Business911 International, Inc.

The DHS is monitoring social networks for security reasons, are you?

This is an interesting article about the DHS monitoring social networks during the 2010 Winter Olympics.  I believe we will see more of this activity since it gives those in public information positions a portal into what may be going on in an area of interest.

The important point here is not that the DHS is monitoring information; it is the opportunity for all of us to develop relationships and areas of interest we can monitor during an incident.  All groups could benefit from sharing information (albeit not always factual) including businesses, schools, churches, and communities.  One great way to share information as an alternate to other methods during an emergency is Twitter or Facebook.

As required by law, the DHS has published a Privacy Impact Statement about its monitoring activity--in this case monitoring social media outlets for security reasons for the Vancouver Winter Olympics.    the full article is available at: http://www.emergencymgmt.com/emergency-blogs/crisis-comm/DHS-Monitoring-Social-Media.html

Four Signs of an Easy Victim on Social Networks

What makes cyber criminals target you in a social network scam? Sophos' recent study identifies the signs of a soft target online.  See interesting article from CSO with common sense preventive measures.

 

NIST issues second draft on Smart Grid Cyber Security

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued the second draft of its Smart Grid Cyber Security Strategy and Requirements, which now identifies more than 120 interfaces that will link diverse devices, systems, and organizations engaged in two-way flows of electricity and information and classifies these connections according to the risks posed by a potential security breach.

Domino/Lotus Notes Continuity of Operations software

Integriti(TM) software

Southeast Texas Severe Weather Awareness Week - Feb 21-27 2010

Several resources from the National Weather Service and the State of Texas Department of Public Safety.

Texas Ministry Conference Wrap-up

  Noah had a plan. 

(Houston, TX) The 2010 Texas Ministry conference was completed yesterday at Champion Forest Baptist Church.  There were a wide variety of presentations including several on the use of Social Media.  I attended one session which provided the basics on setup of Twitter and Facebook account, and what each could be used for in the ministry.

I had the pleasure of delivering two presentations on "Preparing for the unexpected".  It was a basic level introduction into how to develop an emergency plan/ communications for an organization.  Several churches represented in the sessions are already using Twitter and/or Facebook on a regular basis.

One of my key points during the presentation was using the tools you have during an incident, and having an alternative.  I suggested that Twitter had enormous benefits, and it most cases it's probably already in use.  One must determine how it will be used during an emergency, and also know it is dynamic information that may or may not be accurate.

During the conference a light plane struck a commercial building in Austin, TX.  I began receiving Tweets very quickly, and one was from USNORTHCOM (NORAD).  When our normal communication systems are down, like cellular, sometimes text messaging works, the point is: always have an alternative.  One of the best ways to reach the masses, is not necessarily to have everyones' cell number, or email, but for each person to know where to "go" to get breaking/critical information.

What is your organization's Twitter address?

Presentation: PreparingForTheUnexepectedPublic delivered at conference Feb 18, 2009.

Late breaking news - Authorities charge two in Texas church fire

Additional resources recommended during conference:

Upright Ministries - Emergency Response Publication

Noah Had a Plan -   COOP Magazine Article aug. 2009

Business911 Int'l -   Houses of Worship - Archives

 

DHS/FEMA State Cybersecurity Training

Online training opportunity addressing cyber security released by TEEX part of the Texas A&M system.

DHS/FEMA State Cybersecurity Training

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FEMA Releases Draft National Disaster Recovery Framework

Release Date: February 5, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-012

WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the interagency Long Term Disaster Recovery Working Group, today issued a draft of the National Disaster Recovery Framework —focused onengaging state, local and tribal governments, nonprofit partners, the private sector, and the public to enhance the nation’s ability to recovery from disasters. for more information: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50366

Comment period ends Feb 26th

Intel Chief: U.S. at Risk of Crippling Cyber Attack

FOXNews.com

The United States is at risk of a crippling cyber attack that could "wreak havoc" on the country because the "technological balance" makes it much easier to launch a cyber strike than defend against it, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said Tuesday. See article for details:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/03/intel-chief-risk-crippling-cyber-attack/