Category Archives: NSA

Major government security agencies around the world have issued a joint advisory on the Apache Log4j vulnerability that offers technical details, mitigations and resources on what top security officials are calling one of the most severe vulnerabilities ever discovered.

The agencies taking the lead in the United States include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Security Agency (NSA) and the FBI. Other nations involved include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The joint advisory is a response to the active, worldwide exploitationby numerous threat actors including two ransomware groups thus far of vulnerabilities foundinthewidely-used Java-based logging package Log4j. The security world has been on edge since Log4j was first reported publicly last week. The first attack on a government agency was sustained earlier this week by the Ministry of Defense in Belgium when its email servers went down.

Log4j vulnerabilities present a severe and ongoing threat to organizations and governments around the world, said CISA Director Jen Easterly. We implore all entities to take immediate action to implement the latest mitigation guidance to protect their networks. CISA is working shoulder-to-shoulder with our interagency, private sector, and international partners to understand the severe risks associated with Log4j vulnerabilities and provide actionable information for all organizations to promptly implement appropriate mitigations.

FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran, urged any organization impacted by the Log4j vulnerability to apply all the mitigations recommended by CISA and visit fbi.gov/log4j to report details of any suspected compromises.

CISAhas created a dedicatedLog4j webpageto offer an authoritative, up-to-date resource withmitigation guidance andresources for network defenders, as well as a community-sourcedGitHubrepositoryof affected devices and services.Organizational leaders should also review the blog post by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre: Log4j vulnerability: what should boards be asking?, for information on Log4Shells possible impact on their organization as well as response recommendations.

CISA today also notified the industry in a tweet about #HackDHS, Homeland Securitys expanded bug bounty program to find and patch Log4j-related vulnerabilities in DHS systems. CISA Director Jen Easterly said the hacker community plays a strong role in keeping the government safe, and looks forward to working more closely.

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CISA, FBI and NSA issue joint advisory on Log4j with international security agencies - SC Magazine

THE National Sheep Association (NSA) has expressed its grave disappointment at the new trade deal between the UK and Australia.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: NSA is disappointed that this deal has been pushed through and now signed without any resolution on how TRQs could be managed in a way to limit potential damage to the UKs own domestic trade.

NSA warned of the need for thorough scrutiny of its terms and also called for the use of a licensing procedure to manage seasonality disruption and the use of a whole carcase weight co-efficient to help manage high volumes of single and boned out cuts.

We have no confidence that this licensing procedure has been or is now being considered. We are told the deal still has to be scrutinised by Parliament and TAC, but from recent experiences we can be sure this will be a formality rather than an opportunity for positive amendments to be made.

The deal will see the Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) for lamb more than triple immediately from roughly 8,000 tonnes annually to 25,000, and then grow over ten years to 125,000 tonnes - at current consumption rates that is equivalent to more than 40% of the UKs total sheepmeat needs.

Mr Stocker adds: NSA warned from day one that the UK sheep sector could end up being the sacrificial lamb for the benefit of other industries in a trade deal with Australia, and indeed New Zealand.

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NSA angered by trade deal that threatens UK sheep sector | News and Star - News & Star

The Allahabad High Court recently quashed a detention order passed against a murder accused by exercising powers under the National Security Act, 1980 as it observed that if a person is in custody and there is no imminent possibility of his being released, the power of preventive detention should not be exercised.

The Bench of Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi with the habeas corpus plea of one Abhay Raj Gupta, who is presently in custody in Central Jail, Bareilly, filed through his mother, challenging his detention order dated January 23, 2021.

Case brief

Essentially, on account of a single incident of Murder that took place on December 2, 2019, three FIRs were lodged against the petitioner under various sections of IPC [including 302 and 307 and Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986].

Allegedly, one Rakesh Yadav was killed in pursuance of the conspiracy hatched by the petitioner, and later on, when the police apprehended him to arrest him for the aforesaid incident which occurred on December 2, 2019, he fired at the Police personnel with the intention to kill.

