Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report
28 February 2013
Top Stories

Maryland’s highest court overturned a ruling of over $1 billion dollars in punitive damages
to victims of a 2009 ExxonMobil oil spill in Baltimore County due to lack of evidence. –
Baltimore Sun (See item 2 )

A Montreal-based company allegedly opened lines of credit with businesses across 40
States and defrauded them of nearly $10 million after ordering and receiving but not
paying for goods. – Montreal Gazette (See item 13)

Forensic engineers have identified the source and cause of an 18.3 million gallon waste
spill which occurred during Hurricane Sandy. – Virginian-Pilot (See item 20 )

A gunman remains at large after a dormitory shooting that left one student dead. – Reuters
(See item 27)

While on assignment to investigate claims of sexual assault, two police officers and the
suspect were killed in separate gunfire incidents. – Associated Press (See item 30)

A corrections officer was fatally stabbed by an inmate wielding a makeshift weapon,
marking the first death of an officer in five years. – Associated Press (See item 33)
Fast Jump Menu
PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES
• Energy
• Chemical
• Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste
• Critical Manufacturing
• Defense Industrial Base
• Dams
SUSTENANCE and HEALTH
• Agriculture and Food
• Water
• Public Health and Healthcare
SERVICE INDUSTRIES
• Banking and Finance
• Transportation
• Postal and Shipping
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Commercial Facilities
FEDERAL and STATE
• Government Facilities
• Emergency Services
• National Monuments and Icons
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Energy Sector
1. February 27, Associated Press – (West Virginia) W. Va. Cites 45 violations after 2
deaths at mine. After 2 deaths at Pocahontas Coal Co.’s Affinity Mine, West Virginia
inspectors cited the parent company, Tennessee-based United Coal Co., with 45 safety
and negligence violations. The company stated they will fully cooperate with
investigators regarding the citations.
Source: http://www.loganbanner.com/view/full_story/21827292/article-W-Va--cites45-violations-after-2-deaths-at-mine?instance=popular
2. February 26, Baltimore Sun – (Maryland) High court throws out $1B fraud verdict
in Exxon leak case. Over $1 billion dollars in punitive damages sought by victims of a
2009 incident in which 26,000 gallons of oil spilled from an underground gas leak in
Baltimore County was overturned by Maryland’s highest court in favor of ExxonMobil
Corp. for lack of evidence.
Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/northcounty/bs-md-co-exxon-rulings-20130226,0,3969613.story
3. February 26, KMBT 12 Beaumont – (Texas) 550 barrels of crude oil leaked into
Tyler County creeks. A punctured pipeline owned by Sunoco Logistics has been
patched after leaking close to 20,000 gallons of crude oil into Otter Creek in Tyler
County. Cleanup was underway as the company investigated the incident which leaked
into two additional waterways.
Source: http://www.12newsnow.com/story/21348456/550-barrels-of-crude-oil-leakinto-tyler-county-creeks
For another story, see item 15
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Chemical Industry Sector
See item 16
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Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector
4. February 27, Los Angeles Times – (California) Cost of San Onofre nuclear plant
outage exceeds $400 million. The yearlong San Onofre Nuclear Plant outage is costing
over $400 million and the plant operator is attempting to receive permission from the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate at 70 percent capacity. Before the outage,
which was implemented because of unusual wear on steam generator tubes which carry
radioactive water, the plant provided power to 1.4 million households in southern
California.
Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0227-san-onofre-
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20130227,0,6874254.story
5. February 27, Omaha World Herald – (Nebraska) List of fixes grows at Ft. Calhoun
Nuclear Station. After nearly two years offline, the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station is
attempting to show nuclear regulators that the station is safe to produce power while
facing additional safety checklist issues. The issues include testing structural
capabilities, concerns over the integrity of sealants on electrical cables inside pipes, and
effective emergency procedures to keep the reactor cool during a potential system
failure.
Source : http://www.omaha.com/article/20130226/NEWS/130229554
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Critical Manufacturing Sector
Nothing to report
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Defense Industrial Base Sector
6. February 27, Bloomberg News – (International) Japan retains confidence in F-35
fighter, defense chief says. Japan’s defense minister stated he was determined that the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will overcome ongoing development setbacks in time for a
scheduled initial delivery of four aircraft to Japan in 2016, shortly after the Pentagon
suspended all flights of the $396 billion F-35 program after a crack in an engine turbine
blade was found during an inspection.
