By dnewbold During the Vietnam War, the Wild Weasels flew as a protection screen in specially equipped F-105F Thuds into a target area to sweep and destroy surface to air missile (SAM) sites, to protect “strike packages” or a flight of fighters that followed on
Tag Archives: SAM
Security breach exposes confidential information of firms seeking government contracts
All federal vendors registered with the General Services Administration had their companies’ confidential information exposed in a massive computer security screw-up, the agency said.
The GSA, the procurement arm through which government agencies buy products and services, is conducting a “full review” of its System for Award Management after the shocking security breach, federal officials told FoxNews.com. The latest issue with the IBM-administered system, which has been plagued with problems since it was implemented last year to integrate some eight different procurement systems, was reported to GSA officials on March 8. A software patch was implemented to close the exposure of both public and non-public data, including names, taxpayer identification numbers, marketing partner information numbers and bank account details.
“All registered SAM users were made aware of the situation,” GSA Deputy Press Secretary Jackeline Stewart told FoxNews.com in an email. “At this time, GSA is undertaking a full review of the system and investigating any potential additional impacts to registrants in SAM. The security of this information is a top priority for this agency and we will continue to ensure the system remains secure.”
The most vulnerable users, according to GSA‘s website, are those who utilize Social Security numbers as a taxpayer identification number and those whose “opted in” to public search capabilities.
Access to view any records was strictly “role based,” Stewart said, adding that a registered user would have had to have been an authorized Entity Administrator or Entity Registration Representative to view the information.
“A casual browser from the outside would not be able to view any sensitive data,” Stewart’s email continued.
But the owner of a California engineering firm seeking government business told FoxNews.com he remains on alert following the receipt of an email notifying him of the breach on Saturday.
“Yeah, it was a concern and I guess still is,” the man said Tuesday, asking that his name be withheld due to fears of retribution from federal officials. “You never know when something gets hacked. But so far, nothing has happened.”
The biggest concern for the owner was exposure of his bank account information and the possibility of someone diverting funds from his account. The database likely contains “tens of thousands” of vendors, he said.
US Federal Contractor Registration, a third-party firm that helps small businesses navigate the rules and requirements for getting government business, was inundated by worried contractors, according to spokesman Eric Knellinger.
“Our phones are ringing off the hook and our staff are working extra hours to handle frustrated contractors,” Knellinger said. “We will do whatever it takes to help contractors understand the registration process and take the fears away from concerned contractors.”
GSA officials made headlines last year when it was uncovered that a top-ranking department official fraudulently overbilled taxpayers for a personal hotel stay at a Las Vegas resort in 2010. The government agency, which owns and oversees thousands of federal real estate properties, was widely criticized for wasting more than $822,000 in funds on a lavish conference for 300 federal workers that included penthouse suites, a psychic, a clown, a …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News
Israel Strikes
By Jim Emerson
Israeli warplanes reportedly stuck a convoy of weapons inside Syria that was destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon. The convoy was carrying Russian manufactured SA-17 missiles to be used by the terrorist organization to target Israeli Aircraft. Israel publicly warned Syria that it would take action to prevent the shipment of weapons to any terrorist group, especially chemical weapons. Israeli intelligence has been monitoring the areas between Syria and Lebanon for any sign of weapons convoys.
SA-17
The SA-17 (Grizzly) is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system that in terrorist hands would curtail Israel’s ability to operate near or in Lebanese airspace against terrorist targets. It would be seen as a “game changer” in the region and a direct threat to Israel. Hezbollah can use the SA-17 to protect its missile launching sites and convoy routes from Syria and protecting terrorists from retaliatory airstrikes.
By providing Hezbollah SA-17 systems, who knows what the Syrians and Iranians will provide to the terrorists to use against the Jewish nation? If the Assad regime could goad Israel into targeting more facilities inside Syria, he could rally the population against the Rebels by claiming they are being supported by the Zionists. The Iranians will be more than glad to assist any group planning to attack Israel.
Denial
The Syrian military denied the existence of any weapons convoy and claimed that a so-called scientific research facility near Damascus was attacked. The facility at Jamraya is actually a weapon development canter which is frequented by Russian and Iranian advisors. There is conflicting information as to whether the site is used for chemical weapons development and testing; but being so close to the capital, it would be unlikely. The denial was most likely a cover story meant for the Syrian population to link the Free Syrian rebels with Israel. To counter Assad regime claims, the rebels stated they attacked the facility. An unnamed U.S. official confirmed that Israel did strike a convoy of trucks; and although the exact location is unknown at this time, it is most likely located near the Jamrayaresearch facility, about 10 miles from the Lebanon border.
Photo Credit: kudumomo (Creative Commons)