Cyber attack eases, hacking group threatens to sell code
(Reuters, May 17, 2017)
Governments turned their attention to a possible new wave of cyber threats on Tuesday after the group that leaked U.S. hacking tools used to launch the global WannaCry "ransomware" attack warned it would release more malicious code. The fast-spreading cyber extortion campaign, which has infected more than 300,000 computers worldwide since Friday, eased for second day on Tuesday, but the identity and motive of its creators remain unknown.
GOP lawmakers crafting tough immigration bill -- but not tough enough, critics say
(The Washington Post, May 16, 2017)
Two key Republican lawmakers are crafting a bill that would punish “sanctuary cities,” force parents of undocumented teenagers to wear electronic ankle monitors so their children do not skip deportation hearings, and establish five-year minimum prison sentences for immigrants who illegally re-enter the United States after being deported, according to a congressional aide and a draft of the proposed legislation obtained by The Washington Post.
Showing the faces behind TSA
(The Hill, May 16, 2017)
When Jennifer Plozai joined the public relations side of the Transportation Security Administration in 2013, she was put in charge of a Herculean task: turn a loathed government agency into a helpful travel buddy. Now, under Plozai’s leadership, the TSA boasts a customer service tool so popular on social media that it’s serving as a model for other federal departments, and the agency’s spunky Instagram page has earned it a spot on Rolling Stone’s Top 100 list — even beating out Beyoncé.
Google, Not the Government, Is Building the Future
(The New York Times, May 17, 2017)
One persistent criticism of Silicon Valley is that it no longer works on big, world-changing ideas. Every few months, a dumb start-up will make the news — most recently the one selling a $700 juicer — and folks outside the tech industry will begin singing I-told-you-sos. But don’t be fooled by expensive juice. The idea that Silicon Valley no longer funds big things isn’t just wrong, but also obtuse and fairly dangerous.
Facebook fined 150,000 euros by French data watchdog
(Reuters, May 16, 2017)
Facebook has been fined 150,000 euros ($166,000) by France's data protection watchdog for failing to prevent its users' data being accessed by advertisers. Watchdog CNIL said its fine - which was imposed on both Facebook Inc and Facebook Ireland - was part of a wider European investigation also being carried out in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany into some of Facebook's practices.
Australia's plan for advanced biometric airport checks
(Airport Technology, May 15, 2017)
Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) aims to be the first to introduce an entirely automatic, seamless processing system for incoming passengers based solely on their biometric data. The DIBP first started collecting facial images and fingerprints from passengers in airports in November 2012, and has since collected the enormous amount of personal data needed to allow the new cutting edge system to be installed over the next three years.
Visa Overstays: A Gap in the Nation's Border Security
(House Homeland Security Committee, May 23, 2017)
On Tuesday, May 23, the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security will hold a hearing examining the security threats posed by visa overstays. The hearing will begin at 2:00 p.m. and take place in the House Visitor Center. Witnesses will include John Wagner (CBP), Clark Settles (DHS), Lora Ries (DHS), and John Roth (DHS OIG).
TSA Preparations for Summer Travel Volume
(ACI-NA, May 16, 2017)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a press release regarding its preparations for summer travel volume. In order to efficiently and effectively screen the anticipated 2.5 million passengers each day during the summer travel season, TSA plans to continue to utilize the Airport Operations Center in coordination with airport and airline partners to maintain effective and efficient security operations at checkpoints nationwide. The press release provides five tips to assist travelers with the checkpoint screening process.
FTC and Federal, State and International Partners Announce Major Crackdown on Tech Support Scams
(FTC, May 12, 2017)
The Federal Trade Commission, along with federal, state and international law enforcement partners, announced “Operation Tech Trap,” a nationwide and international crackdown on tech support scams that trick consumers into believing their computers are infected with viruses and malware, and then charge them hundreds of dollars for unnecessary repairs. As part of this coordinated effort, the FTC and its partners are announcing 16 new actions, including complaints, settlements, indictments, and guilty pleas, against deceptive tech support operations.
Biometric ID Provider BIO-key Q1 Revenue Rose 229% to $1.4M on Strength Across the Business; Hosts Call Tomorrow May 16 at 10:00 am ET
(BIO-key, May 16, 2017)
BIO-key International, Inc., an innovative provider of biometric software and hardware solutions for strong and convenient user authentication, today reported results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2017 (Q1'17). BIO-key will host a conference call tomorrow, May 16th at 10:00 a.m. ET to review its results (call details below).
