Business

Implant Sciences sells $200,000 in explosives detectors to Mexican government
Last week Implant Sciences announced that it had received an order for more than $200,000 worth of its portable explosives detectors from the Mexican government
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Twelve Chinese hacker groups responsible for attacks on U.S.
U.S. cybersecurity experts say as few as twelve different Chinese hacker collectives, working at the behest of the government, are responsible for the majority of cyberattacks on U.S. businesses and government agencies; the bulk of the attacks are stealthy in nature and have resulted in the loss of billions of dollars’ worth of intellectual property and state secrets from the private and public sector
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The north of England can become the world’s nuclear base
Despite the repercussions from Fukushima, the nuclear new-construction renaissance continues in countries such as China, India, and the United Kingdom with sixty reactors under construction, 155 planned, and a further 338 proposed’ a new study suggests the that the north of England can become a hub for nuclear power-related activities
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U.K. approves new reactor designs
U.K. regulators have given interim approval to two new nuclear reactor designs — the EDF and Areva’s UK EPRTM and Westinghouse’s AP1000; the regulators say that there are still some issues to be addressed, and that neither reactor can be built in the United Kingdom until these issues are resolved
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Spending cuts force contractors to alter strategy
Projected federal spending cuts are upsetting the status quo in the world of government contracting, forcing firms to reevaluate their business strategies or determine whether they can do business at all
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Innovative molecular detection system spots foodborne pathogens
3M introduced the 3M Molecular Detection System, a method of detecting dangerous pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Listeria, that can shut down businesses and threaten public health
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Companies urged to limit sale of surveillance tech to repressive regimes
The European Commission is urging private companies to limit the sale of surveillance technology to foreign countries that “repress” their people
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Shell fears cyberattack on oil infrastructure
Oil executives fear that a cyberattack on critical infrastructure could wreak havoc by destroying facilities or disrupting production
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DSIT in $12.3 million order for underwater security systems
DSIT Solutions receives its largest order ever for underwater security systems; the contract calls for the delivery of a large number of AquaShield Diver Detection Sonar (DDS) and PointShield Portable Diver Detection Sonar (PDDS) systems to protect offshore oil platforms, coastal energy terminals, and high value vessels against underwater intrusion and sabotage
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Right degree helps grads compete in DHS hiring boom
Even amid the economic downturn, students who graduate with degrees in homeland security can breathe a bit easier knowing that they are more likely to find jobs than their fellow graduates; the agency’s hiring boom is expected to continue over the next several years as more and more baby boomers in their 50s begin to retire
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Senate stalls on easing visa restrictions for highly skilled immigrants
A bill meant to allow more high-skill immigrants from India and China to obtain green cards has been placed on hold by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) over concerns that it should do more to “protect Americans at home”
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Court rules in favor of American Airlines in $30 million dispute with TSA
On Tuesday a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against DHS ordering the agency to review its decision to deny reimbursing American Airlines $30 million for the additional security procedures it had been asked to put in place by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) following the 9/11 attacks
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U.S. 2011 billion-dollar disasters
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recalculated the number of weather disasters in the United States which passed the billion dollar mark; NOAA added two disasters, pushing the 2011 tally to twelve billion-dollars-or-more disasters; these disasters caused more than 1,000 deaths and inflicted damaged estimated at $52 billion
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Iridium offers emergency response service on satellite phone
Iridium offers free SOS service on its Iridium Extreme satellite phone; individuals who need emergency help can now maintain contact with an operator during the emergency rather than rely on one-way SOS alerting
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New severe-weather alert service launched
Reddaway has announced a new Service Alert process that will inform customers about situations that may impact their supply chain
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The long view

U.S. contemplates responses to a cyber-Pearl Harbor attack on critical infrastructure
Cybersecurity experts often contemplate how U.S. security agencies would react to a cyber-9/11 or a digital Pearl Harbor, in which a computer attack would unplug the power grid, disable communications lines, empty bank accounts, and result in loss of life. “Ultimately, it absolutely could happen,” says one expert. “Yeah, that thought keeps me up at night, in terms of what portion of our critical infrastructure could be really brought to its knees.”
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To bolster the world’s inadequate cyber governance framework, a “Cyber WHO” is needed
A new report on cyber governance commissioned by Zurich Insurance Group highlights challenges to digital security and identifies new opportunities for business. It calls for the establishment of guiding principles to build resilience and the establishment of supranational governance bodies such as a Cyber Stability Board and a “Cyber WHO.”
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More money, different approach offer opportunities to border security tech companies
The number of border agents has reached roughly 21,000, up from 5,000 two decades ago. In fiscal year 2012, spending for border and immigration enforcement totaled almost $18 billion — 24 percent more than the combined budgets of the FBI, the DEA, the Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (total: $14.4 billion). One major trend driving the border security industry is the government’s shift from large-scale border security infrastructure projects to small unit security systems.
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Coastal communities can lower flood insurance rates by addressing sea-level rise
City leaders and property developers in Tampa Bay are urging coastal communities to prepare today for sea-level rise and future floods in order to keep flood insurance rates low in the future. FEMA, which administers the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP), is increasing flood insurance premiums across the country, partly to offset losses from recent disasters such as hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Cities can reduce insurance premiums for nearly all residents who carry flood coverage by improving storm-water drainage, updating building codes to reflect projected rise in sea-levels, moving homes out of potentially hazardous areas, and effectively informing residents about storm danger and evacuation routes.
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Changing human behavior key to tackling California drought: Expert
California is experiencing a drought that has gone far beyond a “dry spell,” and the state has imposed the first water restriction in state history, aiming to cut back on water consumption by 25 percent. One expert says that strict water conservation measures are long overdue, and that “what is happening is a realization that you can’t simply transplant another ecosystem onto a California desert system or arid southwestern system. In a sense, California and much of the U.S. southwest are living beyond their ecological means. Certain lifestyles have been adopted and crops are being grown that are not endemic or sustainable for this particular bioregion.” He adds: “This is a moment for not just cutting off personal water use and turning the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth, as important as that is. This is a moment of reflection, invitation and, I hope, legislation that will cause people to think about water use in the industrial sector too. This is for the long-term prosperity of the state and sustainability of the ecosystem.”
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Implant Sciences sells $200,000 in explosives detectors to Mexican government

Twelve Chinese hacker groups responsible for attacks on U.S.

The north of England can become the world’s nuclear base

U.K. approves new reactor designs

Spending cuts force contractors to alter strategy

Innovative molecular detection system spots foodborne pathogens

Companies urged to limit sale of surveillance tech to repressive regimes

Shell fears cyberattack on oil infrastructure

DSIT in $12.3 million order for underwater security systems

Right degree helps grads compete in DHS hiring boom

Senate stalls on easing visa restrictions for highly skilled immigrants

Court rules in favor of American Airlines in $30 million dispute with TSA

U.S. 2011 billion-dollar disasters

Iridium offers emergency response service on satellite phone

New severe-weather alert service launched

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The long view

U.S. contemplates responses to a cyber-Pearl Harbor attack on critical infrastructure

To bolster the world’s inadequate cyber governance framework, a “Cyber WHO” is needed

More money, different approach offer opportunities to border security tech companies

Coastal communities can lower flood insurance rates by addressing sea-level rise

Changing human behavior key to tackling California drought: Expert