Infrastructure protection

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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DHS releases national emergency communications plan
Seven years after 9/11, and three years after Katrina, DHS releases the U.S. first strategic plan aimed at improving emergency response communications
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Five ways for humans to trigger a natural disaster
Most scientists now agree that human activity contributes to a long-term changes in global climate, with serious consequences for humans, animals, and plants; human activity, though, can also trigger sudden “natural” catastrophes
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Sharp increase in "zero-day" exploits
Cyber-criminals are adopting new automation techniques and strategies that allow them to exploit vulnerabilities much faster than ever before
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