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Turmoil in Egypt – Military Rule After Morsi

July 4, 2013

The Egyptian army’s toppling of the country’s Islamist President Muhammad Morsi is the culmination of a year of political and social discontent and economic crisis in Egypt. The current situation requires U.S. policymakers to rethink whether democracy is such a good idea for all societies, at least in the short-term. Perhaps a benevolent military dictatorship that moves the country in the direction of a democratic culture, strong institutions, and a robust civil society is preferable to bringing into power populist movements that aren’t committed to democracy.

Facing Trouble Trend in Hidden Handguns, TSA Looks for Penknives

Justin Hienz |

June 25, 2013

Homeland Security Today recently reported that there is alarming trend of airline passengers attempting to take their handguns on board airplanes. While TSA is busy looking for these genuine threats, as well as explosives and other lethal items that could cause a plane crash or facilitate a hijacking, they are also spending valuable time and attention looking for a comparatively harmless item – penknives. The recent TSA penknife debacle was a complete failure for U.S. aviation security.

Corporations Attempting to Influence Law Enforcement, Terrorism Charges

Security Debrief |

June 24, 2013

Corporate security has a role to play in protecting a company against protesters. There is a growing trend, however, in allegations of corporate interference with the manner in which law enforcement does their job, including attempting to influence what charges are brought and involvement in decision making on the ground. This should be alarming for law enforcement, the protesters and the shareholders of the companies themselves.

Transportation Department Out in the Cold on Presidential Cyberwar Policy

admin |

June 24, 2013

The Administration is preparing for cyberwar, but its plans are incomplete. Presidential Policy Directive 20 concerning U.S. cyber operations does not specifically address the important relationship between transportation safety and security. This glaring gap leads one to question the Administration’s understanding of the economic importance of transportation systems and the significant damage that can occur if a transportation system is successfully attacked by hackers.

Fed Seize 7-Eleven Stores – Time to Franchise Your Immigration Compliance Plan

Julie Myers Wood |

June 17, 2013

Today’s news that 14 7-Eleven franchises have been seized and 9 managers arrested, with prosecutors seeking $30 million in forfeitures from the franchise and its corporate parent, should send alarm bells ringing across the franchised business industry. Just as franchisors expect a key recipe or cleaning method to be the same in West Virginia and California, corporations need to implement basic top-down immigration compliance plans for franchise owners.

Congressional Oversight Done Right – Why Can’t DHS Communicate Better with America?

David Olive |

June 14, 2013

This morning, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency held a hearing to explore the question, “Why Can’t DHS Communicate Better With the American People?” It is a worthy topic and one that has been begging for congressional oversight. Let’s hope there are more hearings on how DHS can better communicate with the American public.

Amid Controversy and Scandal, Missing the Real Security Issues

L. Vance Taylor |

June 13, 2013

Today’s political climate feels more like a twisted three-ring circus of controversy than an environment aimed at resolving (or even addressing) our nation’s true challenges. This puts our national security at risk, obscuring a focus on, for example, the miserable state of our nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

The NSA and Our Great Surveillance Society

Security Debrief |

June 12, 2013

The most interesting part of watching the current debates over the NSA surveillance leak has been the predictable reaction of the participants. After all the paranoia, insults and investigations, where are we going to be? Pretty much were we started. Welcome to the Great Surveillance Society.

A DHS Cabinet Officer Goes – the Problems Remain

Security Debrief |

June 12, 2013

The Director of National Intelligence James Clapper tells the story of long-time, overburdened government workers – the“we-be’s” – dealing with the ever changing politically appointed leaders in the Executive Branch. Simply put, the government workers always remember – “we be here before you, and we be here after.” The same “continuity” goes for at least five issues outgoing-Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s successor will face at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Cybersecurity Incentives – What Do We have, What Do We Need?

Security Debrief |

June 11, 2013

The implementation of President Obama’s executive order on cybersecurity is appropriately turning to incentives. These ideas makes sense; for the framework under the EO to decrease our nation’s risk from cyber threats, however, the incentives will actually have to realize meaningful adoption of standards among critical infrastructure owners and operators. As they say, the Devil’s in the details, and the details are where this laudable focus on incentives will need to motivate companies to adopt the EO framework.

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