“Al Qeada is Promoting!”- Job Duties Probably Include Getting Killed by Hellfire missiles June 8, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News, terrorism.Tags: Abu Yahya al-Libi, al qaeda, hellfire, mark consulting group, markconsultinggroup.com, missiles, SEALS, terrorism
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After killing Osama Bin Laden in 2011, the US embarked on a mission to remove any heir apparants that may have been waiting in the wings. With this weeks’ killing of Abu Yahya al-Libi, the US has now killed 4 of the top 5 candidates for the #2 spot in Al Qeada. Like any company in need of a new C-level to support their operations, the terrorist organization is now looking for a new #2 for their organization. There are at least five names believed to be considered with several who have lived in the US and one American being considered. While likely a very good job for an up and coming terrorist, it should be noted that one major job responsibility is probably going to include getting blown up by Hellfire missiles.
“Wowee wow wow!”; The Costs Of CyberSecurity; Part II May 15, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Industry News, InfoSec & Privacy.Tags: bloomberg, Chris Mark, cybersecurity, data security, InfoSec, mark consulting group, PCI DSS, ponemon
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In reading the Ponemon/Boomberg report on the costs of cybersecurity, I was shocked to see that companies would need to increase spending 700% to achieve 95% protection. In reading closer, I was even more shocked to see that financial services companies would need to increase spending over 1,270% to achieve 95% protection. Of the 48 financial services firms surveyed the average annual security investment was $22.9 million. To achieve the 95% goal, security investment would need to increase to $292.4 million per year. You can see the results in an interactive chart here.
As stated in my previous post: “CyberSecurity Cold War; Spend Ourselves Into Oblivion”, it is obvious that companies cannot increase security investment 11 fold or even 7 fold. There must be a better answer.
By the way..the “Wowee wow wow” is from Christopher Walken’ character The Continental 😉
“Communist Chinese Cyber-Attacks, CyberEspionage and Theft of American Technology” May 13, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Data Breach.Tags: china, Chris Mark, cybercrime, cyberespionage, cybersecurity, InfoSec, IP Theft, malware, mark consulting group, security
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Since it is Mother’s day, I will not ramble on with inane commentary 😉 Instead, here is a link to the report of the same name as the blog title (too lazy to retype)…from the 112 Congress’ Congressional Hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee of Foreign Affairs; House of Representatives. It is very interesting and provides some valuable insight into IP theft. Don’t forget to thank Mom today!
“I can neither confirm nor deny”; NSA + Google = Glomar Response May 12, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News, Risk & Risk Management, terrorism.Tags: Chris Mark, freedom of information act, Glomar, google, mark consulting group, NSA, privacy, security
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In a story on Foxnews it is revealed that a US Federal Appeals court has turned down a request under the Freedom of Information Act that would have forced the National Security Agency to disclose what, if any, relationship it has with Google and specifically a cyberattack against Google which originated in China. According to the story: “The Electronic Privacy Information Center, which focuses on privacy and civil liberties, sought communications between Google and the NSA, which conducts worldwide electronic surveillance and protects the U.S. government from such spying. But the NSA refused to confirm or deny whether it had any relationship with Google. The NSA argued that doing so could make U.S. government information systems vulnerable to attack.”
Now for some history- In April 1968, the Soviet Union’s K129 nuclear submarine sank. Seeing an opportunity to get some intelligence, the US CIA’s Special Activities Division came up with a plan known as Project Azorian. Using Howard Hughes’ company as a front, they commissioned the Hughes Glomar Explorer. Hughes claimed the ship was designed to extract minerals from the ocean floor. The HGE was sent to pick up the remains of the submarine and return them to the US. When the project came to light and the US Government was asked about the project, the response was: “I can neither confirm nor deny” the existence of such a project. Thus was born the Glomar Response or Glomar Denial…
“Pot…Meet Kettle”…Syria Urges UN to Stop Terrorism in Damascus (cough, cough) May 10, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News, terrorism, weapons and tactics.Tags: assad, Chris Mark, hezbolah, mark consulting group, security, syria, terrorism
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I had to comment on an article I just read on MSNBC.com titled: “Syria Urges UN to Stop 
‘Terrorism’ Following Damascus Blasts”. The basis of the article is that Assad’ government is claiming that the two bombs that went off in Damascus yesterday (35 killed and over 300 wounded) is evidence of “foreign terrorism”. According to the article: “Syria’s foreign ministry said the bombing was a sign the country is facing foreign-backed terrorism and called on the United Nations Security Council to take measures against countries or groups supporting violence in the revolt against President Bashar Assad.” While I try to keep this blog professional and on the up and up, I do have to say that Syria sure has some…(ahem)…cajones to make a plea like that. “Syria stresses the importance of the UNSC taking measures against countries, groups and news agencies that are practicing and encouraging terrorism,” the state news agency SANA quoted the ministry as saying in a letter addressed to the Security Council. Lets take a spin over to the Council on Foreign Relations website to investigate our friends in Syria. (not the citizens but the government).
Does Syria support terrorism? (from the CFR website) (more…)
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 