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General Security and Resilience

EPA Webinar – Response Planning for Distribution System Contamination Incidents (Tuesday, November 6, 2018; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET)

This webinar will provide an overview of the response to a distribution system contamination incident and the steps utilities can take to prepare their own response procedure. It will cover roles and responsibilities when working with response partners. The webinar will also discuss possible response actions that can be implemented to minimize consequences, such as operational changes to reduce the spread of contaminated water and public notification to minimize customers’ exposure to contaminated water.

Newly-Released FBI Crime Data Shows Violent Crime and Property Crime Declined in 2017

Yesterday, the FBI today released the 2017 edition of its Crime in the United States (CIUS) report, which covers January to December 2017. It reflects that after two consecutive, historic increases in violent crime, the nationwide violent crime rate began to decline. Violent crimes are defined by the FBI as those offenses that involve force or threat of force and include murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

DHS IP Partnership Bulletin (September 14, 2018)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) has published the latest version of its Partnership Bulletin, which provides a snapshot of upcoming training and exercise opportunities, critical infrastructure events, and key announcements. Some of the upcoming events include:

- A reminder that September is National Preparedness Month, with themes for each week nested in this year’s overall theme of “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How;”

Terror Groups Becoming More “Dispersed and Clandestine,” according to U.S. State Department Report

In its just released Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 report, which is produced annually to describe to global counterterrorism landscape, the U.S. Department of State highlighted numerous successes against terrorist groups while also noting new challenges. For example, the report found the number of deaths attributed to terrorism worldwide declined in 2017 and that the U.S. and its global partners had delivered major blows to the Islamic State, which lost 99% of its territory in Iraq and Syria in the past year.

Dip in Islamic State Attacks in the West due to Law Enforcement Increasingly Foiling Plots, not Decrease in Threat

Islamic State attacks in the West fell steeply in 2018 compared with the previous four years, which might seem to be tied to a reduced threat the group can pose given its many recent setbacks. But according to a number of counterterrorism research organizations, the number of attempted attacks has actually remained steady. The difference, analysts at these organization say, is that law enforcement is increasingly foiling the plots.

Al Qa’ida Leader Releases “How Do We Face America?” Message on 9/11 Anniversary

On September 11, al Qa‘ida’s as Sahab media foundation released a 30-minute English-subtitled message, titled “How Do We Face America?,” from leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in which he stated the battle against the U.S. had become inevitable, leaving followers with one of the two choices: confront the aggression or accept disgrace. Zawahiri encouraged followers to expand their tactics in ways that include striking on the “enemy’s turf.” Zawahiri also urged hitting hard at the U.S.

FBI Director: “Today’s Terrorism Threat is Everywhere, Coast to Coast”

In a recent interview with CBS News, FBI Director Christopher Wray noted the pervasiveness of the terrorist threat in the United States, despite the common perception that incidents are most likely to occur in major cities. "People think of the 9/11 threat, they think New York, they think D.C. Today's terrorism threat is everywhere, coast to coast, north, south, east, west," Wray said. "It's not just big cities," he continued, pointing to a case in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where a 21-year-old was allegedly inspired by the jihadist movement and "was circulating kill lists of U.S.

Texas Terror Case Gives Rare Glimpse Inside Encrypted Jihadist Social Media

Said Azzam Mohamad Rahim, a Jordan-born man who resided in Texas, is awaiting trial for lying to the FBI and providing material support to the Islamic State. The evidence collected by the FBI that lead to his arrest provides a case study of how jihadists communicate with one another, which can include via little-known encrypted social media apps.

Competition for Primacy between Al Qa’ida and the Islamic State May Lead to Increased Risk

Al Qa’ida is trying to regain its primacy over international militancy as the Islamic State loses ground, a senior NATO official said on Tuesday. “While [the Islamic State] has occupied the world’s attention for the last four-five years, al Qa’ida has been quietly rebuilding its global networks and capabilities,” said Arndt von Loringhoven, NATO’s assistant secretary general for intelligence and security. He also forecasted a potentially increased risk to the West from the groups’ rivalry.

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