ICS in the News: How a Stolen GPS Can Track You Back Home

Hot on the heels of Thursday's article on on GPS security, Erhan Kartaltepe, chief director and associate director for the Institute for Cyber Security, was in USA Today in an article covering how thieves can track back to a user's home. From the article:

"The risks 'aren't negligible' either, said Erhan Kartaltepe, associate director of the Institute for Cyber Security of the University of Texas at San Antonio. Your home address could join a large mass of information about you that is 'out there,' available to the public or determined individuals.

Kartaltepe notes that data isn't usually encrypted on consumer GPS devices. So if thieves break the locking combination -- presuming the driver even bothered to lock it in the first place -- they get access to a home address."

To learn more about how GPS security works and how it is lacking, read the full article.

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

ICS in the News: Ravi Sandhu Interviewed by FOX News

Ravi Sandhu, executive director for the Institute for Cyber Security, was recently interviewed in an article by Fox News on cyber security, Google's recent incident with China, and cyber espionage and warfare. From the article:

"'In spite of data breach laws, the general tendency of companies is to clam up,' Sandhu said. 'So not every attack is reported, and for ones that are there's little follow-up investigation.'...

Even when companies are forthcoming, tracking the criminals can be difficult. 'Nobody attacks directly from their own computers anymore,' Sandhu said. Hackers typically invade computers in other countries and then launch incursions remotely. Consequently, the trail typically leads through several different countries."

For more on ICS's work on cyber security, visit the ICS site.

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

Texas Emerging Technology Fund Proposals Due in Eight Days

With the holiday season now behind us, there is only one week to submit a proposal to the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The commercialization application deadline is Tuesday, January 12. The Emerging Technology Fund assists startups and other entities helping fund new ideas ripe for commercialization. From their site:

"The goal of the ETF Commercialization Awards is to grow new small businesses and existing businesses to accelerate new products and services to the marketplace...Commercialization awards provide selected, early-stage investments in new, technology-based, private entrepreneurial entities that collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education in Texas, and which, if successful, may provide significant economic benefit to the state."

We at UTSA's Institute for Cyber Security fit that role well. If you have an idea related to or requiring software engineering, cyber security, cloud computing, or mobile development and would like to collaborate with ICS, contact me at the email address below.

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

"San Antonio Cyber City USA" Press Release

The Institute for Cyber Security spoke at the San Antonio Cyber Vision Hi-Tech Mixer last month. The three speakers were the vice commander of the Air Force ISR Agency Brig. Gen. John D. Stauffer, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Richard Perez, and Institute for Cyber Security Director of Research Operations Jeff Reich, all of whom discussed San Antonio's Transformation into "Cyber City USA".

Below is the press release for that evening

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night - San Antonio Cyber City USA

More than 250 of San Antonio’s best and brightest technology and business executives came out on a rainy December evening to share the Technology Connexus Association’s celebration of San Antonio’s Cyber Vision. A powerhouse panel of speakers discussed San Antonio's future as Cyber City USA.

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) December 19, 2009 -- It was a dark and stormy night, but December 1, 2009 marked the start of a new energy in San Antonio technology. More than 250 of San Antonio’s best and brightest technology and business executives came out to share the Technology Connexus Association’s (TCA) celebration of San Antonio’s Cyber Vision.

Matt Pirko of ManTech International emceed a powerhouse panel of Brigadier General John D. Stauffer of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, Richard Perez representing the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Jeff Reich of the UTSA Institute for Cyber Security. Each speaker provided his unique perspective to the standing room only crowd, offering views of the importance of San Antonio recently becoming the home of the Air Force 24th Cyber Command.

In 2006, a group of Greater Chamber volunteers began gathering information regarding the location requirements for a proposed Air Force Cyber Command, and realized San Antonio possessed many of the elements outlined in the early site selection criteria. San Antonio's ability to house and support the new command included: the local communications infrastructure, the relatively high number of workers in the community who have security clearances and certifications from the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency, the number of military missions that are already here and doing work in cyber defense, and the education pipeline of colleges and universities that offer certifications and degrees in areas relating to cyber security. All of this hard work was rewarded on May 15, 2009, when Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz announced that San Antonio’s Lackland Air Force Base would be the permanent location of 24th Air Force, a new numbered Air Force headquarters focused on the cyber mission. “The arrival of the 24th Air Force in San Antonio is both a capstone on San Antonio’s rapid growth in cyber capabilities, and a building block for future economic development in the cyber security field,” said Matt Reedy, Director of Research & Development for SecureLogix Corporation, and a TCA board member.

