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My friend, and fellow Security DeBrief blogger, Stewart Baker, has raised a number of questions in his recent blog posting that exemplify the way too many policy-makers try to influence political outcomes – and that is by using the time-worn, law school technique of asking Socratic-style questions that hint at – but rarely provide – answers. But there are times when the questions themselves should be questioned. This, I believe, is one of those times.

Early reports about the failed Christmas bombing of NW 253 raise questions that need answers. Because, frankly, if the reports are true, al Qaeda never should have gotten this close to a successful attack.

People all over the country are writing about 2009 – a good many will write about the events that affected cyber issues. I will not try to do a complete tour de force but will list some of the issues I felt were either very interesting or particularly important.

At a time when we truly need one of our country’s best on the job to help protect us, we can’t put Errol Southers into place at the TSA because of the bipartisan pettiness that has engulfed the U.S. Senate. The Obama Administration needs to make a full-court press to get Southers confirmed, and provide the TSA with permanent leadership.

I was dismayed by the Obama Administration’s claim that our security apparatus worked in terms of foiling the intended attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on Detroit-bound Northwest Flight 253. To quote Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, “One thing I’d like to point out is that the system worked.” No, what we have witnessed was a monumental failure of the system.

Security Debrief is dedicated to bringing its readers the latest and most insightful expert opinions on homeland security matters everyday. During the holiday season, however – from December 24 to January 3 – Security Debrief will slow its pace in publishing original content. We’re not going completely quiet, especially with the recent attempted terrorist attack on Detroit-bound Flight 253. So check in when you can, and definitely resume your daily read come January 4, at which time we will resume full service, daily postings.

Today we had a major step forward in defending our Nation’s networks and a huge reminder of how great the cyber security gap we face actually is. The White House staff announced that Howard A. Schmidt was selected by the President to fill the role of Cyber Coordinator on the National Security Staff. This position has stood vacant since the President declared it a key need in his 29 May release of his Cyber report.

With all of the attention on global warming coming out of Copenhagen, we thought it worth reposting Security Debrief contributor Scott Borgerson’s article in Foreign Affairs journal, arguing that, thanks to global warming, the Arctic icecap is rapidly melting, opening up access to massive natural resources and creating shipping shortcuts that could save billions of dollars a year. But there are currently no clear rules governing this economically and strategically vital region. Unless Washington leads the way toward a multilateral diplomatic solution, the Arctic could descend into armed conflict.

By Justin Hienz
Speaking in Oslo last week, President Obama was faced with the difficult task of accepting the Nobel Peace Prize while also acknowledging the recent troop increase in Afghanistan. A difficult task, but as Head of State, one the President could not afford to get wrong. With the world watching, President Obama had to exude the American confidence that underscores all our successes. But the President’s words were not the most essential part of his speech in Oslo. It was his presence and demeanor that mattered.

As the House Homeland Security Committee prepares to hear testimony from Acting TSA Administrator Gale Rossides tomorrow, it should be reiterated that there is absolutely no acceptable excuse for TSA’s recent blunder in posting classified Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for passenger and baggage screening on the Internet. While the agency’s response that the inadvertently posted SOPs are out of date is an accurate statement, it’s a disingenuous explanation that attempts to mask the nature of the breach.

It is no great revelation that the aviation industry and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), endure a turbulent relationship. But recent events celebrating two titans of the aviation industry without DHS and TSA leaders present epitomizes the relationship between the two. Last Friday, the aviation industry celebrated the annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet. DHS and TSA were noticeably absent.

When I look at the military’s efforts in the cyber security realm, I am concerned. The military still has the highest motivation, but in cyber security, it is not doing as well as some entities in the private sector. Please do not misunderstand me. The military and other U.S. defense agencies are doing well in many areas. But on the defensive side, I have much less confidence.

Rep. Peter King, the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and other Republican members have sent a letter to Secretary Napolitano expressing concern about the “repeated reposting” of the unredacted TSA security manual on multiple Web sites and asking her to say whether the sites can be compelled to take it down. They’re right to worry. There’s much handwringing about this issue and much breast-beating about the first amendment. It seems like an unanswerable conundrum. But there is an answer.

Recent comments by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano highlight the growing threat of homegrown radicalization. What then, can corporate America do to protect itself, the country at large and prevent attacks from taking place? Companies must be aware of who they are letting into their offices, plants and warehouses. Access to private sector infrastructure and technology can have devastating effects in the hands of al Qaeda operatives or sympathizers.

The Internet Security Alliance (ISA), a broadly focused industry group, has released a report as their entry into a race to be the most helpful in cyber security to the Obama Administration. At the National Press Club, the release was marked by a lunchtime gathering and short presentation led by the organization’s president. Recommendations focused on how the government will work with the private sector.

Rich Cooper, Security Debrief contributor and Principal with Catalyst Partners, recently published an interview with former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff in the 2009 Year in Homeland Security. Here are some highlights from the interview.

Last week in Portland, officials conducting routine reservoir testing found something unexpected: E. Coli. Officials reached out to the community via print, television, and radio news outlets, health networks, and their utility Web site. Unfortunately, many in the community remained unaware of the contamination until reading about it on the bottom of their TV screens during the following day’s football games. As it turns out, textbook responses don’t work as well when the textbook in question is out of date.

In November, the Harvard Business School hosted its annual Tech Conference, the “Cyberposium,” focusing on this year on the “digital storm” and addressing the cutting-edge challenges that the U.S. faces. The purpose of the event was to give its top-notch business students exposure to key issues they will face as they go out and act as leaders of American and international business.

On the drive home, I heard the WTOP/CBS news reporters talk about how the President was once again considering the building and re-building of portions of our nation’s infrastructure as a means to put the millions of unemployed and under-employed Americans back to work. I couldn’t help but feel, “Here we go again.” It’s no secret that our country’s infrastructure is in dreadful shape, but my sense of deja vu at hearing the President’s interests in infrastructure was met by the realization that we are about to commit the same old sins and mistakes we’ve been making for years.

Certainly the posting of the Transportation Security Administration’s screening procedures on the Internet was not the agency’s finest hour, but it was not the worst breach of security since 9/11, as I heard last night on CNN. While some were quick to pounce and ridicule, most of what was in that document can be deciphered by studying procedures at the checkpoint, something terrorists are known to do before they execute an attack.