Weekly Security Sprint EP 31. Hostile Events, Space, Doxxing, a PSA, and so much more!

29 August 2023

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In this week’s Security Sprint, Dave and Andy talk about the topics below. For more of these and other security updates, subscribe to our free daily report, delivered directly to your inbox, the Gate 15 SUN. To subscribe, please email Gate15@Gate15.global.

Main Topics

Jacksonville Murders and other physical security updates. Gunman Kills 3 in Racially Motivated Attack on Jacksonville Dollar Store; First Confronted by Security at HBCU; The shooter left three distinct manifestos: one for his parents, one for the media, and one for federal law enforcement. “Portions of these manifestos detail the shooter’s disgusting ideology of hate,” the sheriff said.

Safeguarding The US Space Industry; Keeping Your Intellectual Property In Orbit (PDF). “Foreign intelligence entities (FIEs) recognize the importance of the commercial space industry to the US economy and national security, including the growing dependence of critical infrastructure on space-based assets. They see US space-related innovation and assets as potential threats as well as valuable opportunities to acquire vital technologies and expertise. FIEs use cyberattacks, strategic investment (including joint ventures and acquisitions), the targeting of key supply chain nodes, and other techniques to gain access to the US space industry.”

  • An article over the weekend notes: “a significant set of cyberattacks has been knocking down the remote connections of prominent space telescopes from the National Science Foundation (NSF) worldwide. Specifically, there have been 10 affected telescopes that have been down for more than two weeks, and the few that have managed to recover are acting less efficiently than before.” Axios adds:

Swatting and Doxxing. 

PSA: FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for 04 Oct 2023. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Oct 4 at 2:20 p.m. The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This year, the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN). Earlier this year, the FCC updated its EAS rules to take advantage of the latest technologies in order to reach more people, particularly people with disabilities. The FCC believes that requiring greater use of Common Alerting Protocol-formatted alerts will result in more understandable and informative messages. Beginning in December 2023, broadcasters will be required to implement the new CAP alert polling and prioritization rules. The WEA portion of the test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones. 

Quick Hits.

Idalia Intensifying and Forecast to Become a Major Hurricane. Idalia is forecast to become a major hurricane early this week in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. There is an increasing threat of life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds and scattered flash and urban flooding along or in portions of the west coast of Florida, the Panhandle and Southeast beginning on Tuesday. Florida should closely monitor Idalia and have a plan in place – hurricane safety Read More.

USG Updates

Of possible interest

Ransomware

From Russia and Ukraine, with love

Read more about Gate 15’s full podcast menu at our Podcast page. You can subscribe and enjoy all the Gate 15 Podcasts on Spotify for Podcasters, Apple, Spotify, Google, as well as other locations accessible from the Spotify for Podcasters link. Week-to-week, you can hear and learn more about our all-hazards threats, risks, mitigation and other issues impacting homeland security risk management from our team as well as our regular and special guests. The full podcast menu includes:

  • The Security Sprint is our weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment. 
  • The Risk Roundtable is a recurring monthly discussion among our team and occasional guests as we explore the all-hazards threats and risks impacting the United States and internationally.
  • The Cybersecurity Evangelist, with Jennifer Lyn Walker, is a cybersecurity-focused discussion with Jen and invited guests.
  • Nerd Out! Security Panel Discussion, moderated by Dave Pounder, focuses on physical security topics including terrorism, extremism, hostile events, and other pertinent topics.
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