LEGISLATION FOR CYBERSECURITY AGENCY PASSED BY U.S. CONGRESS

A unanimous vote to pass legislation for a Cybersecurity and Infastructure Security Agency (CSIA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has taken place in the U.S. House of Representatives.

DHS Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, announced in a press release statement by  Homeland Security, “ the cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, and we need to ensure we’re properly positioned to defend America’s infrastructure from threats digital and physical”.

Nielsen expressed gratitude to the House of Representatives and recognized the hardworking men and women of the NPPD for carrying out cybersecurity missions. The vote, which occured on November 13, is an important stand toward creating a federal government agency.

“The CISA Act (H.R. 3359), which passed the Senate in October and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, would reorganize DHA’ National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) into a new agency and prioritize its mission as the Federal leader for cyber and physical infrastructure security”.

Under Secretary Christopher Krebs, NPPD, remarked in the press release,  “Elevating the cybersecurity mission within the Department of Homeland Security, streamlining our operations, and giving NPPD a name that reflects what it actually does will help better secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and cyber platforms.  The changes will also improve the Department’s ability to engage with industry and government stakeholders and recruit top cybersecurity talent.”

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.

SMILE AT THE CAMERA – SECURITY SYSTEMS 2020 TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES

As Tokyo, Japan prepares to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, one of the main focuses of the organizing committee is security. Efficiency at the many venues will be critical as officials formulate a tight structure of monitoring officials, staff, media, visitors, coaches, and athletes.

Nippon Denki Kabushiki Gaisha, NEC Corp. a Japanese multinational provider of information technology (IT) Services and products, has developed a NeoFace facial recognition system technology that shall be introduced for the first time, to the Summer Olympics Games 2020. Japanese officials are welcoming the system, which is reported to eliminate forged documents and assist with the faster processing of attendees.

The biometrical identification technology, to be used at the Summer Olympic Games 2020, is most similar to those located in airports across the world. It will also be implemented at the Paralympics.

Databases will store approved facial images that are collected from accredited persons related to the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

Executive Director of Security, Tsuyoshi Iwashita, feels confident that the facial recognition system technology will alleviate much stress from the highly popular Olympic festivities from a security point of view as well as expediting the flow of the Olympic event movement in its entirety.

2018 ASPEN SECURITY FORUM BRINGS TOGETHER VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS & IMPORTANT SPEAKERS

The 2018 Aspen Security Forum just closed its doors after a week of intense intellectual security events at Deloitte Base Camp. Attendees have gone home with forum badges, master programs and packets as keepsakes, but the most valuable souvenirs are the memories of listening to keynote speakers such a Christopher Wray, the Director of the FBI; Kirsten Neilsen, Secretary of Homeland Security; Daniel Coates, Director of National Intelligence; and Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, US Department of Justice, to name just a few.

One of the topics on the 2018 Aspen Security Forum agenda, aimed at “China Rising”, moderated by David Ignatius, Columnist and Associate Editor, The Washington Post, who led a panel of experts, Michael Collins, Deputy Assistant Director, East Asia Mission Center, Central Intelligence Agency; Marcel Lettere, Former Under Secretary of Defence for Intelligence, Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Ambassador of Singapore to the United States; Susan Thornton, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

“ Having consolidated power and extended his term, President Xi Jinping is now the mightiest Chinese leader since Mao. And, his rise to political primary coincides with a moment in history when China itself is rising – economically, militarily, and geopolitically. It coincides, too, with a moment in history when America is both withdrawing from the global stage and riven internally by toxic partisanship. Is China on its way to becoming the new global hegemon and, if so, what are the geostrategic implications?”

A week of high level discussions with the most powerful minds together at the 2018 Aspen Security Forum, highlighted the subject “ A New Nuclear Arms Race”, moderated by Michael Gordon, National Security Correspondent, The wall Street Journal, with panelists, Bonnie Jenkins, Former Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs, US Department of State; Frank Klotz, Former Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; Franklin Miller, Former Senior Director for Defence Policy and Arms Control, National Security Council and Andrew Weber, Former Assistant Secretary of Defence for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs.

“Reminiscent of the Cold War, the US and Russia are racing to develop a new generation of more powerful nuclear weapons, making the prospect of cataclysmic war more realistic than at any time in generations. Can the nuclear arms race genie be put back in the bottle?”

Another hot conversation in the media that deserved a key panel was “Taking Fate into our Own Hands”, moderated by Terry Moran, Chief Foreign Correspondent, ABC News, who led panelists, Emily Haber, Ambassador of Germany to the United States,; John McLaughlin, Former Acting Director and Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency; Michael Murphy, Deputy Assistant of State for European and Eurasian Affairs; as well as David O’Sullivan, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States.

