Volume 5, Issue 6    |    Back to Publications

Rethinking National Security at the Local Level

Security professionals should be startled at what one can find at the county building planning and inspector's office. In most parts of the country, for a nominal fee, a requestor can purchase the building plans of any public or private building in that county. In the Midwest county we visited (it shall remain unnamed), the building planning and inspector's office was not only able to provide a complete set of the original building plans but all of the engineering drawings (think power and ventilation systems) for a prominent county court building. Dutifully, a clerk showed us that not only was such information available on line but so too were digital images of the building at street level and high above from satellite. Astonished and eager to learn more, we asked to see if the home of a prominent citizen contained a safe room (secret hiding place for family members in the event of a home invasion). Quickly, our helpful clerk located the residence and showed us the plans to the home. While the plans showed no room designated as a safe room, we learned that the home contained a wine cellar, home theater, two wet bars, and exterior deck access to the master bedroom. After viewing some pictures of the home's exterior (not visible from any public road), ostensibly collected by the county for assessment purposes, and a peek from above with the satellite, we could see the entire grounds, out buildings, perimeter fencing, and all service roads to and from the property. A further search of public records revealed that no permit had ever been filed for the installation of a monitored security system for the home.

While some smart homeowners bypass the building planning and inspector's office when installing security features to their homes, arguably many do not. Unfortunately, few security professionals appreciate the wealth of information municipalities possess about the buildings and people they were hired to protect. Isn't it time we started to think beyond more guards, higher fences, and better locks? Maybe if we spent more time out of the office (at the county building planning office for starters) instead of in the office, we'd all be safer.

Eugene F. Ferraro, CPP, CFE Editor

Unconventional (Security) Wisdom

The national debate about illegal immigration has focused on the possibility that terrorists might sneak across our borders undetected. Yet the biggest threat from illegals passing over our borders is disease, not terrorism. The TSA has x-rayed more than 500 million shoes. Thus far, Richard Reid is the only known terrorist who attempted to bomb a plane using a shoe bomb. The TSA also recently banned cigarette lighters on airliners, but only those at the TSA seem to know why. Aren't matches as dangerous as lighters? Since 9-11 the U.S. has spent billions in an effort to keep our nation safer. However, some security experts think the money could be spent more wisely. Here are several unconventional security measures we thought might actually make a difference:

• Require all airline passengers to keep their cell phones on and accessible, even while seated. Rationale: Contrary to popular myth, cell phones do not interfere with an aircraft's avionics. Passengers with easy access to cell phones could alert authorities on the ground with little chance of detection in the event of a hijacking.
• Require all illegal citizens to have driver's licenses. Immediately deport those caught driving without one. Rationale: For most illegal aliens this would be the only form of registration. In the event one needs to be found, we would at least have a photo, fingerprint, and an address. The practice would increase state revenues and likely inspire some of these drivers to also obtain insurance. California alone would likely yield 3.5 million more licensed drivers and $100-200 million to its coffers.
• Coincide the expiration of driver's licenses with that of visas. Rationale: Visas typically expire before driver's licenses. If both expired on the same date, those overstaying a visa would be easier to identify and apprehend.
• Eliminate the removal of shoes at security checkpoints at airports. Rationale: The inspection of shoes has not improved security. It wastes time and resources. Moreover, shoe inspections are a distraction for both passengers and security personnel. Eliminating shoe inspections would speed up security lines and free up security personnel to do more important things.like inspect more checked bags.
• Keep public records open but increase recording and access fees, and fingerprint anyone who accesses them. Rationale: Public records help keep a free society free. The technology of taking a single fingerprint at public record access points is inexpensive and widely accessible. The cost of such technology would be offset by recording and access fees. In the event of an incident, investigators would then at least have a fingerprint of the person who accessed the record in question. The idea could be enhanced by recording drivers' license information at the time the fingerprint is taken.

Union Membership Continues to Decline

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2004 annual survey, the economy added 1.2 million new jobs. However, union membership fell by 304,000. The loss reduced the percentage of American unionized workers to 12.5%, an all-time low. Union membership has steadily declined from 20.1% in 1983 when BLS began its surveys. While public sector workers make up 36.4% of all unionized employees, their numbers are declining as well.

