GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Aviation Security: Policy Responses to Address Terrorism Threats

Testimony before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Committee on State Government
 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: The Heritage Foundation

31March2011 10:20pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The 9/11 attacks were a wake-up call for policymakers on the threats facing aviation security. In 1988, a bomb that was detonated on Pan Am Flight 103 killed 243 passengers and 16 crew members (commonly referred to as the Lockerbie bombing). The perpetrator of the bombing did not board the plane, but rather planted a bomb in a suitcase which detonated while the plane was in the air. Most other aviation threats before 9/11 were largely motivated by attempts to extort money or some other agenda where those aboard were largely left unharmed and the airplane intact. The 9/11 attacks were different in that they introduced the idea of suicidal hijackings and reinforced the fact that al-Qaeda, which had targeted the U.S. before, was still seeking to inflict catastrophic harm on the United States. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: GPS Meets Google Earth

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: AFCEA/Signal Online

31March2011 10:13pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Members of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) deployed a novel tool to Afghanistan last month, giving warfighters the ability to combine Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities with Google Earth. The resource enhances situational awareness and information sharing, and developers intend it to assist with planning efforts. Though only available on the classified network now, plans are underway to create an unclassified version as well.

Lt. Col. Jennifer Grant, USAF, commander of 2 SOPS, explains that the technology—which so far is unnamed—overlays GPS files on top of the terrain landscape provided by Google's mapping. "Those files often show us what our navigation signal coverage is over certain geographic areas," she says.

When warfighters use the tool, they see a picture of GPS coverage in almost real time. Col. Grant says that previous technology could offer only a snapshot of the past. The overarching goal for the project is "to provide an automatic real-time and near real-time mission planning product for the warfighter," she explains. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: China clamps down further on Internet to prevent unrest

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Homeland Security NewsWire

31March2011 10:02pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The Chinese government has eyed the protests sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa with growing unease; to quash the prospect of wide spread protests at home, the government has increasingly clamped down on the Internet and other forms of communication; access to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have been blocked while government agents are more carefully monitoring cellphone calls, electronic messages, and emails; residents say they have never seen such high levels of censorship before. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Up to $5 Million Reward Offered for Information Regarding Shootings of Two ICE Agents

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: FBI

30March2011 11:30amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE:  WASHINGTON—The Departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security today jointly announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of individuals allegedly responsible for the murder of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and the attempted murder of ICE HSI Special Agent Victor Avila.

The FBI, in conjunction with ICE, has established a 24-hour tip line based in the United States to process the information. Individuals in the United States with information are encouraged to call 1-866-859-9778. Individuals in Mexico can provide information by calling +001 800-225-5324. Spanish language speakers will be available using either number. Anyone wishing to e-mail information can do so by visiting: https://tips.fbi.gov. All information is considered confidential.

Also today, the government of Mexico announced a reward of up to 10 million pesos for information leading to the arrest of individuals allegedly responsible for the murder and attempted murder. Individuals can call (55) 53-46-15-44 and (55) 53-46-00-00, extension 4748 in Mexico City. Outside of Mexico City, individuals can call 01-800-831-31-96 to provide information. Information may also be sent to the following e-mail address: denunciapgr@gob.mx. More information about the government of Mexico’s award can be found at www.recompensas.gob.mx.

Zapata and Avila were ambushed in Mexico on February 15, 2011, as they were traveling in their U.S. government-issued vehicle from the state of San Luis Potosi to Mexico City. Mexican authorities have detained several individuals in connection with this incident and the investigation continues at this time.

The U.S. reward is being offered by the U.S. government through the U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program, which was established by Congress in 1986. Additional information on this program can be found at: www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/index.htm. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Musician's letter decries ignorance of life in Israel, sets record straight

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Israelly Cool

30March2011 11:25amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: "Dear Mr. Waters,

I was deeply disappointed to learn that you have decided to build a wall between yourself and your Israeli fans. We love you here in Israel. Surely, you must know that from the warm reception you received when you performed here five years ago at the Jewish-Arab village of Neve Shalom.

