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February 2010 |
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Your Bi-monthly Homeland Security News Source
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The United States is in the midst of numerous terror related issues such as:
- Christmas Day Underwear Bombing
- Five Americans held in Pakistan
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Chicago Businessman charged with planning the attacks in Mumbai
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Denver man charged with terror plot
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American Somali Terrorist Connections
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Radicalized Americans such as the Fort Hood attacker
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And the possibility of Guantanamo detainees being brought to the United States
It is now more than ever that homeland security professionals at the local level must be armed with the skills and knowledge to protect us.
SSI has courses already scheduled in 2010 to provide this knowledge:
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Using mapping technology to better understand pandemics
by Doug Page
Public health officials now have a better way to study the migratory behavior of pandemics such as the swine (H1N1) flu virus. A new tool allows them to visually follow a virus's movements around the world.
Researchers at Ohio State University linked several computer systems together into a Web-based application called Routemap to analyze enormous amounts of genetic data collected from all publicly available health sources. The results are then mapped on Google Earth in plots similar to airline routes. 
"We not only use the power of supercomputers to take into account an ever-growing database of genetic sequences for influenza, but also present information visually that is easy to understand and use for medical intelligence," said Ohio State biomedical informatics professor Daniel Janies.
Other systems, including Janies' earlier Supramap, attempt to map the evolution and spread of influenza over the globe using a single evolutionary tree. That worked fine for strains such as the avian flu (H5N1), because avian flu is easier to track, as the strains have slowly crept around Eurasia the past 13 years.
But H1N1 is different, and one tree is not enough.
"We can project H1N1 lineages, but the pattern of their spread is much more complex, as humans are carrying the lineages around the world so fast in so many directions," Janies said.
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Terrorists 'surgically implanting bombs'
Britain and the US face a new al-Qaeda terror threat from so-called suicide body bombers with explosives surgically inserted inside them. An operation by the UK intelligence service MI5 uncovered evidence that al-Qaeda was planning a new stage in its terror campaign by surgically inserting explosives inside terrorists, British newspaper The Mail on Sunday reported.
The explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate, commonly known as PETN, would be placed in a plastic sachet inside the bomber's body before the wound was stitched up like a normal operation incision and allowed to heal, experts said.
It would then be detonated with an injection of triacetone triperoxide, administered with syringes that could be smuggled onto planes disguised as a diabetic's insulin kit.
The move could be an effective way to get incendiary devices past new body scanners at airports, introduced across the globe after Nigerian-born Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab smuggled PETN onto a US-bound flight in December, hidden under his clothes.
Abdulmutallab allegedly tried to set off the device strapped to his body as Northwest Flight 253 began its descent into Detroit on Christmas Day.
The device, which was intended to blow up the airliner, only caused a small fire that was quickly put out by passengers and crew.
MI5 told The Mail on Sunday it was aware of the new threat after discovering increasingly strong chatter on extremist websites.
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HS Nuclear Detection Office turns to geospatial routing
by Rutrell Yasin
The Homeland Security Department's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is adding geospatial routing technology to its data distribution system to improve threat monitoring and response capabilities across local, state and federal emergency management organizations.
The office is using Solace Systems' Geospatial Routing Blade, which gives the company's Solace 3260 message routers the ability to distribute information based on geospatial coordinates contained within the data stream. The Solace routers will be used in conjunction with strategically placed sensors and applications responsible for recognizing threats and coordinating responses. The goal is to improve the nation's ability to protect urban areas and critical infrastructure, said Bob Dilonardo, chief information officer of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.
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Unique opportunity for SWAT team members who want to learn
how to conduct Counter Terrorism Operations
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The scope of this training is to teach SWAT team members how to conduct an operation with the special characteristics peculiar to terrorist incidents and accomplish the mission, whether there are hostages involved, IED's, booby traps, or suicide terrorists with maximum safety for: citizens, team members and surrounding assets.
For more information on hosting an SSI SWAT CTU OPS Course for your agency, please contact Sol Bradman at (305) 302-2790.
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Drug could turn sodiers into super-survivors
by Linda Geddes
A lucky few seem to be able to laugh in the face of death, surviving massive blood loss and injuries that would kill others. Now a drug has been found that might turn virtually any injured person into a "super-survivor", by preventing certain biological mechanisms from shutting down.
