Reposted from CISA/DHS

Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the release of two new resources, the Active Assailant Emergency Action Plan Template and Instructional Guide. These resources provide organizations and venue operators with tangible guidance to assist users with developing a comprehensive and implementable emergency action plan (EAP).  In addition to providing a fillable and tailorable EAP template, along with a companion instructional guide, these new products also introduce numerous other applicable resources conveniently organized to align with each section of an EAP. These new products are intended for security planners of facilities and venues of all sizes.  

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Reposted from MPMA

Mark your calendar for the next MPMA Webinar.

February 12 @ 2 p.m. CDT / 1 p.m. MDT

Title: "Fire Preparedness and Response for Museums"

As illustrated by the massive destruction of the Marshall Fire (2021) in Colorado, the Lahaina Fire (2023) in Maui, and most recently the numerous fires in LA, wildfires fueled by drought and straight-line winds are becoming an increasing concern for our communities and our cultural institutions, particularly in our Mountain Plains region. Join Christina Cain, Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums Emergency Preparedness Chair, Colorado Cultural and Historic Resources Task Force Co-Chair, and Emergency Programs Manager for the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation for a presentation on building capacity in our museums for fire preparedness, response, and recovery. We'll discuss techniques for identifying and mitigating fire risk, important considerations for salvage and recovery, and lessons learned from the field.

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Reposted from ASIS

IFCPP is very proud to share that Anders Noyes, longtime IFCPP instructor and advisor, has recently been appointed to the ASIS International Global Board of Directors…

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Reposted from Art Sentry

Museums have long been heralded as spaces for education, inspiration, and connection. For many individuals, however, these institutions have historically been challenging to navigate due to physical, sensory, or cognitive differences creating barriers. Today, museums are embracing innovative approaches to ensure that every visitor can fully engage with their offerings, regardless of ability. Here’s how some museums are leading the way in accessibility.

Tactile Experiences for the Visually Impaired

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Elizabeth Morse Touch Gallery provides a unique way for visually impaired guests to experience art. This exhibit invites visitors to explore through touch, featuring 3D replicas of sculptures. Accompanied by braille labels and audio descriptions, the gallery ensures that visually impaired visitors can connect with art in a meaningful and engaging way.

Technology Enhancing Access

The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has integrated technology to support accessibility to all. Their mobile app provides audio tours, captioned videos, and even an augmented reality (AR) experience for visitors with varying needs. In addition to technology-based aids, the museum offers braille maps for visitors with low vision. These tools empower visitors to customize their experience, breaking down traditional barriers and making exhibits more interactive and inclusive.

Sensory-Friendly Programming

Recognizing the challenges individuals face with sensory processing issues, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York offers sensory-friendly hours. During these times, the museum dims lights, reduces noise levels, and provides quiet spaces, creating a more welcoming environment for visitors who benefit from a calmer atmosphere. In addition to these sessions, visitors can download a map of sensory-friendly areas from the Moma website. These programs ensure that neurodivergent individuals and their families can enjoy the museum without feeling overwhelmed.

Physical Accessibility Initiatives

The Getty Center in Los Angeles has thoughtfully integrated accessibility into every facet of its design. Its tram system, which transports visitors from the parking lot to the main entrance, is fully wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the museum offers complimentary assistive devices such as mobility scooters and provides detailed accessibility guides for visitors. The Getty also offers audio tours with visual descriptions for those with limited sight and complimentary listening devices for guests with hearing difficulty. These efforts ensure that all visitors can navigate the museum comfortably, regardless of mobility challenges.

Inclusive Educational Opportunities

The British Museum in London has developed programs for visitors with cognitive impairments. Their “Hands-On” sessions offer interactive learning experiences with artifacts, supported by trained educators who adapt the program to suit the needs of diverse participants. This initiative promotes deeper engagement and fosters a sense of belonging, ensuring all visitors feel valued and included.

Collaborations with Advocacy Groups

To ensure accessibility initiatives meet real needs, many museums collaborate with advocacy organizations. The Denver Art Museum worked closely with the Autism Society of Colorado to design their “Low-Sensory Mornings,” ensuring a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for autistic visitors and their families. These partnerships help museums understand and address the specific needs of their diverse audiences while engaging their communities.

Building an Inclusive Future

Accessibility is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment. By leveraging technology, fostering partnerships, and rethinking traditional museum practices, these institutions are setting a powerful example for inclusivity. Museums that prioritize accessibility not only enrich the experiences of their visitors but also affirm their role as truly public spaces for all.

