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Pentagon's IG resigns
Claude Kicklighter, who took over as Pentagon inspector general in April 2007, has accepted a teaching position at George Mason University; he will be executive director of the university’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Project
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Melting ice menaces Russia's critical infrastructure
Russian scientists say that the hard permafrost covering the ground year-round across Russia’s far north will melt by 2030; government officials say that if this happens, critical infrastructure, including key airfields, oil storage facilities, and strategic oil reservoirs, could all be destroyed
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U.K. critical infrastructure vulnerable
New report says last summer’s flood showed infrastructure’s vulnerability; funding for flood defenses was not sufficient or secure, undermining industry confidence, and there were not enough skilled engineers to deliver the protection from flooding needed
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Israeli government prepares for major earthquake in north
In one three-month period this year, around 500 small tremors were recorded in northern Israel; Israeli government health officials urge hospitals, municipalities to prepare for worst
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Oversight of fire protection at U.S. nuclear reactors could be strengthened
GAO examined the oversight exercised by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission over fire protection procedures at U.S. commercial nuclear power plants, and says this oversight could be strengthened
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TSA issues TWIC card readers standards
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) aims to register about 1.2 million employees in U.S. ports and those who have regular access to these ports; the agency issues standard for readers which will read the information off TWIC cards
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New Indian Point siren system scores high in full test
Test of new alarm siren system in the four counties surrounding the Indian Point nuclear plants in New York produce good grades
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Is flooding really as big a risk to Britain now as terrorism?
In 2007 the U.K. saw disastrous summer flooding in Yorkshire and the Severn valley around Gloucester and Tewkesbury. These floods caused the largest peacetime emergency in Britain since the Second World War
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DHS seeks public comments on infrastructure protection plan
DHS invites the public to comment on revisions to the National Infrastructure Protection Plan; last time DHS conducted a review of the NIPP in 2006, some 10,000 comments were submitted
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Protecting IT infrastructure
The U.S. National Weather Service says that 910 storms had already been recorded by mid-May, a considerable number when compared with 1,093 confirmed tornadoes for all of 2007; U.S. business had better be prepared
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Addressing the vulnerability of IP-based infrastructure security
The growing reliance on IP networks to control security systems offers greater efficiency but also increased vulnerability; one of the promising trends in the network security world is that of unidirectional connectivity which allows data to pass between networks in one direction only
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Top 10 rules for combating cyber attacks
Califonira-based security specialist offers useful rules for protecting the control systems of critical infrastructure and industrial facilities fro maliciuos intrusion
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Floridians believe global warming will have dangerous impacts on the state
Florida Residents want government to do more to address climate change; new survey of Floridians finds that most are convinced that global warming is happening now and that more should be done by key leaders to help Florida deal with climate change
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Pipe inspecting robot
Robot able to climb vertically in gas, water, and oil pipes, detecting leaks and monitoring conditions as it moves along
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TSA launches news airport airside and perimeter security
Billions of dollars have been invested in — and strict regulations promulgated for — passenger and baggage screening to prevent explosives from being taken on board; very little money has been invested in and no specific mandates imposed regarding airport perimeter security; TSA is changing this — and also takes the next essential step: coordination among the different money bodies involved in airport perimeter security
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The long view
Accelerating Clean Energy Geothermal Development on Public Lands
Geothermal energy is one of our greatest untapped clean energy resources on public lands. Replenished by heat sources deep in the Earth, geothermal energy generates electricity with minimal carbon emissions. Interior Department announces new leases and pioneering project approval, and proposes simplified permitting.
Efforts to Build Wildfire Resilience Are Heating Up
Stanford’s campus has become a living lab for testing innovative fire management techniques, from AI-powered environmental sensors to a firebreak-creating “BurnBot.”
Reducing Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise in Virginia
As the climate changes and sea levels rise, there is concern that sinking coastlines could exacerbate risks to infrastructure, as well as human and environmental health in coastal communities. The Virginia Coastal Plain is one of the fastest-sinking regions on the East Coast.
Climate Change Threatens Bridges, Roads: Research Helps Engineers Adapt Infrastructure
Across America, infrastructure built to handle peak stormwater flows from streams and rivers have been engineered under the assumption that rainfall averages stay constant over time. As extreme weather events become more frequent, these systems could be in trouble.