23 November 2007
- National Security issues in the 2007 Federal Election
- New Queensland Counter-terrorism Strategy 2008-2010
- Victoria establishes Internet Commerce Security Lab
- Victoria tunnel security enhancements
- ACT transport CCTV investment to confirm to Inter Governmental Agreement on Surface Transport Security
- McClelland questions Liberal security policy
- MI5 defines the scale of the UK terrorist threat
- ASPI: Defence challenges for the next government
- NATO Harbour Protection Trials
- QLD cracks down on security industry
- AHSRC receives its first intern who is focusing on looting
- Publications
- Proceedings on the Social Implications of National Security
- Updated edition of policing, crime and corruption in the South Pacific Islands released
- US Homeland Security Strategy
- Supply Chain Documentation Study
- Emergency Management contacts
- Cracks in the foundation of terrorism
- Network technologies for networked terrorists .
- Events
- National Defence Capability Development Symposium
- Australian Disasters Conference 2008: Surviving Future Risks - 11-14 March 2008
- ASIS - RMIA SIG - AIPIO Xmas Function Reception
- Upcoming USI events
- Security in Government Conference
- 8th Australian Information Warfare & Security,
5th Australian Information Security Management, &
5th Australian Digital Forensics conferences
The Australian Homeland Security Research Centre has released its 'Week 5 Election Roundup'.
The Roundup covered the key defence issues of the current election campaign, including:
- Labor's promise for an Asia Pacific Centre for Civil-Military Cooperation in Queanbeyan;
- The Liberal Party's lack of substantive defence policy in its campaign launch;
- The release of Labor's Defence Plan;
- The Coalition policy to support our veterans;
- Labor's policy to extend free basic medical and dental care to spouses and children of Australian Defence Force personnel.
The Roundup can be viewed here.
New Queensland Counter-terrorism Strategy 2008-2010
The Queensland Government has released a revised counter-terrorism strategy. Called, Counter-Terrorism Strategy 2008-2010. The document replaces the 2005-2007 strategy. The document is available here.
Victoria establishes Internet Commerce Security Lab
Victoria has established a $3.7 million research facility to address major online threats faced by the finance sector and consumers alike.
The Internet Commerce Security Lab is an alliance between the Victorian Government, the University of Ballarat , Westpac and IBM. The Government is providing $1 million in funding to help set-up the facility, which will be located in the Ballarat Technology Park . As well as tackling cyber crime, three PhD scholarships will be created in the lab's first year, with another two scholarships to be offered each subsequent year. Undergraduates will also find new opportunities for "earn as you learn" work placements with the lab.
|
The Australian Homeland Security Research Centre and the Australian Defence Business Review will host the first National Defence Capability Development Symposium in Canberra on the 27-28 November.
The program and booking details can be found here. |
Victoria tunnel security enhancements
The Victorian government has installed new variable signage before the Burnley and Domain tunnel entrances as an enhancement to the Victorian Government's tunnel safety package announced in April.
The tunnel safety measures came on top of a number of initiatives that have already been rolled out since the tragic Burnley tunnel crash in March. Those initiatives include:
• Dropping the speed limit on the approach to the Burnley Tunnel from 100km/h to 80km/h, giving drivers a consistent speed from the West Gate Bridge right through the tunnel and from the tunnel through to the bridge;
• Rolling out an awareness campaign on the new changes to traffic conditions and laws in and around the tunnels, to coincide with the speed limit reductions; and
• Updating the Learner Permit Handbook from July 1 to include a section on safe driving in tunnels.
A number of other initiatives are still being developed, including:
• Installing emergency barriers at the entrances to the tunnels to stop drivers continuing to enter the tunnels after a serious incident has occurred. The barriers are currently being designed and will be in place on the freeway in early 2008. Similar barriers have been incorporated into the design of EastLink; and
• Banning lane changes in tunnels. Transurban and VicRoads are currently undertaking comprehensive modelling to find the safest option.
