Google User Data Requests From Authorities Soar

Updated: Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:45:46 GMT | By CBC News, cbc.ca

Governments and courts around the world have increased their requests for Google user data by 70 per cent since 2009, Google reports.

In Google's latest Transparency Report this week, the company showed it had received 21,389 requests for information about 33,634 users between July and December 2012, a rise from 12,539 during the same period three years earlier.

Google has released the reports every six months since 2010, saying "it's important for people to understand how government actions affect them."

The percentage of requests for which Google produced some of the data has declined from 76 per cent in 2010, when Google first started tracking that, to 66 per cent in 2012.

In Canada, the number of requests was 38, staying relatively unchanged since 2009. However, Google produced some of the data in just 24 per cent of cases, down from 55 per cent in 2010.

U.S. authorities made 40 per cent of the requests in the latest report, which targeted 44 per cent of the users, under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. Google broke down the U.S. data for the first time to show that:

- 68 per cent were subpoenas requesting information to identify users.

- 22 per cent were search warrants.

- 10 per cent were court orders.

Subpoenas "are the easiest to get because they typically don't involve judges," reported Richard Salgado, Google's legal director of law enforcement and information security, on the Google blog.

The company said that unlike previous transparency reports, the latest does not include new data on requests from authorities for Google to remove content that is allegedly illegal because it is defamatory, violates copyright or breaks other laws.

The company said it plans to release content removal numbers separately from hereon in.

Google Transparency Report

What's wrong with this picture? The NEW clean desk test

This workspace contains ten security mistakes. Can you spot the errors that put confidential information at risk?

Canadian Tactical Training Academy, Unitas World, and Nisr Al-Aman Invited to Exhibit at Police Expo in Tripoli, Libya

CTTA’s Police Training Programs Target Security and Stability 

Montreal, Quebec–(December 31, 2012) – The Canadian Tactical Training Academy (CTTA) (Pink Sheets: CTTG)

Unitas World Development Inc. and The Canadian Tactical Training Academy in conjunction with Nisr Al-Aman, its Master Distributor in Libya, announced today that that they will exhibit in the upcoming police expo in Tripoli, Libya.

Under the auspices of the Minister of Interior, the Department of Supply Affairs will host the first annual exhibit for police uniforms & equipment which will be held during the period of January 10^th to 13^th, 2013 at the Tripoli International Fair Grounds.

Manufacturers and dealers and suppliers have been invited to participate in exhibiting up-to-date policing tasks, training programs and clothing, equipment, machinery, devices and tools required for a modern police force.

The invitation to exhibit was extended by the Ministry of the Interior to Mr. Khaled Itaychany, President of Nisr Al-Aman, who stated that “the internationally recognized specialized and proven techniques used by Unitas World and CTTA in training law enforcement personnel is in demand in Libya as the country trains its new police force”.

Unitas World and CTTA deliver targeted police training courses related to various aspects of police work including Police Management and Leadership courses for those participants who exhibit an aptitude for command.

Mr. Angelo Marino, Vice President of CTTA, and President of Unitas World will attend the exposition and represent the companies. Mr. Marino commented, “We are pleased to have been invited to Tripoli and we are working closely with our Master Distributor in Libya, Nisr Al-Aman. We have much to offer with respect to the planned training programs in Libya. Unitas World and CTTA has managed or delivered training programs as well as field security, protection and investigative operations in over 50 countries. We are looking forward to the opportunity to provide professional training services in Libya.”

 http://www.ctta-global.com/news/canadian-tactical-training-academy-unitas-world-and-nisr-al-aman-invited-to-exhibit-at-police-expo-in-tripoli-libya/

Workplace Fraud on the Rise - While Profits Slip Out the Back Door

November 11-17 is International Fraud Awareness Week

By Hetherington Group

Published: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 - 5:43 am

WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 7, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Organizations around the world — both large corporations as well as small businesses — lose an estimated 5% of annual revenues to fraudulent activities, according to a study conducted by the Association of Certified Examiners (ACFE) with 42% of fraudsters being employees, 38% managers and 18% owner/executives. A great majority of this fraudulent activity occurs within the 23 million small businesses in the United States that account for 54% of all U.S. sales and provide 55% of all jobs.

