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Hi-tech tools to tackle cyber crimes
Thiruvananthapuram - September 12, 2003 - Special digital computation methods to simulate the equivalent of a fingerprint in the analysis of cyber-crime are set to augment the quality of investigation into a variety of cyber-related offences, with the roll out of indigenous software tools developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), in Thiruvananthapuram. "The validation process of the tools developed here is nearing completion and could be incorporated into standard procedure in the forensic analysis of cyber-crimes this month," B. Ramani, head of the group working on the project, told The Hindu. The group expects the indigenous software tools to match the quality of packages such as the "ENCASE" which are accepted as credible evidence in several courts of law in the United States. In due course, the tools would also be made applicable to tackle cyber-offences that involve systems such as Linux, XP and other operating system upgrades. Analysts using the replica can reconstruct the sequence of events of an offence or mine for clues embedded in "swap" files or the usually ignored spaces during cursory examination. This would also pre-empt an accused from getting off the hook with the claim that the computer system had been tampered to buttress the case of the prosecution. Another important aspect of evolving standard procedure for tackling cyber-crimes involves creating awareness among the judiciary, advocates, police officers as well as the public.
The Hindu - September 13, 2003.
Crack team against cyber attacks
New Delhi - September 13, 2003 - The government has set up a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) of IT specialists drawn from the defence, the Indian Space Research Organisation, the IT department, C-DEC, NASSCOM and security-cleared experts from private software firms, who have been tasked with responding to cyber-attacks on all vital official installations, including government websites, defence communications and air traffic control. The CERT, apart from being a security wall against cyber attacks, will analyse Internet viruses, latest hacking techniques and issue guidelines for official organizations on secure IT protocols. "The most compelling reasons to acquire IDS and a team like CERT is to increase the perceived risk of discovery and punishment for those who attack or otherwise abuse IT systems," an IT department official said. Once it is operational fully, CERT will do wonders in the field of Net security," the official added.
The Statesman - September 14, 2003.
Long-range reader
Dallas-based Texas Instruments RFid Systems has combined its long-range reader technology with an antenna to produce Long Range Gate Reader, which offers a read range of up to three feet. The new reader provides users with hands-free, walk-through or drive-through badge identification. For asset tracking and protection, items can be affixed with a 13.56 NHz smart label and linked to a person's badge. When a person and an object passes an access point, the reader can verify the badge and asset, granting or denying access. The reader can also be integrated with a building's security system so that an alarm sounds if assets are taken without authorisation.
Security Management - August, 2003.
Covert CCTV
Carol Products of Ocean, New Jersey, has introduced a battery-operated version of its Snoop, self-contained covert surveillance system. The new system can be implemented in as little as 10 seconds. No coaxial cable transmitter, power line or connection is required. It includes a black-and-white CCD camera and motion-activated recording onto a memory card the size of a postage stamp. It operates 54 continuous hours on a single charge.
Security Management - August, 2003.
Long-range duress system
The Suprex-Pro is a portable long-range instantaneous duress system that is ideal for executive protection and terminations or other threatening situations. The system transmits up to 1000 feet and is supervised to notify the user when he or she is out of range. When the panic button is pressed, the receiver instantly alerts with an audible tone and or blue visual strobe. The system is 12 VDC powered and comes with an AC power adapter and a cigarette lighter adapter with optional batteries. Made by Micro Technology Services, Inc., of Richardson, Texas, the system is an addition to the company's line of duress systems that include short-range, body-worn, cellular, radio and Ethernet with video.
Security Management - August, 2003.
Emergency door release
Security Door Controls of West-lake Village, California, has introduced the SDC 490 Emergency Door Release, which immediately unlocks doors that are equipped with failsafe electric locks. The "Break Glass" station releases individual doors or all doors in a circuit. A siren is standard for local annunciation. Auxiliary outputs may be used for remote monitoring remote alarm activation, or CCTV activation. The station control is blue to indicate an emergency other than fire and has signage indicating its use and operation.
Security Management - August, 2003.
Video surveillance
The Perceptrak Baseline from Cernium, Inc., of St. Louis, Missouri, is an intelligent video surveillance solution for CCTV security systems. Supporting up to 18 cameras, it analyses and records video, simultaneously detecting and reporting on six specific behavior-based events, such as a lurking person, erratic behavior, or stationary objects. Users can monitor the system locally or remotely over a low-bandwidth communication line. Using Cernium's proprietary software, Perceptrak products can concurrently monitor and analyse entire networks of CCTV camera views, filtering out unwanted video and requiring fewer guards to monitor cameras.
Security Management - August, 2003.
Delhi Police resort to the tech-eye
New Delhi: The city's cops have decided to use video phones to maintain peace in the city. The technology will help officers keep a watch on any procession or rally in the city form the police headquarters by just dialing a telephone number. The imported video phones come with an inbuilt camera and have provisions for two hand-held cameras as well. "If there is a rally near Parliament, officers in police headquarters will be able to witness the happenings live on the video phone screen and initiate action in case of an emergency," said acting police commissioner and special commissioner (administration) K.K. Paul. The officer added that to monitor the situation in a particular area, just two video phones on an ISDN (International Subscribers Dialing Network) line are required. "This is the first time in the world that existing telephone circuits at cheap rates are being used for this purposed. All over the world, wireless videos or satellites are used for relay of images," added Paul. "In the past, there have been incidents when officers out in the field have misguided their seniors. But now the headquarters will get to know the real situation and what action is warranted," said a senior police officer. The use of video phones will be another first for Delhi Police, stated Paul.
The Times of India - September 24, 2003.
Emails lead to arrest of 2 Qaeda men in Pakistan
Peshawar - September 26, 2003 - Intelligence agents have arrested two suspected Al Qaeda militants, including a Yemeni national, in an internet café in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, after a tip-off that the foreigner was sending emails to Al Qaeda operatives, two Pakistani intelligence officials said on Friday on condition of anonymity. The agents posing as customers in the internet café pounced on the two after they sent their latest message, the officials said.
The Asian Age - September 27, 2003.
Food for Thought
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
-- Socrates
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Wisdom is often nearer when we stoop than when we soar.
-- William Wordsworth
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It is not love, but then lack of love, which is blind.
-- Glenway Wescot |