The ACT Government has announced that its CCTV investment will be consistent with the Inter Governmental Agreement on Surface Transport Security.
The Government announced a package of measures for transport improvements worth almost $75 million to be spent on bus services, infrastructure, accessibility and safety.
The ACT Government has also committed funding of $1 million to improve the safety, security and maintenance at the Woden and Belconnen bus interchanges and includes CCTV cameras.
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Robert McClelland recently gave an address to the Eden-Monaro Iraq Community Forum entitled 'National Security: Questions of Trust & Credibility'.
The transcript can be downloaded here.
The Director General of UK MI5 Security Service, Jonathan Evans, gave a rare address to the Society of Editors' 'A Matter of Trust' conference in Manchester , UK , on 5 November.
He covered such topics as extremist ideology, the limitations of intelligence, how the security service is responding and the role of the media.
He noted that there were now at least 2,000 people in Britain who were a threat to national security and public safety, because of their support for terrorism. "This growth ... is because there remains a steady flow of new recruits to the extremist cause."
In summarising the terrorist threat, Evans said while public discourse in the UK works to a shorter time scale "whether the electoral cycle or the media deadline" terrorism must be viewed in a long-term strategic timescale.
"A key part of our strategy must be perseverance," he said.
The transcript can be viewed here.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Defence Analyst, Mark Thomson, gave a speech entitled 'Defence Challenges for the Next Government' at the ASPI National Security Luncheon in Melbourne on 12 November.
In the speech, Mr Thomson outlined five main issues that concern defence governing of the future including clarifying Australia 's strategic policy, aligning plans for the defence force with that strategic policy, finding a way to deliver the defence force of the future, funding defence projects efficiently, and managing the defence force's diverse overseas deployments.
"Strategic policy, capability priorities and defence funding must be brought together into a coherent and sustainable plan; not just for the defence force, but for Australia 's defence," he said.
The transcript can be viewed here.
NATO Harbour Protection Trials
Australian industry and research and development groups have been invited to participate in NATO Harbour Protection Trials 2008 (HPT 08).
HPT 08 has the primary focus to protect harbours, anchorages and military vessels from terrorist attacks using small surface/ subsurface craft, slow low flyers, divers and IED/mines.
The trials were established in 2004 as part of NATO's Defence Against Terrorism Programme of Work.
Calls for proposals to be involved in the trials closed on the 20 th November so an Australian proposal can be consolidated and handed to the HPT 08 planning committee in December.
Information on the proposal is available here 1, 2, 3.
The Queensland government has introduced a new system of background checks on people applying for licences to work in the security industry.
The new system has been enforced since October 1 and has led to a doubling in the number of adverse criminal history checks.
"While over half the security providers and entities scrutinised were found to be 100% compliant with the Act, there are still people who either engage or operate as unlicensed security providers," Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine said.
"Denying these people a licence and ensuring they don't work in the industry will help reduce the risk of security providers being unnecessarily involved in violent incidents.
The Australian Homeland Security Research Centre has gained its first intern, from Deakin University .
During his 12 weeks at the Centre, Owen Weatherley will be working on two main projects: identifying the determining factors in the prevalance and scale of looting following a major disaster; and raising the status of security professionals.
Owen is working with the Centre as part of his Bachelor of Arts (International Studies).
The Research Network for a Secure Australia (RNSA) and the Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP) have released the proceedings from their Second Workshop on the Social Implications of National Security, entitled 'From Dataveillance to Uberveillance and Realpolitik of the Transparent Society'.
The proceedings include 18 research papers addressing the social implications of national security measures, especially the question of surveillance vs security.
A brochure can be downloaded here to purchase the hardcopy or click here to obtain a free copy of the pdf version.
A revised and updated version of "The Minnows of Triton" has become available to take account of social and political upheavals in the neighbouring Pacific islands which make up part of Australia 's "arc of instability".
Written by former AFP officer John Murray, there is a chapter on each of the 16 Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian nations/territories for which he had liaison responsibility for over a decade.