In view of the act attributed to him, a detention order was passed against him by invoking powers under the NSA, 1980, wherein it was stated that because of the offence of gruesome murder done by the petitioner's accomplices under a conspiracy hatched by him, people got afraid and panicked and the public order was disturbed.

Court's observations

At the outset, persuing the detention order passed against the petitioner, the Court noted that in the detention order, there was a bald averment that in case the petitioner comes out on bail, he may again indulge in crime. However, the Court added thus:

The Court also opined that the act allegedly committed by the petitioner did not cause a disturbance of public order as it did not disturb the society to the extent of causing a general disturbance of public tranquility.

Further, the Court also noted that the incident occurred on December 2, 2019, i.e., about 14 months prior to the passing of the detention order, and thus, the Court observed thus:

Importantly, the Court referred to several significant rulings of the Apex Court to conclude that there was no imminent possibility of him being released from custody and thus, the passing of the NSA detention order was unwarranted.

Lastly, the Court concluded that the satisfaction which is necessary to detain the petitioner for the purpose of preventing him from acting in a manner prejudicial to the maintenance of public order is thus, the basis of the order under section 3 (2) of the NSA, 1980 and this basis is clearly absent in the instant case.

Therefore, the Court held that the detention order dated 23-01-2021 is unsustainable in law on this ground also. Therefore, the Writ Petition was allowed and the impugned order dated 23-01-2021 passed by the District Magistrate, Shahjahanpur ordering the detention of the petitioner Abhay Raj Gupta under Section 3 (3) of the NSA, 1980 was quashed.

The Respondents were commanded to release the petitioner from detention under the aforesaid order dated 23-01-2021 forthwith.

Case title - Abhayraj Gupta v. Superintendent, Central Jail, Bareilly

Click Here To Read/Download Judgment

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Preventive Detention Powers Shouldnt Be Exercised Sans Possibility Of Person Being Released From Custody: ... - Live Law

In a year still largely defined by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NSAproved once againthat no matter the global climate, the mission continues. So as we prepare to usher in 2022, it is critical to look back on the many accomplishments of our workforce during the past year.

NSA Welcomed Two New DirectorsArguably, among the most significant news shared this year was the new leaders of both our Cybersecurity and Research directorates.

Rob Joyce, a longtime member of the NSA family,took the reins of the Cybersecurity Directorate(CSD) shortly after Anne Neuberger joined the Biden Administration as Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology. He has worked at NSA since 1989, holding various leadership positions within both focus areas of NSA: the Cybersecurity and Signals Intelligence missions, and most recently serving as NSA special U.S. liaison officer in London.

The Research Directorate was pleased towelcome Gilbert Gil Herrera as their new directorin early September, after nearly 40 years at Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia). Having previously served as Director of Laboratory for Physical Sciences 2015-2018, Mr. Herrera is a recognized leader within the Department of Defense and is well positioned to lead the Directorate in world-class scientific research.

NSA Celebrated the Power of Partnerships

GCHQCelebrating a 75-year alliance, thepartnership between NSA and GCHQpredates even the formal founding of our organizations, and has served as a remarkable example of the strong bond between our nations. The relationship defines how we share communication, translation, analysis, and code breaking information, and has helped protect our countries and allies for decades.

Showcasing a key component of the partnership, theannual Cyber Management Review, now in its fourth year, is a collaborative forum between the leadership of the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command, U.K. Strategic Command, and the U.K. Government Communications Headquarters. Supported by ongoing interactions across multiple levels of the organizations, it provides guidance for future military and intelligence efforts in the cyber domain.

NCFBuilding on their longstanding relationship, NSA announced anew partnership with the National Cryptologic Foundation(NCF), reaffirming their mutual commitment to building a pipeline of the next generation of cryptography and cybersecurity experts.