“Thus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel famously summed up Europe’s reaction to Trump’s America First agenda. For the first time since its founding, the strength of the NATO alliance is being questioned. Would a President who said that he was elected to “represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris” really go to war to save Vilnius? And, it appears that Europe is as much in the President’s crosshairs for trade imbalances as China. In short, is the Trans-Atlantic partnership, the bedrock of the global order since WWII, being consigned before our eyes to the dustbin of history?”

All in all, it was indeed a valuable week of international and national discussions and debates, with experts from all over the world, and everyone looking to find the same solid solutions – sound security for a better world.

MICROSOFT REQUESTS GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS FOR FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

Highly regarded companies such as Goldman Sachs take great pride in boasting on their websites how “implementing facial recognition correctly”, may demonstrate great potential towards protecting one from a breach in cybersecurity. Securing the activity of one’s finance details with such advanced facial recognition technology has proven to be a positive and effective trend.

Microsoft, however, is questioning whether facial recognition technology is working for everyone’s advantage. In a recent blog posting, titled FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY: THE NEED FOR PUBLIC REGULATION AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, written by Brad Smith – the Microsoft President is crying out for “the need for government regulation”.

Smith makes a passionate plea, due to what he considers the rapid evolution of technology and devices, “Advanced technology no longer stands apart from society; it is becoming deeply infused in our personal and professional lives”. He is demonstrating his concern about government tracking. In some instances Smith highlights how positive facial recognition technology is indeed useful for finding missing children or helping first responders identify a terrorist, however, the issues he feels a strong objection to is how facial recognition relates to “US government projects related to separating children from their families at the border”.

The elaborate details Smith illustrates in his blog post, regarding how facial recognition ought to be addressed through government regulation are many, but the emphasis in his starting points, clearly show his concern is focused on personal privacy and personal consent.

• Should law enforcement use of facial recognition be subject to human oversight and controls, including restrictions on the use of unaided facial recognition technology as evidence of an individual’s guilt or innocence of a crime?

• Similarly, should we ensure there is civilian oversight and accountability for the use of facial recognition as part of governmental national security technology practices?

• What types of legal measures can prevent use of facial recognition for racial profiling and other violations of rights while still permitting the beneficial uses of the technology?

• Should use of facial recognition by public authorities or others be subject to minimum performance levels on accuracy?

• Should the law require that retailers post visible notice of their use of facial recognition technology in public spaces?

• Should the law require that companies obtain prior consent before collecting individuals’ images for facial recognition? If so, in what situations and places should this apply? And what is the appropriate way to ask for and obtain such consent?

• Should we ensure that individuals have the right to know what photos have been collected and stored that have been identified with their names and faces?

• Should we create processes that afford legal rights to individuals who believe they have been misidentified by a facial recognition system?

The President of Microsoft bespeaks passionate objectives in the area of facial recognition technology, “this is a national issue that requires national leadership by our elected representatives”.

To read the entire blog by Microsoft President, Brad Smith visit: https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2018/07/13/facial-recognition-technology-the-need-for-public-regulation-and-corporate-responsibility/

Honeywell Devices Monitor Hawaii Volcano Saving Lives

Volcanoes can be deadly as we learn from history when the volcano of Mount Vesuvius, opened up and swallowed the settlement of Pompeii, in Italy, thousands of years ago. In AD 79, there was no way of detecting volcanic eruptions; communities perished and nature took its course.

Honeywell has changed the course of history in the form of gas detection technology, which is able to read air quality associated with volcanoes and take spot samples of gas levels.

Dramatic media coverage from Hawaii recently has reported 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit magma flow from multiple fissures created by the erupting volcano Kilauea. Hawaii’s Big Island has suffered over 200 earthquakes and the hot flowing lava has destroyed at least 400 homes and livelihoods. Fortunately, lives have been protected due to evacuation procedures that were implemented by first responders. The situation has been closely tracked by the assistance of the MultiRAE wireless detector and AeaRAE Pro: two multi-threat transportable monitors.

In instances where time is of the essence, and toxic levels of air can obstruct the nose and throat, severely burning the airways, and impeding breathing, the monitors have played a tremendous part in the health and safety of the community at large. Deadly elements such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are volcanic gases that the Honeywell devices can monitor, in tandem with the quickly changing winds.

Reports state that explosions are currently active as well as ongoing in the region. The volcanic activity can be seen by astronauts in space who describe the sightings as extraordinary, with cracks in the earth and merging lava fields that are violent and growing. These Honeywell devices are vital in helping Hawaiians during this unstoppable destructive situation.

