“SDVOSB” – Mark Consulting Group Registers as Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Busines August 3, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News.Tags: CCR, cybersecurity, disabled veteran, mark consulting group, PCI DSS, risk management, SAM, SDVOSB, VA
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I have finally completed the Department of Veterans Affairs and the SAM (formerly CCR etc.) registration process to have Mark Consulting Group certified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Hopefully, the VA will complete verification within a few days. If you are in need of information services please consider The Mark Consulting Group.
According to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) is formally defined thus:“A service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern is a business not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, or in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, or in the case of a veteran with a permanent and severe disability, a spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran. In addition, some businesses may be owned and operated by an eligible surviving spouse. Reservists or members of the National Guard disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty or while in training status also qualify.”
“The Fortress Mentality & Data Compromises” – Chris & Heather Mark in August 2012 TransactionWorld Magazine July 31, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Data Breach.Tags: Chris Mark, compromise, data breach, data theft, Heather Mark, mark consulting group, mastercard, PCI DSS, transaction world, visa
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This month’s TransactionWorld magazine includes an article by me (Chris Mark) titled: “The Impact Of the Fortress Mentality and Today’s Compliance Strategies”. The article discusses, among other things, the Global Payments breach, PCI DSS compliance, and provides an overview and opinion on today’s focus on compliance with static standards as opposed to risk based information security. One important note. I neglected to send an updated BIO to the editor so it still references my position at ProPay. I have not worked at ProPay for over a year 😉 You can read more about my company Mark Consulting Group at www.MarkConsultingGroup.com.
Heather Mark is also in this month’s TransactionWorld with an article titled: “After the Compromise: Incident Response Plans and Mitigating the Damage” Heather speaks about data compromises and provides good insight into strategies companies can employ to minimize the impact of such breaches.
“Democracy or Friendship?” – The US Role in Supporting Democracy July 31, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Politics.Tags: democracy, Dr. Heather Mark, Egypt, Isreal, mark consulting group, US foreign policy, USAID
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Heather Mark completed her PhD in Public Policy & Public Administration ‘several year’ ago. Her Dissertation was titled: “The Role of the United States Foreign Policy in the Global Adoption of Democratic Governance”. The US has long espoused the position of supporting democracy. Does the US actually practice what it preaches? Here is an excerpt from Heather’s dissertation:
“As the twentieth century wore on, however, the threats to democracy became less specific, but presidents and policymakers continued to use the ideology to frame their policy statements. This begs the question: “Do the actions of the United States actually further the cause of democracy, as policymakers indicate?” If the U.S. public knew the effect of U.S. actions on democracy, would the rhetoric still be as effective?”
Download and read her dissertation here. Make your own decisions regarding the US’s role.
“Ruh Roh!…Google did it again!” – Admits it did not delete ‘streetview data’. July 27, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: google, google streetview, ICO, Maritime Security, MSNBC, streetview
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I what can only be described as an absolute shock (catch my sardonic humor?)…Google has now admitted that it did not delete “… all the personal data, such as emails, its Street View cars collected in Britain and other countries in 2010.”
According to MSNBC:
“The failure to comply with a promise to delete all the data was notified to Britain’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which said the fact that the data still existed appeared to breach an undertaking signed by Google in November 2010. (more…)
“The UN, Guns, and US Constitution” – Explaning the Arms Trade Treaty July 27, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Laws and Leglslation, Politics, terrorism, weapons and tactics.Tags: 2nd amendment, arms trade treaty, Constitution, guns, mark consulting group, NRA, ownership, senate, UN
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Recent events in the US have once again ignited the debate over control of guns within the US. This post is not a political debate rather an introduction to US gun issues and, more specifically, actions of the United Nations. First, for some quick statistics. According to the US Firearms Institute between 40% – 50% of US homes own firearms. There are between 250 million and 280 million firearms in the US owned by between 120 million and 150 million US citizens. Hunting, shooting, and firearms are deeply embedded in the US culture and history. In fact, the right to own firearms is guaranteed in the US Constitution’s 2nd Amendment which states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” As every 6th grader knows, the 2nd Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights which was passed in 1791. While many people don’t agree with the 2nd Amendment the US Supreme Court has upheld the amendment and clarified the intent in several cases: (more…)
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 