-----Original Message----- From: NIPC Watch To: Daily Distribution Sent: 1/31/02 5:07 AM Subject: NIPC Daily Report 31 January 2002 NIPC Daily Report 31 January 2002 The NIPC Watch and Warning Unit compiles this report to inform recipients of issues impacting the integrity and capability of the nation's critical infrastructures. National ID card. A Transportation Department task force is moving forward with plans for a national transportation-worker identity card. The electronic card would have an encoded biometric description of the owner to ensure that the person using it is the same person identified on the card. The card is intended to shorten lines at airports, but FBI background checks would disseminate information about the owners to many law enforcement agencies. (Washington Times, 31 Jan) Databases take a hit. A recent study shows that computer security efforts tend to focus on protecting networks and operating systems, and that while little attention is given to database security. Though Internet-connected, corporate databases often include built-in security features--such as data encryption--it appears that few users implement them. (Pittsburghfirst.com, 30 Jan) SSA incorporates PKI into online filings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) this month will begin testing digital certificates to encourage the nation's 6.5 million employers to electronically file wage data. The SSA hopes that the PKI approach will allay security concerns among employers now reluctant to file wage reporting forms online using the PIN-and-password method. (LinuxSecurity.com, 30 Jan) Accused cracker makes bail again. Former Los Alamos National Laboratory network engineer Jerome Heckenkamp is again out on $50,000 bond after his father posted bail this week in San Jose, Calif. He is accused of breaking into computer systems at eBay, Qualcomm, Exodus Communications and numerous other companies in 1999. His release this week comes with more restrictions after a prosecutor told a judge he had evidence of a violation of a pre-trial prohibition of Internet use. (LinuxSecurity.com, 30 Jan)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sun May 26 2002 - 11:38:45 PDT