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27 June 2007

1. TISN's CIP Newsletter
2. Counter terrorism research funding
3. Emergency Response Exercise in QLD
4. HREOC plan to combat extremism
5. 2007 Australian Safer Communities Awards
6. WA Police Recruitment Drive
7. Sydney Airport Security Whistleblower
8. Law and Order in Australia: Policies for the Future
9. Opposition announces 5 point policing plan
10. APEC is a target, according to the Opposition
11. Labor demands for security changes for foreign crews for coastal shipping
12. Audio files for past security events now available
    
13. CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive)
14. Australian Reports
    • Australia’s strategic fundamentals
    • The Debate on Australia’s Defence
    • Audit report on Coordination of Australian Government Assistance to Solomon Islands
    • Audit report on Managing Security Issues in Procurement and Contracting
    • Report Australian universities are potential terrorist targets.
15. International Reports
    • National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive
    • National Infrastructure Protection Program Sector-Specific Plans
    • A Governor’s Guide to Homeland Security
    • Reducing Terrorism Risk at Shopping Centers
    • National Security and the Threat of Climate Change
    • Pandemic Influenza: Best Practices and Model Protocols
    • DHS Releases Revised HSEEP Policy and Guidance Volumes
    • Securing Wastewater Facilities
    • Defense Infrastructure:
    • Assistance to Transit Agencies
16. Upcoming events
    • Industry Policy and Industry's view of Australia's Future Security Needs
    • DEFENCE LOGISTICS CONFERENCE, 8-9 October 2007
    • Security Camp Oz
    • CONTINUITY FORUM CONFERENCE including simulated desk top rehearsal

The June 2007 edition of the CIP Newsletter is now available for download as a PDF file. This edition discusses e-security, liquid fuel supplies in an emergency, security risk management, and the work the National Security Science and Technology Unit is doing to support critical infrastructure.

The Newsletter can be downloaded here http://www.tisn.gov.au/agd/WWW/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/
(930C12A9101F61D43493D44C70E84EAA)~Vol4No2final2.pdf/$file/Vol4No2final2.pdf

Counter terrorism research funding

The Australian Government is accepting funding proposals under the Research Support for Counter Terrorism program.

The program is being administered by the National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Proposals will be accepted from Australian private companies and organisations such as universities, cooperative research centres and Commonwealth scientific agencies such as CSIRO, ANSTO and DSTO until the 7 July 2007. It is also possible for organisations to group together as a team and bid for funding.

Information and proposal guidelines for funding are available here www.pmc.gov.au/nsst

Emergency Response Exercise in QLD

Queensland Police will conduct a counter-terrorism exercise to prepare for potential terrorism risks.

Exercise Trax will involve the Queensland Police Forensic Services Branch and Disaster Victim Identification Unit responding to a mock explosion on a train at the Roma Street Railway Station in Brisbane .

"We learned from the terrible attacks in London in 2005 that continual drill-style exercises such as this one are crucial to ensuring we can respond effectively should an attack occur in Australia ," Attorney General Philip Ruddock said.

HREOC plan to combat extremism

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) will undertake a series of initiatives to build social cohesion and combat extremism, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced.

The Commission's projects will include:

• Working with Community Languages Australia and schools to develop culturally and linguistically diverse information about human rights and discrimination issues;
• developing education resources for use by teachers teaching English as second language;
• working with the Australian Partnership of Religious Communities (APRO) to examine issues associated with freedoms of religion and belief in Australia ;
• assisting local area police commands to form partnerships with local communities and develop projects to build bridges between them;
• examining the human rights issues relevant to African Australians; and
• a range of initiatives focusing on the community and creative arts.

The projects are being funded under the Australian Government's National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security.

3 & 4 October 2007, Hotel Realm, Canberra. Details

2007 Australian Safer Communities Awards

The Australian Safer Communities Awards are being held by Emergency Management Australia (EMA) in conjunction with States and Territories to recognise best practice and innovation by organisations and individuals that help build safer communities across Australia .

The awards cover all aspects of community safety in the context of emergency management, risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery and work on two levels.

