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Homeland Security to Use Facebook, Twitter to Issue Terror Alerts

Homeland Security to Use Facebook, Twitter to Issue Terror Alerts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government’s new system to replace the five color-coded terror alerts will have two levels of warnings — elevated and imminent — that will be relayed to the public only under certain circumstances for limited periods of time, sometimes using Facebook and Twitter, according to a draft Homeland Security Department plan obtained by The Associated Press.
Read more on Skanner

WorldatWork’s Alliance for Work-Life Progress Announces 2011 Work-Life Innovative Excellence Award Recipients
Deloitte LLP, National Security Agency and Ryan LLC Recognized for Outstanding Work-Life Programs. The awards will be given at a ceremony to be held May 24 during the annual WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference and Exhibition (San Diego Convention Center). (PRWeb April 07, 2011) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/04/prweb5231194.htm
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West Mifflin Area security worker files discrimination complaint
An employee of a company that contracts security services to the West Mifflin Area School District has complained to the NAACP that he was singled out because of his race when two school board members allegedly asked his employer to provide them with copies of his clearance papers.
Read more on The Mckeesport Daily News

EVENT: Twitter CO-Founder: Freedom of Expression is a Human Right

EVENT: Twitter CO-Founder: Freedom of Expression is a Human Right
Twitter’s Biz Stone argued that freedom of expression is a human right in a post on the company’s blog Friday, coinciding with Egypt’s blackout of the Internet and cellphone service. “Our goal is to instantly connect people everywhere to what is most meaningful to them. For this to happen, freedom of expression is essential,” the company co-founder said in the post, titled The Tweets Must Flow…
Read more on All About Jazz

Twitter co-founder: Freedom of expression is a human right
Twitter’s Biz Stone argued that freedom of expression is a human right in a post on the company’s blog Friday, coinciding with Egypt’s blackout of the Internet and cellphone service. “Our goal is to instantly connect people everywhere to what is most meaningful to them. For this to happen, freedom of expression is essential,” Stone said in the post, titled The Tweets Must Flow. On Tuesday, the …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Twitter and National Security

The New York Times recently posed an interesting question:  “How many twittering politicians does it take to threaten national security?  The question was posed in response to Congressman Peter Hoekstra’s (R, MI) ongoing tweets about his delegation’s visit to Iraq.  Hoekstra tweeted arrival times and itineraries, details that were supposed to be kept secret:”Moved into green zone by helicopter Iraqi flag now over palace. Headed to new US embassy Appears calmer less chaotic than previous here”

 

The US government discourages employees from publicly disclosing information about overseas trips to unsafe destinations, but there is no official policy in place, according to Loren Dealy, press secretary for the Armed Services Committee.

Privacy and security issues have typically caused government institutions to restrict the use of Twitter and social media.  Nevertheless, social media usage by government employees is increasing.  Plus, it is used by individuals, businesses, politicians, activists, criminals and terrorists.  Because it is used universally, social media use has ramifications for US national security.

The US Army has already identified Twitter as a potential tool for terrorists.  A report by the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion says that:

Twitter is already in use by some…to post…extremist ideologies and perspectives
Terrorist use of Twitter could evolve over time to reflect tactics that are already in use…by activists
Terrorists could theoretically use Twitter…in the US as an operational tool

 

Despite recognizing Twitter and social media usage as a potential threat, the Department of Defense has yet to develop a comprehensive social media plan.  To that end, they have hired the National Defense University research team of Drapeau and Wells to study social media tools and outline a framework for their use.  Research professor Linton Wells says of the effort:

“We can’t ignore [social media] if other nations are using it, both friends and adversaries. If the government keeps not making use of these technologies, we’ll fall behind and be unaware of things that could affect us.”

Jack Holt, senior strategist for emerging media at the Department of Defense, agrees with Wells.  He says that failure to monitor international dialogue on social media sites is risky:

“Not being involved [with social media] is probably a greater risk than anything you may encounter from being involved…listening to public conversations and adjusting policies based on what is learned would prevent larger controversies and backlashes against the United States.”

The NDU research paper, entitled “Social Software and National Security: An Initial Net Assessment” divides government usage of social media into four categories:

Inward sharing (within departments)
Outward Sharing (with other government agencies)
Inbound sharing (input from the public sector)
Outbound sharing (with the public sector and other nations)

 

The study suggests that social software such as Twitter can, if utilized properly, yield the following advantages:

Improve the understanding of how others are using social sites
Unlock the self-organizing capabilities within government agencies
Promote collaboration with groups outside of government
Speed the decision-making process
Increase adaptability

 

In addition, incorporating social software into the day-to-day work routine will decrease the probability of the US being shocked by an event or outmaneuvered by a foe.  In all instances, the deployment of social software in the US government information stream will increase the government’s ability to deal with complex new challenges.

 

 

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Article from articlesbase.com

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