Readers;

It’s great to hear from you.  Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions.  You might even recognize a couple as we incorporate them into the BTW.  Please keep them coming.

There were some common questions and comments.  One of the recurring questions was “How can I help support Blackwater” along with the frequent comment “I’d like to see more Blackwater Stories.”

To both support us and receive more news about the company we encourage you to join The Blackwater Alumni Association.  There are several membership categories; Blackwater course graduate, current or former employee, contractor, and Friend of Blackwater.

Joining will show your support, plus you will receive a $35 certificate for one of our open enrollment classes, our monthly publication Communiqué, which provides news about the company, and the bi-monthly magazine Serviam, aimed at the global stability market.

For a complete overview of benefits you can click on the alumni association link in the BTW or go directly to:

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/alumni/alumni_overview.html where a link to the application form is provided at the top of the page.

Again, thanks for you support and readership, please send all comments to:  btw@blackwaterusa.com

We hope that you enjoy this week’s issue with its focus on corporate security issues.

John Wrenn
Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Director, Corporate Communications

Sir Winston Churchill

Unisys Identifies Five Security Issues Likely to Emerge Across Multiple Industries in 2008

As we increasingly use mobile devices, the security risks exponentially increase – good look at future security threats.

Unisys Corporation announced today its security predictions for 2008. In the rapidly evolving world of corporate and government security, forecasting future risks and trends is essential to planning, preventing and managing risks that could compromise the integrity of an organization's assets. Emerging security threats, combined with the increased use of and dependence on new technologies, leave many corporate and government IT professionals with a degree of uncertainty in how to plan and forecast.

Full Story

Facebook Shoots Down Gun Ads

Dual message here.  1) Be aware of rules and regs of sites and 2) Maybe we should be writing Facebook and asking why they have discriminatory ad rules?

The owner of a firearms training center in Nevada had his advertising campaign on Facebook scuttled by the social networking site.

How to Corral Security Consultants

A little older article but still relevant as “consultants” continue to proliferate.

My current boss, a CEO, defines a consultant as a person you pay to tell you what time it is from your own wristwatch.
I like that line. Having been on both sides of the game, as a consultant and a customer, my view is that definition is sometimes right on the money. While there are some very good consultants out there, and some very good customers, they don't necessarily communicate very well with each other. And that opens the door to problems (and, of course, to consultant jokes). I suppose if your intent is to gain outside confirmation of your own beliefs, hiring a consultant can be useful. But be prepared for the possibility that the consultant may return with an opposing view or advice you don't think your company would be wise to follow.

Full Story

To view the latest contract opportunities at Blackwater, visit our Contract Web Page.

TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME CLICK HERE

Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training at Blackwater (252) 435-2488 or email webmaster@blackwaterusa.com.

First web security service for roaming employees launched by ScanSafe

Sourcewire.com
Six Degrees

Great feature as Anywhere+ comes up with a way to extend protection to all employees using the Internet outside the office.

ScanSafe, the pioneer and leading provider of Web Security-as-a-Service, has announced the availability of Anywhere+ - the world’s first ever software-as-a-service (SaaS) Web security providing real-time protection from malware and enforcement of acceptable Internet usage policies for all users surfing the Web regardless of their location.

Full Story

Attackers favor compromise over creation

Something to be concerned about as we use the internet more and more, and rely on it to conduct both business and communication.

For the first time, legitimate Web sites compromised by attackers made up the majority of sites used to spread malicious programs, security firm Websense said in a report published on Tuesday.

Full Story

Nigerian Spam Restitution Latest Scam Attempt

Security Pro News
David Utter

Here is another creative twist from our Nigerian friends.

Members of Nigerian royalty seeking help expatriating money are so five years ago. The newest scheme offer people reimbursement for their losses to 419 scams.

Full Story

Security Software Tracks Down Stolen PCs

Fox News
Gene Koprowski

Great tool for the professional that travels with their laptop.

A thief pilfers a laptop computer from an unsuspecting traveler at an airport departure lounge and flits off, unnoticed.

A few years ago, the laptop's rightful user would have had little chance of seeing it again.

But today, a handful of security companies offer software and gadgets to recover stolen notebook computers or, at least, make the sensitive corporate data they hold inaccessible to criminals.

Full Story

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)

This is not an article but, a link to one of the largest organizations for the security professional.  Since this BTW focuses on corporate security I’ve provided a link to the overview and what some of the benefits are.  This is not a solicitation, or endorsement, but an example of what is out there.

ASIS International (ASIS) is the largest organization for security professionals, with more than 35,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programs and materials that address broad security interests, such as the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, as well as specific security topics. ASIS also advocates the role and value of the security management profession to business, the media, governmental entities, and the public. By providing members and the security community with access to a full range of programs and services, and by publishing the industry's number one magazine - Security Management - ASIS leads the way for advanced and improved security performance.

About ASIS

Benefits Brochure

Free Terrorism Daily Newsletter Now Available as an RSS Feed

Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Pre-SHOT Show ‘08

It’s that time of year again.  Each January the military / law enforcement / outdoor communities got just slightly insane as they prepare for the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show otherwise known as SHOT Show.  When SHOT first started it was dedicated to the hunting and outdoors communities.  The past decade has seen the Military / Law Enforcement section grow larger every year.  As has become our habit in the past few years, we’ll do a Pre-SHOT post; a quick overview the first Monday after SHOT ends; and then a full blown SHOT review about two weeks after SHOT ends.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/evals/other/preshot08.htm

Recreational Equipment Review

“Two-fer” Recreational Reading Review

Two of my favorite authors are Robert B. Parker – the man who created “Spenser: For Hire” – and Vince Flynn, an author of excellent contemporary novels having to do with espionage and counter-terrorism.  His primary character usually gets things done the way many of us would like to but don’t get the chance.  This week’s recreational review is a two-part review of their newest books: “Now & Then” from Parker and “Protect & Defend” from Flynn.  As always these authors deliver enjoyable reading.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/recevals/recreading/twofer.htm

Black Five (http://www.blackfive.net/)
Blackwater Facts (http://www.blackwaterfacts.com/
Blogs of War (http://www.blogsofwar.com/)
Fifteen Months (http://www.fifteenmonths.blogspot.com/)
Iraq Slogger (http://www.iraqslogger.com/)
The Long War Journal (http://www.longwarjournal.org/)
Small Wars Journal (http://www.smallwarsjournal.com/)
The Spy Who Billed Me (http://www.thespywhobilledme.com/)

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e-publication.

The BTW provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

Editor-in-Chief – Gary Jackson (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Managing Editor – (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Frank’s Review – Frank Borelli (frank@borelliconsulting.com)
Chaplain’s Corner - Chaplain D. R. Staton(chpln1@verizon.net)
Advertising – (btw@blackwaterusa.com)

Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training at Blackwater (252) 435-2488

Editorial Calendar:
Each week, the BTW will be geared toward a distinct market sector.

1st Monday of Month First Responder
2nd Monday of Month Military
3rd Monday of Month Homeland Security
4th Monday of Month Corporate Security
5th Monday of Month (if applicable) Editor’s Choice

The weekly theme may change at the discretion of the Editor based on current events.

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To view an archived BTW, Click Here