Archive for the ‘NSA’ Category

Food must be at the centre of environmental policy decisions NSA – Meat Management

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

NSA Scottish Region, the Scottish branch of the National Sheep Association (NSA), has welcomed the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill; but stressed that policymakers must keep the priorities of food and farming sectors at the heart of decision-making.

The trade body also approved of the Scottish Governments approach to enabling low carbon, efficient, productive, resilient farming businesses but hoped that, as the detail of the bill becomes clearer, it is not the case that policymakers have been blinded by low carbon only.

The NSA added that it hopes Government will recognise that food production will never be emission-free.

Grace Reid, NSA Scottish Region coordinator, said: NSA Scottish Region is keen to see a farm approach that recognises that agricultural businesses plan years ahead. The direction of policy and future support schemes need to be transparent, so sheep farmers know what is coming in the long-term and feel appreciated for the critical work they carry out on a daily basis.

Businesses have had to operate in the dark while we wait for this bill and we need transparency and a clear sense of direction as we proceed from here.

We have a duty to protect the positive practices in which our flocks already deliver for the wider environment and, therefore, society as a whole. Keeping food and farming at the centre of all future policy decisions is imperative, ensuring the environment is prioritised through farming rather than replacing it.

Reid said: Our future generations will look back at this opportunity to change legislation and it is vital we do not compromise their ability to deliver sustainable food production, enhance the resilience of farming practices and meet environmental and climate change goals.

A key priority for NSA Scottish Region when considering the newly published bill is that all implemented powers and policy are fair, simplistic, easy to understand and have a practical approach.

Reid continued: Following the two Scottish Government consultations, which NSA Scottish Region responded to in full, we will now begin to look in detail at what is included within this bill and engage with our sheep farming members on its content.

I urge all members to take part in the next phase of public participation, which has promised to provide a way to help design and develop the new framework included within the Agricultural Reform Programme. Topics such as changes to the 2025 Basic Payment Scheme, Whole Farm Plan, regions and measures are to be covered.

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Food must be at the centre of environmental policy decisions NSA - Meat Management

NSA to stand up AI security center – Defense One

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NSA to stand up AI security center - Defense One

NSA, FBI, CISA, and Japanese Partners Release Advisory on PRC … – CISA

Today, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the Japan National Police Agency (NPA) and the Japan National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) released joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) People's Republic of China-Linked Cyber Actors Hide in Router Firmware. The CSA details activity by cyber actors, known as BlackTech, linked to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The advisory provides BlackTech tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and urges multinational corporations to review all subsidiary connections, verify access, and consider implementing zero trustmodels to limit the extent of a potential BlackTech compromise.

BlackTech has demonstrated capabilities in modifying router firmware without detection and exploiting routers domain-trust relationships to pivot from international subsidiaries to headquarters in Japan and the United States, which are the primary targets.

CISA strongly recommends organizations review the advisory and implement the detection and mitigation techniques described to protect devices and networks. For additional guidance, see Peoples Republic of China State-Sponsored Cyber Actors Exploit Network Providers and Devicesand visit CISAs China Cyber Threat Overview and Advisoriespage.

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NSA, FBI, CISA, and Japanese Partners Release Advisory on PRC ... - CISA

President Obama’s NSA-Modified Cell Phones on Display at the … – National Security Agency

When an NSA employee approached National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) Director Vince Houghton asking if he wanted the Obama phones, he didnt hesitate to acquire the cryptologic gems for display at the museum.

The Obama phones are specially modified Motorola A840 models personally used by President Barack Obama during his time in office. The new exhibit, which opened in August this year, includes three of these cell phones in addition to four blackberry devices also used by President Obama, several with the presidential seal.

We had generic phones like these on display, but these are the ones that belonged to the former president, said Deana Bowles, NCMs curator. When people saw Obama using a phone on television, the internet, social media, or wherever, these are the ones he was using.

Following Obamas term, NSA removed security modifications and classified data the phones contained from his presidency. Before the exhibit opening, NCM received approval from NSA and the White House Communications Agency to place the phones on display.

This display shows people that changes in technology force us to do things differently and get used to new things, even the President of the United States, Bowles said. When Obama became President, he insisted on using his blackberry like when he was a senator, but the device would not accept the necessary security modifications. He had to learn these flip phones.

For 30 years, people from across the Nation have come to witness the museums unique displays. According to Houghton, part of the NCMs mission is to be one-of-a-kind. Since its founding in 1993, the NCM remains the Intelligence Communitys only completely public museum.

The NCM also displays artifacts that cant be seen anywhere else, including original World War II German enigma machines for visitors to encrypt and decrypt messages, the last existing U.S. Navy Cryptanalytic Bombe, and Johannes Trithemius early 16th century Polygraphiae the first-ever printed book on cryptology.