The drug has so far only been tested in animals. If it has a similar effect in humans, it could vastly improve  survival from horrific injuries, particularly in soldiers, by allowing them to live long enough to make it to a hospital.
Loss of blood is the main problem with many battlefield injuries, and a blood transfusion the best treatment, although replacing lost fluid with saline can help. But both are difficult to transport in sufficient quantities. "You can't carry a blood bank into the battlefield," says Hasan Alam of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "What we're looking for is a pill or a shot that would keep a person alive for long enough to get to them to a hospital."
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Power plants, other infrastructure face hackers
By Jordan Robertson
More than half of the operators of power plants and other "critical infrastructure" say in a new study that their computer networks have been infiltrated by sophisticated adversaries. In many cases, foreign governments are suspected.
The findings come in a survey being released Thursday that offers a rare public look at the damage computer criminals can do to vital institutions such as power grids, water and sewage systems and oil and gas companies. Manipulating the computer systems can cause power outages, floods, sewage spills and oil leaks.
The report was based on an survey completed by 600 executives and technology managers from infrastructure operators in 14 countries. The report was prepared by McAfee Inc., which makes security software, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, which analyzed the data and conducted additional interviews. The respondents aren't named and specifics aren't given about what happened in the attacks.
The report comes as concerns are growing about state-sponsored hacking and threats to critical infrastructure.
In November, CBS's "60 Minutes" reported that several Brazilian power outages were caused by hackers - a report that Brazilian officials have played down. Last April, U.S. government officials said that spies hacked into the U.S. electric grid and left behind computer programs that would let them disrupt service. The intrusions were discovered after electric companies gave the government permission to audit their systems.
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Subway bomb terror suspect Najibullah Zazi's uncle Naqib Jaji held
by John Marzulli
The feds have arrested the uncle of suspected subway bomb plotter Najibullah Zazi, and he appears to be cooperating.
Naqib Jaji, 38, of Denver was arraigned on an undisclosed federal charge as a "John Doe" on Jan. 14, a law enforcement source said.
Cooperating defendants are typically charged as John Does in sealed proceedings.
Jaji's court-appointed lawyer declined comment.
Zazi, an Afghan immigrant who lived in Queens before moving to Denver, was busted in the fall and charged with plotting to attack New York City subways.
He has denied getting training from Al Qaeda.
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May 10-12, 2010
Hosted by MBTA (Quincy, MA)
In a fascinating, insightful and packed three-day program, you are taken through the formative phases of the Islamic religion and will understand the different branches of Islam, understand how these were formed and on what ideology they are based. You are taken through a journey up to the present time, to really understand how  extremism is organized in Radical Islam. You will also get practical hands-on information on recognizing Suicide Bombers, planning and changing protocols to respond to acts of terror, the detection of terrorists through fake ID's and the basics of their tools such as IED and VBIED's.
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How easy is it to get a grenade launcher?
by Chris Cuomo and Lee Ferran
When police in New Jersey reported they had discovered a grenade launcher among other weapons including two assault rifles in the hotel room of the man they had arrested a short time before, it was that possibly military-grade weapon that shot to the front headlines across the country.
Though investigators later determined the device was actually a Cobray 37mm flare launcher, many were left with a simple question: How does someone get their hands on a grenade launcher?
According to an FBI investigator, the suspect, Lloyd R. Woodson, 43 said he purchased the rifles "on the streets of New York."
But for a grenade launcher, depending on a customer's state of residence, street connections aren't necessary. Often just a phone, a permit and a little patience will do.
Bonus for Buying in Bulk?
To see what the procedure is like for a citizen to purchase a grenade launcher, ABC News contacted an online seller by phone.
According to the seller, as long as the customer lives in a state that allows grenade launchers and can get an ATF permit, they should not have a problem purchasing a grenade launcher.
Customers can order it from the online seller who would then ship the weapon to a local dealer in that state. The customer could pay the seller directly by credit card but pick up the weapon from the dealer. The customer has to fill out some paperwork in order to get the ATF permit.
It would take about two and a half months for the launcher to be shipped to the dealer, the seller said. For this particular deal, if the customer buys in bulk the deal would be done with free shipping.
The color selection, however, was limited.
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Tel Aviv, Israel - May 7-15th, 2010
A brand new program, global expertise and global best practices.
Security Solutions International, SSI, is proud to announce that our CEO and Global Counter Terrorism Operations Director, Sol Bradman, is taking over our Training in Israel Mission, with an exciting new program, locations and experts.