Source: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-02-27/japan-retains-confidence-in-f35-fighter-defense-chief-says
7. February 25, Reuters - (National) Honeywell to test some F-35 parts after smoke
incident. The U.S. Department of Defense revealed that damaged parts from an F-35
test plane involved in February 14 incident that resulted in a smokey cockpit, were
being sent back to the manufacturer, Honeywell International Inc. for a detailed
inspection. Initial reports indicated that the incident was software-related and posed
minimal risk.
Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100492882
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Banking and Finance Sector
8. February 27, Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel – (Florida) 6 Broward men face federal
charges in debit-card skimming scheme. Three of six Broward men remain at-large
after skimming more than 400 bank customers’ information across 12 cities. The
accused installed hard-to-notice reader devices along with hidden cameras at more than
18 banks.
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Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/fl-federal-atm-skimming20130226,0,6726149.story
9. February 26, Friendswood Journal – (Texas) Alvin man gets 27 years for multiple
bank fraud. A man who participated in a $39 million scheme to defraud residential
mortgage lenders and financial institutes insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison. The total loss for loans on
over 100 properties totaled $25 million.
Source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/friendswood/news/alvin-man-gets-yearsfor-multiple-bank-fraud-convictions/article_fa691d91-a9c1-56cf-8a0aa41c28cf5ed8.html
10. February 26, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – (Washington, D.C.) SEC
charges Connecticut-based hedge fund managers with fraud. An advisory firm and
two hedge fund managers were charged by the SEC for lying to their investors about
the fund’s financial condition and structure before it failure during the financial crisis.
The hedge fund restructured its fund to favor a large investor but falsified records and
marketing materials to keep investors from becoming aware of the changes which
might have affected their investment decision.
Source: http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2013/2013-28.htm
11. February 26, Lansdale Reporter – (Pennsylvania) Former Pottstown pastor
convicted of mortgage fraud scheme. A former pastor along with real estate
professionals and a group of congregants participated in a scheme to fraudulently
obtain $6 million in home loans. Each participant faces maximum possible sentences of
180 years.
Source:
http://www.thereporteronline.com/article/20130226/NEWS03/130229572/formerpottstown-pastor-convicted-of-mortgage-fraud-scheme#full_story
12. February 26, Indianapolis Business Journal – (Indiana) Carmel family members
accused of securities fraud. The Indiana Secretary of State Office filed suit against a
company and three of its members for securities fraud. The three members sold $10.4
million in ownership interests in rental properties to investors, but did so without being
registered to sell them and also failed to register its securities offerings with the State.
Source: http://www.ibj.com/carmel-family-members-accused-of-securitiesfraud/PARAMS/article/39833
13. February 26, Montreal Gazette – (International) FBI probes $10-million scam,
Montreal company allegedly involved. Companies in more than 40 States have been
defrauded out of nearly $10 million from a scam where a Montreal-based company
allegedly requested lines of credit from business, ordered goods and rarely or never
paid for purchased supplies.
Source:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/probes+million+scam+Montreal+company+
allegedly+involved/8019534/story.html
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14. February 26, KIRO 7 Seattle – (International) Secret Service: Canadian crime ring
withdrew skimmed funds. Canadian bank investigators grew concerned when
customers’ account information was being used in Seattle to withdraw money. Their
customers’ information, skimmed at Canadian coffee shops were used to withdraw
nearly $500,000 at Seattle banks.
Source: http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/canadian-crime-ring-withdrew-skimmedfunds-seattle/nWbMP/
For another story, see item 24
[Return to top]
Transportation Sector
15. February 27, CBS News; Associated Press – (National) Huge, slow snowstorm
pounds Midwest, moves east. A major snowstorm moved through the Midwest
causing almost the entire Texas panhandle to be impassable, with some areas receiving
up to 15 inches of snow causing power outages, school closures, flight cancellations,
and significant travel disruptions. The Missouri Department of Transportation issued an
advisory urging people to stay off main highways.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57571516/huge-slow-snowstormpounds-midwest-moves-east/
16. February 27, KENS 5 San Antonio – (Texas) Chemical spill shuts down south-side
ramp for 15 hours. HAZMAT crews in San Antonio spent close to 15 hours cleaning
up after an 18-wheeler that tipped over, spilling more than 3,800 gallons of sodium
hydroxide onto the Loop 410 ramp onto I-37 South, shutting the ramp down in both
east and westbound directions before reopening February 27. There were no reports of
injuries.
Source: http://www.kens5.com/news/TRAFFIC-ALERT-Chemical-spill-tangles-Loop410-to-I-37-193530041.html
17. February 26, KRCG13 Jefferson City – (Missouri) Collapsed building, roof cause
Route 240 closure in Fayette. Missouri Department of Transportation officials
decided to close Route 240 between Davis and Morrison streets in Fayette for an
undetermined amount of time, in response to a collapsed building, likely due to the
accumulation of wet snow.