For more information on the 2007 Awards visit phone the EMA Awards Coordinator on 03 5421 5241 or 0408 407 154, or for State and Territory entries, contact the State or Territory coordinators .

WA Police Recruitment Drive

WA Police are seeking men and women who are over 18 and either existing police officers or people who'd like to train as an officer in WA. They have a 'paid' training academy of 6 months, full medical and pharmaceutical coverage, 100-plus sick days a year, 6 weeks annual leave, part time work arrangements, carers leave, and extensive training and development.

To apply see www.stepforward.wa.gov.au

Sydney Airport Security Whistleblower

A former customs official, Allan Kessing, has received a nine month suspended jail term for actions related to leaking documents on Sydney Airport security. He leaked two classified reports to the Australian newspaper which contained allegations of drug trafficking and other crimes by staff at Sydney Airport . The reports also raised concerns about the effectiveness of anti-terrorism security at Australian airports.

Following the publication of information on the reports, the Federal Government announced an inquiry into crime and security at Australian airports. The inquiry, carried out by Sir John Wheeler, led to significant upgrades of security at airports.

Law and Order in Australia : Policies for the Future

The Police Federation of Australia has released a report which sets out proposed policies for consideration by Australia 's political parties. The report provisions a vision for the future of law and order in Australia and addresses issues of terrorism, online crime, the use of technology and professional standards.

The report addresses the following issues:

1. Police resourcing of the AFP
2. National Police Workforce Planning
3. Police powers: the domain of sworn police
4. National Criminal Investigation Database System
5. National Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system
6. Advancing Policing as a Profession and a National Police Registration Scheme
7. Ongoing Industrial Registration
8. Concerns about aspects of the Work Choices Legislation
9. Police-specific Dispute Resolution Tribunal for the AFP
10. Workers Compensation Provision for Police Officers
11. Superannuation Preservation Age
12. Capped FBT - Salary Packaging
13. National Police Service Medal
14. International Deployment Group issues
15. Commitment to Dialogue

In a presentation on future workforce planning, the PFA identifies the following Projected Recruitment Required Total.

The report can be found at http://www.pfa.org.au/policies_future.php .

Opposition announces 5 point policing plan

The Opposition has said that it will increase the overall size of the Australian Federal Police by 500 sworn officers over five years - as part of a five-point federal policing plan worth $200 million.

Australia has 2,396 sworn Federal Police officers according to the AFP's 2005-06 Annual Report. Federal Labor will boost the number of sworn Federal Police by 500 while meeting the AFP's current recruitment targets.

Furthermore, as the AFP in recent years has not met its recruitment targets, a Rudd Labor Government will also commit $5 million to an Australian Federal Police Recruitment and Retention program.

Shortfalls in recruitment have occurred in 2003-04 (83 positions not filled), 2004-05 (123 positions not filled) and 2005-06 (452 positions not filled).

Federal Labor's plan for policing into the future will ensure we have the real strength in police numbers we need to keep Australia safe from federal crime and terrorism.

Federal Labor's Five Point Plan for the AFP includes:

1. Boosting the number of sworn Federal Police officers;
2. Conducting a Federal Audit of Police Capabilities;
3. Establishing a National Crime Database to share resources and information;
4. Creating a Federal Police Retention and Recruitment program; and
5. Expanding the recruitment of Indigenous Australians into the AFP

As a part of this $200 million AFP Enhancement Plan, Federal Labor will implement an Indigenous Australia AFP Recruitment Strategy, designed to bring more Indigenous Australians into the ranks of the Federal Police.

Federal Labor’s Indigenous Australia AFP Recruitment Strategy includes:

• Expanding Indigenous recruitment programs to recruit more Indigenous Australians trainees into the AFP;
• Significantly boosting the resources of the Darwin office of the AFP in light of the current focus on the Northern Territory;
• Education programs on policing in Indigenous communities;
• Promotional activities in Indigenous communities to boost the profile and work of AFP officers; and
• Convening a national forum to coordinate the recruitment of Indigenous Australians into Federal and State police agencies.

Details http://www.alp.org.au/media/0607/mshsloo240.php

APEC is a target, according to the Opposition

Arch Bevis, Shadow Minister for Homeland Security, Justice and Customs, and Territories, has said "The APEC summit in September remains a target for a terrorist attack based on other high profile summits held in Australasia and Southern Asia ".

