Critical Infrastructure

The Private Sector Needs to be Prepared — for Swine Flu and other crises

April 28, 2009

The private sector owns 85 percent of the nation’s critical infrastructure, and the government simply cannot protect it all. The latest hazard, Swine Flu, has the potential to become a pandemic. There are protocols and trained personnel to support an international effort to contain a pandemic in its earliest stages, including the release of Tamiflu and Relenza from the Strategic National Stockpile. Local, state and federal authorities, however, cannot effectively prepare for and respond to a pandemic without significant help from the private sector. If your company has not already conducted a pandemic drill now is the time to do so.

Mission: Intangible

Security Debrief |

April 28, 2009

Here’s the question – who pays for the protection afforded to private companies engaged in protecting America’s critical assets? The answer is: it depends.

A Leader to Watch – Dr. Richard Besser

Rich Cooper |

April 27, 2009

While I am concerned about the outbreak, I have the comfort of getting to know and study with one of our country’s most impressive leaders. Knowing he’s on the job tells me one of the country’s best doctors and leaders is going to make it right. He will be straightforward; he won’t play games and he will not stop until the situation is addressed completely.

FEMA: Looking Forward

admin |

April 26, 2009

During his hearing, Craig Fugate underscored that vision, talent and leadership is needed to create a stronger national, and not simply, federal capacity to meet obligations to the American people in times of crisis.

Candor and Communications – Chicago Style, Part 2

Rich Cooper |

April 24, 2009

Most of the second day program was spent with concurrent breakout sessions occurring. This allowed the attendees to hear from their counterparts around the country on everything from the Value of Statewide Governance; Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grants; Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans (SCIPs) and more. I’m sure to many people these topics are probably about as exciting as getting front row seats to observe a paint drying marathon, but each of the selected topics addressed core essentials to the planning, execution and funding associated with connecting first responders and more to emergencies and wide scale events.

Security Debrief Debate: How Should DHS Safeguard the Border With Mexico – Updated

Security Debrief |

April 24, 2009

Security Debrief is hosting its first online debate to analyze a strategic plan released by the Department of Homeland Security to secure the border with Mexico. The Department released a fact sheet last week — “Southwest Border: The Way Ahead” — which outlines the new activities and spending for specific departments and locations. Contributors Doug Doan and Chad Wolf kick off the debate by offering differing views on the appropriate use of stimulus funds for homeland security projects.

Back to the Border

admin |

April 16, 2009

Yesterday, the administration announced a new “border czar” and a raft of new and ongoing border security initiatives to battle the smuggling cartels. It still not clear what the scope of the czar’s authority will be and how he will interface with all the folks working on the border.

Air Cargo World Exclusive Webcast: Analysis of the New Government Mandate for 100% Screening of Air Cargo

Security Debrief |

April 14, 2009

How is the air cargo industry preparing itself to implement the U.S. Government’s mandate for screening 100 percent of all international inbound cargo aboard passenger aircraft by August 2010? That’s the number one question for the air freight industry as it faces the challenge of meeting the 2007 Homeland Security law. Listen to an expert panel of security and industry experts in this exclusive webcast discuss how the air cargo mandates will impact security and trade.

Homeland Threat Missing in Action

admin |

April 14, 2009

The risk of electromagnetic pulse devastation is greater than ever. Why does Washington dismiss it? That’s the question asked and answered in recent article in the American Legion magazine that highlights the findings of the National Commission chartered by Congress to assess the EMP threat. A nuclear weapon detonated in space could wreck havoc on the electronic components of our national infrastructure.

Blunder and Busted, British-style: Successful Counter-Terrorism Across the Pond

admin |

April 13, 2009

The United States continues to have much to learn from our allies across the Pond. While Quick was photographed holding sensitive security documents, the British media did not publish the photos until after the operation was completed. A joint government-media body warned news organizations that publication of the photo would “seriously damage national security.” And the media listened.

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