Critical Infrastructure
The protection of the nation's critical infrastructure -- which might include an electricity plant, a nuclear power plant, the nation's power grid, a water treatment facility and other vital elements of the economy -- often entails video surveillance using CCTV, perimeter protection as well as high-tech steps to safeguard a facility's SCADA control system.
FEMA concerned about electro magnetic pulses at Mount Weather
May 12th, 2008
There has been a debate for years as to whether an Electro Magnetic Pulse, also known as EMP, could blow out the electrical circuits and computer systems at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center in rural Virginia – a site to which the president and top government leaders might be relocated in case of a nuclear attack – but it now appears that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is actively worried about such a potential EMP threat.
DHS and the $200 million cyber security mystery
May 12th, 2008
A secretive agency designed to protect the nation from hackers and cyber terrorists is drawing the ire of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
The National Cyber Security Center was created in February as part of the, Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), a multi-agency, multi-year plan engendered by HSPD-23 that lays out 12 steps toward securing the federal government’s cyber networks.
"Manufacturing" becomes 18th critical infrastructure sector
April 30th, 2008
Key portions of the U.S. manufacturing industry - namely primary metals, machinery, electrical equipment and transportation equipment – have been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as the core of a newly established critical infrastructure sector that will be known as "Critical Manufacturing".
TSA wants software tool to assess transport risks
April 21st, 2008
The Transportation Security Administration is planning to procure commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software that would enable the agency to assess the terrorist risks and vulnerabilities affecting various modes of transportation in the U.S., including bus, rail, trucks and general aviation.
NASA solicits bids on a warning system, but with very little warning
April 16th, 2008
NASA intends to purchase a "Giant Voice Alert System" for use outdoors at its Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, but at least one potential bidder on the warning system wishes the NASA contracting officer had provided more than two days of "warning" before proposals were due.
FBI: Internet crime dollar losses hit record
April 15th, 2008
According to the FBI’s most recent report on the state of cyber crime, released April 3, the number of incidents may have decreased, but their dollar value has soared.
Uncle Sam to gather GPS navigation data for the world
March 25th, 2008
The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) wants to identify a commercial contractor that can provide a global database of street and ground transportation information for at least 170 countries that would make it possible to use turn-by-turn GPS navigation systems in those locations.
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Security "clarification" exempts thousands of propane users
March 21st, 2008
In the ongoing struggle to beef up security at chemical facilities across the country, chalk up a victory for the National Propane Gas Association.
