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DHS inspector general turns up the heat
Arrest and conviction rates for post-Katrina contracting fraud are skryrocketing, even as total complaints decrease; impressive new zealousness strikes fear into the unethical, but the lawyers are happy; DHS has more than 2,500 open cases pending
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IBM gives Cook County a boost with cruiser-linked infrastructure surveillance
Cameras from Panasonic and Pelco are wirelessly connected to in-car screens and DVRs; Project Shield aims to protect 126 sites at a cost of only $900,000
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Research shows early detection of earthquake magnitude possible
Italian researchers find string correlation between strength of primary wave and the damage resulting from the secondary wave; basic math now permits 10-15 seconds warning time for those near the epicenter; early warning could trigger emergency response mechanisms
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Los Alamos looks to create self-disabling nuclear warheads
Under a secret three year program, scientists have been working on methods to automatically destroy a warhead if it is stolen or tampered with; though details are secret, method might involve an acid that destroys the mechanisms and contaminates the radiactive core
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White papers sought to describe the human factor in cyber-insecurity
Cyber Security Knowledge Tranfer Network offers £50,000 to winning “human factors working group”; understanding how phishers and hackers exploit psychology a critical endeavor; winning applicants will devise a method that raises awareness, has little cost, and builds demand for cybersecurity products
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DoE inspector general rips into Los Alamos
Gregory Friedman notes severe inadequecies in cybersecurity and document management procedures; recent breaches spark review and needed changes; a look back in time shows security a longtime problem at the lab; reminiscing with Richard Feynman presents needed context
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Maine to host maritime security course for first responders
Classes will take place at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine; the 100 expected participants were chosen by local emergency authorities; pilot program may establish Maine course as the nationwide gold standard
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GTSI completes Navy's Prometheus project
$15 million success shows GTSI is back in the saddle after earlier disappointments; effort secured Navy networks against an exponential rise of cyber attacks
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PCII takes on new partners, issues new rules
Protected Critical Infrastructure Information brings aboard Massachusetts, California, Texas, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; new rules address privacy and data submission concerns
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Canada Foundation for Innovation awards homeland security grants
Research into protecting infrastructure and developing new energy sources receive special attention; hundreds of million of Canadian dollars awarded for a wide range of scientific endeavors; Universities of Toronto and Calgary among winners
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Error rates cause havoc for TWIC roll-out
One percent error rate is fine for HSPD-12, but FIPS-201 sensitivity may cause problems at ports; long lines and delays are expected, and port officials are steaming
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AirDefense sensors to be deployed in FAA LAN security project
Contract won by Simplex Data Solutions will result in the deployment of hundreds of AirDefense wireless sensors; latter company flies high after receiving $14 million in second round funding
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Control Products seeks patent for anti-RPG parachute
System is launched from rocket tubes attached to a vehicle or arrayed around a perimeter; Kevlar parachutes snag incoming RPGs; reloading as simple as replacing rockets
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Smarter Security Systems launches new outdoor DVR line
Temperature-hardened and weatherproof SmarterDVRs are designed for remote, outdoor use in such rugged locales as oil fields — and even underwater; system sports motion-based recording and internet connectivity; lower power consumption a critical feature
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SmartTECH to market Akoura's DataSecure software in India
DataSecure’s clever “obfuscation technology” disguises senstive data as commonplace files; unauthorized users are welcomed into the system, but once there they find nothig of value; “cryptographic data store” hides secure information from the operating system so normal and embedded files look the same on the Properties menu
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The long view
Emerging Threats to the U.S. Financial System
In early 2021, a freewheeling, freethinking group of investors on Reddit plowed their money into GameStop, a video game retailer that several big hedge funds had bet against. The stock price shot up, some people made millions—and, to the delight of those on Reddit, the hedge funds had some very bad days. Researchers saw the GameStop story as a cautionary tale. If investors on Reddit could work together to move the markets like that, what could an adversary like China do?
No Power, No Operator, No Problem: Simulating Nuclear Reactors to Explore Next-Generation Nuclear Safety Systems
To create safe and efficient nuclear reactors, designers and regulators need reliable data consistent with real-world observation. Data generated at the facility validates computational models and guides the design of nuclear reactors.
Despite Recent Water Supply Improvement, More Cuts Expected for Colorado River, Feds Say
After Lake Mead hit an all-time low two years ago, the Colorado River’s water supply is in a much better position this summer, but it hasn’t improved enough to prevent further cuts this year.