Sub-titled "Policing, Politics, Crime and Corruption in the South Pacific Islands ", it details various aspects of local and international influences that have impacted adversely on the social, economic and political stability of these islands.
It is available from selected bookshops or the author on spilo-1@yahoo.com.au
USA President Bush has released an updated National Strategy for Homeland Security.
The Strategy can be downloaded here.
A Supply Chain Documentation Study has been released by the National Infrastructure Institute-Center for Infrastructure Expertise (NI2-CIE) research team and the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The study uses lessons learned from the Canada-U.S. Cargo Security Project Phase Two Report to determine how to establish the threat-resistant international supply-chain.
The report can be downloaded here.
The Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response has prepared a document outlining key websites necessary in the event of an emergency, particularly in the instance of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) or medical related emergency.
The document can be downloaded here.
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has released a paper entitled 'Cracks in the Foundation: Leadership Schisms in Al-Qa'ida 1989-2006' as part of its Harmony Project.
The paper can be downloaded here.
RAND Corporation has released a technical report entitled 'Network Technologies for Networked Terrorists: Assessing the Value of Information and Communication Technologies to Modern Terrorist Organizations'.
The report can be downloaded here.
|
The Australian Homeland Security Research Centre and the Australian Defence Business Review will host the first National Defence Capability Development Symposium in Canberra on the 27-28 November.
The program and booking details can be found here. |
Emergencies and disasters are becoming an increasing part of our lives, whether they are nature's way or human caused. Managing emergencies has become a priority for governments at all levels as well as for the business community. The Australian Disasters Conference 2008 will provide participants with the opportunity to hear a diverse range of speakers from the fields of emergency management, community safety and risk reduction. Read more ...
5.30 pm, Thursday 13 December
The Reception will be held from 5.30 pm to 8.00pm at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, London Circuit, on Thursday 13 December 2007.
The function will also mark the official launch of the ACT Chapter of ASIS International.
Please RSVP by no later than close of business Thursday 6 December, to Jason Brown at Thales Australia by E-mail jason.brown@thalesgroup.com.au.
Dress - Business attire
An informal Christmas Function will be held at the Weston Creek Mess, Australian Defence College from 5.00pm to 6.30pm. All members are invited to join together on this relaxed festive occasion and to celebrate the award of Honorary Life Membership to Commodore Peter Hutson RAN Retd, former Treasurer and member of the Council.
Wednesday 12 December 2007, Russell Offices R-1, 5.00pm
Dr. Michael Evans, Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC), Australian Defence College, will speak on "Schools of Australian Strategy and the Challenge of Crafting National Security in the 21st Century" at the Russell Offices R-1 Ground Floor Theatrette starting at 5.00pm.
Wednesday 23 January 2008, Russell Offices R-1, 5.00pm
Major General Mike Smith AM Retd, CEO AUSTCARE, will speak on "Non-Government Organisations and Defence" in the Russell Offices R-1 Ground Floor Theatrette starting at 5.00pm on Wednesday 23 January 2008.
Wednesday 20 February 2008, R-1, 5.00pm
Rear Admiral Peter Briggs AO RAN Retd, President of the Submarine Institute of Australia , will speak on "Future Australian Submarine Requirements" at the Russell Offices R-1 Theatrette starting at 5.00pm on Wednesday 20 February 2008.
info http://www.defence.gov.au/rusi/State/act.htm
The Protective Security Coordination Centre (PSCC), a Division of the Attorney-General's Department, is hosting the 20th Security in Government (SIG) Conference at Canberra 's National Convention Centre from 5 to 7 December 2007.
This year's theme is the Future of Security. The national security environment has changed dramatically since the inaugural SIG in 1987. For the 20th anniversary of SIG it is timely to look ahead and examine the Future of Security.
Visit: http://www.ag.gov.au/sig for more information
8th Australian Information Warfare & Security, 5th Australian Information Security Management, & 5th Australian Digital Forensics conferences
Perth: 3-4 December 2007, Edith Cowan University, website
|