Source:
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=865734#.US41r6U8zUg
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Postal and Shipping Sector
Nothing to report
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Agriculture and Food Sector
18. February 26, Food Safety News – (Washington) Dungeness Valley Creamery recalls
raw milk in WA State. Consumers are being urged by State officials not to drink
Dungeness Valley Creamery brand raw Jersey whole milk, skim milk, or cream
because of potential E. coli contamination. The unpasteurized dairy products, which
come in pint, quart, half gallon, and gallon containers, have a best-by date of March 2
or later, and were sold in the Washington State area.
Source: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2013/02/dungeness-valley-creamery-recallsraw-milk-in-wa-state/
19. February 25, U.S. Food and Drug Administration – (International) Domega NY
International Co., Ltd issues an alert on undeclared sulfites in Green Day Brand
White Melon Seeds. Domega NY International Co., Ltd., of Brooklyn issued a recall
of their Green Day Brand White Melon Seeds, due to the presence of undeclared
sulfites, which could trigger a severe allergic reaction. The product, which originated
from China and was sold in the New York City area, comes in a 9.8 ounce clear plastic
bag on a plastic tray insert.
Source: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm341348.htm
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Water Sector
20. February 27, Virginian-Pilot– (Virginia) Sewer line break was years in the making.
Forensic engineers have concluded on the cause of a Hurricane Sandy sewage pipe
rupture which led to a weeklong spillage of 18.3 million gallons of waste into a
Nansemond River tributary. Engineers claimed an external blow to the 30-inch
concrete sewage pipe many years ago weakened the section, making years of corrosion
and the hurricane’s abnormal pressure buildup from higher amounts of sewage to cause
the break and the subsequent spillage.
Source: http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/sewer-line-break-was-years-making
21. February 27, Monroe News – (Michigan) Second sewage spill at Monroe plant.
Although not reported to threaten public health or the environment, plant workers at
DTE Energy’s Monroe Power Plant discovered a second discharge in a two-week
period, this time from a manhole. Plant officials said an electrical malfunction of the
control system which operates pumps in a sewage lift station led to the 600-gallon
sewage discharge.
Source: http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/feb/27/second-sewage-spill-monroeplant/
22. February 26, WTOV 9 Wheeling – (West Virginia) W.Va. DEP investigating 95,000
gallon wastewater spill in Marshall County. The West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection is investigating a February 22 wastewater spill near a gas
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drilling site. A Wheeling Jesuit University professor voiced concerns over the safety of
the produced water claiming it could include chemicals that should not be drained into
the Ohio River.
Source: http://www.wtov9.com/news/news/wva-dep-investigating-950000-gallonwastewater-spi/nWZ84/
23. February 26, Mobile Press-Register – (Alabama) Sewage overflows reported in
Mobile, Prichard, Baldwin County. Heavy rains February 25, led Mobile and
Baldwin County health departments to issue area advisories about sewage spills. The
warnings came after 21,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Big Mouth Gully was
reported by a treatment plant.
Source: http://blog.al.com/live/2013/02/sewage_overflows_reported_in_p.html
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Public Health and Healthcare Sector
24. February 26, Fort Bend Sun – (Texas) Local businessman convicted in $19 million
health care fraud scheme. A man and his associate were convicted of scamming
Medicare and Texas Medicaid programs for over $ 19 million in fake medical claims.
The claims stemmed from unnecessary procedures and medical testing over the course
of 5 years from clinics he operated under the guise of other individuals.
Source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/fort_bend/news/local-businessmanconvicted-in-million-health-care-fraud-scheme/article_37a9fce8-675b-5ac6-a7f2b5744eea05e3.html
25. February 26, Oakland Press – (National) New meningitis cases from tainted
medicine still occurring; out break from Massachusetts company started in
October. State health department officials are still reporting cases of meningitis or
meningitis-related sicknesses due to contaminated medicine distributed from a
Massachusetts compounding lab, and authorities believe they will continue to receive
reports of such illnesses in the weeks to come.
Source:
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/02/26/news/state/doc512d2b9c7e95a33
6158894.txt?viewmode=fullstory
For another story, see item 28
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Government Facilities Sector
26. February 27, Associated Press – (Pennsylvania) Rural W. Pa. school reopens after
$250,000 fire. Students reported back to a western Pennsylvania elementary school
February 27 after a roof fire caused extensive damage and cancelled classes for all
Portage-area schools.
