SubscribeTSA tester slips mock bomb past airport security
January 29, 2008
“Jason – that’s the name CNN was asked to call him – slides a simulated explosive into an elastic back support. The mock bomb is as slim as a wallet; its fuse, the size of a cigarette. He wraps the support around his torso, and the bomb fits comfortably into the small of his back.
It’s hard to tell he’s concealing anything; harder still when he dons a black T-shirt and a maroon golf shirt.
Then, with CNN’s cameras in tow, Jason heads to Tampa International Airport, where he’ll try to sneak the fake explosive past security screeners.” (CNN)
Weaknesses remain in airport security
January 28, 2008
“An investigation conducted last year into how police credentials were scrutinized at Jackson-Evers International Airport exposed weaknesses in the system that terrorists could exploit to bring guns aboard planes.
Despite those and earlier warnings, the federal government has not moved to change the regulations.” (Clarion Ledger)
Senators Say Jan. 31 Border Requirements Short-Sighted
January 28, 2008
“Led by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a bipartisan group of 19 senators Monday urged U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to pull the plug on new border requirements that he plans to impose beginning this Thursday.” (Government Technology)
Pakistan says its nuclear weapons are secure
January 27, 2008
“Facing mounting international concern over how Pakistan safeguards its nuclear arsenal, military officials Saturday insisted that their system was fail-safe and that the weapons would never fall into the hands of extremists.
Retired Lt. Gen. Khalid Kidwai said his nation’s nuclear security apparatus is “second to none,” with a strictly controlled military chain of command, checks and balances, and monitoring of scientists and others with sensitive knowledge.” (LA Times)
Pakistan rejects secret request by U.S. to increase CIA presence
January 27, 2008
“The top two U.S. intelligence officials traveled secretly to Pakistan this month to press President Pervez Musharraf to allow the CIA greater latitude to operate in the tribal territories where Al Qaeda, the Taliban and other militant groups are all active, according to several officials who have been briefed on the visit.
But in the unannounced meetings on Jan. 9 with the two U.S. officials - Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, and General Michael Hayden, the CIA director - Musharraf rebuffed proposals to expand any U.S. combat presence in Pakistan, either through unilateral covert CIA missions or by joint operations with Pakistani security forces.” (International Herald Tribune)
NYPD analysis opposed WTC command center site
January 27, 2008
“A detailed 1998 New York Police Department analysis opposed the city’s plans to locate its emergency command center at the World Trade Center but then-mayor Rudolph Giuliani’s administration overrode the objections, The New York Times reported on Saturday.
“Seven World Trade Center is a poor choice for the site of a crucial command center for the top leadership of the City of New York,” the Times quoted a panel of police experts aided by the Secret Service as having concluded in a confidential Police Department memorandum which has not been previously disclosed.” (Reuters)
Jihadists Get Encryption Upgrade
January 26, 2008
“Last week, an Islamist Web site called Al-Ekhlas released updated encryption software to help keep secret communications from prying eyes. The site is allegedly frequented by al-Qaida supporters.
According to the Middle East Media Research Institute, the first version of the software, “Mujahideen Secrets,” was released a year ago as “the first Islamic computer program for secure exchange [of information] on the Internet.” MEMRI says that the program includes “the five best encryption algorithms, and with symmetrical encryption keys (256 bit), asymmetrical encryption keys (2048 bit) and data compression [tools].”" (Information Week)
Bush Order Expands Network Monitoring - Intelligence Agencies to Track Intrusions
January 26, 2008
“President Bush signed a directive this month that expands the intelligence community’s role in monitoring Internet traffic to protect against a rising number of attacks on federal agencies’ computer systems.
The directive, whose content is classified, authorizes the intelligence agencies, in particular the National Security Agency, to monitor the computer networks of all federal agencies — including ones they have not previously monitored.” (Washington Post)
Mayors rip Congress on immigration
January 26, 2008
“Cities are getting clobbered by Washington’s failure to reform national immigration policy, a group of mayors said Friday, and they urged Congress to take another look at legislation on the issue before the general election.
“Congress needs to get their heads out of the sand on this particular issue,” said Mayor David Wallace of Sugar Land, co-chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ homeland security task force.”" (Houston Chronicle)
Cell Phone Sensors Detect Radiation To Thwart Nuclear Terrorism
January 25, 2008
“Researchers at Purdue University are working with the state of Indiana to develop a system that would use a network of cell phones to detect and track radiation to help prevent terrorist attacks with radiological “dirty bombs” and nuclear weapons.” (Science Daily)