"In 2003 the Prime Minister of Thailand said Muslim militants had been planning to detonate a bomb in Bangkok to coincide with the Asia Pacific heads of state meeting. During the investigation a map with targets circling the embassies of Britain and Australia was reportedly recovered.

"In 2007 explosions rocked the Philippines one day before the meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in which Australian representatives took part.

"It is not just the incidents in Thailand and the Philippines that remind us of potential terror targets around our major cities. The rail attack in Madrid in 2004 and the London rail and bus attack in 2005 make it clear developed democracies like Australia are not immune from danger.

"Coming up to the APEC Summit we need urgent security upgrades to Australia 's aviation industry and more federal government investment in rail and bus security.

"Protecting Australians from terrorism is a national responsibility and it's time the federal Government accepted the need for it to take the lead on these matters," said Mr Bevis.

Labor demands for security changes for foreign crews for coastal shipping

There continues to be serious terrorist concerns around Australia 's northern waters said Labor's spokesperson on Homeland Security Arch Bevis today. 

The Howard Government must ensure that all foreign crewed ships carrying explosive materials have appropriate security checks.

The Howard Government requires Australian seafarers to undergo ASIO and AFP checks, but lets foreign crews work coastal routes with barely any security check.

Recently Malaysia's Chief of Police has warned that the Malacca Strait - to Australia's north and through which half the world's oil trade and a third of global commerce pass -  is vulnerable to a terrorist strike that would send political and economic shock waves worldwide.

We must be aware that militants could hijack a ship carrying hazardous material or use a vessel as a weapon to hit port and land facilities.

Indonesian officials have warned that regional terrorism remains a risk because of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). JI were implicated in the 2002 bombings in Bali that killed 202 people and against other Western targets in 2005.

The strategic calculus of protecting Australians starts with preventing a terrorist attack, rather than waiting for an attack to happen.

Its time for the Government to apply the same security checks on all crews on coastal shipping routes to fix this problem.

Audio files for past security events now available

If you missed these events, you can now hear many of the presentations.

(A) SECURITY PROFESSIONALS CONGRESS - May 2007, Files from http://www.securityprofessionals.org.au/2007/2007program.htm

• Professionalism and increased representation of security at senior levels - Terry Nolan AM, Regional Security Advisor, Asia Pacific, Shell
• Changing role of security in organisations - David Harris, Director, Security and Emergency Management, Victorian Department of Infrastructure
• Career paths and options - Jason Brown, National Security Director, Thales Australia
• Education - Professor Peter Anderson, Director, Centre for Policing Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, Macquarie University
• Professionalism in the public sector - Martin Studdert AM, Director, Protective Services Coordination Centre, Attorney-General's Department
• Merging security and other business functions - resilience - Chris Ruff, Senior Security Advisor, Santos Ltd
• The role of professional organisations - Julian Talbot, Jakeman Business Solutions & Security Special Interest Group

(B) NATIONAL SECURITY COMMONWEALTH BUDGET BRIEF AND PREDICTING FUTURE TRENDS - May 2007, Files from http://www.homelandsecurity.org.au/past_events.html

• Defence Projects Analysis: Building a picture of the 2008-2018 Defence Capability Plan -Abraham Gubler, Features Editor, Australian Defence Business Review
• Defence Funding and Financials - Mark Thomson, Project Director for the Budget and Management Project, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
• National Security Expenditure - Athol Yates, Executive Director, Australian Homeland Security Research Centre
• How are Defence Capability requirements developed? - RADM Matt Tripovich, Defence Capability Executive
• How are counter terrorism S&T capability requirements developed? - Dr Richard Davis, National Security Science and Technology, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Ways of thinking about capability developments for national security - Richard Hodge, Defence and National Security, Booz Allen Hamilton

(C) TERRORISM HISTORY CONFERENCE - June 2007

RNSA Lessons of the Past: Applications of History for Today's Threats Conference Files from http://www.homelandsecurity.org.au/past_events.html