"That's a good deal of manpower and finance in the hands of companies with less than 500 employees," comments Cynthia Hetherington, MLS, MSM, CFE, founder and president of the Hetherington Group (www.hetheringtongroup.com).  "Small businesses in particular are extremely susceptible to employee fraud as they often lack the anti-fraud controls or policies found in larger organizations."

November 11-17 is International Fraud Awareness Week and the Hetherington Group is urging businesses to take steps to minimize the impact of fraud by evaluating their employee screening process and by implementing anti-fraud policies and controls.  The Hetherington Group offers the following tips:

• Small companies seldom bother with a background check on new employees, potentially inviting hackers, predators, and even convicted felons into the organization. Conduct a thorough background check that goes back over the past seven years on all employees before hiring to see if there is a criminal history.
  
• With a signed release, check their credit report for any fiscal irresponsibility.  During an economic crisis it's ok to have some financial stresses, but you wouldn't want your comptroller to be filing for bankruptcy.
  
• Once the employee is being considered for hire, review their social networks for any items damaging to reputation, especially any past animosity against their former employer.
  
• Institute an employee policy that outlines expected employee behavior anytime they are representing the company, including any mention on their social networks.

Institute anti-fraud controls to monitor all employee activity including:

• Internal and external audits
• Management reviews and independent audit committees
• Fraud training for management and employees
• Mandatory vacation and job rotation
• Hotline/tip line and rewards for whistleblowers

"Fraud detection and prevention should be an ongoing initiative," Hetherington continues, "and International Fraud Awareness Week offers a great opportunity for businesses to become aware and develop and review policies and controls to fight fraud and safeguard their livelihood from this continually growing problem."

About Cynthia Hetherington, MLS, MSM, CFE:
Cynthia Hetherington, MLS, MSM, CFE has more than 18 years of experience in research, investigations, and corporate intelligence. She is the founder of Hetherington Group, a consulting, publishing, and training firm focusing on intelligence, security, and investigations. Cynthia is also the ACFE James Baker "Speaker of the Year" Award Recipient 2012.

Cynthia applies her expertise in library science and information systems to provide clients with strategic insight into research and complex investigations. During her career, she has assisted a vast number of clients with Internet investigations related to employee theft and intellectual property loss.

Cynthia has also applied her research skills while conducting online and database research to uncover well-hidden relations between fraudulent associates, their assets, and their secrets. She has experience overseeing international investigations for Fortune 500 companies and other organizations in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

A widely published author, Cynthia authored Business Background Investigations (2007) and the Manual to Online Public Records (2008), published by Facts on Demand Press as well as co-authoring Web of Deceit: Misinformation and Manipulation in the Age of Social Media (2012) by Information Today. She is the publisher of Data2know.com: Internet & Online Intelligence Newsletter and has authored articles on steganography, computer forensics, Internet investigations, and other security-focused monographs.

Cynthia is also recognized for providing corporate security officials; military intelligence units; and federal, state, and local agencies with training on online intelligence practices. Cynthia's classes are ACFE, NASBA, DHS and ASIS approved for continuing professional education credits.
Contact:  Irene Maslowski, 973-226-1494 or Irene@imassocpr.com

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Hetherington Group

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/07/4967274/workplace-fraud-on-the-rise-while.html#storylink=cpy

A Week Dedicated to Fraud Awareness, Detection & Prevention

It's finally here! More than 700 businesses, agencies and other entities worldwide are shining a spotlight on fraud this week, Nov. 11-17, 2012 to help promote awareness, detection and prevention. Fraud awareness is critical at a time when organizations around the world lose an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenues to fraud, according to a survey of fraud experts conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). International Fraud Awareness Week encourages business leaders and employees to proactively take steps to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education.

