President Obama – “Clean up your own backyard…”- Elvis Presley July 18, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: ambush, bigotry, clinton, dallas, David Clarke, Ferguson, michael brown, obama, race, Trayvon, Trump
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Recently, after yet ANOTHER police ambush, President Obama has seen fit to implore Americans to: “Tamp down inflammatory rhetoric”. He stated that: “We need to temper our words and open our hearts … all of us,”.
Mr. President, I am afraid you are a day late and a dollar short on this point! In watching you now try to put the proverbial genie back in the bottle, I am reminded of one of my favorite Elvis songs – Clean up your own backyard. The song starts with the following:
“Back porch preacher preaching at me
Acting like he wrote the golden rules
Shaking his fist and speeching at me
Shouting from his soap box like a fool
Come Sunday morning he’s lying in bed
With his eye all red, with the wine in his head
Wishing he was dead when he oughta be
Heading for Sunday school”
The Obama administration and its followers have a history of using Race and race baiting to advance a political agenda within the United States. When this inflammatory speech begins to compel people to act with violence suddenly “WE ALL” need to temper OUR words? Mr. Obama and his followers have fanned the flames of racism for years and now that our country is at a boiling point, he is wanting to lay blame at the feet of those who had nothing to do with the issues. (more…)
US Government Failing us on Terrorism June 15, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Uncategorized.Tags: ISIS, Loretta Lynch, Mateen, Orlando, predictive analysis, san bernardino, terrorist
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As we learn more and more about the Orlando killer I am increasingly appalled at the incompetence and indifference shown by our own government. First our own president referred to ISIS as “Junior Varsity”. Omar Mateen was investigated twice by the FBI with the investigations lasting at least 10 months. After the investigation the FBI ‘closed’ the case. The officials in DC had the opportunity to re-open or continue the investigation…they did not.
Even Attorney General Lynch said she would open an inquiry to see: “if there are lessons we can learn to prevent another tragedy.” Didn’t we hear similar comments after Boston and San Bernardino. In fact, Lynch stated after San Bernardino:
“We’re at the point where these issues have come together really like never before in law enforcement thought and in our nation’s history and it gives us a wonderful opportunity and a wonderful moment to really make significant change,” – What ‘wonderful opportunity did this provide?
Let us not forget that President Obama called the Boston Bombings: “Two brothers and a crackpot” Let that sink in for a moment after knowing what we know about San Bernardino and Oralando.
Considering we have now seen the Boston Bombing and San Bernadino shootings from the same terrorists…each of which were investigated and cleared…I would say the government FAILED miserably to protect those in Orlando and is failing to protect us.
Omar Mateen’s father is know to publicly support the Taliban and his parents are from Afghanistan. Omar Mateen’s “wife” is actually Palestinian. Interestingly, there is no evidence they were actually married. Then, we find that Omar Mateen took 2 separate trips to Saudi Arabia for “unknown” reasons. (shouldn’t this have raised numerous red flags?)
Clearly there was something that compelled the FBI to investigate Mateen for over 10 months. Closing the case should not mean ignoring the individual. When coupled with the trips to Saudi Arabia and Mateen’s father’s support of the Taliban, you would think it would have re-energized the investigation. Even if Mateen could legally purchase a firearm, how could his purchasing of a firearm AFTER being investigated for 10 months, taking 2 trips to Saudi Arabia in 1 year, ‘marrying’ a Palestinian woman, and having a father who is pro Taliban NOT compel the US Government to at least watch this guy?
Predictive Analysis is about taking desperate bits of information and predicting behavior. Using historical information we can identify how people act given certain actions. How in the f…’hell’ did all of these data points NOT point to a ‘re look’ at Mateen? I often say “security is indelicate”. Here is a game?
- Does being a Middle Eastern person make you a terrorist? Probably not. Does being a Middle Eastern Male make you a terrorist? probably not.
- Does being a Middle Eastern Male between the ages of 18 and 29 make you a terrorist? Probably not.
- Does being a Middle Eastern Male between the ages of 18 and 29 who is also Muslim make you a terrorist? Probably not. Does being a Middle Eastern Male between the ages of 18 and 29, and Muslim who attends a Mosque known to preach an extremist view of Islam make you a terrorist...hopefully (notice the language change) not…
- Does being a Middle Eastern Male between the ages of 18 and 29, and Muslim who attends a Mosque known to preach an extremist view of Islam, and who has visited Saudi Arabia in the past year for unknown reasons make you a terrorist?….ummm…maybe…not?
