Short Takes – 3-2-23

Apologia. WHMurray.blogspot.com post. An interesting take on the recent InfraGard breach. Pull quote: “As a matter of policy I do not do business with management in which I have lost confidence.  Specifically I do not continue to use web sites that have proven unable to protect my personal data.  The FBI has made it a condition of continued InfraGard membership that members must routinely use the compromised web site and that they do so no later than March 15, 2023.  I will not meet that condition.”

Liquid nitrogen spray could clean up stubborn moon dust. Phys.org article. Pull quote: “In their work, the research team demonstrated their technology that uses the Leidenfrost Effect to clean the space suits. The effect can be seen when one pours cold water on a hot frying pan, where it beads up and moves across the pan. Spray the very cold liquid nitrogen at a warmer dust-covered material, and the dust particles bead up and float away on the nitrogen vapor.”

SpaceX launches its 9th crewed mission as it heads to space station. NPR.org article. Pull quote: “It's the fourth time this capsule, named Endeavor, has flown to space and the fourth time it will visit the space station. This is the seventh time SpaceX has launched NASA astronauts into orbit (and ninth overall that it has sent people to space) since 2020.” Includes an interesting data point: “With the launch, there are now 14 people in space. Seven are on the International Space Station, three are on the Tiangong space station and four are in the Crew-6 capsule.”

Quarterly Cyber Regulations Update: February 2023. WSJ.com article. Pull quote: “In this quarter’s update: forthcoming cyber regulations from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Department of Financial Services, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Farm Credit Administration, updates on the most recent privacy law changes in the U.S. and EU, and key trends for companies to know.”

Toxic Gasses. AICHE.org CCPS Process Safety Beacon. Look at handling toxic gas shipping containers.

Whiskey Fungus Fed by Jack Daniel’s Encrusts a Tennessee Town. NYTimes.com article. Pull quote: “Ms. Willis also said that air filters could hurt the flavor that Jack Daniel’s whiskey acquires during the aging process. Distillers refer poetically to the liquor that evaporates during that process as “the angel’s share.””

Three Quick Takeaways from Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy. Blog.Adolus.com post. Short post, good insights. Pull quote: “Now for the moment, this applies only to federal systems, but — as has become blindingly obvious — any rules laid out for federal agencies will apply to the public sector in short order. What's this going to mean for all the legacy equipment out there in industrial environments cheerfully communicating over Modbus?”

Federal, State Officials Weigh Plans to Increase Rail Safety. GovExec.com article. Pull quote: “Among the procedural changes, their legislation requires at least two crewmembers on every train. It also directs rail carriers to inspect cars carrying hazardous materials regularly and provide advance notice to local officials about what they’re transporting through a state. More broadly, the legislation directs regulators to develop rules for train size and weight — a likely point of contention for railroads.”

Security Vulnerabilities Detected in Drones Made by DJI. HomelandSecurityNewswire.com article. Pull quote: “Researchers from Bochum and Saarbrücken have detected security vulnerabilities, some of them serious, in several drones made by the manufacturer DJI. These enable users, for example, to change a drone’s serial number or override the mechanisms that allow security authorities to track the drones and their pilots. In special attack scenarios, the drones can even be brought down remotely in flight.” Symposium paper - https://www.ndss-symposium.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ndss2023_f217_paper.pdf