 http://www.fraudweek.com/

Interview Before Interrogating

Throughout our seminars and textbooks The Reid Technique emphasizes the distinction between interviewing and interrogating, and the importance of conducting a non-accusatory interview before an accusatory interrogation. A recent legal decision reinforces this lesson:

A food court cashier rang up a customer's purchases for several food items, but the customer did not have sufficient cash to pay for the purchase, so the cashier voided the transaction. The customer went to a service counter inside the store to pay the difference with a credit card and returned to the cashier, displayed his credit card receipt, and paid for the remaining items in cash. Surveillance cameras appeared to show the cashier accepting $31 in cash, but voiding out the sale.

Three days later the cashier was summoned to the manager's office and aggressively accused of stealing thirty-one dollars from the store (the amount of the voided transaction). The accusatory interrogation, involving three loss prevention staff who threatened the cashier with possible arrest, lasted for two hours before the emotionally distressed employee stomped out of the room. The cashier was suspended for three days for "acts of dishonesty."

When the cashier returned to work she was informed that further investigation cleared her of any wrong-doing, but by then the damage had been done. She sued her employer for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealings, slander, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Had it not been for a delayed filing in this case, the outcome could have resulted in substantial damages against the employer and/or investigators.

In Hollywood the typical police "interrogation" consists of asking the suspect two or three questions, catching the suspect in a known or presumed lie and going in for the kill by accusing the suspect of committing the crime. Especially when a suspect has been caught lying or in a web of circumstantial evidence it is tempting to get the quick confession by skipping the interview and moving directly into an interrogation. However, in almost all instances, an interrogation should be preceded by a non-accusatory interview. In addition to avoiding the situation in which an innocent person is interrogated, the following are other benefits of conducting a non-accusatory interview prior to any interrogation.


Develop Rapport

A suspect's impression of an investigator will be formed within 15 - 20 seconds of meeting the investigator. That initial reaction will, in turn, influence whether or not a rapport will be established between the investigator and the suspect. To persuade a suspect to tell the truth during an interrogation requires that the suspect trust the investigator and perceive the investigator as an objective, non-judgmental person.

This rapport cannot be developed in a relationship initiated by an accusation of guilt followed by a monologue in which the investigator dominates the conversation. In other words, rapport cannot be established during an interrogation. It can only be established during a non-accusatory interview during which the investigator is perceived as an objective, non-judgmental fact-finder and the suspect does most of the talking.
Develop Investigative Information

Because an interview is non-accusatory, a suspect is much more likely to reveal opportunity and access to commit the crime, a motive to commit the crime and even psychological propensity to engage in criminal behaviour. However, once a suspect is accused of involvement in criminal activity, he perceives the relationship between himself and the investigator as adversarial. His defensive response will be to deny any information that may connect him to the crime under investigation. An investigator is much more likely to learn the truth from a suspect during an interrogation if the suspect has acknowledged opportunity, access, motive and propensity to commit the crime.

Furthermore, when accused of wrong-doing, the tendency to deny opportunity, access, motive and propensity occurs within both innocent and guilty suspects. Consequently, when a suspect lies about having a prior conviction during an interrogation, this represents a less significant indicator of guilt than when the suspect tells the same lie during a non-accusatory interview.

Another significant benefit of conducting an interview prior to an interrogation is that the suspect is allowed an opportunity to offer an explanation for incriminating evidence and to provide an alibi, if he has one. The investigator may have an opportunity, through a phone call or record check, to confirm or refute the information provided by the suspect. If the information does not check out, this will clearly offer the investigator valuable ammunition during the interrogation.


Develop Behavioural Information

Suspects are very good at identifying an investigator's level of confidence during an interrogation. Most suspects can tell if an investigator is bluffing about possessing evidence or speaking truthfully. Consequently, the investigator who is perceived by the suspect as confident in his position and statements is much more likely to walk out of the interrogation learning the truth. This is a significant reason why polygraph examiners have high confession rates - they have observed the suspect's "deceptive responses" on the polygraph charts. Similarly, investigators who have actual evidence of a suspect's guilt are often successful at learning the truth during an interrogation. The reason for this is that in both instances, the investigator conducts the interrogation with almost certainty of the suspect's guilt.

