ELECTION SECURITY PREDICAMENT IN U.S.A

Just weeks ago leaders from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), released a press statement confirming continued efforts to protect U.S. elections.

“Our agencies have been working in unprecedented ways to combat influence efforts and to support state and local officials in securing our elections, including efforts to harden election infrastructure against interference. Our goal is clear: ensure every vote is counted and counted correctly. At this time we have no indication of compromise of our nation’s election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or disrupt the ability to tally votes.”

“Americans should be aware that foreign actors – and Russia in particular – continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord. They can do this by spreading false information about political processes and candidates, lying about their own interference activities, disseminating propaganda on social media, and through other tactics.”

The departments continue to emphasize, “the United States will not tolerate foreign interference in our elections from Russia, China, Iran, or other nations.”

The executive order that President Donald J . Trump signed on September 12, clarifies that persons attempting to undermine or disrupt the electoral process will be seriously punished.

However, following the Mid Term elections in the U.S.A, which took place this past week, which is voting for seats in the Senate and House, it doesn’t seem as though the interference is coming from outside international sources; the interference is coming from within America’s own wall….and the issue is between two American parties.

In Broward County, Florida, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz is appealing for the removal of Brenda Snipes, Supervisor of Elections. Reports and accusations of fraud are escalating as lawyers descend on Florida, the epicenter of a national election fight between the Democrat and the Republican party.

The question remains how 78,000 extra votes were found after election night was over and victory was announced to Governor Rick Scott. A recount of the ballot has been ordered and State Judge Carol Lisa Phillips has ruled it “a violation of the Florida Constitution” as well as”the state’s public records act”.

Immediate inspection is to take place, due to suspicion of Brenda Snipes’ “questionable” secretive history and the allegations of not turning over requested records.

VETERANS DAY

REMEMBERING THOSE WHO FOUGHT TO PROTECT THEIR COUNTRY –

VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11th –

100th ANNIVERSARY 1918-2018 (World War 1)

Security Preps as Migrant Caravan Moves Closer to U.S. Border

President Trump has renewed his promise to keep the United States secure, in a strong tweet, as the caravan of migrants moving towards the southern border continues to push forward,

“I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!”

People in the caravan, mostly from Latin American countries, such as Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico are claiming to look for a more improved life, in America. Honduras is the country where the migrant caravan originated, and those walking away from their homeland speak of escaping poverty and violence.

Many individuals in the migrant caravan intend to seek asylum when they arrive at the U.S. border, however, security in the U.S.A. is now at its highest. In order to weed out legitimate from non-legitimate foreigners, there are strict rules to follow and all entrants into the U.S. must apply to enter legally.

In a nation where parties are divided on their policies of illegal immigrants accessing the United States’ borders, the prime responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security is to ensure the American nation is safe and secure. The same rule applies to all: everyone must go through the correct immigration process. Hidden amongst the caravan of migrants is known to be dangerous gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and criminals who disguise themselves within the crowd hoping to find loopholes and sneak through the lawful system.

U.S. officials have confirmed that Homeland Security will be supported by U.S. troops to assist with the attempted invasion. It has been reported that 800 soldiers are being ordered to offer “logistical support”. Press details suggest there are 2,100 National Guard troops presently helping Homeland Security in the Southern border area.

Secretary of Defense, James Mattis and Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristjen Nielsen are closely overseeing the situation.

Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and the Impact on Modern Day Policing

Studies in the UK, have demonstrated the benefits for Police using Body Worn Cameras. Developed as a tool to improve effectiveness and safety, the body-worn cameras have helped increase confidence, not only among law enforcement but with the public at large as well.

According to reports, 93% of officers acknowledge the body-worn cameras are useful to help gather accurate evidence. The majority of law enforcement officials feel strongly that the body-worn cameras ought to be a compulsory feature when policing.

As the use of body-worn cameras is rapidly growing among police departments, UK studies have shown that when such devices are deployed there is a 59% reduction in use-of-force incidents by officers wearing them and a 33% reduction in complaint allegations.

The de-escalation of anti-social behavior in general and fewer assaults on police officers is a key result of the body-worn camera being attached to the police officers uniform. There are lesser allegations made against police officers due to the review of performance at incidents.

Key consideration factors of the body-worn cameras are highlighted under privacy protection for members of the public record, as well as how to provide the public with access to recordings. There is also a discussion on policies related to when the officers turn the body-worn cameras on and off.

Each device is encrypted with no feature that allows deletion or edited and footage can be stored under data protection for a specific period of time before it is permanently removed from the data systems.

