Crisis Begets Opportunity

Sen. Chambliss: ‘We can’t just leave event security to communities’

"Chambliss did say that security around the country would have to change for large public events, including greater involvement by the federal government. 'This was a soft target. It was not a target that was able to be totally protected,' he said. 'This particular incident is going to cause the administration and Congress to evaluate our overall security programs around the country, particularly for major events. We can't leave it just to the communities that host these events to provide the security.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSen. Chambliss: ‘We can’t just leave event security to communities’

Report: Apple hack compromised ‘hundreds’ of other companies

"A hack on Apple computers has infected systems at hundreds of the company’s clients in the largest cyber attack the company has ever faced, a person briefed on the investigation told Reuters. The hack used the same exploit in Oracle’s Java software that Facebook warned of, saying several employee computers were compromised by 'sophisticated' hackers using custom tools but that no user information was exposed. The company did not comment on how many of its clients saw systems affected, but a source told Reuters the number is in the 'hundreds,' and includes defense contractors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReport: Apple hack compromised ‘hundreds’ of other companies

First-ever cyberattack on US election points to broad vulnerabilities

"The fake requests for ballots targeted the Aug. 14 statewide primary and included requests for Democratic ballots in one congressional district and Republican ballots in two state House districts, according to a recent Miami Herald report. The fake requests were done so clumsily that they were red-flagged and did not foul up the election. In any case, they would not have been enough to change the outcome. But now confirmed as the first cyberattack aimed at election fraud, the incident is further evidence that the vote-counting process is vulnerable, particularly as elections become more reliant on the Internet." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFirst-ever cyberattack on US election points to broad vulnerabilities

Florida bill designed to fight gambling scandal could cost state thousands of jobs

"The measure, House Bill 155, was passed by the state Senate on April 4 by a 36-4 vote, following a three-year investigation into racketeering, money laundering and other charges. The scandal led to the resignation of Lieutenant Gov. Jennifer Carroll on March 12. The new law effectively curtails the state’s so-called 'Internet cafes' — businesses that featured online games recreating slot machines. It also forbids arcades from letting customers use cash or debit or credit cards from operating their games and from handing out gift cards as prizes. Patrons must now use change to play, and winnings are capped at 75 cents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida bill designed to fight gambling scandal could cost state thousands of jobs

City of Yokohama Mistakenly Tweets of North Korean Missile Launch

"In this environment, it's easy to make a mistake and jump the gun. And that's precisely what happened in Yokohama, Japan. On Wednesday, city officials used Twitter to warn of a North Korean missile launch — one that never had happened. At 8:11 p.m. local time, the official disaster management Twitter account of the city prematurely announced: 'North Korea has launched a missile'. As it turns out, it was just a misfired tweet that was ready in case of a real launch. The tweet stayed up for approximately 20 minutes, when the city took it down and posted an official apology (Google Translate), saying the tweet was delivered by mistake." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCity of Yokohama Mistakenly Tweets of North Korean Missile Launch

Texas prosecutor, wife gunned down two months after assistant DA killed

"The top law enforcement officer in one Texas county and his wife were found shot to death in their home on Saturday. Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Justin Lewis confirmed to KTVT that Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and Cynthia McLelland had been killed. An assault rifle had been used to shoot the district attorney multiple times, KTVT reported. His wife was only shot once. Their home reportedly showed no signs of forced entry. Authorities are investigating if the case is related to the January slaying of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, according to Kaufman Police Department Chief Chris Aulbaugh." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas prosecutor, wife gunned down two months after assistant DA killed

West Virginia sheriff fatally gunned down outside courthouse

"A West Virginia sheriff was shot and killed outside a courthouse in downtown Williamson on Wednesday. According to WCHS-TV, Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum had been shot and killed at around 12:04 p.m. A suspected shooter was also shot before being taken into custody. The condition of the suspect was not immediately known. Officials told WSAZ that Crum had been on his lunch break when he was gunned down. The Mingo County Courthouse was evacuated, but no other injuries were reported. Crum was known for his Operation Zero Tolerance program targeting illegal drug trafficking." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWest Virginia sheriff fatally gunned down outside courthouse

CISPA cybersecurity bill coming back with ‘significant improvements’

"The lawmakers said they would insert a more narrow definition of national security in the bill. The amendments would also seek to clarify that Internet firms could only use data about threats for cybersecurity purposes, not for marketing or other commercial uses, and would give more oversight to privacy officers at federal agencies. Greg Nojeim of the Center for Democracy and Technology said the changes failed to address one key concern — that information could be accessed by the top-secret National Security Agency, a branch of the military." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCISPA cybersecurity bill coming back with ‘significant improvements’

Knife Control Lobby Considers Response to Mass Knifings at a Texas College

"The brutal, senseless knifing of a dozen students at a community college in Texas has mobilized the knife control movement. Apparently, authorities expected a series of copy-cat knifings. Knife control advocates are considering whether now is the right time to call for background checks on citizens who buy knives. The possibility of universal knife registration is being considered." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKnife Control Lobby Considers Response to Mass Knifings at a Texas College

Connecticut’s Gun Control: A Rush To Pass Laws That Couldn’t Have Prevented Tragedy

"The grab bag (PDF) of background checks, gun, ammunition and magazine restrictions, limitations on eligibility to own firearms and a new registry of 'weapon offenders' inconveniences people who had nothing to do with the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, and certainly would have had no impact on Adam Lanza's ability to commit that crime. But don't think anybody will get to point that out in a public hearing; the legislation is being sent directly to a vote through an emergency procedure that allows for no stops on the way." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingConnecticut’s Gun Control: A Rush To Pass Laws That Couldn’t Have Prevented Tragedy