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…)
“The Rise of Cyber Espionage” – The Counter Terrorist Magazine August 5, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cyberespionage, cybersecurity, terrorism.Tags: chinese hackers, Chris Mark, Counter Terrorist Magazine; RSA, cyberespionage, data security, deterrence theory, Homeland1, InfoSec, IP Theft, Rise of CyberEspionage, risk management, SSI, terrorism
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UPDATE: I want to thank The Counter Terrorist magazine staff for including attribution to the article. They quickly corrected a mistake and the inaccuracy. Kudos!
Chris Mark (that is me;) has an article in the June/July 2012 issue of The Counter Terrorist Magazine. The article is titled: “The Rise of Cyber Espionage” and provides an overview of the current cyber espionage issues being faced by US businesses today. The article covers the breach at RSA to the subsequent attacks at Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and others as examples of the types of attacks being faced by state sponsored cyber espionage groups. While this magazine may be new for some readers of this particular blog, it in its 4th year and is filled with great information for military, law enforcement, first responders, and even businesses. This particular issue is 76 pages of information covering Iran’s Nuclear Objectives, Cyber Espionage, First Responder Intelligence, Intelligence for Terror, and a number of great product reviews and other information. The magazine is subscription based but if you are interested in a copy of this particular issue, leave a comment with your email and other contact information and I can forward a free ezine.
“40 Years Later”; Remembering the Munich Olympics Massacre July 25, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News.Tags: Black September, Germany, Mossad, munich massacre, Olympics, terrorism, XX Olympics, XXX Olympics
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I apologize for not posting. I have been in Moab with my family hiking and driving RZRs around. With the start of the start of the XXX Olympic Games this week, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the 1972 Games of the XX Olympiad in Munich. For those who don’t remember (or who have not seen the movie), in 1972 the second Olympics since the 1936 games were held in Germany. 11 Isreali athletes, as well as a German police officer and 5 terrorists were killed in what has become known as the Munich Massacre. According to Wikipedia: “the Munich massacre is an informal name for an attack that occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Bavaria in southern West Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and eventually killed by the Palestinian group Black September.[3][4][5][6][7] (more…)
“Money Laundering May Support Drugs and Terror Funding?” – US Senate says of HSBC July 17, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Risk & Risk Management, terrorism.Tags: AML, HSBC, mark consulting group, PATRIOT, risk, security, senate, terrorism
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According to a US Senate Report issued today and major news outlets including MSNBC, Europe’s largest bank, HSBC, has “A “pervasively polluted” culture at HSBC allowed the bank to act as financier to clients moving shadowy funds from the world’s most dangerous and secretive corners, including Mexico, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria, according to a scathing U.S. Senate report issued on Monday.” The report, titled: US Vulnerabilities to Money Laundering, Drugs, and Terrorist Financing: HSBC Case History “…examines the anti-money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing vulnerabilities created when a global bank uses its U.S. affiliate to provide U.S. dollars, U.S dollar services, and access to the U.S. financial system to high risk affiliates, high risk correspondent banks, and high risk clients.” The US Enacted stronger Anti Money Laundering laws as a part of the PATRIOT act passed in the wake of 9/11. These AML laws were designed to cut of the flow of money to terrorists. In the case of HSBC it appears many of the rules were ignored potentially allowing drug cartels and terrorist to move and launder money.
In a statement emailed to NBCNews.com, the bank said:
We will apologize, acknowledge these mistakes, answer for our actions and give our absolute commitment to fixing what went wrong. We believe that this case history will provide important lessons for the whole industry in seeking to prevent illicit actors entering the global financial system.
“Facta Non Verba”- Controversial Study Details Islamic Extremist Objectives July 11, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: al qaeda, Al shababb, ASU, CSC, Islamic Extremism, James Arlandsen, Qur'an, risk, security, terrorism
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The Arizona State University Center for Strategic Communication (CSC) released a controversial report this week that analyzes extremist writings and provides an opinion on the goals of extremists. As one of my favorite past times is beating up on “research” I will do the same here.
The study analyzed over 2,000 extremist writings from Al Qeada, Al Shababb and others. According to the report CSC says: “We conclude that verses extremists cite from the Qur’an do not suggest an aggressive offensive foe seeking domination and conquest of unbelievers, as is commonly assumed. Instead they deal with themes of victimization, dishonor, and retribution. This shows close integration with the rhetorical vision of Islamist extremists” (emphasis added). The first issue is that the study simply looks at “verses cited” from the Qur’an without delving into the more esoteric aspects of communication. It should be noted that writings by Al Qeada are propaganda. Propoganda is defined as: “…a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. Propaganda is usually repeated and dispersed over a wide variety of media in order to create the chosen result in audience attitudes.” Reading propoganda alone without analyzing the context or actions is dangerous. History is filled with relevant examples that don’t need repeating in this post. While the “verses cited” may not suggest an aggressive offensive foe, the actions certainly do. Between 2004 and 2000 Al Qeada claimed 313 attacks killing over 3,000 people. I may be a bit sensitive but an average of 6.5 attacks per month killing an average of 62.5 people per month for 4 years certainly seems to suggest an aggressive offensive foe. (more…)
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