Due to the capabilities of these popular digital evidence-management devices, law enforcement and police body-worn cameras are forecast to increase worldwide.

BILL PASSED TO SECURE INTEGRATION OF UAS IN NATIONAL AIRSPACE

A recent bill has been signed by President Donald Trump, after being passed by the US House and Senate, which allows disabling or shooting down of drones that pose a threat to structures and proximities inside U.S. territories.

The bill, labeled by U.S. Congress, “Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018,” is designed “to assist the Department of Homeland Security in preventing emerging threats from unmanned aircraft and vehicles and for other purposes”.

Strong support is demonstrated from The White House Administration, for national security reasons; the bill includes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the necessary legal authority “to detect, track, and mitigate threats from small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)”.

The safety of the National Airspace System is one of the highest priorities to the United States of America, and this legislation will also enable continued “development of the commercial drone industry” while additionally, “protecting privacy and civil liberties.”

A recent press statement from White House Press Secretary reveals the urgent necessity of development of “a legal framework that protects the public from nefarious uses of this technology, such as facilitating terrorist attacks, conducting espionage, or facilitating other criminal activities such as illicit surveillance, interfering with the safe operation of aircraft, interfering with law enforcement operations, delivering contraband inside prisons, or smuggling drugs or other harmful materials across our Nation’s borders”.

A released document informs the public, past Federal laws inhibited the Federal Government’s “ability to fully evaluate and use essential detection, tracking, and mitigation technologies to counter these rapidly advancing threats”.

Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018 will open up opportunities for committees of jurisdiction to work together with the US Administration and others, to ensure “safe integration of drone technology”.

New York Security at the United Nations General Assembly 2018

This week in New York, strict security operations are underway at the United Nations General Assembly 2018. Safety is the highest priority as President Donald J. Trump and other world leaders prepare for high level meetings and discussions, at the UNGA stage, which began on 18th September.

Diplomatic security is busy facing the largest protective effort of the year, as important dignitaries descend on the United States of America and visit New York in motorcades. The majority of attendees in attendance arriving from countries globally.

With safety being the most important factor on the streets of Manhattan, some key roads are closed, and heightened law enforcement and state department police are placed in strategic positions. Protestors of various international groups are a concern and have to be carefully managed, so the city avoids caotic disruptions, and harmful demonstrations.

According to reports, nine months of planning go into this 10-day UN General Assembly. Security official are responsible for setting up monitors and vast surveillance systems to oversee the event, and be vigilant for threats to the members and dignitaries.

Fifteen state and federal partners are tasked at working with 750 other team players to establish a significant band-with of security. Threats to the UN General Assembly are varied; in addition to camera monitoring security, there is a need for physical protection as well high security for potential cyber hacking.

Last year, the cost of the efforts to protect the UNGA were stated to be close to 30 million US dollars. New York Police Department Officers (NYPD), the cornerstone of Manhattan safety, is coping with the arduous management of barrackading entrances with concrete blocks, and blocker vehicles.

BRITISH AIRWAYS APOLOGIES TO CUSTOMERS FOR RECENT CYBER ATTACK

Recent reports state that cyber officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA), are investigating a data breach which has affected thousands of British Airways customers.

British Airways’ chairman and chief executive, Alex Cruz, has apologized for the “sophisticated, malicious attack” that hacked into customer credit card details. It is feared that the criminals have had access to utilizing the personal information to the point that people have had to cancel their credit cards. Seemingly 380,000 payments have been affected due to the two-week hack.

Since the recent introduction of the new Data Protection Act, under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the long-time British international airline could face fines in the millions. Although no passport, frequent flier details, or travel information has been invaded it is confirmed that the names, addresses expiration dates, security numbers, and credit cards numbers have been compromised. Concerns loom over the fact that this type of incident can lead to secondary data hackings.

British Airways suggests all customers who have made purchases via the British Airways app or website should notify their financial institutions immediately.

BAE SYSTEMS AND FLEXERA FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO HELP U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Reports from the BAE newsroom has announced that BAE has formed “a new strategic partnership with Flexera, to help government agencies moving to the cloud better manage their software licenses and more accurately plan and budget for their future information technology (IT) needs”.

A statement by Cindy Grogan, Vice President of Global Alliances at Flexera, expresses excitement at the partnership, “Together with BAE Systems, we are providing government agencies with a secure mission-ready cloud that arrives fully-embedded with the tools necessary to mitigate the complicated and potentially costly hardware and software license management challenges many agencies fear when moving to cloud environments”.