What you may not realize is that most Israelis believe in a two-state solution. But this vision is not as easy to turn into a reality as you may think. Instead of recognizing the situation’s complexity, you have joined the campaign to boycott Israel, appointing yourself as a judge in a conflict between Middle Eastern tribes. (How British of you!)…" (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant lost

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Homeland Security NewsWire

30March2011 11:05amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The radioactive core in the Unit 2 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant appears to have melted through the bottom of its containment vessel and is now resting on a concrete floor; officials are now struggling with two crucial but contradictory efforts: pumping in water to keep the fuel rods cool and pumping out contaminated water; an investigation found that Tokyo Electric Power Co. officials had dismissed scientific evidence and geological history that indicated that a massive earthquake — and subsequent tsunami — was far more likely than they believed; more than 11,000 bodies have been recovered, but officials say the final death toll is expected to exceed 18,000. Hundreds of thousands of people remain homeless, their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Damage could amount to $310 billion — the most expensive natural disaster on record. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: U.S. and EU Launch Negotiations for Counter-Terrorism Information Exchange

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Department of Homeland Security

30March2011 11:02amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: On March 28, 2011, the European Union and the United States opened negotiations on an agreement to protect personal information exchanged in the context of fighting crime and terrorism. The negotiations will build on our long-standing, robust cooperation and agreements in this area. The United States and the European Union are committed to ensuring a high level of protection of personal information, while fighting crime and terrorism. The United States and the European Union are strongly determined to reach, without delay, an agreement that will advance our mutual goals. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Taliban Aim For The Top

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Strategy Page

30March2011 10:56amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: In Pakistan, the Taliban are having increasing problems with Pushtun tribes that want nothing to do with the Taliban movement.

Naturally, the Taliban call these tribes heretics and traitors. But that's not enough. These other tribes form militias (often supported with government supplied cash and weapons) to keep the Taliban out of tribal territory. Rather than go to war with these militias, the Taliban use the terror tactics they learned from al Qaeda, and send death squads and suicide bombers after the tribal leaders, especially the ones in charge of the militia. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: DoD's contractor database could lead to the wrong results

Senior defense official cautions against hinging contract awards on past-performance records.
 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal Computer Week

30March2011 10:29amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: A top defense acquisition policy official said the government should not overemphasize a company’s past work when awarding a contract because its limited database of information might become a barrier for some companies.

At a hearing March 28, Ashton Carter, undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the Defense Department does not have adequate data on past performance on which to base a contract award. He also questioned how DOD would handle cases in which companies want to break into the defense industry but have no work history with the federal government. Even if the company has done similar work for a foreign government, DOD would not have a record of it. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Austria to revamp Mauthausen concentration camp

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal News Radio

30March2011 10:09amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: VIENNA (AP) – Austrian authorities have presented plans to restore and revamp the Nazis' former Mauthausen concentration camp.

The Nazis shot, gassed, beat or worked to death about half the 200,000 inmates in the main camp or its affiliates around the villages of Mauthausen and Gusen, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of the city of Linz. It is now a site for commemorating Holocaust victims and learning about the horrors of history. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Bahrain's Shiite leader wants Saudi-led force out

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal News Radio

30March2011 10:05amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) – Bahrain's Shiite opposition leader is demanding the Saudi-led force the Gulf nation's Sunni rulers invited to help quell the anti-government protests leaves the country.

Ali Salman says foreign troops must leave because the opposition rejects "any military intervening for any party" here.

About 1,500 troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states entered Bahrain two weeks ago on the Sunni monarch's invitation. Bahrain's king also declared emergency rule and cracked down heavily on protesters who have challenged the royal family's monopoly on power.

Shiite powerhouse Iran strongly condemned the deployment.

But Salman on Wednesday also said Iran shouldn't interfere. He told reporters that "we don't want Bahrain to turn into a conflict zone" between Saudi Arabia and Iran. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Debka Report: London Conference Divded Over Outcome in Libya

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: DEBKAfile

30March2011 10:02amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The London conference attended by 40 foreign ministers and various delegations ended Tuesday, March 29 with the US and Britain ranged in favor of arming the Libyan rebels and France and Italy against. It also passed control of the coalition offensive to a “contact group” with the vague brief to map out Libya’s future.

The conference therefore relegated the Libyan conflict to the same uncertain fate as the other Arab uprisings, which still face more bloody paroxysms on the road to unknowable outcomes. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Israel to revoke citizenship for spying under new law

 

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: IntelNews

30March2011 9:48amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: A new law passed by the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, allows courts for the first time in Israel’s history to revoke the Israeli citizenship of those convicted of espionage, treason, or aiding “enemy organizations”. The new law, which the Knesset enacted on Monday night by a vote of 37 to 11, amends the country’s revered Citizenship Law, which was first enacted in 1952. Along with citizenship rights, judges will be allowed to revoke the permanent residency permits of individuals found guilty of assisting organizations designated as terrorist by the Israeli government.  (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: No threat from Japanese radiation spread across US

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: The Washington Times

29March2011 11:30pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE:  WASHINGTON  – Traces of radioactive material from the endangered Japanese nuclear plant are being detected from coast to coast in the United States and in Iceland, but amounts continue to be far below levels that would cause health problems.