• Transdisciplinarity, signature pedagogy and the place of History in Terrorism Studies - Dr Sean Brawley, Senior Lecturer, School of History, UNSW
• Terrorism Studies: The Dismal Science? - Prof. Carl Thayer (UNSW@ADFA)
• The application of history to Terrorism Studies: The reflections of a practitioner/scholar - Prof. Clive Williams (ANU)
• The Use of History by Lawyers in Debating Responses to Terrorism - Dr. Andrew Lynch (UNSW)
• The lessons of the Irish Experience - Prof. Mark Finnane ( Griffith )
• The lessons from anarchists/nihilists and co-travellers of the late 19th century and early 20th centuries - Don Williams
• Intelligence Pathologies in Terrorism Analysis - Brett Peppler

(D) PANDEMIC HISTORY CONFERENCE - June 2007

Files from http://www.homelandsecurity.org.au/past_events.html

• Impact of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic - Dr Keith Horsley, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Lessons from the States - Robyn Arrowsmith, author of A Danger Greater than War: NSW and the 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic
• Epidemic Waves in the 1918-1919 Influenza Epidemic - Dr David Philp, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University
• Lessons from the Commonwealth Bank - Dr Colin Johnston, Chief Medical Adviser, Commonwealth Bank
• Key lessons from the past - Athol Yates, Australian Homeland Security Research Centre

CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive)

The Research Network for a Secure Australia (funded by the Australian Research Council) is undertaking a project funded by the National Security Science & Technology Unit in the Prime Minister & Cabinet Department.

This project is to produce a report listing research, leading edge technologies and services in the area of CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive).

The RNSA is currently identifying projects that could be included in the report.

The areas of interest are:

• CBRNE situation awareness and decision making
• CBRNE hazard prediction
• CBRE responders PPE
• CBRNE detection, identification and analysis
• CBRN decontamination
• CBRN site restoration and clean-up
• Human factors (primarily psycho-social response to CBRNE events)
• CBRNE forensics
• Render safe of explosive devices
• Blast modelling

Even if you are not currently working in this area, if you believe that your technology/research/service that could be of relevance for these areas (eg plume modelling for car fumes, situation awareness for natural hazards), the project would be interested in hearing from you.

The project would welcome a short note about the work being pursued sent to alistair.coe@homelandsecurity.org.au or tel 02 6161 5143.

The RNSA is funded by the Australian Research Council.

Reports

Australia’s strategic fundamentals

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute has released a report which examines the debate over what is - or what ought to be - the 'ordering principle' of Australian strategic thinking.  In an era of quickening globalisation and the heightened strategic complexity, geography is proving a less useful determinant of strategic priorities. Rather, Australia has in recent years been strengthening its role as an 'order-builder', at both the global and regional levels.

www.aspi.org

The Debate on Australia’s Defence

The dynamics of national security strategy are examined in the forthcoming issue of the Australian Journal of International Affairs. Christian Hirst argues that that the perceptual shock of 11 September transformed the mental picture which shapes the Australian government’s approach to national security. By examining the ideas behind Australian strategy post-11 September, Hirst detects the early stages of a major reformation in Australia’s strategic position.

Michael Evans also asserts that the new security realities are driving national security thinking. These include the rise of non-state adversaries and globalisation, which now has blurred the distinctions between state/society and foreign/domestic. Evans contends that there is a growing need for Australia to adopt a new security planning approach to address the twenty-first century’s globalised security environment. Robert Ayson further examines the Australian strategic debate, focusing on the proposition that Australia faces an ‘arc of instability’ to its north. Ayson observes that the ‘arc’ has become an important weapon in the debate over whether Australia’s strategic priorities should become more global or remain within the immediate region.

The complete articles can be viewed free online for a limited time. Please visit www.informaworld.com/cAJI and click on the table of contents for Volume 61 Issue 2, 2007.

