Infrastructure protection

Data breaches in U.S. already surpass 2007 total
The number of reported data breaches in the United States has already surpassed 2007’s total; more states now require breach reporting; experts also say that the development of SQL injections made breaches much easier
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New analysis of earthquake zone raises questions
Oregon State University researchers offer a new analysis of an earthquake fault line that extends some 200 miles off the southern and central Oregon coast that they say is more active than the San Andreas Fault in California
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Aussie student has answer to save Earth from asteroid attack
The bomb dropped on Hiroshima had an explosive yield of 12.5 kiloton; asteroid Apophis, which is now hurtling toward Earth and which will come uncomfortably close to our planet in 2029, packs a punch of 1,375,000 kilotons; competitions are being held to find the best way to stop it in its tracks
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Making precast concrete structures safer
Precast concrete helps builders save time and money, and also increase buildings’ durability; new research aims to make them better able to withstand earthquakes
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ManTech acquires ETG
ETG is a privately held and highly specialized company providing computer network operations and computer forensics; in acquiring it, ManTech signals its intent to expand further into the cybersecurity counter-terrorism technology support market
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Earthquakes endanger New York more than previously believed
A study by a group of prominent seismologists suggests that a pattern of subtle but active faults makes the risk of earthquakes to the New York City area substantially greater than formerly believed; among other things, they say that the controversial Indian Point nuclear power plants, 24 miles north of the city, sit astride the previously unidentified intersection of two active seismic zones
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NIST 9/11 investigation finds building fires caused collapse
After three years study, NIST experts say fire caused the collapse of the 47-story World Trade Center building 7; this is the first known instance of fire causing the total collapse of a tall building
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As the cost of building infrastructure rises, public funds are sought
The cost of building infrastructure in the United Kingdom continue to rise — lasy year rRaw materials and labor costs have risen by 12.2 percent; more and more public funds are sought
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Can New York City's infrastructure handle climate change's consequences?
Mayor Michael Bloomberg sets up a panel of experts to examine whether NYC can cope with flooded subway tunnels, rising sea levels, intense heat, and other consequences of climate change
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Global warming will reduce frequency but increase intensity of hurricanes
Two variables — ocean temperature and wind shear — are considered to be the two most important factors in predicting hurricane activity, both in operational forecasting and in consideration of climate change; new research shows that global warming will likely reduce the frequency of hurricanes, but increase their intensity
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Russia-Georgia conflict shows new frontier in war
Internet attacks on Georgia highlight a key flaw for more than 100 nations: most of these nations’ external connections go through other countries, and there is a lack of internal connections called Internet exchange points
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Aussies to create private-public partnership to strengthen infrastructure
The Australian federal government has established a $20 billion Building Australia Fund to help finance critical infrastructure projects; trouble is, the country’s tender process is erratic and complicated; new measure aims to correct this
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Kiwis plan for critical infrastructure investment
New Zealand’s government plans massive increase in investment in infrastructure; Finance Minister Michael Cullen: “We will deliver more investment…. You will be hearing a lot more about infrastructure from the Labor-led government in the months ahead”
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Hackers' attacks on U.S. government systems are frequent, serious
U.S. government computer systems under frequent and serious attacks by other governments and organizations; James Finch, assistant director of the FBI’s cybercrime division: “We’re not worried so much about the noisy attacks as we are about the quiet ones”
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Ensuring uptime at the Games
Technology glitches at previous Olympics have lead to problems such as the inability to feed competition results into official Web sites and media outlets; Chinese security officials must also contend with individuals and groups of hackers attacking systems during the Olympics
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