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.

Travel by Train in the USA: are you at risk?

Three significant Amtrak train incidents, resulting in deadly crashes, have occurred in the U.S.A. within the past 3 months. Red flags are up, regarding whether the safety of Amtrak is a result of the company at large, or human error.

Reports state, this morning, at 2:35 a.m. EST, an Amtrak train 91, was on its way from New York to Miami, when it came into contact with a stationary CSX freight train, in the South Carolina region. The lead engine derailed, as well as several passenger cars. It is said that more than 140 people were on board the Amtrak train. As it stands currently, there are 2 fatalities and 50+ injured. (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…)

SECURITY CONFERENCES 2018 NEW YORK

1. Crypto Currency for the Layman – NAC3: The North American Crypto Currency Conference.

NAC3 – the only Bitcoin and Blockchain conference designed for the “average person”.

Topics: “A Beginner’s Guide to Trading Crypto Currency”, “Investing in Today’s Crypto Market”, “Wallets and Security”, “Tax Implications”, “Legal Regulations”.

New York City

February 24-25, 2018

Eden on the Hudson (more…)

Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards 2017

Fire departments around the world are to be admired and praised for the tremendous effort of managing fire and emergency situations, whether wildfires, as seen recently that engulfed parts of Northern California, or urban and structure fires such as Grenfell Tower, North Kensington. No matter whether the departments are federal, municipal or private, all firefighters are rescuers that are extensively trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten life, property, or the environment. Whatever the niche, huge applauds and enormous respect is directed toward the firefighting brotherhood, as well as all other first responders. (more…)

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

When will it ever end? What can we do to step up security in a world where hatred is oftentimes stronger than peace.

Another terrorist attack has occurred but this time in New York, USA. According to police reports, 8 people were killed, of which 6 were foreign tourists enjoying a vacation in Manhattan. US Officials have evidence to prove the perpetrator is said to be a radicalized supporter of the militant group (IS).

While 11 other people caught in the deadly strike are recovering from injuries, the question remains – how do we prevent these deadly terrorist attacks from happening in the first place. What strides as a nation, do we have to take, as far as security is concerned?

New York, is not the only city that is faced with such devastating types of atrocities, cities in Europe have also suffered multiple terrorist attacks of this kind, over the past few months. The current intention of these radical murderers is to use manuals that give detailed instructions on how to maximize devastation and death with accessible tools. The latest method is to use trucks and large vans as weapons, which can be stolen or rented. Armed with lethal tools such as sharp kitchen knives, and vehicles that are capable of plowing through crowds of innocent people at high speed, the sick intent of creating tremendous carnage is achieved.

So where do the experts start? Is it a surveillance issue? We have state of the art camera networks with large overviews and the latest technologies planted in strategic locations. We have “boots on the ground”’, in the form of active law enforcement officers patrolling the streets. Protective barriers have even been installed on many walkways, in order to defend common areas of significance. A mat with steel spikes that can be rolled out to puncture tires of speeding vehicles, has even been designed, but now we are discovering that none of these attempts of protection, are sufficient alone.

What do authorities have to do in order to prevent these threats from reoccurring in our neighborhoods? Can security agencies get their head around this horrific phenomenon and detect vehicular attack plots before they occur? Gathering intelligence is one of the most important forms of security. It has to be collected BEFORE the radical extremist groups have time to carry our their dangerous attacks.

Governments must work closely together and allow security intelligence to help find solutions that lead the way. Access to mobile devices and personal data must be allowed through cyber security. Information sharing, at high intelligence level, with respected security agencies, is probably the surest way to understand the encrypted coding and methods of communication these savage criminals exchange with one another.

In a constellation of efforts to prevent these radical extremists, from invading countries and slaughtering good, decent people, let’s emphasize the importance of allowing technology to police critical information that can prevent terrorist movement, before ruin on all levels is allowed to prevail. We have the capability to detect threats through our vast technology. In addition, the sophistication of security methods is ever evolving. This incomprehensive problem has to be solved. Our hope lies in the architecture of advanced security intelligence. One terror attack is one too many. One life killed, is one too many. It has to STOP now.