Join the more than 300 Homeland Security Professionals that have selected SSI's training in Israel program over 15 missions from 2005 to 2009 (making it the most successful program for overseas training in Homeland Security) on an exciting advanced workshop and get the benefit of featured International speakers.
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New threats compel DOD to rethink cyber strategy
by Sean Gallagher
The Defense Department's widely heralded decision to create a new Cyber Command by October 2009 is still languishing in limbo. Confirmation hearings have yet to be scheduled for the prospective commander, National Security Agency director Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander. And efforts to kick-start the organization have been delayed by congressional concerns over the organization.
Meanwhile, adversaries working in the cyber domain aren't sitting still. In December, hackers reportedly stole a classified PowerPoint slide deck that details South Korean and U.S. strategy for fighting a war with North Korea. And in Iraq, it was revealed that insurgents had intercepted Predator feeds using software they downloaded from the Internet.
Regardless of how quickly the Cyber Command moves forward, DOD is starting to shift its philosophic focus on network operations from information assurance to mission assurance - recognizing that as the Global Information Grid (GIG) comes under perpetual attack, efforts to deliver information services essential to operators will also need to shift from a focus on total network security to one of risk management.
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300+ exhibitors, 85 leading international conference speakers and 90+ free to attend workshops.
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In addition to suppressing shock waves from an explosion, BlastSax can assist in containing the flash, smoke and most importantly the fragmentation or "frag". A unique feature that was engineered into BlastSax is its capability to "capture" and "cool" hot frag pieces to assist in forensic analysis for a more complete reconstruction of the device.
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Al-Qaeda has trained female suicide bombers to attack West, US officials warn
The women, who may have a "non Arab" appearance and be travelling on Western passports, have been prepared for their missions by the Yemeni group responsible for the operation to blow up an airliner over the United States on Christmas Day.
Details of the bombers emerged just hours after British spy chiefs raised the UK threat state to "severe" amid fears that al-Qaeda was planning a wave of attacks against western targets.
Terror experts within the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, a unit of MI5, now believe that an attack against  the UK is "highly likely".
US law enforcement agents have been told to be on the lookout for female suicide bombers who may attempt to enter the country.
At least two are believed to be connected to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula which dispatched underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab who tried unsuccessfully to bring down a transatlantic airliner over Detroit.
Richard Clarke, a former chief White House counter terrorism adviser, said: "They have trained women.
There are others who are still out there who have been trained and who are clean skins - that means people who we do not have a record of, people who may not look like al-Qaeda terrorists, who may not be Arabs, and may not be men."
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The Patrol Officer: America's Shield Against Jihad
by Pete Eliadis
Terror plots continue to increase on United States soil. Although many have been foiled by law enforcement officials, some, like the Christmas Day Terrorist, as labeled by the media, are increasingly becoming more likely to succeed. This Nigerian National who attempted to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft as it came on final approach to Detroit is a vivid demonstration how United States protection resources still have their challenges on effectively reacting to actionable intelligence. Terrorist such as this individual often hide under the Muslim extremist ideology of Jihad. Jihad... this term has various meanings and components amongst Muslims. However, my research indicates that Jihad dominantly means struggle to most Muslims. This term has become the billboard terminology for the religious war against western culture. Jihad is often related to the preservation of the Islamic state; however, it has come to describe the ideology of militant Islamic groups associated with terrorism.
Ideologies stem from ones perception of social and political forces. We understand that Muslim extremist often use their perception of Jihad to motivate acts of terror against western cultures. Ideology is perhaps the single most important weapon in this new war on terror. Understanding the components of extreme Muslims ideology is essential in diffusing terror organizations. However, is American law enforcement lumping all acts of mass violence as a terrorist action?
I agree that terror can be instilled by one person just as effectively as an organization. However, preventing attacks relies on understanding individual motives. Terrorist organizations rely on ideologies, predominately religious, rather than self compiled reasons for their violent acts. Terrorists belong to an organization that continues to learn from its foot soldiers actions. Information, both organizational successes and failures, are thoroughly analyzed. The data extracted from this analysis is used for future terrorist acts. In essence terrorist organizations are a living organism that strives for success and instilment of its ideological values.
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Sincerely,
Security Solutions International |
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For further information:
Security Solutions International,
13155 SW 134th Street STE 204,
Miami, FL 33186
866-573-3999 Office, 866-573-2090 Fax
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