Worth a read folks: DOD to share radio frequencies with emergency first
responders...
-----Original Message-----
From: NIPC Watch
To: Daily Distribution
Sent: 2/6/02 5:54 AM
Subject: NIPC Daily Report 6 February 2002
NIPC Daily Report
6 February 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.
Visiting US officials unveil plans for deeper US involvement in
Colombia's war. A top-level Bush administration delegation announced
plans on 5 February, to widen US involvement in Colombia's civil war,
including training, arming and providing air support to Colombian troops
to protect a pipeline carrying US oil. Rebel bomb attacks on the
pipeline put it out of commission for 266 days last year, crippling the
production of crude oil. The official said the Bush administration
would also argue that the US needs to assure a reliable flow of oil from
Colombia, closer to US shores than the volatile Middle East.
(Associated Press, 5 Feb)
Energy companies warned to beef up security against terrorist attacks .
In the long-running war against terrorism, energy firms must beef up
security for employees at corporate headquarters, field sites, and
travel routes in between, said a panel of security specialists at the
International Association of Drilling Contractors' annual health,
safety, environment, and training conference in Houston. The panel
urges a "security mind-set" that "expects the unexpected" by analyzing
all risks to employees and equipment, and reduces vulnerability by
"introducing doubt into terrorist's planning." The panel warns that the
time to plan and prepare for a crisis is before it happens. (OGJ
Online, 5 Feb)
Key government computers remain vulnerable. According to a GAO report
released 4 February, Government computers responsible for tax refunds
and collections and Social Security and veterans benefits remain
vulnerable to cyberattacks despite previous warnings. The GAO report
found weaknesses at nearly every point in the system. "Billions of
dollars of payments and collections are at significant risk of loss or
fraud, sensitive data are at risk of inappropriate disclosure, and
critical computer-based operations are vulnerable to serious
disruptions," the report said. The GAO recommended that the Financial
Management Service installs a comprehensive security management program
and fix individual weaknesses identified in a confidential version of
the report. (Reuters, 5 Feb)
Homes remain without power in the Midwest. As of 4 February, more than
120,000 customers in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri have yet to
have power restored to their homes as a result of last week's winter
storm. Most should have power by midweek, with some not receiving power
until the week's end. At the height of the storm on 1 February, there
were more than 1 million customers without power. (Associated Press, 5
Feb)
DoD to share spectrum with first responders. DoD submitted its report
to Congress regarding the feasibility of sharing the 138-144 MHz band
with public safety users. A DoD Joint Spectrum Center engineering study
identified ways sharing would be possible without interfering with DoD
operations. While the 138-144 MHz band continues to be critical to DoD
operations, they have found it helpful in emergencies to share systems
with other first responders. According to a DoD spokesman, "DoD is
willing to work with National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, state and local governments and first responders on a
case-by-case basis to explore sharing the band for the common good".
(Defenselink, 5 Feb)
Outside hackers vs. the enemy within: who's worse? The 2001 Computer
Crime and Security Survey from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
the Computer Security Institute makes it clear that cybercrime is on the
rise. But for the first time, according to survey respondents, incidents
precipitated by outside hackers outnumbered those originated by internal
threats. Experts said that trend is likely to continue as increasing
numbers of outside intruders mount more attacks on computer networks and
PCs. Regardless of whether an attack comes from internal or external
sources, security experts stress the need for standards, policies and
layered security that cover both. (NewsFactor, 5 Feb)
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