Research InitiativesFor the 8thconsecutive year, NSA hosted theHot Topics on Science of Security conference, or HotSOS. This year welcoming a record 1,200 individuals registering to discuss the nexus of research and cybersecurity, participants represented a mix of government, academia, and industry from 36 countries. The three-day virtual event featured keynote presentations, student presentations, and robust discussions of works-in-progress.

This year also hallmarked the National Security Agencys Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS)launch of the LPS Qubit Collaboratory(LQC), a Quantum Information Science research center in support of the U.S. National Quantum Initiative. The LQC offers a mechanism for collaborative research between LPS and academia, industry, FFRDCs, and Government Laboratories.

NSA Demonstrates Holistic Commitment to a Better Work EnvironmentIn July, CAREERS & the disABLED magazine selected the National Security Agency as the2021 Public-Sector Employer of the Year, a testament to the Agencys continued commitment to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering a fair and equitable work environment.

By constantly developing new ways to improve its recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of individuals with disabilities, the Agency established an initiative known as the Big Six to enhance the progress of building an exceptional workforce and culture. It focuses on: implementing fair personnel practices across the Agency; senior leader accountability; accessibility of facilities and usability of services; recruiting and hiring a diverse workforce; onboarding and mentoring; and developing a pipeline of diverse senior candidates.

NSA was further recognized during theDepartment of Defense (DoD) 41st Annual Disability AwardsCeremony in October. The virtual event honored the NSA as Best Intelligence Component and an Agency affiliate as a DoD 2021 Annual Disability Awards Outstanding Employee.

Proving that their commitment to fostering a better workplace is recognized as a holistic effort,NSAs Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings, reforestation efforts, improvements to storm water infrastructure, and reclaimed water initiatives are just a few of the agencys growing list of environmental efforts towards ensuring a greener workplace.

No matter what 2022 brings, the NSA will continue to rise to the occasion, meeting the needs of the Nation while showing out commitment to biggest asset, our people.

Read more at NSA

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NSA 2021 Year in Review - HS Today - HSToday

Forged in the middle of the 20th century this Anglo alliance seeks to protect its place in the world in the 21st century.

Forged in the midst of World War II and shrouded in secrecy for decades, the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance has been one of the world's most successful networks, which encompasses the Anglosphere countries of the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

United by their close ethnic, cultural, political, strategic, and material bonds, the Five Eyes turned 75 this year. While trust amongst spies is a rare commodity, this alliance has stood the test of time.

It was only during the 1990s that the existence of the spying alliance was acknowledged, and even then, politicians have been wary of speaking about the alliance in part because few, if any, are briefed on it.

Yet, for an organisation that eschewed the spotlight, it has in recent years opted for a more public profile in part positioning itself as an opponent of China.

Most recently, the Five Eyes issued a rare statement condemning China over the elections held in Hong Kong.

The statement was branded as "malicious" by the Chinese state-aligned outlet The Global Times and pointedly accused the spying network of seeking to foment instability in China.

Before that, the Five Eyes have moved in concert to banHuawei's 5G network from being installed in their respective countries, with Canada the only holdout expected to follow suit shortly.

The Five Eyes have also thrown their weight behind a statement on China's treatment of its Uighur population in Xinjiang province.

Taken together, these actions are increasingly shaping the trajectory of the alliance as it seeks to ensure the predominance of the Anglo system.

So what are the Five Eyes?

The origins of the agreement traces back to Bletchley Park, an English country house that became the principal center of Allied attempts to engage in code-breaking during the World War II.

British and American collaboration there set the stage for further collaboration as the spectre of the Soviet Union weighed heavily in the imaginations of the two countries.

In 1956, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia were invited to join the alliance.

At its core, the Five Eyes exists to collect and disseminate intelligence with the proviso that the countries don't spy on each other and that there is a degree of coordination amongst their foreign policies.

Out of the shadows?