John Hill, Managing Director of Technology Connexus Association, and CEO of Tech Sage Solutions said, “We are thrilled at the response of the San Antonio technology community to the first event of our new focus to bring interesting and informative events to the quarterly “tech connection.” He also added that the 2010 lineup of events would be revealed shortly. “Our revitalized Board of Directors and the newly formed Advisory Council has brought new life and energy to TCA and is helping to reshape it from an organization that simply has a party once a quarter, to one that will help to support and grow the technology community.”

Also highlighting the evening was an assemblage of over 15 local businesses exhibiting their unique technologies. Featured were Grande Communications, a long-time supporter of technology in San Antonio and CLEAR Communications, a company new to San Antonio that has brought 4G WiMax to the city to make it one huge “hot spot.”

Geoffrey Ryder, Regional Enterprises Services Manager for Grande Communications said “First and foremost Grande decided to be a sponsor of the Cyber Vision because we strongly believe in their cause here in San Antonio and the Central Texas Region as a whole is. The Cyber Vision event like many of the events they host are top notch and well attended. There is always an attention to detail of the layout of the event, the quality of the speakers, and the relevant topics that coincide with today's business climate. We are proud to be part of this organization, and look forward to sponsoring future events.”

Sam Rosario, Indirect Sales Manager for Clear said “I want to congratulate you guys, you’ve got an amazing turnout. We’re really proud to be partnering with Technology Connexus Association as sponsors of this event, you guys are going a great job with helping to advance the San Antonio Technology community, congratulations on hosting such a great event. “

Gary Cain, Operations Executive Officer, EADS NA Defense Security and Systems Solutions, Inc. (DS3) said “I just wanted to let you know how impressed I was with December's SA Cyber Vision Hi-Tech Mixer. The caliber of people attending was the number one most important ingredient to such a successful event. On top of that the panelists were well qualified to speak on current cyber issues with political to educational to military perspectives at local to national levels. The location, food and drink were equally impressive and makes the event suitable to enjoy with clients, partners or a spouse. Needless to say, events like this drive innovation and spur change in our community and nation. This event reminds me of the ancient Lyceum concept where issues of the day were debated. I plan on being a regular supporter. Again, thank you for this continuing event.”

And not to be forgotten, the crowd enjoyed an outstanding buffet of food and drink including the ever popular chocolate fountain.

Jay Fraser, member of the TCA Board remarked, “One of the most amazing things was that after the food was gone, there were still dozens of people standing around networking with each other."

About Technology Connexus Association
The Technology Connexus Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, organization that facilitates collaborative educational activities between South Central Texas area entities and persons involved in the development of new technology. The entities include private enterprise, scientists, universities, and research institutes. The purpose is to educate people about developing technology and to foster the exchange of ideas between people in different disciplines. This sharing of ideas and information will help advance technology even more. Our activities serve both educational and scientific purposes.

http://www.techconnexus.org/home.cfm

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

Obama to Name Howard Schmidt as Cybersecurity Coordinator

Interesting news in cybersecurity today as the Washington Post wrote that President Obama looks to be selecting a cyber security czar. From the article:

"Seven months after President Obama vowed to 'personally select' an adviser to orchestrate the government's strategy for protecting computer systems, the White House will name a former Bush administration official to the job Tuesday."

Read the full article here.

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

ICS in the News: Thieves Target GPS Devices

Erhan Kartaltepe, chief director and associate director for the Institute for Cyber Security, was recently quoted in an article on AOL and on GPS security. From the article:

"Kartaltepe notes that data isn't usually encrypted on consumer GPS devices. So if thieves break the locking combination -- presuming the driver even bothered to lock it in the first place -- they get access to a home address.