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Reposted from BOSCH

Experience unparalleled security with Automated Night Watch - a video solution that automatically detects and deters unauthorized persons or vehicles. Its multi-imager technology detects motion, alerts a pan, tilt, zoom camera, and activates a white light illuminator to deter intruders. Immediate audio intervention with recorded or live messages played through a nearby loudspeaker may deter unauthorized individuals before the authorities need to be alerted.

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Reposted from CISA

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published a Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG) Adoption Report that provides key findings from analysis conducted on CPGs implemented from October 27, 2022 through August 31, 2024. In October 2022, CISA released the Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) to help organizations of all sizes and at all levels of cyber maturity become more confident in their cybersecurity posture and reduce business risk. This analysis focused on six CPGs and is based on vulnerability exposure across 7,791 critical infrastructure organizations enrolled in CISA’s Vulnerability Scanning service. Key findings include that the adoption of CPGs led to reduced access to exploitable internet services, quicker resolution of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) vulnerabilities, and quicker remediation of critical and high severity exploited vulnerabilities. The findings reflect that CPG adoption across critical infrastructure sectors is having a moderate impact. While these trends are progress in the right direction, CISA acknowledges that there is room for improvement. As CISA continues to evolve CPG guidance, CPG adoption analytics will be more granular and apparent. Over time, advancement will allow CISA to infer adoption of more CPGs. CISA continues to encourage organizations to enroll in cyber hygiene services and implement the CPGs.

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Reposted from FEMA/HENTF/SCRI

The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI) and the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) are excited to announce a new training opportunity aimed to help cultural heritage professionals and emergency management professionals who work with cultural collections in tribal nations. Heritage Emergency and Response Training (HEART) for Native Communities builds on the existing HEART curriculum and blends the expertise of SCRI, and its home unit the Museum Conservation Institute, with the knowledge and experience of our NMAI colleagues. Training will focus on emergency preparedness and response for cultural institutions, specifically Native museums, communities, and heritage. The training will take place April 7-11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. All information about the program, including application instructions, can be found here: https://culturalrescue.si.edu/heritage-emergency-and-response-training-heart-native-communities. Applications are due by February 5, 11:59 p.m.

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC), released the JCDC AI Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook, a key resource to guide voluntary information sharing across the Artificial Intelligence (AI) community. Designed for AI providers, developers, and adopters, the playbook addresses emerging threats to AI-enabled systems and critical infrastructure. It outlines processes for sharing information about incidents and vulnerabilities, explains CISA’s actions in response, and fosters collaboration among government, industry, and international partners. Developed with input from 150 experts during tabletop exercises hosted by Microsoft and Scale AI, the playbook is intended to facilitate operational collaboration among government, industry, and international partners. It will be regularly updated to stay aligned with the evolving threat landscape as AI adoption grows.

We encourage you to explore this valuable resource and join us in strengthening collective defenses.

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation released revised Product Security Bad Practices, a guide with practices that are deemed especially risky, particularly for software manufacturers who produce software used in service of critical infrastructure or national critical functions (NCFs). This joint guide does not include every possible inadvisable cybersecurity practice, nor does it impose any implementation requirement. This revised joint guide includes feedback from public comment period in late 2024. The updates include new bad practices, additional context, and clarifications such patching for Known Exploited Vulnerabilities and software manufactures support phishing-resistant multifactor authentication. 

The bad practices in this guide are divided into three categories and focused based on threat landscape. The categories are:  

·       Product properties listed describe observable, security-related qualities of a software product. 

·       Security features listed describe the security functionalities that a product supports.  

·       Organizational processes and policies listed describe the actions taken by a software manufacturer to ensure strong transparency in its approach to security. 

 

Software products and services that manufacturers should consider when applying this joint guide include on-premises software, cloud services, and software as a service. The lack of inclusion of any particular cybersecurity practice does not indicate that CISA endorses such a practice or deems such a practice to present acceptable levels of risk. Manufacturers who develop software products and services used in support of critical infrastructure or NCFs are strongly encouraged to review and implement recommended actions.  

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Reposted from MAAM

2025 Building Museums Symposium March 5-7, 2025

Registration Is Open

Early-bird rates for conference registration begin now through February 2, 2025. Register today to get these reduced conference rates!

Building Museums™ is a national symposium on the process, promise, and pitfalls of planning and managing museum building projects.

This symposium is for architects, museum leaders, planners, project managers, technical experts, and all professionals who plan or implement new construction, renovation, preservation, or expansion projects for museums. American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education credits are available at this conference. Engaging sessions and speakers, pre-conference tours, receptions, and the highly acclaimed Ready, Aim, Build Workshop- geared towards museum professionals curious about starting a building project- are all available to round out the experience.

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