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Source: http://www.ldnews.com/state/ci_22678445/rural-w-pa-school-reopens-after250-000
27. February 27, Reuters – (South Carolina) One student dead after South Carolina
university shooting. A shooting in a dormitory at Coastal Carolina University left one
student dead February 26. Authorities placed the university on lockdown as they
searched for the gunman, who they believe fled the campus.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/27/us-usa-shooting-southcarolinaidUSBRE91Q04220130227
28. February 26, Baltimore Sun – (Maryland) Johns Hopkins at Keswick building
evacuated after people fall ill. Johns Hopkins’ Keswick building evacuated 600
people and closed down after 18 individuals became ill in the cafeteria area for
unknown causes. Officials are still investigating and have ruled out a carbon monoxide,
explosives, and several other hazards as the agents.
Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-hs-hopkins-keswick-evac20130226,0,7312533.story
29. February 26, Sioux City Journal – (Iowa) Sioux-city bus collision injures 21
students. A city transit bus and West High School bus collided and left 21 students
with minor injuries after students threw snowballs at the school bus. School officials
said the students would be punished accordingly.
Source: http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/state-and-regional/injured-in-sioux-cityschool-bus-accident/article_18e75217-5940-5833-bd4a-d38f4a52612a.html
For another story, see item 15
[Return to top]
Emergency Services Sector
30. February 27, Associated Press – (California) Santa Cruz shooting: 2 police officers
shot and killed during sexual assault investigation; suspect also killed. Two Santa
Cruz officers were shot and killed at a suspect’s home while on assignment to
investigate claims of sexual assault. Police shot and killed the gunman after briefly
chasing him down.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/27/santa-cruzshooting_n_2770724.html
31. February 26, Associated Press – (California) Coast Guard: Calls of sinking Calif.
boat possible hoax. The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search for a missing family
whose boat allegedly capsized near the Monterey coast after an extensive recovery
effort. Officials now believe the call may have been faked as neither the boat nor the
family has been reported as missing.
Source: http://hamptonroads.com/2013/02/coast-guard-calls-sinking-calif-boatpossible-hoax
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32. February 26, Associated Press – (Kansas) Kan. man charged with attempting to kill
rescuers. A February 1 incident led a man to set fire to his roommate’s home and
attempt to harm emergency workers that were responding, by setting up firearms
around the perimeter of the home and firing a shotgun.
Source: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Kan-man-charged-with-attemptingto-kill-rescuers-4309702.php
33. February 26, Associated Press – (Pennsylvania) Officials: Inmate kills guard at
federal prison in NE Pa., 1st such killing in nearly 5 years. An inmate fatally
stabbed a guard at a federal prison in northeastern Pennsylvania using a makeshift
weapon. The correctional officer suffered head and neck trauma and received multiple
stab wounds in an incident that has not occurred in nearly five years.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/officials-inmate-kills-guard-atfederal-prison-in-ne-pa-1st-such-killing-in-nearly-5-years/2013/02/26/55a23620-803911e2-a671-0307392de8de_story.html
[Return to top]
Information Technology Sector
34. February 27, Softpedia – (International) Emergency Flash update to protect Firefox
users. Firefox released an update to Flash which addresses vulnerabilities that target
the browser and leave it susceptible to crashes and open to malicious attacks.
Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Emergency-Flash-Update-to-Protect-FirefoxUsers-332853.shtml
35. February 27, Softpedia – (International) Oracle assigns tracking numbers to Java 7
Update 15 issues, but fails to confirm flaws. Oracle assigned tracking numbers to two
Java 7 Update 15 security flaws exposed by researchers that could potentially allow for
a complete sandbox bypass.
Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Oracle-Assigns-Tracking-Numbers-to-Java-7Update-15-Issues-But-Fails-to-Confirm-Flaws-332817.shtml
36. February 27, Softpedia – (National) SSNs of 26,000 former US Government
employees exposed due to printing misalignment. North Carolina Department of
State Treasurers’ Retirement Systems Division reported a printing misalignment may
have exposed roughly 26,000 former U.S. Government employee’s social security
numbers in January. The agency alerted the former employees and assured them the
information was not misused.
Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/SSNs-of-26-000-Former-US-GovernmentEmployees-Exposed-Due-to-Printing-Misalignment-332915.shtml
37. February 26, The Register – (International) Attacker exposes ABC forum
contributors. Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC confirmed they were hacked
by a hacktivist group and close to 50,000 audience member’s personal information was
exposed and posted online.
