InfraGard is a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and private sector experts in the areas of cyber and physical security. Originally initiated in the FBIs Cleveland Office, InfraGard was designed to harness private sector expertise for investigative efforts in the cyber and physical security arenas.

InfraGard quickly expanded to FBI Headquarters in Washington DC with local program responsibility held within each of the FBIs 56 field offices. In 2003, the private sector members of InfraGard formed the InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), which currently has over 23,000 members.

More information about the InfraGard National Members Alliance may be found at http://www.infragardmembers.org/

About the Center for Information Security Awareness

The Center for Information Security Awareness (www.GetSecurityAware.com) was formed in 2007 by a group of leading security experts and academics to explore more effective ways to increase security awareness among a number of audiences including consumers, employees, small business owners, and law enforcement.

The Centers Board of Advisors includes Michael Levin, retired U.S. Secret Service and former Deputy Director of the National Cyber Security Division of the Department of Homeland Security, Jon McDowall, CFE, CII, CEO of Fraud Resource Group, Neal OFarrell, renowned authority on end-user security awareness and education, Andy Purdy, former Cyber Security Czar and Acting Director of the National Cyber Security Division/US-CERT of the Department of Homeland Security and Dyann Bradbury, CISSP, CSOX-FT, Associate Director of Compliance for DR globalDirect, Inc., a Digital River company.

More information about the Center for Information Security Awareness may be found at www.GetSecurityAware.com.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS - Heroes in our Communities!

Director Robert S. Mueller congratulates representatives of four of the nation's largest billboard companies?Clear Channel Outdoor, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Lamar Advertising, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia. In little more than a year, their efforts in our Digital Billboard initiative have been instrumental in apprehending 18 people sought by authorities.
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/march09/dcla_032009.html

Google Street View Video Report - Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=3945189&referralPlaylistId=e059f7416cd3e6a978256d927c7bb152d9988581

Mark Paul Serafin new Mayor of the Village of Manlius, NY

My hometown, the Village of Manlius, voted a new Mayor and my family who still lives in Manlius supports Mark Paul Serafin. A lifelong resident of Manlius, NY, Mark brings the business knowledge, community outreach and the passion for "doing what is right" in the best interest of the people of Manlius. http://videos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2009/03/markpaul_serafin_elected_villa.html

Congratulations Mark Paul!

Ex-Googler: Google Depends Too Much On Data Over Instinct For Design

Does Google depend too much on data over design instinct? Yes, says former Googler Douglas Bowman, who posted a goodbye note to the company on his last day there today. From his post:

Without a person at (or near) the helm who thoroughly understands the principles and elements of Design, a company eventually runs out of reasons for design decisions. With every new design decision, critics cry foul. Without conviction, doubt creeps in. Instincts fail. ?Is this the right move?? When a company is filled with engineers, it turns to engineering to solve problems. Reduce each decision to a simple logic problem. Remove all subjectivity and just look at the data. Data in your favor? Ok, launch it. Data shows negative effects? ?.

Yes, it?s true that a team at Google couldn?t decide between two blues, so they?re testing 41 shades between each blue to see which one performs better. I had a recent debate over whether a border should be 3, 4 or 5 pixels wide, and was asked to prove my case. I can?t operate in an environment like that. I?ve grown tired of debating such miniscule design decisions. There are more exciting design problems in this world to tackle.

Postscript from Matt: For those who may not know, Doug Bowman is a star in the web design world. You?ve probably seen a lot of his work without realizing it ? he created several of the most popular Blogger templates after Google bought the popular blogging platform software, and led the redesign of Blogger itself, too. He also helped design/develop Google Calendar, among other Google products.

CyberSecurity Briefing

http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=d59f00d0-0ad9-41cd-bde8-b96babb08b7e

Community Sharing with Community Supported Agriculture

Nothing says springtime in New York like community-supported agriculture. But before you re-up your regular share of mixed produce and call it a day, consider this new crop of other foods now available on a subscription basis.

The basic concept is the same: You purchase a full or half-share of a supplier's upcoming yield and receive scheduled food deliveries in return. This allows small-scale suppliers who need up-front capital to get in on the action. And because a number of these alt-CSAs also offer home delivery, there's no concern about missed pick-ups. Here are four worth the investment:

Meat The Brooklyn Kitchen is bringing monthly deliveries of pasture-raised chicken ($5.50 a pound; $10 deposit required) and half ($11 a pound, $75 deposit) and whole lambs ($10.50 a pound; $150 deposit) from upstate New York's Awesome Farm (pictured) to its Williamsburg shop. Pick-up begins June 20.

Bread This summer, Hot Bread Kitchen will partner with a handful of local CSAs to offer bread shares ($180). Shareholders can expect to receive corn tortillas, artisanal loaves and the bakery's crispy lavash nine times during the season.

Seafood Upper Meadows Farm in Montague, New Jersey--which supplies the Hell's Kitchen CSA--offers wild-caught seafood (clams, scallops and assorted fish) from local fishermen to premium shareholders ($845 for CSA membership, plus $105 a week). Non-premium shareholders can purchase fish on a per-order basis.

Dairy Though it's not a CSA in the traditional sense, Manhattan Milk nevertheless delivers farm-fresh cheese, eggs, milk and yogurt from local farms to your doorstep every Wednesday. No subscription necessary; delivery service begins April 21.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml