• AIG buys DPW’s port management contracts

    Earlier in the year a firestorm broke out when it was disclosed that the Bush administration had approved a deal in which a UAE-based company would acquire the management of major U.S. seaports from a U.K-based company; after a month of heated debate, major portions of the deal were restructured to minimize DPW’s access to more sensitive areas at the ports; now, AIG has acquired DPW contracts, and critics of the original deal are happy; DPW is also happy: It was hoping to realize about $700 million on the deal, but sources close to the negotiations say that the final price tag would be “comfortably” above the $1 billion mark

  • Trace Systems eyes growing wireless sensor network market

    The wireless sensor network market is growing by leaps and bounds, and this Virginia-based company wants to be a major player in it

  • Cybercrooks use "KGB-style" recruitment tactics

    Phishers and hackers are infiltrating university clubs; greed a prime motivator for students; liberal arts majors trained to become sleeper cells

  • Sandia develops an imporved sensor network

    The future — well, a part of it at least — belongs to sensor networks; rsearchers at Sandia Natioal Lab have developed the unattended ground sensor (UGS), and system whcih combines off-the-shelf components with in-house developed elements to create a better andre useful network; investors and manufacturers may want to make the lab an offer for the technology

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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