RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT TARGETING U.S.ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURES

The United States Department of Homeland Security recently released documentation accusing Russia of attempting to attack U.S. infrastructure such as critical manufacturing sectors, aviation, water, commercial facilities, nuclear and energy sectors.

Evidence has shown the Russian government has the capability of sabotaging power plants and electrical systems, through cyber attacks. Unidentified hackers have found a way to enter into critical control systems. As far back as June 2017, the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security alerted utility companies to these perpetrations.

With multiple Russian cyber operations, at large, American intelligence officials are keenly aware that Russian invasion is problematic not only to the United States but other European nations.

According to forensic analysis experts, Russian spies are aggressively preparing themselves for ways to infiltrate into crucial infrastructures within the United States, that could cause serious damage to the country.

Cyber security professionals from companies such a Symantec and Cylance, have confirmed that Russia has the capable espionage to sabotage industries within the USA.

Sanctions have been strongly placed upon Russia, as their behavior continues to be troubling. Two entities highlighted include, “FSB, and GRU intelligence agencies”.

Senior national officials are pushing back in meaningful ways. The determined motive of the attacks have been characterized as “multi-stage intrusion campaign by Russian cyber actors”. Their intent, “to gather details on computer management systems in the U.S. energy grid”

For confirmation on this article visit:

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA18-074A

 

 

 

Maritime Safety: Integrated Communication Systems

There is much talk about security on land, but what about safety in the open seas?

Maritime safety is an umbrella for many categories, which include: search and rescue, radio communications, fire protection, maritime security and piracy, to name a few.

Wireless radio has always been a valuable tool in communication. When a vessel is in distress, help can soon be dispatched if a call is transmitted by wireless radio. The problem is that wireless has limited distance capability. Satellites have since proven to be an improvement. Such devices evidently play a vital role in search and rescue operations at sea.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has evolved into the International Maritime Satellite Organization, (Inmarsat), with an intention to focus on emergency maritime communications. Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems (GMDSS) was established as part of Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which highlights the importance of global maritime distress and safety systems.

GMDSS is an integrated communication system, which assists in protecting lives at sea. It consists of several parts that work together to function cohesively. The system consists of, determining the vessel in distress by an alert, search and rescue coordination, locating, maritime safety information broadcasts, and various types of relative communications. It is an internationally agreed upon set of safety procedures and protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue vessels in distress.

The latest technologies of maritime safety systems, provide sophisticated ship-to-ship communications, as well as ship to shore.

2018 Winter Olympics Pyeongchang, South Korea and Safety

In less than two weeks, the world will brace itself for the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympics, to be held in the elevated mountainous region, east of Seoul, Pyeongchang, The country shall boast home to various disciplines in winter sports, that will attract athletes and spectators alike, from all around the world.

 

During February 9-25th, people’s breathing will not only be held during competition, but also towards the hopes that this specially selected place for the revered Winter Olympic games, is a safe haven, for all who visit and participate. (more…)

STRONG SECURITY AT SUPER BOWL USA, extra law enforcement on patrol

Ask any American, and they will tell you the importance of Super Bowl, in their culture. It is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), in the United States. A time for households everywhere to glue their eyes on the TV screen as the NFC and AFC rival teams, do battle on the field. Excited viewers, worldwide, watch with family and friends, from the comfort and safety of their private surroundings, while they consume large amounts of football style food and drinks, in celebration.

It is also a sporting event where thousands of football fans make pilgrimage to the stadium, so they can partake in the entire Super Bowl extravaganza, and Big Game experience. For such fans, Super Bowl LII (Roman Numerals 52), will be held on February 4th, this year, at the U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN. The teams playing will be the Philadelphia Eagles against the New England Patriots. In addition, people attending will look forward to a National Anthem performance by Pink, and a halftime show by Justin Timberlake. (more…)

Does Hawaii have safeguards in place to prevent transmission of nuclear missile false alert?

Yesterday, people on the island of Hawaii, were aghast and shaken, by an accidental alert, sent out in error, to their mobile devices, stating, “Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill”. (more…)

ASEAN summit: PM Modi and President Trump agree on Peace and Security

World news highlighted positive meetings yesterday, between Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and US President Donald Trump, at the Association of South East Asian Nations, (ASEAN) summit, held in Manila, Philippines.

The two leaders, with a common objective of security for their respective nations and the world at large, shook hands after bilateral talks.

According to reports, apart from discussions on economic issues related to trade and investment, the two leaders privately discussed terrorism and shared mutual interest in finding solutions for the situation in Asia, and “humanity as a whole”. (more…)

USA and INDIA stand shoulder to shoulder on Cyber Security

There is no question about it – the ties are strong between the USA and INDIA. Two of the largest and greatest democracies in the world are glued together with the same values of protecting the people of their nations with regards to security, technology or otherwise.

With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), earlier this year, between the Department of Homeland Security, and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the bonds between the two countries have never been stronger.

Since both shared the same values and mindset regarding Cyber Security, this MoU, allows collaboration and the interchanging of close guarded information. Respect and trust being the bridge between USA and India governments, Joint Cyber Dialogue, continues to focus heavily on all levels of security related to cybercrime. The two nations agree on bilateral measures to combat the cyberspace environment, as is evident in the US-India Cyber Relationship Framework.

In 2000 the USA relied heavily on Indian engineers, who literally,  “ saved the day,” for the USA, during the Y2K crisis. A telecommunications surge in India in the late 90’s brought Indians towards modernization and to the global market. This opened the door for private-to-private partnerships between USA and Indian companies.

