HOMELAND SECURITY
26 Aug 09. IBM released results from its X-Force 2009 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report. The report’s findings show an unprecedented state of Web insecurity as Web client, server, and content threats converge to create an untenable risk landscape. According to the report, there has been a 508 percent increase in the number of new malicious Web links discovered in the first half of 2009. This problem is no longer limited to malicious domains or untrusted Web sites. The X-Force report notes an increase in the presence of malicious content on trusted sites, including popular search engines, blogs, bulletin boards, personal Web sites, online magazines and mainstream news sites. The ability to gain access and manipulate data remains the primary consequence of vulnerability exploitations. The X-Force report also reveals that the level of veiled Web exploits, especially PDF files, are at an all time high, pointing to increased sophistication of attackers. PDF vulnerabilities disclosed in the first half of 2009 surpassed disclosures from all of 2008. From Q1 to Q2 alone, the amount of suspicious, obfuscated or concealed content monitored by the IBM ISS Managed Security Services team nearly doubled. Web security is no longer just a browser or client-side issue; criminals
are leveraging insecure Web applications to target the users of legitimate Web sites. The X-Force report found a significant rise in Web application attacks with the intent to steal and manipulate data and take command and control of infected computers.
28 Aug 09. AgustaWestland and UI International (UII) are pleased to announce they have been awarded a contract by the Korean Public Procurement Services to supply the Korea National Police Agency (KNPA) with one AW119Ke law enforcement helicopter as part of an on-going programme to modernise the Police helicopter fleet. This is the first AW119Ke to be purchased by the Korean Government and the third law enforcement helicopter sold into the Korean market. It will join two KNPA AW109 helicopters that have been in service for a number of years. The AW119 Koala enhanced is a spacious 8 seat single engine helicopter developed to enhance safety and provide high productivity and performance at a competitive price. The large unobstructed cabin permits rapid re-configuration for a variety of missions such as utility, passenger transport, emergency medical services and the very popular law enforcement role. The high power margins deliver outstanding performance that makes the AW119Ke the most cost effective helicopter in its class.
28 Aug 09. Exercise “ZHETYSU 2009”. The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan will conduct the disaster response field exercise “ZHETYSU 2009” from 5 to 10 September 2009 in the city of Kapchagay in the Almaty province of Kazakhstan. All together, approximately 1000 participants, including more than 500 from Kazakhstan, will take part in the exercise. Over twenty Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) nations have nominated civilian and military teams, as well as command elements with the expertise and capability to deal with different aspects of emergencies. The lead-in scenario for the exercise will be a severe earthquake in the vicinity of Almaty, resulting in high numbers of victims and widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including chemical spills.