The development of super-sensitive equipment to detect radiation is both a blessing and a curse, allowing scientists to monitor materials released in nuclear accidents, but also causing unnecessary worry, said Kathryn Higley, director of the nuclear engineering and radiation health physics at Oregon State University.

Traces of radioactive cesium and iodine are being reported from Nevada to Vermont, South Carolina to Massachusetts, thanks to equipment that Higley says can detect material “many orders of magnitude below what would be hazardous.” (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Report: Despite Earlier Warning, Nasa Still Vulnerable To Cyber Attack

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Crunch Gear

29March2011 8:50pmEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: One day after McAfee warned about the dangers of corporations becoming vulnerable to hackers, we now learn that Nasa has similar concerns. Its inspector general, Paul Martin, has written a report [PDF] entitled “Security Practices Expose Key Nasa Network To Cyber Attack,” and you can guess what that means. Actually, don’t bother guessing. The report warns that six of Nasa’s servers that just so happen to contain critical data are vulnerable to remote attack. And if a hacker were so inclined, he could exploit those vulnerabilities to get further inside Nasa, wreaking all sorts of havoc (say, “cripple Nasa’s operations”) in the process. Again, panic.

The report criticizes Nasa for both not recognizing or doing much of anything to address these problems. Head in the sand, la-la-la nothing’s happening, nothing’s happening, that kind of thing.
(read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: DHS launches 3-tier cyber strategy

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Federal News Radio

29March2011 4:09amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: The Homeland Security Department is working on a new 3-tier approach to combat cyber attacks.
The idea is based on automation, interoperability and authentication. DHS hopes this 3-tier approach could make networks more secure. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Israel unveils Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Homeland Security News Wire

29March2011 4:02amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Israel on Sunday stationed the first batteries of its Iron Dome short-range missile defense system in the south of the country;

The military stressed the initial deployment was experimental; after being deployed in the south, the system will then be deployed along the Lebanese border, from where Hezbollah militants fired some 4,000 rockets into northern Israel during a 2006 war;

The most obvious and immediate benefit of the defensive system would be the de-fanging of the two more radical groups in the region, Hezbollah and Hamas;

The system, though, is more significant in what it will allow Israel to do vis-à-vis the Palestinians: if the same rockets Hamas is firing at Israel from the Gaza Strip were to be fired from the West Bank, all of Israel's population and economic centers will be under threat;

If Iron Dome proved effective, it would make it easier for Israel to consider deep withdrawals from the West Bank, thus allowing the establishment of a viable Palestinian state without compromising Israeli security. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: Superbug sweeps across Los Angeles hospitals

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Homeland Security News Wire

29March2011 4:00amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Last week, public health officials in Los Angeles reported an outbreak of a drug-resistant superbug in several local healthcare facilities; the deadly drug-resistant strain is Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP) and is estimated to kill 40 percent of those who are infected with it; the LA county health department has identified 356 cases of the bacteria over a six month period; CRKP has primarily been infecting senior citizens; CRKP is part of a larger wave of antibiotic germs that have plagued hospitals in recent years; the bacteria was originally found on the east coast of the United States, and was only first seen last year in the Los Angeles area. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: RFID-enabled Food Safety and Traceability Systems

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: ABI Research

29March2011 3:34amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: Food traceability has traditionally required a "one step forward, one step back" record-keeping effort for each company that produces, processes, packages, transports, or sells food products. The objective is to provide the ability to "trace-back" rapidly from point of consumption to the source, all food products and components identified as potentially involved in a foodborne disease outbreak. Each food-industry company must maintain records that show "who they purchased it from" and "who they sold it to." New legislation in the United States focuses on the establishment of industry-wide data standards for this information, and goes beyond traceability to require that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) develop and publish new regulations that focus on overall prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks.  (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.

GCIS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: 'The Dead Don't Protest'

ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center

SOURCE: Strategy Page

29March2011 3:30amEST

GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE: In the last few months, the government has quietly attacked the security of electronic communications in and out of the country. The government has organized a team of hackers (Iranians and foreign mercenaries) to use various method (deep packet inspection, forged SSL certificates) to read email that users thought was encrypt or anonymous. That may explain an increase in the number of pro-reform people arrested lately. But the main goal appears to be scaring the opposition away from using the Internet. (read full report)

"GCIS INTELLIGENCE UPDATE" is an intelligence briefing presented by Griffith Colson Intelligence Service, and provided to the public for informative purposes only. All subject matter is credited to it's source of origin, and is not intended to represent original content authored by GCIS, it's partners or affiliates. All opinions presented are those of the author, and not necessarily those of GCIS or it's partners.