Other Security Websites

Other Security Websites Bridge and Tunnel Security The events of 9/11 revealed that the nation's transportation infrastructure has vulnerabilities. FHWA and AASHTO jointly sponsored and convened a Blue Ribbon Panel on Bridge and Tunnel Security (BRP) to examine bridge and tunnel security and to develop strategies and practices for deterring and mitigating potential attacks. A workshop at the TRB 2004 Annual Meeting presented the BRP's findings including short-, mid-, and long-term strategies for improving bridge and tunnel security as well as design guidance on highway bridge and tunnel infrastructure. Links to the workshop presentations by Anthony Kane, AASHTO; Steven Ernst, FHWA; Joseph Englot, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; John Gerner, FHWA; and Jeremy Isenberg, Weidlinger Associates are provided. MOU Re Bioterrorism and Imported Food The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a News Release stating that it entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enhance safeguards to protect imported food from the threat of bioterrorism. Under the MOU, CBP officers will be commissioned to enforce FDA regulations relating to investigation and examination of food imported into the United States. (12/3/03). GAO Testimony - Threat to Agriculture and Food Supply The General Accounting Office (GAO) released testimony given earlier before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and entitled Bioterrorism: A Threat to Agriculture and the Food Supply. Among other things, the testimony noted that the volume of imported items make it impossible for border inspectors to physically examine every incoming container and piece of luggage for bioterrorism threats. Discrepancies in the accuracy of import documents were also identified as a risk factor. GAO-04-259T (11/19/03). Electronic Cargo Information - Advance Presentation Requirement The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued its final rule providing that the agency must receive, by way of a CBP-approved electronic data interchange system, information pertaining to cargo before the cargo is either brought into or sent from the United States by any mode of commercial transportation. The cargo information required is that which the agency determined is reasonably necessary to enable high-risk shipments to be identified for purposes of ensuring cargo safety and security and preventing smuggling. The rule comes into effect on January 5, 2004. Enforcement with regard to inbound shipments via vessels will commence on March 4, 2004. Enforcement with regard to other shipments and other modes will be phased in. For inbound shipments via vessel, this means that the information currently being provided by the carrier via a variety of means must be provided electronically. The obligation for presentation of electronic cargo information for outbound cargoes will be placed on the United States Principal Party in Interest (USPPI), who is generally the exporter. The USPPI or its authorized agent is to provide the outbound carrier a proof of electronic filing citation (the Internal Transaction Number or ITN), low-risk filing citation, or exemption statement for annotation on the carrier's outward manifest, waybill, or other export documentation covering the cargo to be shipped. The carrier is not to load the outbound cargo until such information has been provided. 68 Fed. Reg. 68139 (December 5, 2003). GAO report - Container Security The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report on the container security programs administered by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. The report notes that the agency has not developed human capital plans to meeting staffing needs of the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The agency also needs to develop performance measures to establish accountability and measure program achievement. GAO-03-770 (7/28/03). First Responders - Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared The Council on Foreign Relations issued a report entitled -First Responders Drastically Underfunded, Dangerously Unprepared. The report notes that while improvements have been made with regard to U.S. preparedness for another terrorist attack, much work remains to be done. First responders, in particular, still lack the funding and training needed to handle a terrorist attack. Clear standards should be developed for distribution of grants, so as to avoid political pressure. Grants should be made permanent, so as to allow for long-range planning. (6/30/03). U.S. Computer Systems Are Vulnerable to Attack Computer systems across the country are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, says a new report from the National Academies' Computer Science and Telecommunications Board. The report highlights previous Academy studies that call for better authentication systems, training, and monitoring to help make information systems more secure. Protecting People and Buildings from Terrorism: Technology Transfer for Blast-effects Mitigation Report of the Committee for Oversight and Assessment of Blast-effects and Related Research, Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment, National Research Council. National Academy Press Terrorism and Security Recent attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have intensified concerns worldwide about the threat of terrorism. A collection of National Academies reports examines anti-terrorism measures, including technologies for screening airline passengers, better designs for buildings that may be targets of terrorist attack, and preparation for the civilian medical community in responding to chemical or biological threats. CERT Coordination Center www.cert.org The CERT Coordination Center, part of the Networked Systems Survivability Program of the Software Engineering Institute, started in 1988 after the Morris Worm incident crippled approximately 10 percent of all computers connected to the Internet. The center develops incident-response teams, coordinates response to large-scale incidents, trains incident-response professionals, and researches security vulnerabilities, system improvements, and the survivability of large-scale networks. Center for Defense and International Security Studies www.cdiss.org/hometemp.htm The interdisciplinary Center for Defense and International Security Studies explores, promotes, and stimulates debate on defense and security issues. Center for Security Policy www.security-policy.org The Center for Security Policy stimulates and informs the national and international debate on aspects of security policy related to the foreign, defense, economic, financial and technology interests of the United States. Chemical and Biological Defense Information Analysis Center www.cbiac.apgea.army.mil The Chemical and Biological Defense Information Analysis Center provides scientific and technical information to Department of Defense (DOD) organizations, other government groups, and approved contractors. Service to others is limited to the publicly accessible information on the website. Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office www.ciao.gov The Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office coordinates national planning activities related to critical infrastructure protection, develops awareness of sound security practices in the private and public sectors, and supports the development of a public-private partnership through outreach and other activities. Defense Threat Reduction Agency www.dtra.mil/index.html To protect the United States and allies from nuclear, biological, chemical ,conventional, and special weapons attack, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) pursues technology security activities; cooperative threat reductions programs; arms control treaty monitoring; and on-site inspection; force protection; nuclear, biological, and chemical defense; and counterproliferation. DTRA also supports the U.S. nuclear deterrent and provides technical support to DOD on issues involving weapons of mass destruction. EmergencyNet News www.emergency.com EmergencyNet News provides 24-hour news, analysis, and reference information on crisis, conflict, and emergency services. Federal Computer Incident Response Capability www.fedcirc.gov The Federal Computer Response Capability (fedCIRC) coordinates and analyzes computer security for the federal government's civilian agencies and departments. Through FedCIRC, federal agencies cooperate to handle security incidents, share information, solve common security problems, and also collaborate with National Infrastructure Protection Center to plan protection strategies and deal with criminal threats to the critical information infrastructure. Federal Highway Administration - Operations Security http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/OpsSecurity/ FHWA Operations is engaged in emergency preparedness and management, working with other DOT administrations and Federal agencies, its State and local partners, academia, industry associations, and the private sector to ensure that surface transportation operating agencies throughout the nation have the necessary tools, techniques, information, and understanding to be able to prevent when possible, prepare for, respond to, and recover from both natural and man-made disasters. Institute for the Advanced Study of Information Warfare www.psycom.net/iwar.I.html Information warfare is the offensive and defensive use of information and information systems to deny, exploit, corrupt, or destroy a military or business adversary's information-based-processes, systems, and computer networks. the Institute for the Advanced Study of Information Warfare addresses these actions in both military and civilian settings. International Policy Institute for Counterterrorism www.ict.org.il The International Policy Institute for Counterterrorism researches and develops innovative public policy solutions to international terrorism, encourages cooperation among agencies involved in the fight against terrorism, and advises policy makers. National Infrastructure Protection Center www.nipc.gov The National Infrastructure Protection Center assesses threats, warns of vulnerabilities, and provides comprehensive analysis as well as law enforcement investigation and response. National Security Agency www.nsa.gov The National Security Agency (NSA), the nation's cryptologic organization, coordinates, directs, and performs specialized activities to protect U.S. information system and to gather foreign intelligence. NSA is a pioneer in communications technology and data processing and is an important government center for analysis and research in foreign languages. National Terrorism Preparedness Institute terrorism.spjc.cc.fl.us Founded in 1998 as a result of the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Act, the national Terrorism Preparedness Institute trains the nation's first responders to survive and mitigate terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction. Overseas Security Advisory Council www.ds-osac.org The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) fosters the exchange of security related information between the U.S. government and the American private sector - including colleges and universities - operating abroad. OSAC provides timely information for corporate decisions on protecting investments, facilities, personnel, and intellectual property. Rapid Response Information System www.rris.fema.gov The Rapid Response Information System (RRIS) is a reference guide, training aid, and planning and training resource for response to a chemical, biological, or nuclear terrorist incident. RRIS comprises several databases, including information about chemical and biological agents and radiologic materials, first aid, federal response, hotlines, and other resources about countering weapons of mass destruction. Terrorism Research Center www.terrorism.com The Terrorism Research Center website covers terrorism and information warfare, featuring essays and opinions on current issues, as well as links to other documents, research, and resources on terrorism. The Infrastructure Security Partnership www.tisp.org TISP is a group of public and private sector organizations, an "association of associations and agencies," which collaborate on issues related to the security of the nation's built environment. U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center treas.gov/usss/ntac.htm The Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) provides leadership and guidance in threat assessment, offering timely, useful, and effective advice to law enforcement organizations. U.S. State Department, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism www.state.gov/s/ct/ The Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism works to improve cooperation with foreign governments on counterterrorism. The coordinator has primary responsibility for developing, coordinating, and implementing U.S. counterterrorism policy. The ANSER Institute for Homeland Safety www.homelandsecurity.org/research.cfm This website contains links to reports on terrorism and national security including those of the Hart/Rudman Commission and the Gilmore Commission. Other resources such as the "Journal of Homeland Security" are also available. General Accounting Office www.gao.gov GAO, commonly called the investigative arm of Congress or the congressional watchdog, advises Congress and the heads of executive agencies (such as Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Department of Defense, DOD, and Health and Human Services, HHS) about ways to make government more effective and responsive. The GAO website includes links to 103 reports on terrorism and 31 reports on Aviation Security since 1980.