Tuesday, Sec. Michael Chertoff stressed cyber-security issues during a talk at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce saying, “Cyber-security will be a major priority for the next Administration.”

Sec. Chertoff detailed a recent case where over 40 million credit card numbers were compromised to steal millions of dollars from Americans. The ring used a technique called “war driving” to access retailer’s networks remotely from mobile vehicles and plant sniffers on their networks to collect customer’s credit card and account information.

The Secretary went on to detail the department’s ongoing cyber-security initiatives to the packed room of business leaders.

Any homeland security professional could benefit from a trip to Russia to observe their security standards and practices. Frankly, most American professional would consider the standards somewhat lax. I found visitors could come and go from most major areas and landmarks with no direct scrutiny or security searches. However, there is certainly the sense that if you did cause trouble, you would be pounced on rather quickly by stern looking officers.

Throughout the trip I noticed numerous soldiers, police and security guards. However, most were either unarmed or armed with only a nightstick. There were very few guns to be seen in general.

The gravest security issue I observed was that access to many landmarks, including the St. Basil’s Cathedral (one of the world’s historical treasures), required no magnetometer or hand search. And, while I have no information on the religious, political or financial concerns impacting this decision, it certainly stuck out to me as a serious concern.

On the other hand, security procedures at the airports were solid and efficient. Travelers go through a variety of checks and screenings that provide confidence in their aviation security efforts.

I am delighted to put in a plug for Aeroflot, the Russian airline. Their flight from Moscow to Paris was conducted on a modern plane with a spotless comfortable cabin. The in-flight meal was delicious and provided about three times the food of a comparable American flight. It is sad to say that American airlines could learn a lesson in terms of service and comfort from their Russian counterpart.

Finally, a few notes on the threat of crime, pick-pockets and street thugs while traveling in Russia. In preparing for my trip, I was warned by numerous sources, including several Russians, about safety concerns related to traveling in Russia. Apparently, Moscow has the highest murder rate of any city in the world. I, consequently, took solid measures to protect myself and my valuable, including having a loca escort during most of my trip. However, throughout the trip, including trips on planes, trains, subways, trolleys and buses, while travelling day, night and overnight, I never encountered a single problem or concerning situation. Frankly, I felt as safe in Moscow than I would in any major city in the United States. As is usually the case, everyone creates their own personal security posture by managing how they conduct themselves in public, remaining situationally aware and choosing their environments carefully.

Naturally, I urge any American traveling overseas to take all necessary precautions to fit into their international environment, understand the current risks and to avoid dangerous areas or situations. I just wanted to be clear that at no time during my entire trip did I encounter any negative or threatening situation.

Again, I believe a trip to Russia that includes a trip to an area outside of metropolitan Moscow can be an informative and valuable research and training exercise for any American homeland security professional.

Here are some pictures from the trip…

WASHINGTON – Military leaders have suspended some activities at biological research laboratories to review safety rules for some of the world’s deadliest germs and toxins, including how they are shipped through FedEx and other civilian carriers.

Defense officials said the action is part of a larger review ordered when a researcher at an Army lab committed suicide last month after being told he would be charged in the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people.

Navy and Air Force officials told The Associated Press on Thursday that they are temporarily halting shipments of dangerous biological agents to and from their medical and research labs.

They also said that during the review, they won’t allow any employees to handle such materials inside their labs unless the employee is enrolled in a special program to do so – or monitored by someone who is enrolled.

The Army also said for the first time Thursday that it had halted it shipments from Aug. 8-14 for a similar review of procedures – and then tightened some.

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From Al Jazeera

Abu Khabab al-Masri, described as al-Qaeda’s chemical and biological weapons expert, has been killed with three other fighters in a suspected US bombing in Pakistan’s border region last week.

Al-Masri, who carried a $5m bounty on his head, had been earlier identified as the likely target of the attack on a house in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region, a tribal area bordering Afghanistan, according to Pakistani officials.

An al-Qaeda statement posted on a variety of websites on Sunday said al-Masri, referred to as the chemical “expert”, had left behind him a generation of students who would avenge his killing.

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On the subject of the US elections, Arabs are divided between a sceptical majority that sees no difference between John McCain and Barack Obama and a hopeful minority that believes Obama could narrow the gap between the Muslim world and the West.

The sceptics see both McCain and Obama as ardent supporters of Israel, and its doctrine of pre-emptive war, and as committed to US success in Afghanistan regardless of the costs.

The optimists, however, see important differences in the candidates’ discourse and approach.

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