NIPC Daily Report 20 May 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. The NIPC issued Information Bulletin 02-005 on 17 May; "Hijacked Tractor-Trailer Transporting Sodium Cyanide Found in Mexico with Missing Cargo". This bulletin can be viewed at www.nipc.gov/publications/infobulletins/2002/ib-02-005.htm <http://www.nipc.gov/publications/infobulletins/2002/ib-02-005.htm> . NIPC Information Bulletins communicate issues of concern to the national infrastructure. New terror attack is imminent, Cheney warns U.S. Terrorists around the world are exchanging cryptic messages at a rate not seen since the days leading up to 11 September, raising fears that al-Qaeda is planning another attack on America or its interests abroad. The White House confirmed yesterday that intelligence agencies have gathered information in recent weeks indicating a renewed threat. CIA sources disclosed this weekend that the number of intercepted messages from people believed to be part of the al-Qaeda network pointed to the possibility of an attack in the United States, or on overseas bases and embassies. Dick Cheney, the Vice-President, said that an attack against the U.S. was almost certain. "It's not a matter of if but when," he said. "We don't know if it's going to be tomorrow or next week or next year, partly because we're having some success in disrupting the organization and making it more difficult for them to carry out their operations." (World News , 20 May) Senate panel OK's more cybercrime dollars. The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted on 17 May to increase funding for anti-cybercrime programs, despite claims from software and high-tech groups that last-minute changes to the bill could stifle innovation. The "Cyber Security Research and Development Act," sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would give $970 million over five years to the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to improve government computer and network security. The technology industry supports the bill, but many businesses dislike changes made by co-sponsor Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., that direct NIST to set guidelines for security settings on many common software products used by the federal government. (Washington Tech, 17 May) Efforts to beef up port, rail security lose steam. After passage of an aviation security package last fall, security measures for railroads and ports appear to have all but drowned in a political quagmire. Tensions are particularly high over a House provision that would expand cargo oversight beyond the Customs Department to include the Transportation Security Administration and the military. The Senate would prefer to keep the authority within Customs. Meanwhile, recent reports of terrorists entering the country in cargo containers are increasing pressure on legislators to get to a House and Senate conference. "If one container gets through, they'll close down the ports. It would be economic devastation far worse than the aviation system shutting down for a couple of months," said a Senate aide close to the efforts. (Government Executive, 16 May) Some airport workers bypass security. John Magaw, who heads the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said his agency is looking at ways to restrict access to secured areas to "improve security and ensure the integrity of our nation's airports." Secured areas are those places beyond airport passenger checkpoints where employees can walk up to the airplanes. Pilot programs to test various security procedures are planned for 20 airports. Mary Schiavo, a former Transportation Department inspector general, said TSA has been so concerned with stopping terror hijackings that it hasn't moved quickly to prevent bombs from getting onto planes through the cargo hold or on a food cart. Reports from the Transportation Department's inspector general, Kenneth Mead, and the FAA, said airports have failed to adequately restrict access to runways and airplanes. (Associated Press, 18 May) The Transportation Security Administration is considering creating a type of 911 in the sky. Under the plan, airline passengers would be able to dial a toll-free number without using a credit card, be connected to a regional center, and have the call handled like a 911 call. (CNN, 19 May) New FCC regulation to push wireless broadband. Seeking to speed the deployment of wireless broadband in the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on 16 May amended its regulations on spread-spectrum technologies used by fixed wireless operators. Under the adopted changes, the FCC will allow both Bluetooth and 802.11 (Wi-Fi) local area network (LAN) wireless technologies to be combined in a single device and to share spectrum in unlicensed bandwidths. The gist of this action, initially proposed two years ago, is that the FCC is supporting new and improved methods of spectrum sharing in the unlicensed bands. (Wireless NewsFactor, 17 May) NRG seeks to shut plants in power-starved Connecticut. Failing to negotiate better power prices with New England's electricity grid operator, global energy giant NRG Energy Inc. (NRG) wants to shut down three money-losing generators at a Connecticut power station. The move could leave the energy-starved region in the lurch this summer, when air conditioners push energy demand to an annual peak. (Reuters, 17 May) Three detained for filming water reservoir. Three men detained after a local resident saw them filming atop a reservoir water tank in Easton Connecticut have been released, authorities said on 17 May. The incident attracted considerable local media attention, given heightened fears of water contamination since the 11 September attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. But Easton Police Chief John Solomon said there was no evidence the water supply at Easton Reservoir had been interfered with. Police and FBI agents said they had determined the three men, of Indian descent, were simply taking shots of the reservoir with a new video camera early on 16 May. (Reuters, 17 May) NYC water vulnerable to attack. Security at city water facilities fail to meet federal and State guidelines, making them potentially vulnerable to biological or chemical attacks, according to a report released on 19 May. The report, compiled by the New York State Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation, found that security at the facilities failed more than half of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and State Department of Health guidelines. (Associated Press, 19 May) This public announcement is being issued to alert US citizens to a possible terrorist incident in Turkey. This Public Announcement expires on May 22, 2002. The U.S. Government has received unconfirmed and fragmentary information that suggests unknown terrorists may be planning to conduct a terrorist incident, possibly to include activities directed against Civil Aviation. The Government of Turkey has taken prudent measures to address this possible incident. The U.S. and Turkey continue to consult and cooperate together in the war on terrorism. (U.S. Department of State, 17 May)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sun May 26 2002 - 11:43:15 PDT