CRIME FW: [Infragard_unsecured] Daily Report 08/15/02

GeorgeH@private

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From: NIPC Watch [mailto:nipcwatch@private] 
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Subject: [Infragard_unsecured] Daily Report 08/15/02

NIPC Daily Report
15 August 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.

Beginning Monday, 19 August, the NIPC Daily Report will be renamed the NIPC
Daily Open Source Report.  Along with the name change comes expanded
coverage of the past day's issues that impact the integrity and capability
of the nation's critical infrastructures.  To better serve our customers,
the Watch and Warning Unit is combining its efforts with members of NIPC's
Analysis and Information Sharing Unit to provide a more comprehensive
product.  Readers wishing to comment on the contents or suggest additional
topics and sources should contact Melissa Conaty (202-324-0354 or
mconaty@private) or Kerry J. Butterfield (202-324-1131 or
kbutterf@private).

US vulnerable to data sneak attack.  The US Naval War College and Gartner
Research conducted a "Digital Pearl Harbor" simulation in July, testing US
responses to attacks on telecommunications, the Internet, financial systems
and the power grid.  Analysts found that it would be possible to inflict
some serious damage to the nation's data and physical infrastructure
systems, but it would require a syndicate with significant resources,
including $200 million, country-level intelligence and five years of
preparation time.  Further, it they determined that the Internet would be so
crucial in attacking other national infrastructure systems that attacks on
the Net would be left for last, so as not to interrupt ongoing attacks.
According to the analysts, most scenarios also required coordinated physical
attacks on systems. Industries in the US may have a tough time recovering
from an attack because "in contrast to defenses that are there to protect
the territory and people and property of the US, for a digital Pearl Harbor
we have no early warning systems" said a Gartner analyst. (ZDNet, 13 Aug)

Cyber Corps funding boosted.  The government's Scholarship for Service
program is getting an infusion of new money, thanks to the supplemental
funding bill signed by President Bush on 2 August.  The supplemental funding
includes $19.3 million for the program, which offers scholarships to
undergraduate and graduate students studying information assurance in
exchange for two years of government service in the federal Cyber Corps.
About $8 million of the $19.3 million will go toward expanding the program
to four new schools, said Ernest McDuffie, program director for the
Scholarship for Service program at the National Science Foundation, which
runs the program.  The remaining money will be used to help the schools
already involved in the scholarship program increase the number of students
that can participate. (Federal Computer Week, 14 Aug)

Amtrak cancels Acela service on safety concerns.  Amtrak has removed all of
its high-speed Acela trains from service after discovering cracks and breaks
in a heavy bracket on the wheel sets which could fall under the train and
cause a derailment or hit other trains and objects along the right of way.
The defect was discovered on one of the 18 train sets that Amtrak has
accepted from Bombardier, during a routine inspection at the Boston
maintenance facility on 12 July.  Amtrak President David L. Gunn said he
will meet with representatives of Bombardier of North America, the train's
manufacturer, to immediately begin designing a repair program.  Gunn also
said he is uncertain when the Acela can begin operating again and at what
speed.  Meanwhile, Amtrak has set up hourly service using regular equipment
from Washington and New York, with other service to Boston in an effort to
keep passengers moving. Passengers are encouraged to call 1-800-USA-RAIL for
updated information. (Washington Post, 13 Aug)

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