CRIME NIPC Daily Report 28 June 2002

From: George Heuston (GeorgeH@private)
Date: Fri Jun 28 2002 - 08:58:57 PDT

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    Federal Aviation Administration restricts airspace.  The federal
    government has decided to restrict airspace around the Statue of Liberty
    in New York, Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, and the
    Gateway Arch in St. Louis for fear of possible attacks during the Fourth
    of July holiday. The "no-fly zone" around the Statue of Liberty was
    imposed on 25 June and bars flights within one nautical mile of the
    monument until September, said FAA spokesman William Shumann. The FAA
    also prohibits all flights within four nautical miles of Mount Rushmore
    from 3-5 July and within three nautical miles of the Gateway Arch on 3-4
    July.  (Reuters, 27 Jun)
    
    Cyber attacks by al Qaeda feared by US. (Reprinted from 27 June Daily
    Report) The potential exists for the compromise of digital devices that
    allow remote access of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Supervisory
    Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA).  Analysts believe the
    ability to disable or take command of these systems could have severe
    repercussions on the U.S infrastructure.  (Washington Post, 26 Jun)
    
    WWU Comment: Many terrorists have become more sophisticated in their
    activities, more familiar with technology, and more innovative in their
    targeting. Although these groups have not yet conducted cyber attacks
    directly targeted at U.S. infrastructure, the trend indicates that
    attacks on cyber components of the infrastructure are the next logical
    step. Terrorists may engage in swarming attacks, which are coordinated
    attacks using different methods against a target and the surrounding
    infrastructure. The most likely form of a swarming attack is one in
    which an attacker uses cyber means to enhance the effects created by a
    traditional physical attack. Terrorists will likely use cyber attacks to
    complicate the response by authorities to the physical attack by
    delaying notification of emergency services and widening the physical
    and psychological effects of a physical attack by denying the local
    populace vital daily services such as electricity or water. A swarming
    attack will be difficult to recognize and interdict. The cyber portion
    of the attack may begin long before the physical attack takes place and
    culminate before, simultaneous with or even after the physical attack.
    The cyber portion of the attack can be launched and controlled from a
    location well removed from the site of the physical attack.  
    
    Cyberwarfare test in works for state. Texas cities preparedness for
    cyberwarfare on computer-controlled systems that operate key structures
    and services such as water plants, power plants and 911 emergency
    response will be tested through what is described as the state's first
    cyberterrorism exercise, code-named Dark Hive. The Texas Department of
    Information Resources will conduct the exercise. Local officials from
    chosen cities will be told that a particular system - such as 911 - has
    been attacked and harmed and their response will be observed. (San
    Antonio Express-News, 27 Jun)
    
    NIPC and Financial Services ISAC agree to share security information. In
    an effort to enhance the security and readiness of the country's
    financial services industries to deal with potential terrorist threats,
    Mr. Stanley (Stash) R. Jarocki, Chairman, Financial Services Information
    Sharing and Analysis Center, LLC (FS/ISAC) signed an agreement with
    Ronald L. Dick, NIPC Director. The partnership between the FS/ISAC and
    the NIPC will allow vital security-related information to move more
    effectively between the multi-agency NIPC, based at FBI headquarters in
    Washington, DC, and financial services associations.  (FBI, 25 Jun)
    
    ~rm
    



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