The U.S.governments and U.S. military rely on BAE Systems for national security related to cyber, as well as on the ground, in the air, and on the oceans. Flexera, who was named a 2018 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice for Software Asset Management tools, oversee and help companies buy and sell the necessary software and cloud services, which are suitable for reducing risks to security.

Government agencies will be able to analyze details, and data as they collaborate, confident that information shared, will be conducted under the highest security standards available in IT technology.

PERSONAL SAFETY APPS FOR APPLE IOS AND ANDROID PHONES

With the famous yearly Apple launch taking place tomorrow September 12th, and the exciting buzz about all the latest tech features on the soon to be released newest devices, whether it be a high-resolution camera, developed screen size or image definition, there are those out there who are thinking about one thing only – safety.

Digital facial recognition technology has become extremely prevalent in relation to the security of an individual’s phone and personal data kept within, however, should there be an emergency and one needs a line of defense, many are relying on downloaded applications for personal safety.

Some options of free apps that offer private alerts are choices that can be easily installed into one’s mobile device and are becoming increasingly popular displays in the directory on a person’s phone screen.

bSafe
A personal safety app in which users create a “social safety network” of individuals who are notified in case of an emergency or in situations where the user feels unsafe.

Circle of 6
An app for everyone. It’s fast, easy to use and private. Originally designed for college students to prevent sexual violence, we also know it’s handy for teenagers, parents, friends, or all communities seeking to foster healthy relationships and safety. Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two taps let your circle know where you are and how they can help. It’s the mobile way to look out for each other on campus or when you’re out for the night. A simple tool to prevent violence before it happens.

Kitestring
This app checks up on you with a simple text message. Reply to the message to check in. Stay connected. If you don’t check in, Kitestring sends your emergency contacts a personalized alert message. Nothing to download. And you don’t even need a smartphone. Best of all, it’s totally free.

Life360
A family net-working app released in 2008. It is a location-based service designed to allow friends or family members to share their location with each other and communicate with each other.

React Mobile.
This is a powerful personal safety app that turns your smartphone into a powerful lifeline. Our safety app features a “Follow-Me” feature that lets you share your GPS location with friends and family so they can track your whereabouts in real-time and follow you to safety.

Red Panic Button.
Contact various emergency services or your panic contact list. Red Panic Button app features include SMS panic message, email panic message, Twitter or Facebook panic statuses with your GPS location.

Scream Alarm.
As the name suggests, a loud scream in a woman’s voice starts if you press the button on the screen. You have to push the button again to stop the screaming. There are no other features, just press the button on your Android phone and let the woman scream in the offender’s ear.

SOS – Stay Safe
This is an innovative discreet personal safety app for women, elderly citizens and anyone who needs assistance in an urgent situation. Using revolutionary patent-pending technology, you’re able to request assistance with no effort.

Watch Over Me
An ingenious app that turns the smartphone into an emergency alert system. It’s just the latest mobile tool that is helping people reach out for help when they need it. Different from other safety apps

HURRICANE FLORENCE: SAFETY ALERTS FOR U.S. SOUTH EAST COASTLINE

The PEAK of the Atlantic hurricane season is known to fall anywhere between mid-August to the end of October and this week is proof of that, as Hurricane Florence emboldens its way towards the Carolinas. Predicted to be a close catastrophic category 5, Florence is speeding towards the South East coast of the USA.

What is most unique about this hurricane, is the havoc it will create as it arrives head-on into land bringing with it extraordinary high rising sea levels and dangerously severe wind gusts, in the range of 150mph (230 kph). Officials are calling it “life-threatening”.

Security concerns are not just for the safety of residents in the area, but there is fear that the storm direction will fall close to multiple power plants, industrial waste facilities, coal ash pits, as well as poultry and hog farms.

As Hurricane Florence crosses a warm Atlantic ocean, all the components of nature are in place, to fuel its intensity. Governors of South Carolina and Virginia have ordered mandatory evacuations for coastline residents and those in low-lying areas. President Trump approved a state of emergency for North Carolina on Monday. Other states that have been declared emergencies are South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. More than a million people are being impacted by this storm.

Meteorologists are fearing wide-spread heavy rain, lightning, thunderstorms, along with flooding and tornadoes from tropical cyclones caused by this weather pattern. The communities affected could be without power for weeks and need to take cautionary measures.

People are being warned to be proactive and take this hurricane advisory seriously. It is important to fill up cars with gasoline, and store up on emergency supplies and provisions that will last at least 3 days, if not more.

Weather forecasters are keeping an eye on other hurricanes, following the wake of Florence, namely, Helene and Isaac.

Some experts are predicting that Hurricane Florence could be one of the largest and most dangerous hurricanes in the history of the United States.