 

The Vatican, Rome: Protecting the Dignity of Children on the Internet

How many parents feel safe leaving their children to their own devices when it comes to the Internet? Access to inappropriate websites is extremely easy for children nowadays. In a very busy world, where most youngsters are given the latest technology gadgets to keep themselves occupied, we are learning that this oftentimes, has a tremendous downside; too much time alone and unmonitored, children are susceptible to Internet predators.

Last week, in an effort to assist in protecting children from onine violence and exploitation, Pope Francis spoke about this disturbing subject at the Child Dignity in the Digital World congress, organized by Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and the WeProtect Global Alliance. The Pontiff, appealed to stakeholder organizations, politicians and religious leaders to collectively promote digital online safety. The focus was toward social media platforms such as Facebook and Microsoft, and the risks of pornography, paedophilia, trafficking, as well as online bullying

Co-sponsored by the London School of Economics and by an international research project Global Kids Online (GKO), facts were presented by UNICEF innocenti, based on data collected from 10 countries around the world.

Although there is specifically designed software on the market that assists in monitoring Internet activity for children, not all parents are clued in, or up to date on such applications and technologies. In addition, most teenagers demand a certain amount of privacy. Whether in the USA, India or any other country, this issues is a huge topic and one that needs constant attention.

This is a subject of serious magnitude and as Baroness Shields, OBE, UK Minister for Internet Safety and Security emphasized, according to reports, “ Our increasingly connected society greatly empowers children, but also exposes them to risks that compromise their safety and wellbeing. To address these escalating global threats we need a broad coalition of government, faith leaders, academia, and industry, all committed to protecting the dignity of children in this digital age”.

Security Events and Conferences in India

We are all vulnerable to crime, especially cyber crime. Everyday we read about another new hack or criminal attack in our personal space. Unfortunately, it is all becoming such frequent happenstance, as our society at large becomes more and more dependent upon technology. It is inevitable that citizens globally, need to investigate better ways to protect themselves and stay up-to-date with the latest protection mechanisms available on the market.

Governments around the world are constantly trying to combat cyber intrusion, and businesses are prioritizing themselves to a position of preventative measures; therefore as individuals, we must immerse ourselves in knowledge, to find the best strategies which will assist in combating these cyber threats.

Around the world policy makers and security leaders gather together at summits and conventions to discuss solutions. These frequent events not only offer platforms of discussion about the issues and challenges we are facing in this industry of technology – they also offer excellent networking and learning opportunities.

Countries such as the United States of America, as well as the United Kingdom, are known for hosting many respected security events, however India, is also stepping up to the plate, with a keen focus on taking security information to the next level. From Goa to Mumbai, or New Delhi to Kota and Kollam, brilliant minds congregate with pride and enthusiasm to discuss cyber security, and other security related subject matter. Security integration information on all levels can be found at these most well attended and worthwhile events.

To find some of the most talked about cyber security conferences in India 2017-2018 click on the link:

infosec-conferences.com/events/cybersecurity-conferences-india

 

 

 

Google denies reports of revamping ‘Clean’ look of desktop homepage

Google has rejected reports that the company is planning to revamp the desktop version of their Google.com homepage.

Google refuted the claims after a report in The Guardian stated that the company is going to integrate its app-based news feed, events, sports and interest-based topics into Google.com desktop page in the near future.

As per the reports by Ars Technica, a blogpost by Google on July 19 revealed that there will be new updates in the news feed, but the post was only meant for the mobile site and apps. However, the company’s spokesperson has reportedly denied that the desktop site is getting a revamp.

The spokesperson stated that later this year, they are hoping to roll some version of the feed experience to Google.com on the mobile web. He added that however, the design and functionality are still completely unconfirmed as this is still in testing phases. He further stated that they clearly have no plans for the desktop.

Google unveiled a new feed experience this week which aims at transforming the look of its mobile app with the addition of cards, videos and news stories. And as a result of this announcement, rumors sprouted that Google’s famous clean, simple desktop homepage, will also get the same redesign.