Critical Infrastructure

Will Republicans Embarrass Themselves with Pistole TSA Nomination?

June 10, 2010

Will John Pistole, the FBI deputy director nominated to lead the TSA, go the way of the previous two nominees? Let’s hope not, but it all depends upon whether certain Republicans intend to embarrass themselves – again – by demanding answers from Pistole that he simply will not be in a position to answer. I am speaking here of demands that he take a clear position on unions in the TSA. “The unionization issue,” Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison recently told CQ Homeland Security, “is clearly one that he’s going to need to answer.” It is not. He cannot. And he won’t.

The Perfect TSA Nominee: The Pistole Hearing

Rich Cooper |

June 10, 2010

When the Chairman of any Congressional Committee uses the word the “embarrassing” to describe something at the very beginning of a hearing, a feeling or look of fear and dread is prone to appear in the testifying witness. That was not the case when it came to the nomination hearing of John Pistole to be the next TSA Administrator. He was cooler than a cucumber. The embarrassing factor, as mentioned by Chairman Rockefeller, was the fact that it has taken the Administration this long to find someone to put in this absolutely critical job. Pistole’s background and experiences literally put him in a category unto himself. Nowhere in the hearing was there question that there was any question about him. He was the perfect nominee and his performance showed it. The only problem with being someone that good is the metric that must be achieved.

What comes around goes around – DHS is getting it right, again

Security Debrief |

June 9, 2010

I was delighted to read in last week’s Homeland Security Newswire report on Secretary Napolitano’s consideration of “re-merging” the Infrastructure Protection and Cyber Security units. When we stood up DHS in 2003, Secretary Ridge charged the Office of Infrastructure Protection with the responsibility for both physical and cyber infrastructure protection. It made sense then as it does now. Securing a physical structure while leaving it vulnerable to a cyber attack can have the same catastrophic result as could a car bomb.

Botnets Continue to Grow

Steven Bucci |

June 9, 2010

More and more people are becoming aware of Botnets and the problems they can cause. What used to be an esoteric technical subject has entered the common vernacular, and well it should. The size and complexity of these zombie computer networks is staggering. Many have over a million personal computers as “members.” Obviously the vast majority of these have been incorporated without the knowledge or consent of the owners. The bottom line is this: you must be aware that Bots are out there, and they “want” your computer.

Each Service Sees Cyber a Little Differently

Steven Bucci |

June 1, 2010

Now that Congress has finally confirmed Gen. Keith Alexander for his fourth star and the duty of Commander, US Cyber Command, he has a tough road ahead. Cyber Command will be a sub-unified command under U.S. Strategic Command. It is not an intelligence organization – despite Alexander being dual hated as the Director of the National Security Agency – but is what the military refers to as a warfighting command. Alexander will have control of components from each of the services. As a Joint Commander, he must blend these elements into a cohesive force to deal with an enormous set of challenges in a unified manner.

The Air Cargo Screening Mandate for Inbound Cargo

Security Debrief |

May 26, 2010

Beginning this August, 100 percent of cargo bound for passenger planes must be screened before it is loaded. While this looming security deadline is reasonably well known to domestic air cargo companies (and somewhat less well known by thousands of shippers who may be affected), it is hardly known at all outside the United States. That is a problem, because the air cargo screening mandate applies not only to passenger flights within and from the United States, but also to foreign-originating flights to the United States.

Watch the Live Broadcast – Roundtable on 100 Percent Air Cargo Screening

Chris Battle |

May 25, 2010

Broadcasting live online from the Newseum at 2:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 26, American Airlines Cargo joins forces with TSA and others for a 100 percent air cargo screening roundtable.

Unprecedented Service – Thad Allen's Almost Retirement

Rich Cooper |

May 25, 2010

On Tuesday, a man much of America recognizes for his leadership following the occurrence of a “bad day” will relinquish his command of one of our country’s oldest branches of federal service, the U.S. Coast Guard. Having served the past four years as Commandant, Thad Allen has become one of those unique, iconic American figures that when you see him or mention his name, you almost immediately think of words, “trust,” “competent” and “leader.” Allen’s career has been about two things: leadership and service to others – an unprecedented service that he will continue to fulfill even after his tenure as Commandant ends on Tuesday.

International Passenger Name Record Agreements Critical to Stopping Terrorists

Security Debrief |

May 20, 2010

On May 5, 2010, the newly empowered European Parliament issued its guidelines for beginning new negotiations on Passenger Name Record (PNR) agreements with the United States, Australia and Canada. This resolution received minimal coverage in the U.S. media, though its consequences for international travel security are potentially significant. Criminals and terrorists know no borders, as recent arrests and uncovered plots prove. We have no choice but to cooperate with international partners and to deepen that cooperation wherever possible. The collection and analysis of PNR data – along with its counterpart Advance Passenger Information (API) – is a critical tool to identify and disrupt the travel of terrorists and other international criminals.

Stratfor’s Bad Day Forecast

Rich Cooper |

May 19, 2010

You know it’s going to be rough day when you go to get in your car and discover a flat tire. You know your day has the potential to get even worse when you’re listening to the morning news, and they tell you that the Nation’s Capital or New York City are going to be attacked by terrorists in the next five to six months. So say the forecasters of Stratfor. There are lots of things that a forecast like Stratfor’s should spur us to do. Such is the reality and risk of living and working in DC or the Big Apple, the number one and two targets in the United States. But even if nothing occurs, the fact that people act on information to prepare themselves is a step every one of us should be taking today.

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