International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection

SECURITAS SECURITY SPOTLIGHT   

Security in Cyberspace

Any company or individual connecting to the Internet is vulnerable to attack. Some cyberattackers search for and use any unprotected system as a staging point from which to launch a virus. Others look to steal proprietary information and use it for profit.

There are some fundamental ways to protect your network from such attacks.

First, use anti-virus software. Installing anti-virus software and updating it regularly are among the best defenses against cyberattacks.

How to Protect Yourself

Install a firewall. A firewall is a software program that examines information coming into and leaving the network and only allows
authorized traffic to go through. You decide what content is permitted and which should be blocked. Firewalls can also prevent unwanted access to your network.

Stay current. Keep up to date with software upgrades and security patches. Download fixes as soon as they are available. And always back up your data.

Be an educated user. You can follow some simple procedures to remarkably reduce the level of vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Look out for e-mail attachments. One method for spreading computer viruses is to hide them in attachments. Never open e-mails from anyone you don’t know. To be even safer, scan attachments with anti-virus software before opening them.

Log off. Shut down when you are done for the day. The system is most vulnerable when connected to the Internet.

Pay attention to passwords. Passwords are essential to maintaining network security and protecting personal and company information from prying eyes. Poor passwords are often the weakest link in Internet security; they provide an easy way for hackers to access your company’s network to unleash a virus or access sensitive material.

A Multi-Layered Defense

The best defense against Internet security threats is multi-layered. It involves the technical solutions and user techniques previously discussed. However, it also involves professional security officers providing access control —keeping unauthorized persons out of restricted areas like computer rooms, observing and reporting security breaches such as passwords in plain sight or unattended computers left logged on to the network, and monitoring and recording all computer equipment taken off-site.

Internet security is like a game of cat and mouse. Cyberattackers try to find new ways to breach networks and businesses employ better safeguards to stop them. Who’s winning at your site?

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVATORY ON ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN CULTURAL GOODS

Wishing to further contribute to the advancement of the fight against illicit traffic, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has launched a long-term and innovative instrument:
The International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods.
 
In response to the absence of centralised statistics and the lack of available valid information on illicit traffic in cultural goods, this Observatory is an ambitious international programme dedicated to permanent monitoring and reporting on the rising trend which the smuggling and illicit trading of cultural assets has become.

One of the aims of the Observatory is to provide a comprehensive database of resources to experts and non-professionals:

• Organisations and institutions involved (international organisations, NGOs, state administrations, law enforcement agencies, academics and private organisations)
• National and international legal and ethical instruments
• Practical tools, programmes and good practices
• News, case studies, publications, videos, information Websites and blogs
• Glossary and information sheets on the main good practices.

The project will be initially developed by ICOM over the course of three years, starting with the development of an information Website, and leading to the publication of a Global Report on illicit traffic, the first of its kind.

These innovative tools will represent a great contribution for the dissemination and enhancement of both knowledge and practices in the field, thus fostering public awareness-raising, as well as professional international and cross-sectorial cooperation.

During our initial researches in developing this project, we found resources, standards and/or tools that your organisation/institution conceived and/or implements, and that can be used and consulted for the analysis of the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural goods.

For the Observatory’s web platform, we intend to include a Webpage describing your organisation/institution’s work, as well as technical sheets for your respective resources, standards and/or tools.

The presentation page of your organisation/institution should include your logo, main public references (Website, contact person, address etc.), as well as a short description of your action(s) that help fighting illicit traffic in cultural goods in your country/region. Obviously we are only going to publish those contents for which you will give us permission.

In order to make sure that we will provide the most accurate information on our Website, we took the liberty to enclose an initial information form, as well as a presentation leaflet of the International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods and a list of all the official partners.

We would be grateful if you could fill out the enclosed information form and return it to obs-traffic@icom.museum

Traynom v.  Conemark USA Inc., No. 12-2514 (U.S. District Court for the Distric of Colorado Apr. 17, 2013)  - Source Security Law Newsletter

A federal trial court allowed movie patrons who were injured after a mass shooting at a theater to pursue wrongful death and personal injury claims based on premises liability when it was found that the gunman entered the theater through an unlocked side door.

The theater had off-duty police officers serving as security during weekend and evening shows.  A rear door in the theater was unlocked, unmonitored, and did not have an alarm to prevent re-entry.  The gunman left the theater to put on body armor, came back in, then left and re-entered again with an assault rifle, shotguns, several rounds of ammunition, and tear gas cannisters.   At no time was he approached by a theater employee.  Seventeen people were killed and many more injured.  Theater employees took no action to evacuate the theater after the shooting or to assist injured patrons.

The District Court held a genuine issue of fact existed as to whether the theater acted reasonably in protecting theater goers and in implementing a rapid safety and exit plan during an emergency.

At IFCPP's Annual Conference (August 3-7, 2013) in San Diego, CA, special sessions on protection during special events and protection in public venues will be presented.    Special event security philosophy has remained pretty much the same, until events such as the theater shooting, and the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  Additional measures and advanced tactics are called for.  Join the discussion group and hear the advice of seasoned professionals at IFCPP 2013!