Audit report on Coordination of Australian Government Assistance to Solomon Islands

The Australian National Audit Office has released a report called Coordination of Australian Government Assistance to Solomon Islands. The objective of the audit was to assess the coordination of Australian Government assistance to Solomon Islands through RAMSI, including the establishment of objectives and an outcomes monitoring framework. In particular, the audit examined arrangements for: coordination between Australian Government agencies; strategic planning and risk management; measuring the effectiveness of RAMSI; and reporting to RAMSI’s Australian stakeholders.
http://www.anao.gov.au/director/publications/auditreports/2006-2007.cfm

Audit report on Managing Security Issues in Procurement and Contracting

The Australian National Audit Office has released a report called Managing Security Issues in Procurement and Contracting.
The objective of this audit was to evaluate whether selected Australian Government agencies were effectively managing security risks arising from the use of contractors. To address this objective, the audit evaluated relevant policies and practices in the audited agencies against a series of minimum requirements in the management of security issues in procurement and contracting activity. These minimum requirements were developed from the guidance and standards contained in the PSM and also from the ANAO’s previous protective security audits.
The audit focused on two broad types of contracting arrangements: contracting of security functions; and contracting of any service or business function that requires, or which has the potential to require, contractors to access sensitive or security classified information.
http://www.anao.gov.au/director/publications/auditreports/2006-2007.cfm

Report Australian universities are potential terrorist targets.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute has released a report on Australian Universities and Terrorism by Anthony Bergin and Raspal Khosa.

This Policy Analysis looks at Australian universities as potential terrorist targets. It then considers steps that should be taken to improve protective security for our universities, enhance terrorism research and strengthen the role of universities in providing solutions for countering terrorism.

www.aspi.org.au        

International Reports

National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive

The US has released two new Presidential Directives:

• NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51
• HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20

The directives establishe a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies. This policy establishes "National Essential Functions," prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

National Infrastructure Protection Program Sector-Specific Plans

The US Department of Homeland Security has completed its Critical Infrastructure Sectors Risk-Reduction Roadmaps
The previously published National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) provides an overall architecture for safeguarding the nation's infrastructure. Its 17 supporting Sector-Specific Plans (SSPs) have been released which have created a comprehensive risk management framework to establish national priorities, goals, and requirements to protect critical infrastructure and key resources. In short, the SSPs together serve as a roadmap for how infrastructure sector stakeholders are implementing core security enhancements, communicating within their sectors and with governments to reduce risk, and iteratively strengthening security.
The SSPs are the culmination of a national planning effort that began almost five years ago. They reflect literally thousands of hours of outreach and collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and other federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector security partners. Specifically, over 200 federal employees in the 17 sector-specific agencies and over 500 private sector organizations and entities have participated in this effort.
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/gc_1179776352521.shtm

A Governor’s Guide to Homeland Security

The US National Governors Association has released the A Governor’s Guide to Homeland Security.

As the chief executives of their states, governors are responsible for overseeing the state's response to any emergency or disaster. A well-planned and well-implemented response is vital to the safety and well-being of the citizens of the state; an ineffective response, on the other hand, threatens those citizens and their property and can exacerbate damages to the state and its economy.

In today's world, emergencies and disasters take many forms, including natural disasters, technological and infrastructure failures, terrorist attacks, and health emergencies such as pandemic disease outbreaks. An effective crisis-management programwill encompass five critical components: an assessment of the threats facing the state; development of a plan to mitigate those threats; development of a strategy to prepare for all hazards; a comprehensive and well-tested response plan; and a plan for short- and long-term recovery. This document focuses primarily on the preparedness and response components of a state's crisis-management program.

link

Reducing Terrorism Risk at Shopping Centers

The RAND Corporation has released a report on Reducing Terrorism Risk at Shopping Centers: An Analysis of Potential Security Options.

Terrorist threat at shopping centers is a prominent concern, with over 60 terrorist attacks against shopping centers in 21 countries since 1998. Shopping center operators are beginning to explore and implement increased security efforts specifically designed to combat terrorism. This report offers qualitative and quantitative modeling approaches to help shopping center operators evaluate candidate security options in terms of their effectiveness at reducing terrorism risk, reaching the following conclusions. First, a strategy to reduce terrorism risk will be similar for most shopping centers. Second, because terrorism security at shopping centers is based primarily on deterrence, disaster preparedness plans and exercises do little to reduce terrorism risk. Third, centers that implement terrorism security options early may experience both challenges (shoppers may be annoyed enough to go elsewhere) and advantages (shoppers may prefer shopping in centers they feel are safer). Fourth, a tiered implementation may be the best strategy — implementing security options most appropriate for now and developing plans for the future. Finally, this analysis provides useful guidance about prioritizing security options to reduce terrorism risk, but it does not address the risk of terrorism overall or when to begin implementing terrorism security options.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR401/

National Security and the Threat of Climate Change

The US CNA Corporation, a non-profit national security analysis organization, has produced a report on climate and security.

