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New Plan To Defend U.S. Power Grid From Cyber Terror Attack

Terrific follow-up story to yesterdays post, “Terror of The Future May Be Online“.

For nearly five years, the US government has struggled to guard the nation’s electric grid, drinking water, and other critical infrastructure from cyber­attack. But as hackers continue to infiltrate such systems, and as reports surface of a surge in computer attacks on the electric grid, experts and lawmakers have an urgent message for the Bush administration: Cybersecurity defenses need an overhaul.

US lawmakers are pressing for a new approach that focuses more on systems that can rebound if infiltrated than on building ever-stronger “fire- walls” to keep hackers out.

On Tuesday, lawmakers on a House Homeland Security subcommittee are expected to unveil a blue-ribbon commission charged with developing a new national cybersecurity strategy in time to offer the next president.

The Bush administration, meanwhile, is close to unveiling a new cybersecurity approach of its own, an administration official told the Monitor. National Security Agency expertise may be deployed to help protect vital control systems of the electric grid and other key infrastructure, The Baltimore Sun reported last month.

“Times are changing very quickly here, and cybersecurity that was good enough even a couple of years ago – the strategy and approach – is obsolete,” says Scott Borg, director of the US Cyber Consequences Unit, a nonprofit security think tank that advises government and industry.

“We do have a growing problem as our adversaries focus on critical infrastructure,” concurs Amit Yoran, CEO of Netwitness, a network security firm, and former director of DHS’s National Cyber Security Division. In the event of a cyberattack on any critical piece of infrastructure, “what we need is a layered defense in which the overall system is still available – and not a systemic failure.”

Both men have been tapped to serve on the new congressional commission.

Driving such concerns are reports that malicious attacks are rising on specialized computer-control systems that open and shut valves on natural-gas pipelines, throw circuit breakers on power lines, and make telecommunications and defense networks, nuclear-power plants and hydro dams do their jobs.

If hackers half a world away break into and commandeer these “supervisory control and data acquisition,” or SCADA, systems, then the US grid, pipelines, and other key infrastructure connected to the Internet are vulnerable to interruption or damage, experts say.

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U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan On Full Alert As Terror Plot Broken Up

The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan was on full alert Monday after security officials in the country said they thwarted an attack by Islamic radicals.

Azerbaijan’s National Security Ministry says it prevented the group of Islamic militants from carrying out a “large-scale horrifying attack against government structures and diplomatic missions,” including the U.S. Embassy in the capital city, Baku.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Security (MNS), “several people” characterized as members of a “Wahabbi group” have been taken into custody. A first lieutenant in the Azerbaijani Army, identified as Kamran Asadov, was identified as a key participant in the conspiracy, according to MNS statement. Ministry spokesman Arif Babayev said that Asadov is suspected of having supplied the terrorists with arms, including four machine guns, a mortar and 20 hand grenades. Wahabbism is a puritanical form of Islam with roots in Saudi Arabia. In many former Soviet states the term “Wahabbi” is used as a synonym for Islamic militant.

A ministry spokesman says one suspect was killed and several others arrested during a sweep outside the capital Saturday. He said Azerbaijani officials believe weapons confiscated during the operation were stolen from the military.

The British Embassy in Baku closed down Monday while the U.S. Embassy reduced its operations because of the security threat.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack says the embassy will likely be closed again Tuesday, but that operations will return to normal in the near future.

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Evacuation After Suspicious Device Discovered – Mannequin Head With Wires

Police evacuated an area covering about half a block in downtown Fargo after a coffee shop owner found what looked like a computer with wires running to a mannequin’s head. The area bomb squad checked the item and found it harmless.

Nancy Nerland, who owns the Moxie Java coffee shop, found the item behind her store early Monday morning, police said. Sgt. Mike Bernier said authorities were erring on the side of caution, and they called in the Red River Valley bomb squad. Surrounding businesses and a few apartment buildings were evacuated.

Lt. Joel Vettel said the bomb squad hit the suspicious device with powerful jets of water, and an examination showed it was harmless.

He said another mannequin’s head was found a half-block away, at the state’s only abortion clinic, jammed on an exhaust pipe, and a third mannequin’s head was found outside one of the federal buildings.

Federal officials have joined the investigation to find out who is responsible.

“What the person’s intent in doing that was, we do not know at this point. Obviously, it was alarming to at least one person, if not more,” Vettel said.

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Honduras Finds Radioactive Material In Container

Honduras authorities have found strong traces of radioactive material in a Hong Kong-bound shipping container carrying steel debris from an Atlantic coast port, officials said on Monday.

During a security scan on Sunday, officials detected high readings of radioactivity emanating from the container at the Puerto Cortes port, 115 miles (185 km) north of Honduras’ capital, Tegucigalpa.

