[ISN] POTENTIAL USE OF OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION, UNIFORMS OR VEHICLES

From: InfoSec News (isnat_private)
Date: Mon Jul 28 2003 - 03:36:10 PDT

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    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 08:26:15 -0400
    From: stephfa <stephfaat_private>
    To: stephfaat_private
    Subject: POTENTIAL USE OF OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION, UNIFORMS OR VEHICLES
    
    Dear Colleague:
    
    The following information, recently received from the Federal Bureau
    of Investigation, is forwarded for your information.  It may be further
    disseminated without restriction in any manner you chose.
    
    DHS Information Bulletin -  "Potential Terrorist Use of
    Official Identification, Uniforms or Vehicles" - 23 July 2003
    
                                              
    OVERVIEW:
    
    Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Information Bulletins are
    informational in nature and are designed to provide updates on the
    training, tactics, or strategies of terrorists. The following
    information is meant to advise the owners and operators of the
    nation's infrastructures about the possible use by terrorists of
    official identification, uniforms, or vehicles to gain access to
    sensitive facilities for purposes of planning or carrying out attacks.
    (In this Information Bulletin, "official" refers to recognized
    implements of federal, state, and local governments and private sector
    entities.) While DHS possesses no information indicating an organized
    effort by extremist elements in the United States to illegally obtain
    official identification, uniforms, or vehicles in furtherance of
    terrorist activities, it has identified the recent theft or
    disappearance of large numbers of these items. Attempts to acquire
    official identification, uniforms, or vehicles would be consistent
    with the tactics and techniques of Al-Qaeda and other extremist
    groups, according to a variety of reporting sources.
    
    DETAILS:
    
    Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups likely view the theft or other
    illegal acquisition of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles
    as an effective way to increase access and decrease scrutiny in
    furtherance of planning and operations. Although we possess no
    information that Al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups are systematically
    pursuing the illegal acquisition of the above referenced items, there
    is indeed precedence for the use of official identification, uniforms,
    or vehicles in the execution of terrorist attacks. Terrorist groups
    have utilized police or military uniforms to mask their identities and
    achieve closer access to their targets without arousing suspicion.
    This was illustrated in the December 2002, suicide bombings that
    targeted the Chechen Government Headquarters in Groznyy, Russia.
    Terrorists in South America, the Philippines and Pakistan have
    commandeered or stolen emergency medical services vehicles and
    uniforms (or cleverly designed imitations) to facilitate the execution
    of their attacks on key facilities.
    
    In an effort to understand the extent of official identification,
    uniform, and vehicle thefts, DHS recently conducted a survey of
    selected members of the law enforcement community in five states. This
    survey revealed that from February to May 2003 hundreds of official
    identification cards, badges, decals, uniforms, and government license
    plates were reported stolen or lost. Additionally, a number of private
    companies have reported receiving suspicious inquiries about renting
    official delivery vehicles and emergency services representatives have
    received unusual requests for detailed vehicle descriptions. There is
    no historical baseline to compare recent theft or suspicious inquiry
    data, and the intent or resolution of many of the thefts cannot be
    determined.
    
    The worldwide proliferation of individuals or "companies" that traffic
    in high-quality imitations of official identification, uniforms, or
    vehicles is a related issue that increases the possibility such items
    could be used to facilitate future terrorist attacks and further
    complicates efforts to prevent their acquisition. For example, earlier
    this month the New York City High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
    (HIDTA) Task Force reported that it had identified a Japanese website
    selling near exact replicas of badges from law enforcement agencies
    such as the U.S. Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug
    Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshals Service, and Los Angeles Police
    Department.
    
    Several press reports this year have referred to the theft and sale
    over the Internet of a large number of United Parcel Service (UPS)
    uniforms. Although these reports proved to be false, they did bring to
    the public's attention the potential security concerns of missing or
    stolen identification, uniforms, or vehicles.
    
    DHS reminds all recipients to remain vigilant to the disappearance of,
    or unauthorized inquiries regarding, official identification cards,
    badges, decals, uniforms, government license plates, and vehicles and
    establish practices that account for missing items. DHS encourages
    recipients to report suspicious incidents to the proper authorities
    and to remain vigilant for any nexus to terrorism
    
    PROTECTIVE MEASURES:
    
    Recognizing that possession of some combination of official
    identification cards, badges, decals, uniforms, government license
    plates, and vehicles tends to reduce suspicion and might allow an
    individual or vehicle greater access to sensitive facilities, the
    following protective measures are suggested:
    
    a. Keep comprehensive records of all official identification cards,
       badges, decals, uniforms, and license plates distributed, 
       documenting any anomalies and canceling access to items that are 
       lost or stolen.
    
    b. Practice accountability of all vehicles to include tracking
       vehicles that are in service, in repair status, or sent to 
       salvage.(1)
    
    c. Safeguard uniforms, patches, badges, ID cards, and other forms of
       official identification to protect against unauthorized access to
       facilities, to include stripping all decommissioned vehicles slated
       for resale and/or salvage of all agency identifying markings and
       emergency warning devices.(2)
    
    d. Check multiple forms of valid identification for each facility
       visitor.
    
    e. Verify the legitimate business needs of all approaching vehicles
       and personnel.
    
    f. Improve identification card technology to eliminate reuse or
       unauthorized duplication.
      
    g. Alert uniform store vendors of the need to establish and verify the
       identities of individuals seeking to purchase uniform articles.(3)
    
    h. Ensure all personnel are provided a security briefing regarding
       present and emerging threats.
    
    DHS encourages recipients of this Information Bulletin to report
    information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to law
    enforcement or a DHS watch office. The DHS Information Analysis and
    Infrastructure Protection watch offices may be contacted at:
    
          For private citizens and companies  
          Phone: (202) 323-3205,
          1-888-585-9078,
          Email: nipc.watchat_private;
          Online: http://www.nipc.gov/incident/cirr.htm
          For telecommunications industry  Phone: (703) 607-4950
          Email: ncsat_private
          For Federal agencies/departments  Phone: (888) 282-0870
          Email: fedcircat_private
          Online: https://incidentreport.fedcirc.gov
    
    DHS intends to update this Information Bulletin should it receive
    additional relevant information, including information provided to it
    by the user community. Based on this notification, no change to the
    Homeland Security Advisory System level (HSAS) is anticipated; the
    current HSAS level is YELLOW.
    
    Footnotes
    
    (1)  Maryland Security Intelligence Bureau/Maryland State Police,
         "Emergency Services Equipment and the Terrorist Potential," 
         June 20, 2003, Volume 8, Number 47, p. 2.
    
    (2)  Maryland Security Intelligence Bureau/Maryland State Police,
         "Emergency Services Equipment and the Terrorist Potential," 
         June 20, 2003, Volume 8, Number 47, p. 2, 3.
    
    (3)  Maryland Security Intelligence Bureau/Maryland State Police,
         "Emergency Services Equipment and the Terrorist Potential," 
         June 20, 2003, Volume 8, Number 47, p. 3.
    
    
    
    
    
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