Global climate change presents a serious national security threat which could impact Americans at home, impact US military operations, and heighten global tensions, according to a new study released by a blue-ribbon panel of retired admirals and generals from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. To better inform U.S. policymakers and the public about the threats to national security from global climate change, the CNA Corporation, a nonprofit national security analysis organization, convened a panel of retired senior military officers and national security experts and conducted an assessment of the national security implications of global climate change. In this context, national security is defined to refer to the influence of climate change on geo-strategic balances and world events that could likely involve U.S. military forces or otherwise affect U.S. strategic interests anywhere in the world.
http://securityandclimate.cna.org/report/

Pandemic Influenza: Best Practices and Model Protocols

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a document focusing on the need for a community to plan and prepare for a pandemic outbreak today. While it is unknown when a pandemic influenza outbreak will develop in this nation, it is beneficial to realize that these best practices and model protocols are applicable to other emerging infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., SARS, Smallpox) or an act of bioterrorism in a community.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for developing best practices and model protocols for use by State, local, tribal, and territorial personnel in the development of pandemic influenza plans, preparedness activities, training, and exercises. The content is a synopsis of input received from Federal, State, local, territorial, and tribal emergency medical services (EMS), fire, emergency management, public works, and sector-specific participants during a three-day forum sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Chief Medical Officer and hosted by the U.S. Fire Administration on 23-25 February 2007. The results of this forum are being coordinated with the ongoing efforts of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, and others.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/ems/pandemicflu/

DHS Releases Revised HSEEP Policy and Guidance Volumes

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published finalized versions of the 2007 editions of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Policy and Guidance Volumes I-III. The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) is a capabilities and performance-based exercise program that provides a standardized policy, methodology, and language for designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating all exercises
https://hseep.dhs.gov/

Securing Wastewater Facilities

The US Government Audit Office has released a report called SECURING WASTEWATER FACILITIES: Costs of Vulnerability Assessments, Risk Management Plans, and Alternative Disinfection Methods Vary Widely
Wastewater facilities provide the essential service of collecting and treating wastewater, and discharging treated effluent into receiving waters. Since September 11, 2001, the nation’s water infrastructure has received greater attention, including the risk of terrorist attacks at wastewater facilities that store hazardous chlorine gas for disinfection.

Among the large wastewater facilities GAO examined, the costs reported to prepare vulnerability assessments ranged from $1,000 to $175,000, while costs to prepare risk management plans ranged from less than $1,000 to over $31,000.

For the large wastewater facilities GAO examined, reports of actual and projected capital costs to convert from chlorine gas to alternative disinfection methods range from about $650,000 to just over $13 million.

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07480.pdf

Defense Infrastructure

The US Government Audit Office has released a report called Actions Needed to Guide DoD's Efforts to Identify, Prioritize, and Assess Its Critical Infrastructure (GAO−07−461)/
The Department of Defense (DOD) relies on a network of DOD and non-DOD infrastructure assets in the United States and abroad so critical that its unavailability could hinder DOD’s ability to project, support, and sustain its forces and operations worldwide. DOD established the Defense Critical Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to identify and assure the availability of mission-critical infrastructure. GAO was asked to evaluate the extent to which DOD has (1) developed a comprehensive management plan to implement DCIP and (2) identified, prioritized, and assessed its critical infrastructure. GAO analyzed relevant DCIP documents and guidance and met with officials from more than 30 DOD organizations that have DCIP responsibilities, and with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials involved in protecting critical infrastructure.

While DOD has taken important steps to implement DCIP, it has not developed a comprehensive management plan to guide its efforts. GAO’s prior work has shown the importance of developing a plan that incorporates sound management practices, such as issuing guidance, coordinating stakeholders’ efforts, and identifying resource requirements and sources. Most of DOD’s DCIP guidance and policies are either newly issued or in draft form, leading some DOD components to rely on other, better-defined programs, such as the antiterrorism program, to implement DCIP.