Since 1991, the U.S. economy has added approximately 20 million jobs. From 2001 to 2004, approximately 440,000 private sector jobs were created. During the same period, organized labor lost one million members.

The states with the highest percentage of union members in 2004:

New York	25.3%
Hawaii	23.7
Michigan	21.6
Alaska	20.1
New Jersey	19.8

The five states with the smallest percentage of union members in 2004:

North Carolina	2.7%
South Carolina	3.0
Arkansas	4.8
Mississippi	4.8
Texas	5.0

The AARP has more members than all of the U.S. unions combined.

Hackers Hold Data for Ransom

The latest threat to computer users does not destroy data or steal passwords-instead, important files are locked-up and held for ransom. The scheme starts with a virus uploaded to the victim's computer. The virus locks .doc, .xls and .jpg files using a widely available encryption script. The cyber-villain who controls the encryption key then demands a ransom to unlock the files. According to a report from The Associated Press, Symantec, a large security software developer, the threat is very serious but not yet widespread. The FBI fears that criminals will perfect this technology and soon attack businesses. Said one security expert, "Why take your neighbor's data hostage for $200 when you can extort a ransom of $1 million from General Motors?"

Quote of the Month: "No matter what our enemies say about our nation, immigration is still the sincerest form of flattery." - Anonymous

U.S. Cargo Security Programs Called Into Question

After 9-11, Robert C. Bonner, head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, introduced two aggressive initiatives designed to inspect or secure containers before they arrived in U.S. ports. The programs-the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CT-PAT)-were aimed at preventing terrorists from smuggling weapons of mass destruction (or their operatives) into containers bound for the U.S. However, congressional investigators report the programs are flawed. Congressional staff have recently visited CSI ports and found both programs lack standards, oversight and consistent verification practices. The report issued by GAO, released last month was critical also of the inconsistent application of the technologies used to detect hidden weapons. In two separate incidents this year, Chinese immigrants arrived at the Port of Long Beach, California in containers shipped by CT-PAT members.

The GAO's report on port security revealed that 28% of the containers U.S. Customs identified as high risk were not inspected before they left the country of origin and arrived in U.S. ports.

Identity Fraud Summit July 14 & 15, 2005

Once again, the National Council of Investigation and Security Services will "Hit the Hill" and lobby Congress regarding issues critical to the investigative and security industry. NCISS requests YOUR help. Please mark your calendar and join them for this important event. NCISS is also sponsoring Washington D.C.'s first Identity Fraud Summit. This is a FREE seminar with lunch included. NCISS will help you get appointments with your legislators or their representatives and will provide you with handouts and talking points. Attendees may also tag along with a seasoned veteran. Please RSVP to NCISS at your earliest convenience and help the private investigations industry FIGHT BACK.

Hotel room availability is limited so act quickly.

Thursday July 14, 2005

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM	Orientation Meeting with Continental Breakfast
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM	Capitol Hill Appointments

Friday July 15, 2005

8:30 AM to 9:30 AM	Jon McDowall, Fraud Resource Group    Emerging Trends in Identity Frauds
9:45 AM to 10:45 AM	Tom Sadaka, Former Special Counsel, Florida Statewide Prosecutor    Computer Crime and Identity Theft
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM	Michael Levin, Task Force Supervisor, US Secret Service    US Secret Service Financial Crimes Task Force
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM	Pre-Lunch Break
12:30 PM to 1:45 PM	Betsy Broder, Assistant Director, Federal Trade Commission    ID Frauds and Recent Data Breaches (Luncheon)
3:15 PM to 5:00 PM	Panel Discussion: Identity Fraud-related Legislative Initiatives Moderated by: Francie Koehler, Legislative Chair, NALI    Betsy Broder, Assistant Director, Federal Trade Commission    Privacy Advocate, To Be Announced    Brian McGuinness, President, NCISS    Bruce Hulme, Legislative Committee Chair, NCISS

For more information call Ms. Carol Ward, NCISS Executive Director, at 800.445.8408.

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