Preliminary Cybersecurity Framework

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Preliminary Cybersecurity Framework - National Institute of ...

www.nist.gov/.../preliminary-cybersecurity-f.

 

China's New Small Leading Group on Cybersecurity and Internet Management

FORBES ASIA 2/27/2014 @ 10:09AM

On the news tonight, China announced the first meeting of a leading group on Internet security and informatization. The group is chaired by President Xi Jinping; Premier Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the Director of the Propaganda Department, are the group’s deputies. There have been reports of a leading small group on cyber issues meeting in the past, but no reports of public meetings for at least four years, so the announcement of this new group is a big deal......cont

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamsegal/2014/02/27/chinas-new-small-leading-group-on-cybersecurity-and-internet-management

Southcom, Northcom Commanders Detail Threats to the Americas

Southcom, Northcom Commanders Detail Threats to the Americas

By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2014 – Threats to the Americas are increasing just as U.S. military efforts to counter them are constrained by fewer resources, the commanders of U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command told Congress today. 

For the entirety of this article click on the link below

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121735

Winnefeld: Budget Request Balances Security, Fiscal Realities

Winnefeld: Budget Request Balances Security, Fiscal Realities

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2014 – The Defense Department’s fiscal year 2015 budget request seeks to balance the nation’s security needs with the realities of fiscal constraints, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.

Navy Adm. James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at Bloomberg Government's conference on defense spending and strategy in Washington, D.C., Feb. 26, 2014. DOD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

In a speech at Bloomberg Government’s Defense Transformation Conference, Navy Adm. James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld Jr. said the changing national security environment, after-effects of $37 billion in fiscal 2013 sequestration spending cuts and the outlook for defense spending in the years to come posed myriad challenges to budget planners......cont 

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121737

Readout of Secretary Johnson's Meeting with State and Local Officials

Release Date: 

February 24, 2014

For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

WASHINGTON— Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson met separately with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to underscore the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) important partnerships with states and cities, and discuss the continuing support for state and local efforts, including important coordination every day to address common security threats ranging from counterterrorism to criminal investigations, and ensure a safer, more secure, and more resilient homeland. 

Later, Secretary Johnson hosted the Council of Governors meeting at St. Elizabeths where he met with eight governors including: Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Wyoming Governor Matthew Mead. 

During the Council of Governors meeting, Secretary Johnson discussed DHS’s efforts to collaborate with state partners on homeland security issues including disaster preparation, response and recovery as well as continued efforts on a state-federal unity of effort on cybersecurity. 

http://www.dhs.gov/news/2014/02/24/readout-secretary-johnsons-meeting-state-and-local-officials

DHS Participates in International Exercise to Prevent Nuclear Terrorist

DHS Participates in International Exercise to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism

February 25, 2014 —

As we have seen from seizures of weapon-grade nuclear material in Georgia in 2010 and Moldova in 2011, such materials remain in illegal circulation on the black market, where they are vulnerable to smugglers and potential terrorists. To combat this threat, nations must work together, build capabilities and enhance communications through exercises such as @tomic 201

http://www.dhs.gov/news

TERRORIST HAZARDS

Biological Threats >

Chemical Threats >

Cyber Attack >

Explosions >

Nuclear Blast >

Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD) >

Throughout human history, there have been many threats to the security of nations. These threats have brought about large-scale losses of life, the destruction of property, widespread illness and injury, the displacement of large numbers of people and devastating economic loss.

Recent technological advances and ongoing political unrest are components of the increased risk to national security.

Learn what actions to include in your family disaster plan to prepare for and respond to terrorist threats.

Last updated: 02/11/2013 - 08:51 PM

http://www.ready.gov/terrorist-hazards

Response and Crisis Management

Emergency Preparedness - Response and Crisis Management

www.ercm.org

Disaster Preparation and Recovery

Disaster Preparation and Recovery: MedlinePlus

www.nlm.nih.gov/.../disasterpreparationandre

Hazardous Materials-Prepare, Plan Stay Informed

www.ready.gov/hazardous-materials-incidents

The above link gives an in depth look into hazardous materials that can originate from various sources, for example power plants, hospitals, service stations and gardening supply stores. We have the responsibilty of gaining awareness and acquring the necessary safety measures when needed in times of disaster.

Highlights-Bureau of Counter-Terrorism. Terrorist Designations of Lashkar I Jhangvi and Malik Ishaq

Terrorist Designations of Lashkar I Jhangvi and Malik Ishaq

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

February 6, 2014

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The Department of State has designated Malik Ishaq, one of the co-founders of Lashkar I Jhangvi (LJ), as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224. The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Malik Ishaq, and the freezing of all property and interests of Malik Ishaq that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of U.S. persons.

