FBI Statement Regarding Conficker Worm

"The FBI is aware of the potential threat posed by the Conficker worm. We are working closely with a broad range of partners, including DHS and other agencies in the U.S. government, as well as throughout the private sector, to fully identify and mitigate the threat.

“The public is once again reminded to employ strong security measures on their computers. That includes the installation of the latest anti-virus software and having a firewall in place. Additionally, the public should be aware of the potential dangers associated with spam e-mail. Opening, responding to, or clicking on attachments contained in unsolicited e-mail is particularly harmful and should be avoided."

Shawn Henry, Assistant Director, FBI Cyber Division

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Georgia Tech Information Security Center Releases Emerging Cyber Threats Forecast for 2009

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC), a national leader in information security research and education, today announced the release of the GTISC Emerging Cyber Threats Report for 2009, outlining the top five areas of security concern and risk for consumer and enterprise Internet users for the coming year. The report was released at the annual GTISC Security Summit on Emerging Cyber Security Threats – a gathering of leading industry and academic leaders from organizations with a stake in protecting the online user community.

For 2009, GTISC is forecasting five key cyber security areas where threats are expected to increase and evolve:

* Malware— specifically under the guise of benign social networking links
* Botnets – specifically the spread of botnet attacks to wireless and peer-to-peer networks
* Cyber warfare — including targets on the U.S. economy and infrastructure
* Threats to VoIP and Mobile Convergence—specifically voice fraud and cellular botnets
* The Evolving Cyber Crime Economy – including the rise of sophisticated malware-for-sale kits and programs

According to the report, data will continue to be the primary motive behind future cyber crime – whether targeting traditional fixed computing environments or mobile applications. Experts from across the IT security spectrum – from government to industry to academia – join GTISC’s call for closer coordination between the security industry, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), application developers and government regulators to safeguard the user community and hinder the spread of sophisticated cyber security threats.

“At GTISC, we strongly believe that a proactive approach to understanding emerging threats will help us develop more effective information security technologies and strategies,” said Mustaque Ahamad, director of GTISC. “The annual GTISC Security Summit on Emerging Cyber Security Threats and this report seek to give us a better understanding of the increasingly sophisticated cyber security challenges we will face in the years ahead. We wish to thank the esteemed members of the IT security community who assisted us with the creation of this report.”

More than 300 corporate executives, industry leaders and technologists from across the country attended the GTISC Security Summit on Emerging Cyber Security Threats, keynoted by Lt. General Robert J. Elder, Jr., Commander Eighth Air Force of the Barksdale Air Force Base. Following Lt. Elder’s address on “Global Operations and Mission Assurance in a Contested Cyber Environment” in the morning, Summit panelists engaged in a lively discussion moderated by IT Security Entrepreneur, Thomas E. Noonan. This year’s panelists, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, IBM Internet Security Systems, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Cisco, Motorola and SecureWorks, helped to educate the audience on the proliferation of cyber threats, including those listed in the report, and highlighted possible countermeasures to safeguard the user and business communities.

To view the entire GTISC Emerging Cyber Threats for 2009 report or to watch a pre-recorded Web cast of the Summit, please visit http://www.gtiscsecuritysummit.com.

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News to Use in Fayetteville, Atlanta, Augusta, Peachtree City and all of Georgia

Isakson, Chambliss Announce Over $600,000 in Funding for Georgia’s First Responders

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) today announced $609,226.88 in Fiscal Year 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) awards for Georgia.

The funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the Department of Homeland Security.

“This funding will go a long way to help ensure that Georgia’s first responders have the resources necessary to protect families and communities across the state,” said Isakson.

“Local firefighters and emergency workers provide our first defense to natural disasters, accidents and terrorist attacks,” Chambliss said. “It is because these brave men and women are often the first on the scene of any incident that we must continue to ensure they have the tools and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently. I look forward to continuing to work with local fire departments and emergency responders across the state to ensure they have the resources they need.”

CEDAP provides smaller communities and rural areas with technology and equipment, together with training and technical assistance, to help enhance first responder capabilities throughout the nation. CEDAP provides resources such as communications interoperability equipment, information sharing technology, chemical detection devices, sensors, personal protective equipment and rescue tools and training in how to use the equipment, devices and technology.

The Georgia grants are listed below:

