Security Briefs - May 29 - June 4
The Latest Headlines:
- Government Alerts Businesses to Phone Hacking
- Security Raised Along the Delaware River
- TSA Fires 1,200 Screeners; Has Oct. 1 Deadline on Checks
- Terror Alert Lowered to Yellow Again
- Some Airports Favor Private Screeners, Post Says
- Chandler to Head Safety, Loss Council
- Security Raised Along the Delaware River
Government Alerts Businesses to Phone Hacking
The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it and the FBI are investigating reports from private businesses that unauthorized users are hacking into private branch exchange and voice mail systems to make unauthorized domestic and international calls.The department said there have also been reports that these calls are being used to connect to local access numbers for Internet service providers, giving the caller free Internet service.
The government recommended companies review internal security policies, change password and check phone records. Transport Topics
Security Raised Along the Delaware River
The Coast Guard is running more patrols and boarding more vessels along the Delaware River, where concern over the security of oil tankers has increased since the Department of Homeland Security labeled it a "high threat" port, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday.The fear is that a terrorist attack of an oil or chemical tanker could shut down the river and interfere with refinery operations that supply the Northeastern states, the article said.
In addition, eight major bridges cross the Delaware River, meaning an attack would immediately have an impact on ground transportation and the entire U.S. economy.
More than a million barrels of crude oil a day comes through 120 miles of waterway, making the Port of Philadelphia the largest importer and refiner of oil of any East Coast port. Transport Topics
TSA Fires 1,200 Screeners; Has Oct. 1 Deadline on Checks
The Transportation Security Administration on Tuesday acknowledged firing about 1,200 airport screeners for providing false information on job applications, failing drug tests or having criminal records, USA Today reported.Also Tuesday, Congress set a Oct. 1 deadline for the TSA to complete background checks on all screeners.
TSA Administrator James Loy admitted a large number of the government's 53,000 screeners have yet to undergo complete background checks similar to those administered for government workers with security clearances, the article said. Transport Topics
Terror Alert Lowered to Yellow Again
The Bush administration on Friday dropped the federal terrorism alert level back to yellow, 10 days after it was raised to orange, news services reported.The yellow level indicates an elevated risk of terrorist attack, while the old level, orange, means a high risk. Yellow is the middle level on a five-color scale system that was adopted in March 2002.
The alert level was raised on May 20 after terrorists believed linked to al-Qaida struck in Saudi Arabia and Morocco.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said it was feared the incidents could mark the beginning of a wave of worldwide attacks that could include U.S. targets, the Associated Press reported. Transport Topics
(Click here for previous coverage.)
Some Airports Favor Private Screeners, Post Says
Just months after the government took over screening at security checkpoints, some airports are starting to show interest in returning to an airport security system handled by the private sector, the Washington Post reported Friday.Since trucks transfer freight to and from airports, changes in security could affect how the industry conducts business.
Airports are worried that the Transportation Security Administration's planned workforce reduction this summer will result in long security lines, the Post said.
Officials told the Post that airports want more control over the staffing of security personnel, as airline service tends to change rapidly and a federal workforce does not have the reputation for doing so.
Under a law passed by Congress after the terrorist attacks in 2001, airports may apply to the TSA to "opt out" of having federal screeners and instead allow the TSA to hire a private contractor by November 2004, the Post said. Transport Topics
Chandler to Head Safety, Loss Council
American Trucking Associations announced May 27 it had named Susan Chandler executive director of the Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council.Chandler was previously vice president of membership for ATA.
“Susan brings an abundance of skills in program management and business development to her new position as executive director of the Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council,” ATA Chief of Staff Steve Brooks said in a statement. “All the councils are an important part of ATA and we look forward to working with Susan here in her new role.”
Dean Ford, hired by ATA in May to fill the newly created position of senior vice president for membership and marketing, will take over Chandler’s prior membership responsibilities.
The Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council represents transportation employees in the areas of safety, freight claims, loss prevention and security. It sponsors ATA’s National Truck Driving Championships, the driver of the year and safety director of the year contests and publishes an annual cargo claims survey.
The council was founded in 1948 as the Safety Management Council. In 2000, the council merged with the Transportation Loss Prevention and Security Council. Transport Topics
This story appeared in the June 2 print edition of Transport Topics
