Qui Custodes

More computer issues

I ran into an interesting and scary article "Lest We Remember: Cold Boot Attacks on Encrytion Keys" by J. Alex Halderman, Seth D. Schoen, Nadia Heninger, William Clarkson, William Paul, Joseph A. Calandrino, Ariel J. Feldman, Jacob Appelbaum, and Edward W. Felten.  They've found a way to break your security, not by attacking your cryptography key, but by freezing your computer.  I won't try to explain how it works, you can read the article or what my friend Lance Cottrell has to say about it in his blog, The Privacy Blog.  Lance's bottom line (and one I agree with) is simple:  turn the machine OFF, don't put it into Sleep mode.

BTW: If you are wondering why I'm blogging about this on a personal security blog, the answer is actually simple:  your private information is the key to your personal security.  Protect it at all times.

Office security

Do you think it's possible for a stranger to just walk in to a government office, complete with security guards, pass cards, sign-in sheets and cameras and steal whatever she can?  Well, they can.  In this article we can read all about Ameenah Franks and how she did just that.  She used wit, charm, and simple chutzpah to do it.  When confronted she would consciously play the race card too!

What's the moral for us?  Don't hesitate to listen to your instincts.  Ask questions and don't get put off by people trying to "play" you. 

Customs Searches

There is an interesting article in my friend Lance Cottrell's The Privacy Blog about an accused pederast's fight not to reveal the password for his laptop's hard drive.  I commend it to everyone.  But the lesson to be learned is that, if you are trying to protect your own information, you should a) encrypt, b) not use overly explicit identifying names for your files, and c) be aware that when you cross the border between the US and anywhere else, the ICE have unfettered rights to inspect and copy your electronic data.  Those of us who deal with sensitive material, should take all appropriate steps to safeguard it.  The problem is that what you can do to prevent ICE from seizing and copying your data is far from clear.  I expect the law to eventually clarify things but right now when you cross the border you are risking everything. 

It's not just lawyers is it?

So there I am, having made my post for the day, when I come on this this one about a therapist who is killed by a client with a cleaver.  No puns now.  But it just goes to show:  If your business is one where you are dealing with emotionally fragile people, like therapists and lawyers, you have absolutely got to take precautions. 

Now I don't know what precautions this therapist took, but wouldn't it have been nice if she had a panic button handly in her office?  Don't know what a panic button is?  That will be my next post. 

It can't happen here!

O yeah?  Right.  Well, here's a story about someone who brought an armed bodyguard to a deposition.  And it wasn't just any old firm.  This was Reggie Bush in his litigation about the alleged cash he was paid while he was in college.  The location was the white-shoe firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, one of the largest and most prestigious firms in the U.S. 

Can you imagine what might happen if the bodyguard has to give testimony?  Or if the client loses his cool?  It's wonderful stories like this that explain why I am running this blog.

BTW:  I haven't given a plug for my tip sheets recently so, if you are interested in them, go to www.BusinessBrawls.com, click on Resources and look for the 101 Business Protection Tips.  They are Free to a good home.

Good Security is good business

Down in Florida there is another parking lot story:  a waiter was shot in one and finally received a measure of justice.   But they never found the shooter.  What happened is that the waiter sued the mall where he was shot because there had been 26 violent crimes, including a murder, in the previous 7 years.  You would think that when there are about 4 violent crimes/year, somebody would do something wouldn't you?  The mall didn't and now the mall must pay for that neglect.

So good security is good business as well as good for yourself and your employees.  Something to think about.

Call them back

I was just reading about another of the various credit card or bank scams that are going around like a flu virus.  But they all have 1 thing in common:  they try to get you to give them information over the phone.  Don't do it!  But it can be hard to resist.  So try this:  tell them that you will call them back.  But DO NOT ask for a telephone number.  Please do not ask for a telephone number.  No, no no!!

Be responsible and careful instead.  You call the customer service number on your credit card or for your bank. That way you know who you are talking to and have some confidence that your information will not be misused.

Funny thing, too:  you never, ever get the person you were just talking to.  It's always a scam.  So, don't talk to them-call them back!

If shooting starts

Well, after yesterday's shooting I went back and found a pretty good article Slate reissued yest6rday.  It sets out some things you can do if you happen to get caught in a shooting.  I don't agree with a couple of it's comments--mainly that heavy furniture will offer protection.  Having seen the penetrating power of 357 magnums and other handguns, as well as the power of deer rifles and other firearms, I don't believe that heavy furniture offers much (if any) help.  Still, I suppose it's better than nothing. 

The article's comments about how hard it is to hit a running person at 40 feet is correct, with one caveat:  don't run straight away from the shooter.  Because then you look like you are standing still.  Run at an angle or zig zag. 

Anyway, I hope you never need to know this stuff but, if you do need it, I sure hope you remember it.

Do Not Ignore Security

I just came from a 2 day conference sponsored by the ABA Law Practice Management in Washington D.C.  While I was there I noticed that they had some books for sale and I went over to take a look.  I was interested in 2 of them:  the "Complete Guide to Designing Your Law Office" and and "Law Office Policy and Procedures".  I was very disappointed to say the least.

The "Complete Guide" has over 300 pages of which less than 4 pages relate, in any way, to security or protecting yourself and your staff.  Nowhere is there any discussion of designing to deal with unruly clients or other problems.  They spent more time talking about earthquakes, fires and floods than security.  The second book, the "Policy and Procedures Manual" was even worse, if possible.  It had only 3 paragraphs.  That's it--no more.   

With  all the problems lawyers and judges have had in recent years, I do not understand why so little attention is paid to this issue.  I feel the ABA and other professional organizations should step up and at least give good advice.

Women travelers

I was talking with a woman friend recently who travels a lot as part of her job.  She gave me this tip, which I should have thought of:  if you are a woman traveling alone with a group of men and you are concerned about either 1 of the men or about your reputation, get a room in a different hotel. 

Now before the flames start, I'm not saying that this precaution should be needed, in fact, it is offensive that she felt it was needed.  But... this blog is about the world as it is, not as it should be; and in the world as it is, there are times when this situation might arise.  So take a tip from another woman: stay somewhere else.