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Tip Reporting Systems to Prevent Terrorist ActivityMichael Erbschloe, Republished from SafetyIssues Vol 2 Issue 20, July 2003 |
Volume 4 Issue 44July 2005 |
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Several methods have been established for businesses, individuals, and
government agencies to report incidents or suspicious behavior to the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). An incident relating to computer systems is the act of violating an explicit or implied security policy. These activities include but are not limited to: |
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The FedCIRC has developed both short incident reporting forms and a long incident reporting forms to assist agencies in reporting incidents. The short form allows a reporting agency to quickly report an incident when detailed information regarding the incident is not available. The long form can be used by a reporting agency when more information has been gathered about the incident and the reporter is able to provide a more detailed report. The choice to either use the short or long form is at the discretion of the reporting agency. All submissions using either form will be considered a new incident; therefore, the form cannot be used to provide additional information for an incident that has previously been reported. If agencies want to provide additional information regarding an existing report, they need to call a hotline at 1-888-282-0870 and provide the Watch analyst with the incident report number that was assigned to the report. DHS can then update the incident report record and provide further assistance if required. Organizations that are not a component of the Federal government or reporting an incident that affects a Federal Agency or Department are directed to file incident reports with the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) and the CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC). The websites are www.nipc.gov/incident/cirr.htm and https://irf.cc.cert.org respectively. Private individuals are directed to file out the NIPC incident form. The FBI has also established a tip reporting system. While the FBI continues to encourage the public to submit information regarding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the tip reporting form can also be used to report any suspected criminal activity to the FBI. The form is located at: https://tips.fbi.gov. The Department of the Treasury has also established a system by which citizens can report activities related to the financing of terrorism. A toll free telephone number has been set up which is 1-866-867-8300. This Campaign is designed to collect information on funding mechanisms that support terrorist activities, including underground financial systems, illicit charities, and corrupt financial service providers; even crimes like check fraud, identity fraud and credit card fraud that may be used to support terrorists. The Department of the Treasury and of State are seeking to raise public understanding of just how terrorist financing occurs. The Secretary of State may offer rewards of up to $5 million for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of international terrorism against the United States. persons or property worldwide. Rewards also may be paid for information leading to the arrest or conviction of terrorists attempting, committing, conspiring to commit, or aiding and abetting in the commission of such acts. The USA Patriot Act of 2001, authorizes the Secretary of State to offer or pay rewards of greater than $5 million if he or she determines that a greater amount is necessary to combat terrorism or to defend the United States against terrorist acts. The Secretary has authorized a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to the capture of Usama bin Laden and other key Al-Qaida leaders. |
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About the author
Michael Erbschloe
is an information technology consultant, educator, and author. He
has also developed technology-related curriculum for several
universities and speaks at conferences and industry events around
the world. Michael holds a Master Degree in Sociology from Kent
State University. He has authored hundreds of articles on technology
and several books including Guide to Disaster Recovery
published by Course Technology. |
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