Security Debrief

Cyber Attack on Israel – The Private Sector and Citizens as the "Soft Underbelly"

January 9, 2012

The Israeli media has been awash in reports of an alleged Saudi hacker that goes by the online name of OxOmar and has posted the credit card information, national ID numbers and addresses of thousands of Israelis. According to recent reports, that person may turn out to be nineteen-year-old Omar Habib, who resides in Mexico. Some others, though less convincingly, have alleged that the origin of the attack lies in Iran. Ultimately, the origin and motivations of the cyber attack are less interesting than the nature of the vulnerability that it exposes.

Security Debrief Bloggers on Homeland Challenges in 2012

Security Debrief |

January 6, 2012

CQ Homeland Security conducted its annual survey of security challenges last year and the road ahead in 2012. The three-part series included comments from security experts throughout government and the private sector, many of whom are contributors to Security Debrief. Below is a rundown of some of their responses. Check out each of the story links to read more about important security efforts in 2012.

Customs and Border Commissioner Alan Bersin Resigns

Security Debrief |

December 27, 2011

By Nelson Balido
Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin last Thursday announced his resignation effective December 30. For folks who monitor border trade and security issues, this wasn’t exactly a surprise. But it was still a disappointment. Nevertheless, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano made the right choice in naming deputy commissioner David Aguilar as the new acting commissioner.

Presidential Permit Mess

Security Debrief |

December 26, 2011

By Doug Doan
For anyone who needed a reminder of just how botched and dysfunctional it is to build or improve a border crossing, take a look at the toxic debate over the Keystone Pipeline. Fierce politics, nasty in-fighting, delay, distortion and misdirection all become standard fare. The Presidential Permit process was supposed to bring order and discipline to building anything across the border linking the United States, Canada and Mexico. But what a mess it has become. Every new idea must navigate an increasingly complicated bureaucratic gauntlet.

The Intelligence Challenge of Cyberspace

Security Debrief |

December 13, 2011

America’s intelligence community finds itself pressed to deal with the “Wild West” frontier of an ever-expanding cyber space. From Twitter to blogs to e-mail, the changes are coming hard and fast for governments, businesses and individuals worldwide. The challenges for the American policy maker and the intelligence community are simple and yet hugely complex. So far, by our own admission, we appear not to be passing the grade.

Expanding International Security Partnerships

Security Debrief |

December 12, 2011

Last week Secretary Napolitano gave a very good address to the Council on Foreign Relations. She highlighted the critical role of international partnerships in advancing homeland security and the commendable progress that DHS has made in that regard. But it could be much better. DHS’ efforts to expand programs like the Visa Waiver Program and C-TPAT have been ad hoc, leading to less expansion of these programs than warranted

Deutsche Bank CEO Receives Mail Bomb

Security Debrief |

December 9, 2011

On December 7, staff in the post room at the Deutsche Bank headquarters in Frankfurt identified a suspicious package while x-raying mail. Police were called and disarmed the device. The package/letter was addressed to the Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann and had a return address on the back stating it had come from the European […]

Beyond the Border – A U.S.-Canada Perimeter Security Program

Security Debrief |

December 9, 2011

Yesterday, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper unveiled the details of an updated “Beyond the Border Initiative,” which creates a shared border security responsibility. The 9/11 terrorist attacks triggered a virtually complete closing of the U.S.-Canada border. Although it quickly reopened, much tighter and more time-consuming security procedures were put in place. Recognizing the need to work to improve both security and efficiency, Washington and Ottawa have taken various measures over the years to better secure their common border.

TSA Holiday Ditty: Grandma Got Molested at the Airport

Security Debrief |

December 5, 2011

Here’s hoping TSA has a sense of humor in the stressful holiday travel season.

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