“We immediately declared an alert and have seized the container for inspection,” Edwin Araque, the manager of Honduras’ port authority, said on Monday.

The container belonged to a local company.

Docks and ports across the world are scanned for materials that could be used to produce nuclear or dirty bombs. Puerto Cortes was declared a safe port by the United States more than a year ago.

A government official said the material found in the container was Cesium-137 and could have come from a hospital.

It is often used to sterilize medical equipment and also has a wide range of industrial applications. In March, Spain halted production at a steel plant after workers found the material in a truck.

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Green Laser Illuminates UA Cockpit

A green laser beam shined on a 50-passenger commuter aircraft minutes after its departure from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Wednesday night, officials said yesterday.The beam illuminated the right side of the cockpit as the plane was about 3,000 feet off the ground and four miles north of the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration reported last night. There were no injuries, and the United Airlines Flight 7914 continued to its destination at Washington, D.C., said Holly Baker, an FAA spokesman.

The aircraft was an Embraer 145, she said.

Manchester police yesterday said the FBI has joined an investigation to determine the origin of the light.

“We’re just trying to find people who may have information or may have observed anything,” said FBI spokesman Gail Marcinkiewicz. “Certainly it’s concerning enough to have law enforcement respond to it.”

Manchester police said the incident occurred about 7:05 p.m. There is no indication that the beam was intended as a threat or an effort to disrupt air travel. They said the light illuminated the aircraft briefly.

The Transportation Security Administration contacted the Manchester police about the incident.

Police said the laser most likely came from somewhere in an area bordered by Maple, Pine, Valley and Spruce streets. The 18-square block neighborhood is home to Gill Stadium, Beech Street School, corner stores and a few churches. Many residents live in three-story apartment buildings, many with porches from which one could easily point a laser.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 472-2224, Manchester police at 668-8711 or Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040.

American Airlines Flight Diverted – Woman Tries To Open Exit Door

An American Airlines flight bound for Dallas on Saturday night had to land in Houston after a female passenger tried to open an emergency exit door in mid flight.

The woman, whose name was not immediately available, was immediately restrained after she tried to open the door, said American Airlines spokesman Billy Sanez.

Flight 1585 left Orlando, Fla., at 6:35 p.m. and was scheduled to land at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport at 8:20 p.m., Mr. Sanez said.

The captain decided to divert the flight to Houston, the closest airport. The 757 aircraft, carrying 176 passengers and six crew members, landed at 8:55 p.m. and the woman was arrested, Mr. Sanez said.

He said it’s rare for a passenger to try to open an emergency door in mid flight.

Terror Of The Future May Be Online

Terrorists of the future will use the Internet to wage attacks and wreak havoc across the globe, according to a US terror expert.

Former US army intelligence chief Dan Verton (Homeland Security Television)believes the next generation of Al Qaeda will be clever, net-savvy youngsters.

And he fears it will take a crippling attack on the scale of 9/11 before world leaders act and realise what a sleeping beast the web is.

He said: “The next generation of terrorists won’t be mindless hordes of thugs living a hand-to-mouth existence in Afghanistan.

“They will look and act very differently to the current generation.

“The young kids that they are radicalizing today are studying mathematics, computer science and engineering.

“They will grow up and realize ‘I’m too valuable to stuff dynamite around my waste and walk into a crowded cafe.’

“And they will think very differently about how they can attack their perceived enemies.

“The internet will be another tool in their toolbox.”

Former Marine Corps chief Verton – who has written a number of books on the subject – has given speeches to the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, US Secret Service and the United Nations about cyber terrorism.

And he reckons it’s only a matter of time until the web fanatics strike.

“An attack of this nature is very likely because the technology base is already there to take advantage of,” he said.

“All you need is Microsoft Windows and a public internet connection.

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Scotland – Police Track 20 More Terror Plot Suspects 1000 Possibly Under Surveillance

Scotland is keeping the pressure on would-be homegrown terrorists and radical extremists. Up to 1000 Scottish Asians may soon be placed under surveillance. Special Branch, backed by MI5 officers, will carry out checks on the individuals looking for evidence of radicalization such as changes in clothing and increased mosque attendance.

A hard core of 20 Islamic extremists with links to foreign terror groups is operating north of the Border and poses a “significant” risk to public safety, Scotland on Sunday can reveal.

Senior intelligence insiders have revealed the suspects many of them born and brought up in Scotland pose a similar threat to that of Mohammed Atif Siddique, the Scottish Asian who was last week given an eight-year prison sentence for terrorist offences.

Scotland on Sunday can also reveal that concern at the terror threat is now so great that up to 1,000 Scottish Asians will be placed under surveillance in coming months because they associate with known radicals.

Special Branch, backed by MI5 officers, will carry out checks on the individuals looking for evidence of radicalisation such as changes in clothing and increased mosque attendance.