While artifacts like these help to make the NCM unique, Houghton envisions a museum that constantly changes, with new, genuine artifacts tied to moments in history so visitors can experience something new every time they enter the museum. I want to be able to say This is the first code talker message ever transmitted during World War I, he said. "I want to point to the original Japanese naval message intercepted at Station Hypo in 1942 and proved we had broken the Japanese naval code JN-25. The NCM already owns artifacts with ties to people throughout history, including Hitlers personal enigma machine, General Joseph Hookers Union Code Book from the Civil War, Love letters with unique encryptions exchanged between U.S. soldiers and their wives and sweethearts during World War II, and much more. To bring his vision of the future of the museum to life, Houghton has a list of desired artifacts on the wall by his desk. It includes 25 cryptologic devices, machines, and correspondence that he wants to replace in the NCMs inventory. He's scratched one item off the list so far: the Obama phones.

Houghton hopes others from NSA contact him to offer items for museum display. Many may not consider sending items to the public museum because of classification restrictions, but Houghton explained that NCM has an offsite classified storage space to hold items during the declassification process.

The museum also has a massive storage space for new artifacts to be held safely. According to Houghton, the staff finds more and more each day.

"We still don't know everything we have," he said. "Eventually, they could become part of temporary exhibits for visitors to experience. "By late fall this year, well have three to four areas designated for temporary exhibits, Houghton added. Well be ready for years to come.

For more information about the NCM, including hours of operation,visit nsa.gov/museum.

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President Obama's NSA-Modified Cell Phones on Display at the ... - National Security Agency

Striving for Excellence: Silvino’s Path to an NSA Career – National Security Agency

FORT MEADE, Md. - This National Hispanic Heritage Month, were proud to bring you the Mucho Gusto! or Nice to meet you! series of weekly interviews featuring members of NSAs Hispanic and Latino (HLAT) Employee Resource Group (ERG). Our interviewees embrace what we share in common and celebrate what makes us unique, in keeping with the years theme, Todos Somos. Somos Uno: We are all. We are One. This week, wed like to introduce you to ERG member Silvino Gonzalez. Where are you originally from and what would you like to share about your upbringing? I was born in Brownsville, TX. Its the southernmost city in Texas and borders the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas State, Mexico. I feel it is important to mention both sides of the border when Im asked where I am from. Borders across the world are always different, a mixture of cultures and continuous movement. The region, its culture, and its people shaped my upbringing and my story. I am one of four siblings, two older sisters and a younger brother. As a first-generation American born in an immigrant family, I am a product of loving parents who encouraged their children to be the best they could be, to keep moving despite your fears, and overall to be a decent human.

What does this years NHHM theme Todos Somos. Somos Uno: We are all. We are One mean to you? It means unity. We often get caught up in a rat race and fail to realize that we are stronger together. The sentiment of Todos Somos Uno can apply to our ethnic group, family, community, and work teams. Individual efforts are necessary and important, but when we hold hands and break glass ceilings together, thats when our presence is truly felt and is undeniable.

How has your ethnic heritage shaped the person you are today, personally or professionally? My mother came to the border with her family from the state of Zacatecas and my father from the state of Guadalajara. Blue collar, hardworking people searching a better life. Not only did they survive, they found each other, and despite a lack of formal education, they inspired their kids to reach for more. Their legacy for my siblings and me is the immigrant mindset: to work hard and achieve. I continue to seek and try to build a sense of family around me. It is my experience that most people appreciate encouragement and the type of support that we get from our kin.

How did you come to work for the Agency and what part of your job do you love the most? I worked NSA missions throughout my military career. I joined the military at 18 years old and stayed in uniform for 21 years. The transition to NSA as a civilian was my goal and a natural progression. There are a few things that I love about being part of NSA. First, continuing to serve a greater causethe defense of our Nation. Second, I get to work with young military folks who remind me of me, and I get a chance to share my experience with them. Last, but not least, I get to work with super smart people who want to change the world. What could be better?

If I handed you a magic wand, what would be your ideal workplace in terms of diversity, equality and inclusion? What does that look like for NSA as a whole? I would establish full time, permanent positions for each Employee Resource Group. These groups, managed by volunteers, serve a great purpose, support DEIA, and would be even more effective in doing so with more support.

What advice would you have for aspiring NSA employees? I would encourage folks to explore their interests, to give people and organizations a chance, to take advantage of having a pool of talented people as teammates and seek mentorship so they can grow personally and professionally. Everyone needs encouragement and direction occasionally, and NSAs mentorship program is a good place to start.

Extra question: If you could pick one word to represent what NHHM means to you, what would it be? Representation as the HLAT community continues to grow, we have to continue to prepare and encourage ourselves to seek positions in places where we are not represented today. Our experiences are unique, and the right representation in the right places will ensure better chances for future and current HLAT employees.

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Striving for Excellence: Silvino's Path to an NSA Career - National Security Agency