Security Debrief

Risks abound at home and abroad

A recent report by the UK-based think tank Chatham House describes the challenges associated with preparing for high-impact, low-probability events as well as potential global impacts. On the latter point, the report highlights how impacts will be felt well beyond an immediate disaster area, with the effects reverberating around the world because of our interconnected, global economy. In short, the best we can do is allocate resources based on risk assessments, and have a robust all-hazards plan to address the Black Swans that we could not have anticipated.

Congressional hearing investigates jihadist use of social media

Subcommittee Hearing: Jihadist Use of Social Media – How to Prevent Terrorism and Preserve Innovation | The House Committee on Homeland Security On Tuesday, December 6, 2011 the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence will hold a hearing entitled “Jihadist Use of Social Media – How to Prevent Terrorism and Preserve Innovation.” […]

Hizballah Poised to Strike in Southeast Asia

Last week, Thai police arrested Atris Hussein, a suspected Hizballah operative, at the Bangkok airport, while another suspect escaped. Elsewhere in the capital, authorities seized a large cache of chemical explosives composed of ammonium nitrate and urea fertilizer. These discoveries of Hizballah bombmaking in Thailand are no surprise given the group’s long history of terrorist operations in Southeast Asia.

Need an Icebreaker? The Coast Guard Does

As the U.S. fleet of icebreakers continues to age and fall behind the world’s arctic maritime community, the vision and fortitude of U.S. decision makers continues to wane. The recent announcement by Shell Oil to launch their $200 million arctic icebreaker in April 2012 should send a shiver up the spine of every Coastguardsman and mariner who has considered how the United States will deal with the future of operations in the high latitudes.

Steve Bucci Talks Cyber with Federal News Radio

Security Debrief contributor Steve Bucci spoke to Federal News Radio’s Francis Rose about things to watch in the cyber realm in 2012. Check out Steve’s interview on In Depth with Francis Rose to learn more about progress in deciphering Stuxnet an Duqu, as well as cloud computing and other cyber issues.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

In the Second World War, the iconic phrase “loose lips sink ships” summed up the need for keeping information that could be useful to the enemy to only those who need it. It’s 70 years later and the social imperative for who needs information has diametrically changed. On any social networking site, there are opportunities for our enemies to identify us and use that information to plan attacks, both physical and cyber.

With Coming Budget Cuts, Opportunities Arise for Small Security Firms and International Markets

By Steven Krause

The upcoming FY2013 budget request will begin to identify winners and losers in this new scenario. However they are applied, reductions announced on Thursday equal the elimination, roughly, of one Lockheed Martin or a General Dynamics plus a Raytheon – every year for the next 10 years. This new normal can spell terrific opportunity for firms that are willing to shed comfortable habits and plunge into the maelstrom with courage.

Smart, Savvy, Insightful: Analytic Tradecraft to Enable Homeland Security

The Homeland Security Policy Institute released an issue brief highlighting the value of applying analytic tradecraft techniques more widely throughout the homeland security community. Author and HSPI Senior Fellow Jon Nowick maintains that as the homeland security community faces evolving threats, it must tap every opportunity to use resources smartly.

No Magic Weapon for Crowd Management

The makers of Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) have reported significant increases in sales following the Occupy Movement’s first phase of activity last year. Some, I suspect, think they’re buying a magic crowd management weapon. Yet, the best deterrent to truly criminal behavior is to identify criminals, such as those committing or inciting violence, gathering evidence against them, and successfully arresting and prosecuting them.

Perhaps #TSA security isn't all "security theater"

Homeland Security Watch » Defending the TSA?!? A recent Vanity Fair article on airport security not only regurgitates the obvious and well known, but lacks little strategic point of view. Mr. Schneier [the subject of the article] has performed an invaluable service over the years bringing to light deficiencies in our homeland security thinking, and Mr. Mann (the author […]