Security Debrief

After Colorado Tragedy, Contemplating the Responsibilities of Why

July 20, 2012

With the horrific shooting that unfolded in Aurora, CO at the midnight screening of the summer’s most anticipated Batman film, I, like many people, find myself asking, “Why?” The question of “why” is one the subsequent police investigation will have to figure out, but the biggest “why” I have today relates to the victims in the movie theater. Initial reports are talking about a three-month-old, as well as a six- and nine-year-old as having been killed, with other kids among the injured. Why were these children in this theater at that hour?”

Why is DHS a Crappy Place to Work? – Part 3

Rich Cooper |

July 20, 2012

In the Department of Homeland Security’s effort to protect the nation, finding and hiring the right people for important jobs can be a laborious task. In this third installment of my series for Defense Media Network, I consider how the department’s personnel system, the pay and the confirmation process contribute to making DHS a crappy place to work.

IEDs – The ubiquitous threat

Security Debrief |

July 16, 2012

Last week, Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, Director Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), testified in a closed session before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security on the threat posed by IEDs in the United States. Lt. Gen. Barbero knows better than anyone how the knowledge and experience of bomb makers in Afghanistan and Iraq can be easily transferred here to conduct attacks in the United States. The trend is clear – we need to take this threat as seriously as we are taking the cyber threat.

Reward for Fast and Furious Killers is Too Little, Too Late

Steven Bucci |

July 12, 2012

On Monday, Federal authorities released the names of four fugitives tied to the death of Agent Brian Terry and the failed operation “Fast and Furious.” Charged with the murder of Agent Terry and the assault of several other officers at the scene, these men have evaded U.S. and Mexican authorities for 18 months. The timing of this decision strikes me as odd; politics are masquerading as policy.

Why Is DHS a Crappy Place to Work? – Part 2

Rich Cooper |

July 10, 2012

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) performs a critical role protecting the country. The mission is challenging, but just as difficult is working within the department itself. There are several reasons for this, some of which include how elected officials place political appointees within the department. Here is the second installment in my series about why DHS is a crappy place to work.

After the Storm – Thoughts on the June Derecho

David Olive |

July 9, 2012

With the recent heat waves and storms that have impacted millions of people throughout the United States, much is being written about the nation’s inability to prevent and recover quickly from destructive events. I am not yet ready to start placing blame – there are lots of things I should have done to be prepared. Individual responsibility leads to community preparedness. Here are some thoughts the disruptions bring to mind.

In the Heat of the Night – Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Security Debrief |

July 9, 2012

A week ago, with a heat wave bearing down on the eastern United States, heavy storms left millions of homes without power, mine being one of them. Homeland security has morphed from being just about protecting the homeland from madmen to something more like civil defense, which includes protecting critical infrastructure. While we seem to be doing OK against the most egregious threats, our vulnerability to infrastructure disruption remains a problem. We need no more excuses about how bad the thunderstorms were; we have a problem that makes us vulnerable.

Locking Private Sector Shields Against Cyber Attacks

Justin Hienz |

July 2, 2012

Information travels through America’s cyber networks at the speed of light. The legislation that will be used to govern some aspects of network security is traveling at the speed of bureaucracy. The Senate has been debating two cybersecurity bills that will impact U.S. cybersecurity standards, but whatever Congress eventually decides, the onus is on U.S. citizens and businesses to step up their individual security efforts.

Increase in C-TPAT Enforcement — and Enforcement Costs

Security Debrief |

June 29, 2012

As C-TPAT has matured, Customs and Border Protection’s emphasis on compliance is sensible, and CBP is to be commended for ensuring that the program is a real security program and not merely a “paper program.” But CBP also must be careful to ensure that suspension and revocation decisions are made consistently across C-TPAT membership and that decisions are made in a timely way and in accordance with transparent procedures. There is anecdotal information that consistency and transparency are not yet hallmarks of CBP’s compliance efforts.

Chinese Cyber Attacks Are Looting U.S. Private Sector

Justin Hienz |

June 29, 2012

One issue that receives too little public attention is the blatant use of hackers by China to steal U.S. intellectual property, defense technology, and other data critical to national security and competitiveness. China is one of America’s biggest competitors, and they (hackers, Chinese corporations and the Chinese government) clearly have no problem penetrating U.S. public and private sector networks to leapfrog over the years of hard work and innovation. Are we not outraged?