When Edward Snowden, a former intelligence officer working for the National Security Agency (NSA) in the US, revealed a treasure trove of damaging information on the alliance, the Five Eyes were also spying on Western leaders like former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The revelations caused a massive scandal at the time and underlined what some believed - that the Five Eyes don't just monitor adversaries but also those that it considers allies. But the revelations also changed how the Five Eyes operated.

In a bid to shape the narrative, the Five Eyes now reports its annual meetings and posts joint communiques.

Who covers what?

Each member is in charge of a geographic region which it monitors, although there are significant overlaps.

Britain monitors Europe, Western Russia, Middle East, and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the United States also oversees the Middle East plus China, Russia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Australia is responsible for South and East Asia and New Zealand for the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Canada monitors the interior of Russia and China, and parts of Latin America.

Can other countries join?

Since 2018 the US has started to share some intelligence with what it calls "like-minded partners" to build an alliance against China, including Germany and Japan.

Every-few years the idea of bringing more countries into the exclusive intelligence sharing club has been floated. Japan, Germany, and even France have been floated, however, given the cultural, ethnic, and political underpinnings of the Five Eyes, that chemistry is more likely to be diluted rather than strengthened.

Source: TRT World

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Five Eyes: The intelligence alliance looking to contain China - TRT World

ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP):National Security Advisor (NSA), Dr Moeed Yusuf on Monday said that successful holding of Extra-ordinary session of the OIC in Pakistan has opened ways of humanitarian assistance for Afghan people.

Talking to a private television channel, he said, a huge amount is required forstability in Afghanistan. The credit went to Pakistan for conducting Extra-ordinary session of OIC on Afghanistan, he said.

Saudi Arabia, he said has announced a handsome financial assistance for Afghanistan. In the next few days, the banking system would start functioning in the Afghan region, he stated.

Replying to a question, he said Pakistan would have great benefit if Afghanistan comes out of difficult situation. To a question about funding for Afghanistan, he said Afghan people would receive the assistance through a trust fund.

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Successful holding of OIC conference in Pakistan open ways of humanitarian assistance for Afghan people: NSA - Associated Press of Pakistan