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07461.pdf

Assistance to Transit Agencies

The US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has release a report called Security and Emergency Management - Technical Assistance for the Top 50 Transit Agencies.

Between May 2002 and July 2006, the FTA provided technical assistance to the top 50 transit agencies through the Security and Emergency Management Technical Assistance Program (SEMTAP). The recently released final report includes a program background and summary, the methodology used, finding and results gathered during the technical assistance visits, and a description of the next generation technical assistance program.
http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/Publications/order/singledoc.asp?docid=540

Upcoming events

Industry Policy and Industry's view of Australia's Future Security Needs

Wednesday 11 July 2007 – Spender Theatre, Australian Defence College, 6.30pm
Mr David Withers, Managing Director, Boeing Australia Limited will address the USI of the ACT on “Industry Policy and Industry's view of Australia's Future Security Needs”, starting at 6.30pm in the Spender Theatre at the Australian Defence College, WESTON Creek.
Members and guests are most welcome to enjoy a relaxing drink and free bar snacks amongst convivial company in the Weston Creek Mess from 5.00pm.
Information: http://www.defence.gov.au/rusi/contact/index.htm

IED threat facing ADF personnel

Wednesday 18 July 2007 – Russell Offices R-1 Ground Floor Theatrette, 5.00pm
Brigadier Philip Winter, Commander of the Counter IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) Task Force, is to talk in the Russell Offices R-1 Ground Floor Theatrette on the current IED threat facing ADF personnel in the ME Area of Operations and ways and means of countering this problem being used by Australia. The presentation starts at 5pm.
Members are reminded that entry to this Theatrette does not require a Defence pass.
Information: http://www.defence.gov.au/rusi/contact/index.htm

DEFENCE LOGISTICS CONFERENCE, 8-9 October 2007

The 2007 Australian Defence Logistics Conference, sponsored by the Joint Logistics Group (JLG), is to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 8-9 October 2007.  The theme of the Conference is “Expeditionary Logistics Operations” and speakers will be from US, UK and Canada as well as local. 
More details can be obtained from Ms Terry Foster, SO1 Communications, JLG on 02 6266 4538 or terry.foster@defence.gov.au.

Security Camp Oz 

Security Camp Oz is being held in Wagga Wagga at the Charles Sturt University Campus on the weekend of October 13-14 2007. This is a FREE event open to all those interested in IT Security.

There will be presentations by community and industry experts plus plenty of chances to network and chat about IT Security.
This event is not aimed at a particular technology, and is designed for the community to present on topics they think others could benefit from.
http://www.securitycampoz.com

CONTINUITY FORUM CONFERENCE including simulated desk top rehearsal

Topics to be addressed:
- Critical Infrastructure Protection and the role of Business Continuity Management
- Getting Business Value from your Business Continuity Management Spend
- Finding the Bottom Line - Doing a Business Impact Analysis in a Complex Government Agency
- The Resilient Organisation: IT Resilience and Corporate Productivity
- Implementing a Business Continuity Plan Process in Emergency Management Organisations - 2 Case Examples
- Simulated Desk Top Rehearsal This interactive facilitated session will promote audience discussion whilst exercising the panel through a realistic scenario.
- 'From the Floor' Session
Expert presenters include:
- Peter McNally, Partner, IT Advisory, KPMG Australia
- Brian Jennings, Business Continuity Management Consultant, CSC Australia
- John Bloomfield, Director - Business Continuity Management Sections, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
- Platinum Sponsor Presentation, Hewlett - Packard Australia
- Tony Pearce, Director General, Emergency Management Australia
- Dan Ruming, Director, Future Risk Services Pty Ltd
- Pieter Schoots, Business Manager - Emergency Management Team, Centrelink (chair)
Date: Wednesday 27 June 2007
Venue: Rydges Lakeside, 1 London Circuit Canberra
Fee: Members $880 per person; Non Members $1540 per person
To register or for more information, please email Valerie at info@continuity.net.au or call +61 2 9415 4180.