InfraGard Members Alliance Houston

Houston InfraGard Chapter collaborating with DHS to gather assessment data after tropical storms

The Houston InfraGard Chapter is collaborating with the local Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office to provide critical infrastructure damage assessment after any regional disaster.  The DHS will monitor the Houston InfraGard Twitter account IMAHoustonSR for in the field updates.  The Twitter account is only available for Houston InfraGard Chapter members and vetted agencies.  All members and critical infrastructure partners are encouraged to "request to follow" the Twitter account well in advance of any incident.

Additional users will not be added 48 hours before any landfalling storm.

Please refer to our web page at: http://www.infragardhouston.org/infragardhouston/member-resources.html

FBI: Social networking sites a favorite target for child predators

HOUSTON—The FBI is warning parents to be on the lookout for predators who target kids on popular social networking sites.

Since it’s summer, more kids will be spending time at home. And with the down economy, the cost of child care may force more parents to leave their kids at home alone.

That could leave them open to danger online.

"They leave them home," the FBI’s Amanda Hinton said. "And a lot of times when you leave kids at home, they’re going to turn to the electronics."

Full article at KHOU

Widgets, Twitter to fuel FEMA emergency alerts

Federal Emergency Management Agency wants to deliver broadcast, social media assistance from disaster sites

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced a new widget for disaster preparedness on its  Facebook page page as part of a series of releases to publicize its social media and Gov 2.0 tools for emergency readiness and response.

Full article: http://gcn.com/articles/2010/06/23/fema-pushes-widgets-twitter-for-disaster-preparedness.aspx

Contributed by: Bob Janusaitis

Houston InfraGard Chapter Particpating in Harris County Hurricane Exercise

The Houston Infragard Chapter is participating on the Joint Information Center (JIC) of the 2010 CatPro Exercise being held May 4th through 5th, 2010.  This will provide an opportunity to exercise communications with the JIC from the Houston InfraGard chapter under simulated emergency conditions.  InfraGard Houston will provide critical infrastructure status to Harris County.

Screen shot of JIC portal:

 

Houston Chapter supporting Gulf Coast States with oil spill response

The Houston InfraGard chapter in conjunction with the New Orleans Chapter has established a Facebook and Twitter account for all Gulf Coast State InfraGard chapters.  The pilot project will be used to share information among subject matter experts and to provide a conduit for InfraGard chapters to collaborate in response to events that impact critical infrastructure. 

Additional information will be made available to each chapter in the region as necessary.

The first effort is currently underway in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response.

DoD issues official policy on New/Social Media

The Department of Defense released its official policy on new/social media today.  The policy (Directive-Type Memorandum 09-026), which is effective immediately, states that the default for the DoD non-classified network (the NIPRNET) is for open access so that all of DoD can use new media. This is DoD’s first official policy on new media.  Prior to today, the Services and other DoD components developed and implemented their own ad hoc policies — some banning it all together.  Under this new policy, there will be open and consistent access across the board, but prohibited content sites (gambling, pornography, hate-crime activities) will still be blocked.  Also, Commanders at all levels and heads of DoD components will continue to keep networks safe from malicious activity and take actions, as required, to safeguard missions. 

 

Full article at: http://socialmedia.defense.gov/index.php/2010/02/26/dod-official-policy-on-newsocial-media/

 

Social media play part in Haiti's recovery efforts

Department of Homeland security active in using social media during Haiti relief efforts.  See article in

USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2010-02-01-haiti-monitor-social-media_N.htm