Restraining the Illegal Circulation of FirearmsBy Mukhtar Yau Madobi

Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs), occasioned by illegal and porous national borders and booming business of gun-running, are the main factors fueling Nigerias security challenges, giving rise to criminal activities across the country.The proliferation of SALWs is a global phenomenon arising from conflicts across the globe. According to a study conducted by the Geneva Based Small Arms Survey, it is estimated that more than 857 million SALWs are currently in circulation aside from twelve billion rounds of ammunition produced annually. Of these, ten million SALWs are estimated to be in Africa with one million of these in Nigeria.This is connected with previous and on-going conflicts in West and North African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote dIvoire, Chad, Niger, Mali and Libya. Proliferation of SALWs aid non-state actors including Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, bandits, militants etc. while undermining state monopoly of instruments of coercion. The threats posed by proliferation of SALWs are of such magnitude that a security strategy which contemplates the monitoring of their flow and use is required.Another report by SBM Intelligence noted that about 6, 145, 000 SALWs are illegally circulating among civilian non-state actors and criminals in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the countrys security institutions have a paltry 586, 600 firearms in their possession. Indeed, the proliferation of arms across borders along with human trafficking and drug trafficking especially in the Sahel region ranks high on the chart of criminal activities constituting threats to national and regional stability in Africa.Experts had identified a lack of effective legislation and enforcement mechanisms as a major reason SALW proliferation has a significant impact on crisis both within and across many national borders.In order to stem the rising tide of illegal weapons circulation, the federal government has established the National Centre for the Control of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). The center was domiciled under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Babagana Monguno with retired Major General AM Dikko as the Pioneer Coordinator. The National Security Adviser said the center will operate in similar way to the counter-terrorism centre and the cybersecurity centre, both of which are domiciled under his office.The NCCSALW was established to replace the defunct Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons and is expected to serve as the institutional mechanism for policy guidance, research, and monitoring of all aspects of SALWs in Nigeria. Obviously, the federal government believes that the transition from PRESCOM to NCCSALW would provide a more effective coordination and monitoring of progress as regards the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. When fully operational, the NCCSALW would have six regional offices that will work closely with security and intelligence agencies on prevention and control of proliferated arms, as well as tracking weapons in the hands of non-state actors.Among several functions, the National Centre will be responsible for controlling the proliferation of SALWs in Nigeria, implementing strategies, plans and policies for the eradication of SALWs, as well as supervise the implementation of same by relevant government bodies. It will also create and maintain a small arms and light weapons register and a national database; receive reports on firearms registration from the Nigeria Police and update the database with such information.In addition, it will also register, store and destroy firearms and ammunition possessed illegally by security agencies, criminals and other non-state actors, maintain a database of registered firearms dealers in Nigeria among others. Furthermore, the centre will be responsible for updating and transmitting the national database to the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In its relations with these inter-governmental bodies, the National Centre will identify legitimate national defence and security needs and obtain the required exemptions from certain international protocols, in order to meet up these needs. The National Centre is also empowered to carry out public education and awareness at national, state and local levels, to involve Nigerians in the efforts to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.No doubt, the establishment of the NCCSALW is a move in the right direction, but to achieve maximum impact, it is expected to open up new regional and international cooperation and strengthen existing efforts.In 2001, UN countries adopted the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.In the instrument, member states agreed to, among others, improve national small arms regulations, strengthen stockpile management, ensure that weapons are properly and reliably marked, improve cooperation in weapons tracing and engage in regional and international cooperation and assistance.According to the UN, one of the most important components in the fight against SALWs proliferation is weapons tracing. Hopefully, when the center discharges its mandate fully, it will undoubtedly lead to drastic reduction in national, sub-regional and regional illegal possession of SALWs which in turn, will be very crucial in mitigating the rising level of armed violence.The NSA has recently declared that the government is making preparation to constitute a security outfit responsible for safeguarding the nations porous borders. The move is very apt because it will curb transnational organized crimes thereby reducing the level of security challenges currently facing the country.Mukhtar wrote from Kano via; [emailprotected]

Spent 88 days from May 30, 2021 - August 26, 2021

Report By: PRNigeria.com

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Restraining the Illegal Circulation of Firearms - PR Nigeria News

We f you have utilized Tinder for starters hour, youve probably observed several acronyms such as ONS, FWB, NSA, DTF, LTR. In todays article, We describe exactly what all of these acronyms indicate as well as how there is a single evening stand-on Tinder

Through the years, Ive encounter more than enough problems understand just what to look for when attempting to set-up a single nights stand with certainly one of my personal suits.

On Tinder, ONS merely suggests one-night stay. A single night stay is when two different people see having fun and spend the evening with each other regarding state that they wont discover each other once more then one passionate night, ergo the phrase: one nights stand.

Most ladies on Tinder will write no ONS maintain the eager canines from increasing. Unskilled boys on Tinder get as well starving and do not succeed through the beginning whenever nearing a match to arrange a ONS.

Another acronym that generally will get lumped along with ONS is actually FWB or company with positive. The main difference in both terminology would be that in a FWB connection, the two functions consent to discover both several time.

If you ask me, Ive dropped into FWB relationships without actually discussing it beforehand. FWB affairs often end up as STRs or short label connections.

Nowadays, all women create No FWB or ONS in their pages, thus next time the thing is those acronyms, youll know what they have been claiming no to.

The 3rd phrase try NSA, and its less frequent to see in users than FWB or ONS. NSA ways no chain attached. If a lady or man is seeking an NSA relationship, she or he is looking real satisfaction without the problems that are included with a serious commitment.

An NSA encounter could be a ONS or FWB partnership, according to the persons intention.

DTF may be the newest of Charleston escort reviews conditions Ive mentioned thus far and also the least attractive on the record. They represents down to f**k. Ill let you fill out the blanks since I have would my personal best to keep this web site as PG when I can.