Software designers can develop applications to provide extra security for the GPS in iPhones and other advanced cell phones, he said. Many single-purpose GPS devices with proprietary software systems may be unsuited to add-on security apps, however."

To learn more about how GPS security works and how it is lacking, read the full article.

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

UTSA to host Cyber Security Roundtable

On Saturday, December 12, a Cyber Security Roundtable will be held discussing emerging security challenges, with the Institute for Cyber Security, the federal government, and other entities represented. ICS as well as other larger institutions will have a speaking role at the roundtable. Below is the media advisory:

MEDIA ADVISORY

Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez to host Cyber Security Roundtable at UTSA on Saturday, Dec. 12

WHAT: Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX-23) will hold a roundtable discussion with San Antonio area network experts this Saturday, Dec. 12.  Attendees will discuss their imminent security challenges and offer suggestions about how elected officials can help them mitigate those challenges.

ATTENDING: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-California). Congresswoman Sanchez is the vice chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and serves on other security-focused committees and subcommittees.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Saturday, December 12, 2009 11:30 a.m. - noon

WHERE: UTSA Main Campus; Business Building University Room (Second Floor)

SPONSORS: The University of Texas at San Antonio; the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; and the Cyber Innovation and Research Consortium

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

Inside the Cloud: Key Security Factors when Considering Managed Services

Jeff Reich, Director of Research Operations at the Institute for Cyber Security, has recorded a presentation with SearchSecurity on cloud computing and its risk factors. From the website:

"Cloud computing is one of the hottest topics in enterprise information technology today, but few organizations realize that the cloud is no IT nirvana. It comes with vast and inherent risks, including data exposure, data loss and even infrastructure compromise. Plus few organizations understand the differences among the various cloud service delivery models, the compliance challenges the cloud presents, and the trade-offs that come with using the cloud to reduce IT costs. This video offers an overview of the cloud computing landscape as it relates to information security."

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

Podcast: Cloud Computing Risk Factors

Jeff Reich, Director of Research Operations at the Institute for Cyber Security, has recorded a podcast with SearchCIO on cloud computing and its risk factors. From the website:

"In this audio excerpt from his video presentation: 'Inside the cloud: Key security factors when considering managed services', Jeff Reich discusses a few of the key technical risk factors involved with cloud computing -- availability, portability and interoperability -- and how they relate to overall organizational security postures and their potential for creating business risk."

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

Texas Emerging Technology Fund Proposals Due January 12

With the holiday season soon upon us, it is easy to forget that the Texas Emerging Technology Fund commercialization application deadline is January 12, less than two weeks into the new year. The Emerging Technology Fund assists startups and other entities helping fund new ideas ripe for commercialization. From their site:

"The goal of the ETF Commercialization Awards is to grow new small businesses and existing businesses to accelerate new products and services to the marketplace...Commercialization awards provide selected, early-stage investments in new, technology-based, private entrepreneurial entities that collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education in Texas, and which, if successful, may provide significant economic benefit to the state."

We at UTSA's Institute for Cyber Security fit that role well. If you have an idea related to or requiring software engineering, cyber security, cloud computing, or mobile development and would like to collaborate with ICS, contact me at the email address below.

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu

ICS in the News: Cyber Monday Security

Rachel Metz of the Puerto Rico Daily Sun wrote an article on Cyber Monday security, interviewing me on how retailers and consumers can protect themselves from identity thieves taking advantage of cyber monday. From the article:

" 'Yet, plights such as our most recent recession make it even easier for hackers to target vulnerable would-be customers,' said Kartaltepe. 'Fake websites created by these scammers offering 'too good to be true' deals have popped up, looking on the surface like well-known merchants but really collecting and identifying financial data.' Hackers are also taking advantage of smaller merchants that still don’t use Secure Sockets Layer or SSL certificates and view it, erroneously, as too large an expense in today’s economy."

Fox affiliate KABB also did a piece on Cyber Monday security, interviewing Greg White on the same topic. See the video below:

For more about the Institute for Cyber Security and how we help startups and researchers with cyber security, visit our site!

Erhan J. Kartaltepe, PMP
erhan.kartaltepe-at-utsa.edu