Security sources deny targeting the Asian community and say the move is essential to prevent terrorist outrages and curb the growth of extremism. But community leaders and civil rights experts last night warned it could cause a backlash and reduce cooperation.

Siddique, Scotland’s first ‘homegrown terrorist’, was convicted of possessing materials related to terrorism. Sources claimed the 21-year-old from Alva, Clackmannanshire, was planning to become a suicide bomber. The case followed the July attack on Glasgow Airport.

A senior source told Scotland on Sunday their investigation had uncovered around 200 “hardcore” individuals in Scotland. Of these, some 20 are of “significant interest”, meaning they have been in contact – either through websites or face-to-face meetings – with known radicals abroad.

Source

FEMA Apologizes For Staging Fake Press Conference – FEMA Employees Acted As News Reporters

The Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA, the chief disaster agency of the United States, is again in “hot water”  as facts emerge that it staged a fake press conference, complete with FEMA employees “acting” as reporters.

According to several news reports, deputy FEMA administrator, Harvey Johnson, had an unusually friendly audience at an Oct. 23 news briefing on his agencys response to the California wildfires.

FEMA drafted its own employees to play the part of reporters at a hastily called news conference when no members of the media showed up.

As a result, Johnson took questions like, “Are you happy with FEMAs response so far?”

FEMA Administrator David Paulison was flying to California at the time and it is unclear whether he knew about the staged news conference.

Johnson issued a statement Friday apologizing for the error and promised to change the agencys news procedures.

Both the White House and the Homeland Security Department criticized FEMAs conduct.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said it is not appropriate that the questions were posed by agency staffers instead of reporters, and the agency should take responsibility for it.

The Homeland Security Department, which includes FEMA, said the incident is a “simply inexcusable and offensive mistake.”

The departments spokeswoman Laura Keehner, said punishment may apply in the case.

Dallas – DART Bus Passenger Arrested After Claiming To Have A Bomb

A DART bus was evacuated Friday afternoon after a passenger on the bus reported he had put a bomb on board.

The passenger was taken into custody and authorities were investigating the claim Friday afternoon, Dallas Area Rapid Transit spokesman Morgan Lyons said.

DART police and Dallas police responded to the scene at about 3 p.m. at the intersection of Akard and Elm streets, with Dallas police restricting access to the area.

New York City – Explosives Thrown Into Mexican Consulate

Two improvised explosives were thrown into the rear of the Mexican Consulate early Friday, causing small explosions that blew out some windows, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

Police believe someone on a bicycle threw the devices made from replica grenades packed with explosive powder at 3 a.m., New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

The commissioner said witnesses reported seeing someone on a bike at that time near the consulate in Midtown Manhattan.

Edgar Trujillo, the press attache with the Mexican Consulate, said three windows were shattered.

Police and FBI agents were at the scene. The block was cordoned off by police tape.

In 2005, an explosion caused by two makeshift grenades fitted with fuses blew out a window near Manhattan’s British consulate. There were no injuries, and no one was ever arrested in the incident.

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Gauge Containing Radioactive Material Stolen From Vehicle

Tulsa police are looking for a large moisture and density gauge that contains dangerous radioactive material that was stolen from a car overnight.

The device was locked inside a vehicle in east Tulsa Wednesday night, and the car’s owner discovered the gauge missing Thursday morning.

The device is manufactured by Humboldt Manufacturing and is used to measure moisture and density in soils, concrete and asphalt.

The gauge contains Cesium 137, an extremely toxic radioactive isotope.

Source

44 Homes Evacuated After Explosive Device Found During Traffic Stop

Incidents of this nature appear to be taking place with increased frequency across the nation.

Fremont Police locked down a high school today and evacuated dozens of homes. They say they found an explosive device in a car and then went to search the driver’s home.

The concern about explosives started this afternoon around when police made a car stop in San Jose and discovered an explosive device. Police say the driver of the car had ties to a house under investigation in Fremont.

Fremont Police have evacuated 44 homes around Burr Avenue and Boone Drive.

Investigators say there could be explosive materials in a home on the 39800 block of Burr Avenue. Police did pull over a pick-up leaving the house. It was searched and nothing dangerous found.

Kennedy High School was also on lockdown for more than two hours today. Students were allowed to file out of school at 2:30 this afternoon, but for now the explosive threat remains and the neighbor evacuation order is in place.

“We’re taking every precaution possible. We’re assisting with our SWAT team, we’ve also cordoned off a several-block area around the house until the search completed,” explains Det. Bill Veteran with the Fremont Police Department.

Until that search warrant is carried out and the house deemed completely safe, the evacuation remains in effect.

There is a gym at the high school which could be used as an evacuation center, but so far, no one has checked in there.

Source

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