Its likely that this is the last acronym which will land your any achievements with a lady, and you will probably not need victory with a woman who embraces this label.

The past acronym that will be on the other hand with the coin is actually LTR or long term partnership. You wont often see this phrase used by women, indeed, it might be very unusual observe this phrase in a womans Tinder profile.

As an alternative, theyll typically create it: looking for things long haul, something really serious, Interested in something real, looking for a bf (date), etcetera.

Before I plunge into my guidelines for you to discover a ONS on Tinder, lets go over the unspoken FWB regulations.

The principles for a family with benefits connection must be spoken but often go unspoken.

The overall no. 1 rule is actually neither party can love another.

As soon as one-party grows deeper thinking when it comes down to some other, the partnership will quickly go bad.

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We f you have utilized Tinder for starters hour, you've probably observed several acronyms such as ONS, FWB, NSA, DTF, LTR. In today's article, We...

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Link:
GAO: NSA Erred in Technical Evaluations of $10 Billion Cloud Contract - Nextgov

Within the last year, Congress and the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have issued a host of new rules that aim to improve healthcare cost transparency and encourage consumer engagement. In October 2020, the departments released final rules on the Transparency in Coverage requirements that apply to group health plans. Subsequently, in December 2020, Congress passed a variety of additional plan transparency requirements under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), some of which overlap with the departments' rules.

Many of these new requirements have already taken effect or will soon go into effect for the 2022 plan year. With the rollout of the No Surprises Act (NSA), new requirements for member ID cards and Advanced Explanation of Benefits (AEOB) communications have also been introduced.

Member ID Requirements

For plan years beginning January 2022 or later, NSA now requires that member ID cards (both electronic and print) include the following:

To summarize: An ID card (paper or electronic) must be provided to plan participants with any deductible and out-of-pocket maximums applicable to their plan, as well as a phone number and website where they can seek consumer assistance information.

Advanced EOB (AEOB) Requirements

NSA has also introduced a requirement for AEOBs (applicable to all services, in- and out-of-network, by providers and facilities). AEOBs must be provided whenever an appointment is made for services and also whenever requested by the member, even without an appointment.

For every scheduled service and upon member request, the payer must provide the member with an AEOB that includes:

To summarize: Providers must ask patients whether they are enrolled in a group health plan and, if so, provide an estimate of the expected charges to the patient's insurer. After receiving the estimate, plans must provide an advanced EOB to the plan participant that informs them whether the provider/facility is in-network, of what the plan will pay, and of any cost-sharing requirements.

How Your Vendor Can Help

Your ID card communications should be able to deliver NSA-ready cards on behalf your clients by designing templates to each payer's compliance specifications and the required fields as detailed above.

Using client-provided data, your partner should be able to work with payers to create NSA-ready templates for AEOBs (in both print and digital format), while supporting increased EOB/AEOB volume and distinguishing between pre-service estimates and claims for received care.

Moreover, your vendor should help you leverage AEOBs for strategic pre-service communication to members through:

In Conclusion

The No Surprises Act impacts all healthcare organizations, from large health plans and systems to small medical offices and individual providers. As such, leaders across the healthcare industry must directly understand the details of the legislation prior to implementation or have a trusted advisor with legislative expertise who can guide them to appropriate solutions.

From the patient-facing Advanced Explanation of Benefits through to adjudication, arbitration and settlement, alignment with the NSA requirements will require organizations to adapt internal capabilities, outsource solutions, or find some combination of the two. Companies may have to alter their infrastructure and processes to administer all aspects of the law.

And according to proprietary research, providing accurate Advanced Explanation of Benefits (AEOBs) to member-patients and meeting the tight post-service timeline in which providers and insurers must complete adjudication, remediation, and arbitration will be the most challenging areas for organizations to tackle, particularly for substantial claims.

For access to additional information, visit Zelis' No Surprises Act Information Hub.

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A guide to 2022 NSA and advanced EOB requirements - Healthcare IT News