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/26/abc_forums_cracked/
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Internet Alert Dashboard
To report cyber infrastructure incidents or to request information, please contact US-CERT at soc@us-cert.gov or
visit their Web site: http://www.us-cert.gov
Information on IT information sharing and analysis can be found at the IT ISAC (Information Sharing and
Analysis Center) Web site: https://www.it-isac.org
[Return to top]
Communications Sector
Nothing to report
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Commercial Facilities Sector
38. February 27, WCNC 36 Charlotte – (North Carolina) Copper theft leads to gas leak,
evacuation at Charlotte Hotel. A copper thief at the Arlington suites hotel caused a
gas leak and guests were evacuated. The alleged thief stole an unknown amount of
copper tubing. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Source: http://www.wcnc.com/news/crime/Cooper-theft-leads-to-gas-leak-at-Charlottehotel-193518561.html
39. February 26, Wisconsin State Journal – (Wisconsin) Sun Prairie Walmart evacuated
because of cut gas line. Construction crews accidentally cut a gas main, which led to
the evacuation of more than 100 customers from a Walmart. The line was capped by
the natural gas provider within an hour.
Source: http://host.madison.com/business/sun-prairie-walmart-evacuated-because-ofcut-gas-line/article_5af4b746-8053-11e2-af51-001a4bcf887a.html
40. February 26, Associated Press – (Tennessee) Threat shuts down Ardmore Bank. A
Peoples State Bank employee who touched a gel-like substance on the bank’s back
door found a note saying they were poisoned. The note, requesting money for the
antidote, led officials to treat this as a serious threat and closed the bank to investigate.
Source: http://enewscourier.com/local/x36430855/Threat-shuts-down-Ardmore-Bank
41. February 26, WSYR 9 Syracuse – (New York) Meth explosion displaces more than
40 from Binghamton apartment building. A chemical explosion in a third-floor
apartment meth lab led to a fire which left 40 displaced.
Source: http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Meth-explosion-displaces-more-than40-from/hL77Zgj410qNkMke8H3AAg.cspx
42. February 26, WESH 2 Orlando – (Florida) Kmart evacuated for suspicious package
related to bank robbery. A fleeing suspect led police to a Kmart where a bag with
wires and notes with threatening language were discovered and treated as a threat,
leading authorities to evacuate the store.
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Source: http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/volusia-county/Kmart-evacuatedfor-suspicious-package-related-to-bank-robbery/-/12983450/19093256/-/fctqch//index.html
43. February 26, Associated Press – (Minnesota) No one hurt in explosion at Minn.
Church day care. An explosion in a two-story classroom wing at a church which led
to the evacuation of preschoolers in a nearby classroom was caused by a boiler. Total
damages are estimated at $200,000.
Source: http://www.keyc.tv/story/21391377/no-one-hurt-in-explosion-at-minn-churchday-care
44. February 26, Kansas City Star – (Missouri) Independence hotel evacuated after gas
odor. A natural gas odor at a Quality Inn & Suites hotel led to an evacuation of guests
for more than two hours. No one was hurt as police investigated the incident.
Source: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/02/26/4088643/independence-hotelevacuated-after.html
For another story, see item 17
[Return to top]
National Monuments and Icons Sector
45. February 27, Associated Press – (Arizona) Target shooting banned at southern Ariz.
monument. After damaging more than 30 sites at the Ironwood Forest National
Monument in Arizona, the federal government banned all sport target shooting at the
site.
Source: http://www.gvnews.com/state/target-shooting-banned-at-southern-arizmonument/article_c9ea9ea5-1c4e-53d7-b0bc-1594293cc107.html
[Return to top]
Dams Sector
Nothing to report
[Return to top]
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report Contact Information
About the reports - The DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report is a daily [Monday through Friday]
summary of open-source published information concerning significant critical infrastructure issues. The DHS Daily
Open Source Infrastructure Report is archived for 10 days on the Department of Homeland Security Web site:
http://www.dhs.gov/IPDailyReport
Contact Information
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Send mail to cikr.productfeedback@hq.dhs.gov or contact the DHS
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Contact DHS
To report physical infrastructure incidents or to request information, please contact the National Infrastructure
Coordinating Center at nicc@hq.dhs.gov or (202) 282-9201.
To report cyber infrastructure incidents or to request information, please contact US-CERT at soc@us-cert.gov or visit
their Web page at www.us-cert.gov.
Department of Homeland Security Disclaimer
The DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report is a non-commercial publication intended to educate and inform
personnel engaged in infrastructure protection. Further reproduction or redistribution is subject to original copyright
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material.
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