- Does being a Middle Eastern Male between the ages of 18 and 29, and Muslim who attends a Mosque known to preach an extremist view of Islam, and who has visited Saudi Arabia in the past year for unknown reason, and has published numerous anti American posts on Facebook make you a terrorist?…Yeah..we hope not?
- Does being a Middle Eastern Male between the ages of 18 and 29, and Muslim who attends a Mosque known to preach an extremist view of Islam, and who has visited Saudi Arabia in the past year for unknown reason, and has published numerous anti American posts on Facebook…and recently purchased numerous guns make you a terrorist?…What do you think?
This is PA 101. Our Government is failing us on a basic level.
As more and more terrorists attack the United States, the current administration’s position is simply to divert blame. He intimates that by calling the terrorists “Islamic radicals” that we are encouraging them and, of course, places the blame on guns.
It is not a ‘gun problem’ it is apathy, indifference, and disrespect for a very capable, and motivated enemy that is providing an environment that is ripe for these types of attacks.
DO YOUR JOB….
Threat Adaptation and Guns – Security 101 June 14, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: assault weapon, ban, gun control, http://affa.hells-angels.com/, Orlando, sandy hook, security, terrorism
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Let me start by saying that I, like everyone, am horrified by the events in Orlando. That being said, it is important to understand some concepts inherent to security and why the argument of gun control to prevent attacks like those in Orlando is flawed.
Before I delve into my post I want to give some of my own background. I started my professional career in the US Marine Security Forces providing armed physical security for a critical national asset. I have provided Force Protection in a combat zone, was a Marine Scout/Sniper, and I have provided unarmed security in a level 3 psychiatric ward. I have conducted anti-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden and finally, I have been an information security professional for nearly 20 years. I am also working in a Doctorate in CyberSecurity. I have written scores of articles and spoken at many dozens of security events. I may not know much in life but I understand security.
I read a letter from a mother of a Sandy Hook victim. In the letter she said:
“I am sorry that our tragedy here in Sandy Hook wasn’t enough to save your loved ones,”
While I feel for the mother and understand her very normal and appropriate response to losing her child, the argument simplifies the issue. Unfortunately, what we are dealing with is not a gun issue…it is a people issue. (more…)
General Patraeus (Betray-Us) and Gun Control June 13, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: 2nd amendment, Broadwell, CIA, common sense, giffords, gun control, He espouses the need for 'common sense' yet did not have the common sense to not compromise national security for his mistress and does not have the 'common sense' to recognize the hypocrisy of his ow, mark kelly, Patraeus
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When I first read this story I thought it was a joke. Famous betrayer of his own country David Patraeus (pronounced Betray-US) and retired astronaut Mark Kelly have started a new gun control group called Veterans Coalition for Common Sense. The next by Mark Kelly is priceless.
“As service members, each of us swore an oath to protect our Constitution and the homeland. Now we’re asking our leaders to do more to protect our rights and save lives,”
As a reminder, General Patraeus (head of the CIA at the time) was forced to resign after it was discovered he was having an affair with his biographer. After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor (many felt his actions warranted a felony conviction), Patraeus was sentenced to 2 years probation and a $100,000 fine for giving classified information to his mistress.
Here is a man armed with a PhD and who spent 37 years serving his country that compromised the safety and security of his own country and those with whom he served to help his lover. He betrayed his wife, his family and his country. Patraeus “…swore an oath to protect our Constitution…” and instead violated the oath for his own selfish purposes.
He espouses the need for ‘common sense’ yet did not have the common sense to not compromise national security for his mistress and does not have the ‘common sense’ to recognize the hypocrisy of his own actions.
Patraeus could not be convinced under the threat of prison to not share secrets with his lover yet now expects that tougher gun laws will prevent other criminals (since he is a criminal) to be deterred from violating new laws related to guns.
Let that sink in for a moment..
Chris Mark in “Using Security Metrics” Book June 9, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Uncategorized.Tags: Chris Mark, cyber, hack, network, risk, security, Security Metics, Tenable
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A number of months ago I was interviewed regarding my opinion on the effectiveness of security metrics. I was notified today that the eBook has been published. Titled “Using Security Metrics” the book includes 33 authors and according to the publisher:
“We asked 33 security experts how they communicate security program effectiveness to business executives and the Board.
They share their recommendations and best practices in this ebook. If you’re a security professional, you’ll find their insights indispensable for helping you better communicate with business executives and Board members who often do not speak the security language. Download this ebook to learn about:
- Security Metrics That Tell a Story to the Board
- Security Metrics That Help Boards Assess Risk
- Security Metrics for Threat Management
- Security Metrics that Drive Action in the Financial Services Industry
My contribution can be found starting on page 39. You can download the eBook here!.
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 