Alto Police Department – Alto, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Athens-Clarke County Police Department – Athens, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Bartow County Emergency Management Agency – Cartersville, Ga. - $30,935.80 for Emergency Management
Berlin Police Department – Berlin, Ga. - $38,764.62 for Law Enforcement
Calhoun Police Department – Calhoun, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Canton Police Department – Canton, Ga. - $26,900 for Law Enforcement
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services – Canton, Ga. - $15,300 for Fire Department
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office – Canton, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
City of Climax Police Department – Climax, Ga. - $38,764.62 for Law Enforcement
City of Hinesville Police Department – Hinesville, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Colquitt Police Department – Colquitt, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Cordele Police Department – Cordele, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Douglas County Emergency Management Agency – Douglasville, Ga. - $24,175 for Emergency Management
Dublin Police Department – Dublin, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Early County Sheriff’s Office – Blakely, Ga. - $24, 175 for Law Enforcement
Euharlee Police Department – Euharlee, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Georgia Ports Authority – Savannah, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Georgia Tech Police Department – Atlanta, Ga. - $32,274.90 for Law Enforcement
Henry County Police Department – McDonough, Ga. - $24,175 for Law Enforcement
Hickory Flat Fire Department, Inc. – Canton, Ga. - $12,936.15 for Fire Department
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office – Louisville, Ga. - $3,717 for Law Enforcement
Kingsland Police Department – Kingsland, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
LaGrange Police Department – LaGrange, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Laurens County Fire Department – Dublin, Ga. - $30,935.80 for Fire Department
Laurens County Sheriff’s Office – Dublin, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Leesburg Police Department – Leesburg, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Lincolnton, Ga. - $12,936.15 for Law Enforcement
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office – Madison, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Norcross Police Department – Norcross, Ga. - $12,000 for Law Enforcement
Perry Police Department – Perry, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
St. Marys Fire Department – St. Marys, Ga. - $12,919.94 for Fire Department
St. Marys Police Department – St. Marys, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Summerville Fire Department – Summerville, Ga. - $32,274.90 for Fire Department
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office – Butler, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Union County Emergency Management Agency - Blairsville, Ga. - $11,794 for Emergency Management
Woodstock Police Department – Woodstock, Ga. - $26,900 for Law Enforcement

Ackerman Security Systems Named Top Security Company in the Country

Ackerman Security Systems has been named ‘Dealer of the Year’ by Security Distributing and Marketing (SDM) magazine. Ackerman Security is the first Georgia company to receive the award, which is heralded as the pinnacle of success among electronic security companies nationwide.

“Ackerman Security Systems is devoted to providing the best home and business security systems available through innovation and superior customer service,” said Bruce Turry, president of Ackerman Security Systems. “The Dealer of the Year award is a great honor for everyone at Ackerman and for Atlanta as a whole because we’re a locally owned and operated business that has attained a uniquely superior national reputation.”

The company’s false-alarm prevention program is a key reason for accolades from its own industry. Since 2004, Ackerman Security’s False Alarm Prevention Program has reduced false alarm dispatches by 32-percent. The program includes comprehensive training for Ackerman customers, verification calls before dispatching first responders, and follow-up service for customers who experience two or more false alarms in a 60-day period.

"Never underestimate the value of your monitoring service,” said Jim Callahan, vice president of Ackerman Security Systems. “That’s why Ackerman has one of the most technologically advanced and currently certified central monitoring stations in Atlanta. We only monitor for our clients, and our central monitoring station is staffed only by Ackerman personnel."

Another primary reason for the award is Ackerman’s customer service. Every inbound telephone call, regardless of time or day, is answered by a customer service representative in Atlanta who is empowered to process and resolve any request without having to transfer the call to another department, while a dedicated quality assurance manager inspects newly installed systems, oversees customer satisfaction calls and develops training programs based on customer feedback.

“Our customers come first and we take their needs and concerns very seriously,” said Turry. “When somebody calls, we’re here for them. Our monitoring staff in Atlanta is trained to take very good care of our clients. The results of those efforts are seen in very high ratings for customer satisfaction and employee performance.”

“Ackerman Security won the Dealer of the Year Award for its superior marketing, sales and recurring revenue growth, false alarm prevention, customer service, and community involvement,” said Laura Stepanek, editor of SDM magazine, a leading security industry publication. “The Dealer of the Year has been awarded by SDM since 1980, and is one of the most prestigious awards in the security industry."

Ackerman Security was the first to introduce a series of new technologies and services to Atlanta. These advancements include being the first to offer a $1,500 Insurance Deductible Program, Radio Monitoring in case telephone lines are cut or are inoperative, U.L. (Underwriters Laboratory) certification for residential installations, yard signs with emergency locator numbers as a first line of defense against intruders and to enable quicker response by first responders.

The company also provides interactive remote video systems where customers can view distant locations from their desktop or laptop computers without the need for special equipment.

The company’s focus on customer care and innovative services has resulted in tremendous growth as represented by more than 40,000 clients nationwide and billions of dollars in assets protected. Ackerman Security increased its number of residential customers by 27-percent from 2004-2005 and 34-percent from 2005-2006, and is on track to repeat with a similar performance for 2006-2007. Ackerman’s commercial division also has doubled its client base in each of the last two years, including chain account clients nationwide.

Callahan is quick to point out that being part of the community is integral to the company’s culture.

“How can you effectively serve your community if you’re not an active part of your community,” said Callahan. “We’re involved with a lot of great organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, and the March of Dimes Foundation. It’s our responsibility as a good corporate citizen.”

Contributions to local police departments include the donation of demonstration kits for Crime Prevention Officers who work with homeowners and small business owners in Neighborhood Watch and Community Oriented Police Service (COPS) programs. Ackerman also hosts Continuing Education Unit (CEU) courses, including one on False Alarm Reduction Campaigns, which are attended by several metro Atlanta police departments.

“The combination of satisfied customers who have helped to spread the word about Ackerman Security, a superbly trained and dedicated staff, and new technologies that enable us to always improve the service we provide are all reasons for our growth and reputation in the industry,” said Turry. “We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to attain, and the valuable services we provide to our clients.”