The US National Guard is on alert as the unpredictable volcanic situation is constantly unfolding, and are focused on finding evacuation sites.

VOICE RECOGNITION PROTECTS BANKING AND PERSONAL CREDIT CARDS

Voice biometrics is being used to identify cardholders and secure their accounts. The United States of America’s bank industry is very keen to use automated speech recognition systems to prevent fraud and protect personal banking information.

Cardholders frequently call their respective bank’s customer service for various reasons in relation to their finances. It is a customary protocol for the cardholder to be presented with a barrage of questions, such as mother’s maiden name, last four digits of social security number, etc. before personal details are released. It can be a frustrating ordeal.

Sophisticated technology is now being used through biometrics that can rapidly recognize vocal patterns and voice prints, which secure the identification of the caller. This effective authentication system saves time for the customer and agent and is a safe way of doing business over the phone.

Convenience is the name of the game when one’s voice acts as the password to one’s banking and credit card accounts. The days of entering pin numbers are on the way to being outdated, as the evolution of biometrics for security progresses.

As well as being a protected function for call centers, voice recognition technology systems can be operative and compatible with mobile apps as well as the web.

Newsroom Capital Gazette employees killed in a deadly shooting attack

Security has been stepped up in newsrooms all across America, after a deadly shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper offices in Annapolis, Maryland, on Thursday. Armed with a shotgun, the lone shooter assailant killed 5 employees and seriously injured others, as confirmed by police.

A targeted attack, involving newsroom employees, brings to people’s minds many questions of how to be safe in one’s workplace. According to reports the victims murdered were working at the Capital Gazette at the time of the shooting when perpetrator Jarrod Ramos, bearing smoke grenade canisters blasted through a window with a shotgun. The alleged intention of the shooter was to cause grave harm.

Seemingly Ramos’ motive was due to a grievance he had with Capital Gazette, related to a lost defamation case against the paper in 2015. A 2011 column in the newspaper covered the issue where Ramos was accused of criminal harassment to a woman over social media and his guilty plea in court.

Police received praise and recognition for their swift action of arriving at the scene quickly to deal with a frightening situation. First responders carefully evacuated over a hundred people who worked in the building or were in the proximity. Many more lives may have been lost had their presence been delayed. Unfortunately it was too late for editors, Gerald Fishman and Rob Hiassen; reporter, John McNamara; sales assistant , Rebecca Smith and special publications, Wendi Winters. All five innocent victims, who were just doing their job, sadly were at the mercy of the killer and lost their lives.

Phil Davis, a Gazette reporter, used Twitter to describe the situation as a “war zone”, as he hid in the newspaper’s offices, “ There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you’re under your desk and then hear the gunman reload”.

The Capital Gazette is a local paper owned by the Baltimore Sun.

Jarrod Ramos 38, is being held without bond on five counts of murder.

What the ESA Electronic Security Association offers to enthusiastic members

ESA Electronic Security Association has been active for active for approximately 70 years. Its membership offers educational tools, resources and connections in the industry as well as advocacy support related to the electronic security and life safety community.

The ESA community attracts those in the industry that are engaged in projects by residential, commercial, government and industrial clients. All members receive training, instructions, networking opportunities and other services that will enhance the growth of their respective company.

Programs include topics that allow interaction between professionals, members, communities and leading industry vendors. Certificates are offered by the ESA National Training School (NTS) in subjects such as Certified Alarm Technician, Video Systems Technologies and Residential Fire Alarm, and on am online basis, throughout different states> Core courses include, intrusion, fire systems, video, access, sales and service.

For more information: ww.esaweb.org

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HIKVISON USA – A COMPETITIVE WINNER FOR IP CAMERAS

The Thermal Bi-Spectrum Camera System was selected among a pool of applicants at the 2018 ESX Award Winner, in the video surveillance category.

“The ESX Innovation Awards is an industry competition that recognizes the most impactful and groundbreaking technologies for the electronic security and life safety industry. This includes emerging technologies, as well as those that have been field-tested”.

Described as the DS-2TD2615-7/10 Thermal Bi-Spectrum IP Camera, a distinct attribute is the thermal imager feature. It bears a lens in 7 or 10 mm, and contains “matched field of view” with the MP CMOS DarkFighter visible camera.

The winning innovation is known to be extremely reliable, with groundbreaking technology that allows among other things image switching, high picture quality, and full frame with low light color imaging.

Hikvision boasts that the DS-2TD2615-7/10 Thermal Spectrum IP Camera is reported as “being used in some of the most demanding market segments”. The objective of Hikvision, according to published statements is that their newly recognized product will help “combat crime and terrorism, and safeguard North American Communities”.