“Gwinnett Medical Center on Friday confirmed it has instructed ambulances to take patients to other area hospitals when possible after discovering a system-wide computer virus that slowed patient registration and other operations at its campuses in Lawrenceville and Duluth.” (Ambulances turned away as computer virus infects Gwinnett Medical Center computers  | ajc.com)

“The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s cybersecurity panel said on Tuesday that he plans to introduce legislation next week that would codify the Homeland Security Department’s role as the lead federal agency in trying to protect against cyberattacks on the nation’s critical infrastructure. “ Source: Homeland-Security Bill Seeks to Clarify Who’s in Charge [...]

“That question is driving a heated debate over a controversial bill to give the Department of Homeland Security sweeping authority over federal lands within 100 miles of the U. S. border.” Source: Border bill would expand Homeland Security powers – USATODAY.com

“A Transportation Security Administration officer who pleaded guilty in February to federal charges that he stole from passengers during screenings at Newark Liberty International Airport was sentenced Tuesday to six months of home confinement, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.” Source: TSA officer sentenced for theft from passengers – CNN.com

“U.S. officials said Thursday evening they have “specific, credible but unconfirmed” information about a threat against the United States coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. “We have received credible information very recently about a possible plot directed at the homeland that seems to be focused on New York and Washington, [...]

“As we mark the 10th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Department of State informs U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad of the continued threat posed by al-Qa’ida and its affiliates. While we have not identified any specific threats from al-Qa’ida affiliates and allies to attack the United States or our interests [...]

” After 9/11, it was the men who went to radicalized mosques or terror boot camps who were seen as the biggest terror threat. Today, that picture’s changed: Authorities are increasingly focusing on the lone wolf living next door, radicalized on the Internet – and plotting strikes in a vacuum.” Source: News from The Associated [...]

“The U.S. government is not aware of any specific threat of a terrorist attack to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement Friday.” Source: DHS Secretary: No specific or credible threats for 9/11 anniversary – CNN.com

“Hurricane Irene opened its assault on the Eastern Seaboard on Saturday by lashing the North Carolina coast with wind as strong as 115 mph and pounding shoreline homes with waves. Farther north, authorities readied a massive shutdown of trains and airports, with 2 million people ordered out of the way.” Source: Irene, a bit weaker, [...]

“The East Coast of the United States was shaken up by a moderate earthquake on Tuesday that was felt from Maine to Florida, Virginia to Illinois. On TV we saw people run out of buildings, thinking it might be a terrorist attack. Social media was buzzing with comments and testimonies. Although seismologists, historians and emergency [...]