Malik Ishaq is a founding member and is the current leader of LJ. In 1997, Malik Ishaq admitted his involvement in terrorist activity that resulted in the deaths of over 100 Pakistanis. More recently, in February 2013, Pakistani police arrested Ishaq in connection with attacks on January 10 and February 16, 2013 in the northwestern city of Quetta, Pakistan that killed nearly 200 Pakistani civilians. LJ claimed responsibility for the Quetta bombings.

In addition to Ishaq’s designation under E.O. 13224, the Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of LJ in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. LJ specializes in armed attacks and bombings and has admitted responsibility for numerous killings of Shia religious and civil society leaders in Pakistan. LJ claimed responsibility for a 2013 attack in a crowded billiards hall in Quetta that resulted in the deaths of 80 Pakistanis.

As a result of maintaining the FTO designation, the legal consequences of the designation remain in place, including the prohibition against knowingly providing, or attempting or conspiring to provide, material support or resources to LJ, and the freezing of all LJ assets under the control or possession of U.S. financial institutions.

The Department took these actions in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.

http://www.state.gov/

FEMA Seeks Applicants for National Advisory Council

Release date: 

Febuary 18th, 2013

Release Number: 

HQ-14-013

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment.  The NAC is an advisory council established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management while incorporating the whole community’s input through appointed council members.

The NAC consists of up to 35 members, all of whom are experts and leaders in their respective fields.  The members of the NAC are appointed by the FEMA Administrator and are composed of federal, state, tribal, local, private sector, and non-profit leaders and subject matter experts in a wide range of disciplines.

Appointments are for a three-year term.  The Administrator may appoint additional candidates to serve as a FEMA Administrator Selection.  The NAC will have one position open for applications and nominations in each of the following disciplines: 

• Emergency Management
• Emergency Response
• Non-Elected Local Government Officials
• Elected Tribal Government Officials
• Non-Elected Tribal Government Officials
• Health Scientist *
• Communications *
• Infrastructure Protection *
• Standards Settings and Accrediting
• Disabilities

Individuals interested in serving on the NAC are invited to apply for appointment by submitting a Cover Letter and a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the Office of the National Advisory Council by email, fax, or mail.  The Cover Letter must include, at a minimum: the discipline area(s) being applied for; current position title and organization; mailing address; a current telephone number; and email address.  Letters of recommendation may also be provided, but are not required.  A complete application must be submitted to be considered for appointment; application criteria, submission information, and contact information can be found on the NAC webpage.  Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 14, 2014, 11:59 p.m. EST. 

The NAC meets in person approximately two times a year.  Members selected for the NAC serve without compensation from the federal government; however, consistent with the charter, members receive travel reimbursement and per diem under applicable federal travel regulations.  Registered lobbyists, current FEMA employees, Reservists, FEMA Contractors, and potential FEMA Contractors will not be considered for NAC Membership.

* Note: Individuals appointed for these positions will serve as a Special Government Employee. For more information on requirements, please visitwww.oge.gov/Topics/Selected-Employee-Categories/Advisory-Committee-Members/.

For more information on the NAC visit:  www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. Release Date Feb 03, 2014.

FEMA Releases Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. Release Date Feb 03, 2014.

            The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) along with Middlesex and Monmouth Counties are cooperating in efforts to combat flooding, the reduction of lives lost, decrease in the loss of property and dealing with the economic impression of flooding is detrimental to the people of both counties. FEMA has expressed great concern as today the issuance of the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps or (FIRMS) provides in depth modifications to the continuing evaluation of vulnerabilities of floods. The initial FIRMS will personify coastal flood threats as the Preliminary Work Maps would now be apprised to consist riverine flooding. The issuance of the Preliminary FIRMS is the first factor in the approved regulatory review initiative. The following step would illustrate a mandatory 90-day appeal and comment cycle, this will commence during the Spring of this year. Owners of property along with groups that are interested in such matters will have the chance to petition the Preliminary FIRMS by proposing the necessary procedural documentation to their provincial Floodplain Administrators. With reference to the period of petition once it has ended, FEMA will then release a Letter of Final Determination or LFD to the Middlesex and Monmouth County communities. Operational standards will occur in 2015; apparently these contemporary FIRMS will establish flood insurance rates. However the benefits would extend to increased levels for construction of buildings and the reduction of insurance costs.

http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2014/02/03/fema-releases-preliminary-flod-insurance-rate-maps-middlesex-and-monmouth

Onika Mayhew (Graduate Assistant)