NIPC Daily Report 15 August 2002 The NIPC Watch and Warning Unit compiles this report to inform recipients of issues impacting the integrity and capability of the nation's critical infrastructures.
Beginning Monday, 19 August, the NIPC Daily Report will be renamed the NIPC Daily Open Source Report. Along with the name change comes expanded coverage of the past day's issues that impact the integrity and capability of the nation's critical infrastructures. To better serve our customers, the Watch and Warning Unit is combining its efforts with members of NIPC's Analysis and Information Sharing Unit to provide a more comprehensive product. Readers wishing to comment on the contents or suggest additional topics and sources should contact Melissa Conaty (202-324-0354 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Kerry J. Butterfield (202-324-1131 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]). US vulnerable to data sneak attack. The US Naval War College and Gartner Research conducted a "Digital Pearl Harbor" simulation in July, testing US responses to attacks on telecommunications, the Internet, financial systems and the power grid. Analysts found that it would be possible to inflict some serious damage to the nation's data and physical infrastructure systems, but it would require a syndicate with significant resources, including $200 million, country-level intelligence and five years of preparation time. Further, it they determined that the Internet would be so crucial in attacking other national infrastructure systems that attacks on the Net would be left for last, so as not to interrupt ongoing attacks. According to the analysts, most scenarios also required coordinated physical attacks on systems. Industries in the US may have a tough time recovering from an attack because "in contrast to defenses that are there to protect the territory and people and property of the US, for a digital Pearl Harbor we have no early warning systems" said a Gartner analyst. (ZDNet, 13 Aug) Cyber Corps funding boosted. The government's Scholarship for Service program is getting an infusion of new money, thanks to the supplemental funding bill signed by President Bush on 2 August. The supplemental funding includes $19.3 million for the program, which offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students studying information assurance in exchange for two years of government service in the federal Cyber Corps. About $8 million of the $19.3 million will go toward expanding the program to four new schools, said Ernest McDuffie, program director for the Scholarship for Service program at the National Science Foundation, which runs the program. The remaining money will be used to help the schools already involved in the scholarship program increase the number of students that can participate. (Federal Computer Week, 14 Aug) Amtrak cancels Acela service on safety concerns. Amtrak has removed all of its high-speed Acela trains from service after discovering cracks and breaks in a heavy bracket on the wheel sets which could fall under the train and cause a derailment or hit other trains and objects along the right of way. The defect was discovered on one of the 18 train sets that Amtrak has accepted from Bombardier, during a routine inspection at the Boston maintenance facility on 12 July. Amtrak President David L. Gunn said he will meet with representatives of Bombardier of North America, the train's manufacturer, to immediately begin designing a repair program. Gunn also said he is uncertain when the Acela can begin operating again and at what speed. Meanwhile, Amtrak has set up hourly service using regular equipment from Washington and New York, with other service to Boston in an effort to keep passengers moving. Passengers are encouraged to call 1-800-USA-RAIL for updated information. (Washington Post, 13 Aug) IWS INFOCON Mailing List @ IWS - The Information Warfare Site http://www.iwar.org.uk