In an ever-threatening volatile world, both countries need to keep a keen eye on national defense. Pakistan and China are the two biggest countries of concern to India, whilst USA, has multiple countries that pose cyber related threats. Although India and USA, do not secure an intense military to military cyber defense relationship, there is a keenness from both sides to pursue that avenue, and it would definitely suit both parties’ interests, in more ways than one.

 

Smartphones of NATO soldiers hacked by Russian Spy Drones

Around 400 military troops of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stationed in Eastern Europe next to the Russian border, have recently been targets of hacking, according to media reports. Seemingly, a drone in the shape of a Stingray, was noted to be stealing personal details as well as deleting data from smartphones in its proximity. The cyber criminals pinpointed their focus on the Facebook and iCloud accounts of NATO soldiers.

The intimidating intention of the Russians, in their attempts to abscond private information from the many mobile devices is to also track the NATO soldiers’ whereabouts, as well as the quantity of servicemen located in the Baltics. Sources state that some phones had data completely erased and other phones had foreign details entered into their devices by hacking intruders. These bizarre incidents are causing NATO soldiers to remove SIM cards as well as disguise their smart phone devices, so they are impenetrable.

Fingers point to the Russian government as synchronizing suspects of this endeavor due to the highly developed scope of the hacking attempt.

 

Another security breach highlights gaps in border surveillance

Early hours of October 3 witnessed another major breach of security forces in Kashmir as four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) affiliates ambushed Border Security Force (BSF) camps near the Srinagar airport, resulting in the demise of a BSF soldier.

The attack took place at 3:45 a.m. on Tuesday, when four members of the JeM group infiltrated the BSF’s 182 battalion camp in the army attire and opened fire at the security force. The Indian Army, CRPF, BSF and the special operations group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police joined the combat to neutralize the threat and successfully kill the four militants.

The attack becomes the latest in the string of security breaches carried out by the affiliates of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the JeM, following the Pathankot airbase attack and Uri attack.

The intensity and audacity of these attacks have only amplified in recent years despite the government’s claims that 130 militants had been killed by security forces till 31 July, this year. While the government is attributing the reason for this increase to the growing number of youth joining these terrorist organisations, experts hold a rather different point of view over the situation.

According to the defence experts in the area, the problem is deeply rooted in the lack of adequate security appliances at the disposal of the Indian forces. While the Indian security forces showcase adequate manpower to mitigate such threats, they are often let down by gaps in security networks and surveillance systems. This renders a security parameter that is wide in nature but lacks strongly in terms of depth.

A strong security network is an efficient mix of technical and human surveillance. While the Indian forces have a strong human surveillance, they require more technical advancements that augment their efforts in securing the army areas. Equipment such as night vision glasses and infrared mapping devices can play a pivotal role in preventing these attacks and strengthening the overall defences of the Indian army. Unfortunately, any up-gradation of the technical surveillance equipment is ruled out due to lack of funds or other budgetary barriers. Without the up-gradation of these equipment, such security breaches will be inevitable, no matter how well the patrolling stations are manned.

Are border security issues in India similar to those in the USA?

Let’s build a wall! How many times have we heard this comment, when political conversations turn to protecting a country’s borders. Certainly a wall can help to some degree. It is without doubt a good thing, if the structure is sustainable. When we look at the Great Wall of China as an example, we can understand that it was one of the surest ways to defend a nation from invasions during ancient times. Today, however, things are somewhat different, since we have gravitated to a level where law enforcement and technology greatly assists in protecting the margins of our communities.

In India, the government is facing border control issues as well, such as the rapid influx of the Rohingya people. These ethnic minority folk are supposedly descendants of Arab traders. Their current government in Myannmar denies Rohingya citizenship, therefore hundreds of thousands of them are now trying to enter India. Whether it be to find a better way to live, a hope for acceptance, acquire jobs, or enter for religious purposes, these people have one thing in common – they are illegal aliens in the nation into which they steal.

With no intention of following the legal formalities to enter India, this mass civilization is causing stress to the Border Security Force in India, who consequently are having to step up security on the Indian Bangladesh and Indian Myanmar borders. Such intense implementation of protection is especially necessary at a time when Durga Puja celebrations are occurring in Tripura. It has been noted in the past that when speaking on behalf of parliament, the Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has tremendous concerns. Whether the Rohingyas are registered under the Human Rights Commission or not, they are purely and simply – illegal immigrants in India.

President Trump, of the United States of America, with similar thinking patterns, has high priority proclamations on the restrictions of undocumented people spilling across the borders of Mexico into the Southern part of USA. He has made it a national message to citizens across America, in his strong yet tailored statements that he aspires to work diligently with foreign governments to enhance strict global security measures on all frontiers. The key concerns for the United States of America is also illegal immigration, bootlegging, contraband and terrorism.

So what is the best way to secure our nations’ borders? Is it to build walls? There are continued threatening apprehensions in areas where mountainous terrain, rivers and unfenced areas pose a threat to illegal traffic flow of individuals and contrabands. What do we do in such conditions? The two countries, although on either side of the globe, have a common and serious security issue at hand. Critical measures for constant security improvements, are being taken on borders in India as well as in the USA. It seems to be the common denominating fact that protecting the borders is more than ever vital to national sovereignty, homeland security, and economic prosperity. We must have confidence in our country’s knowledgeable leaders, border patrol personnel, and the superior detection technologies that are available to governments, so that all can work together in a profoundly effective way.