The asking of behaviour-provoking questions during an interview can result in the same effect. When a suspect answers the majority of behaviour-provoking questions in a manner typical of a deceptive individual, the investigator has increased confidence in the suspect's guilt during the interrogation.

Finally, an investigator may develop information about the suspect's background, such as a prior conviction, or that the day after the crime the suspect paid his landlord two months back rent in cash. Armed with this insight, the investigator can ask the suspect questions during the interview to which the answer is already known, e.g., "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?"; "Have you made any large cash payments in the last week?" An innocent person will typically tell the truth to these questions. However, if the suspect lies to those questions the investigator will have increased confidence in the suspect's probable guilt during a subsequent interrogation.

In conclusion, the interview is an integral part of the subsequent interrogation. It allows the investigator to establish rapport with the suspect. The suspect is much more likely to offer investigative information during the interview, and the investigator can develop behavioural information during the interview which will increase his confidence in the suspect's guilt later during the interrogation. Finally, the interview allows the suspect to offer explanations for apparent incriminating evidence or provide an alibi which can be verified (or refuted). The lawsuit mentioned at the beginning of this article could have been completely avoided had the investigators first interviewed the employee.

Credit and Permission Statement: This Investigator Tip was developed by John E. Reid and Associates Inc. Permission is hereby granted to those who wish to share or copy the article. For additional 'tips' visit www.reid.com; select 'Educational Information' and 'Investigator Tip'. Inquiries regarding Investigator Tips should be directed to Janet Finnerty johnreid@htc.net. For more information regarding Reid seminars and training products, contact John E. Reid and Associates, Inc. at 800-255-5747 or www.reid.com.

For interviewing and interrogation techniques training in Canada you may also contact The Canadian Tactical Training Academy www.ctta-global.com, Tel: 514-373-8411

Spy Agency’s New Ottawa Compound To Include Hiking Trails, Basketball Courts

There's an old saying that goes: 'if you want the truth, follow the money.'

Well, if you want to know where the Harper government's priorities lie, follow the taxpayer money trail.

The Ottawa Citizen is reporting new information about Canada's electronic spy agency's $880 million 775,000 square foot facility currently being built in the Ottawa suburb of Gloucester.

Internal documents obtained by the newspaper show that the new Communications Security Establishment Canada compound — set to open in 2014 — will include basketball and volleyball courts, a bank, a 400-seat conference centre, a library and onsite hiking trails, all in an attempt to attract the "best and brightest" workforce.

But don't worry: the originally planned hockey rink and hobby garden have apparently been taken off the drawing board.

The Citizen also notes that the government has labelled the building "Camelot" while union officials have dubbed it the "Taj Mahal."

Whatever it's called, it's lavish and expensive and it's being built at a time when other government departments are being expected to cut costs.

CSEC, which uses technology to hear what people are saying abroad, now has a budget of about $350 million a year and has doubled in size since 2001. Moreover, while other government departments faced cuts of up to 10 per cent in Budget 2012, CSEC escaped with only a 2 per cent slice.

It's a similar story at Canada's more high profile spy agency.

According to Rabble.ca, Canadian Security Intelligence Service funding has increased by 160 per cent, from less than $200 million in 2001 to $511 million in 2010. And, in 2012, the Harper government only cut 1.5 per cent of CSIS's half-billion dollar annual budget.

The Camelot/Taj Mahal along with the sustained spending are a clear indicators that the Harper government is serious about boosting their spy capabilities.

At a time when security and intelligence issues loom large with regards to arctic sovereignty, corporate espionage and continued terrorist threats, maybe that's not such a bad thing.

By Andy Radia | Canada Politics