Short Takes – 10-23-24

Task force unveils cyber recommendations for the next president. CyberScoop.com article. Pull quote “The victor of the 2024 presidential election must resolve conflicting cybersecurity regulations, better deter cyberattacks, address the cyber workforce shortage, develop plans with the private sector on critical infrastructure protection and review how to keep the economy going in the event of major hacks, a task force of cyber experts said in a report released Tuesday.” Recommendations include: “Establishing security standards for operational technology and information technology systems in each sector.”

Bird flu infects four in Washington state; CDC deploys team. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “In a press release Sunday, the Washington State Department of Health said the “workers tested presumptively positive for avian influenza after working with infected poultry at a commercial egg farm in Franklin County.” Franklin County is in the eastern half of the Evergreen State, which is known for its agriculture.”

Special Operations: Sabotaging Railroads. StrategyPage.com article. Pull quote: “Ukrainian sabotage teams in Russian territory disrupt railroad movement by damaging key elements of the railroad signals and communications systems. This makes the railroads less reliable and often leads to accidents that derail supply trains and block further use of that line until the wreckage is removed and the rails are repaired. Ukraine has even been able to get operatives deep inside Russia to damage the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which is currently used to move weapons and munitions and North Korean soldiers from North Korea to Ukraine.”

Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety. Federal Register NHTSA 60-day ICR extension notice. Summary: “This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB extension approval titled “Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety” and is identified by OMB Control Number 2127-0723, currently approved through February 28, 2025. The burden hour calculations have been adjusted to reflect a reduction in annual respondents resulting in a reduction in burden hours from 12,000 annually to 2,400 annually.” Includes detailed explanation of burden estimate. Comments due December 23^rd, 2024.

Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee; Meeting. Federal Register TSA meeting notice. Summary: “The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will hold a meeting of the Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee (STSAC) on November 21, 2024. Members of the public will be able to participate virtually via Microsoft Teams. The meeting agenda and information on public participation [links added] is provided below under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.”