UNCLASSIFIED (U) FBI Tampa Division National Security Threat Awareness Monthly Bulletin APRIL 2012 (U) Administrative Note: This product reflects the views of the FBI- Tampa Division and has not been vetted by FBI Headquarters. (U) Handling notice: Although UNCLASSIFIED, this information is property of the FBI and may be distributed only to members of organizations receiving this bulletin, or to cleared defense contractors. Precautions should be taken to ensure this information is stored and/or destroyed in a manner that precludes unauthorized access. 10 APR 2012 (U) The FBI Tampa Division National Security Threat Awareness Monthly Bulletin provides a summary of previously reported US government press releases, publications, and news articles from wire services and news organizations relating to counterintelligence, cyber and terrorism threats. The information in this bulletin represents the views and opinions of the cited sources for each article, and the analyst comment is intended only to highlight items of interest to organizations in Florida. This bulletin is provided solely to inform our Domain partners of news items of interest, and does not represent FBI information. In the APRIL 2012 Issue: Article Title Page NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT NEWS FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: FBI Director Delivers Statement on Key National Security Threats and Crime Problems p. 2 Congressional Commission Release Report on Chinese Capabilities for Computer Network p. 8 Operations and Cyber Espionage COUNTERINTELLIGENCE/ECONOMIC ESPIONAGE THREAT ITEMS FROM THE PRESS: FBI Traces Trail of Spy Ring to China p. 10 Former DuPont Scientist Pleads Guilty To Economic Espionage p. 14 Ex-Marine Accused of Attempting to Export Sensitive Military Items p. 14 Australian Indicted in Plot to Export Restricted Military and Other US Technology to Iran p. 16 Iranian Convicted In Arms Smuggling Case Deported p. 17 As Security Threats Evolve, Justice Department’s Pelak Focuses on Illegal Exports p. 18 Noted Scientist Sentenced to Prison for Attempted Espionage, Fraud and Tax Charges p. 20 China Suspected of Facebook Attack on NATO's Supreme Allied Commander p. 22 Attackers Leverage Iran Nuclear Tensions in Targeted Attack Against US Military Staff p. 24 Chinese Universities Send Big Signals to Foreigners p. 25 Chinese Spies Target Taiwan's US-Made Defenses p. 27 Iran Hacks BBC Persian TV p. 29 CYBERSECURITY SPECIAL FOCUS FOR INDUSTRY The Bright Side of Being Hacked p. 30 Study: Senior Executives Lack Awareness of IT Security and Privacy p. 32 CYBER THREAT ITEMS FROM THE PRESS: FBI Director Warns Cyber Crime on Par with Terrorism p. 33 Don't Underestimate Cyber Terrorism Threat, Security Experts Say p. 34 How to Catch a Cyber Thief: Devoted Cyber-Sleuths Fight Industrial Espionage and Botnets p. 34 New Interest in Hacking as Threat to Security p. 35 Cyber-Criminals Change Tactics as Network Security Improves p. 37 New Verizon Breach Data Shows Outside Threat Dominated 2011 p. 38 Ransomware: The Latest Trend in Malware p. 39 US Cyber Chief: We are Fighting a “Tide of Criminality” p. 40 US Nukes Face Up to 10 Million Cyber Attacks Daily p. 41 Report: Hackers Seized Control of Computers in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab p. 42 US Secret Service’s “Operation Open Market” Nets 19 Arrests p. 43 UNCLASSIFIED 1 UNCLASSIFIED Anonymous Vandalizes US Prison Contractors' Site p. 44 Interpol Says Suspected Anonymous Hackers Arrested p. 44 Anonymous Shuts Interpol Site in Revenge p. 44 Anonymous Takes Down Security Firm's Website, Vows to Fight on After Arrests p. 46 Unsecured Email Led to Leak of FBI and Scotland Yard Call p. 47 Malicious Code in the IT Supply Chain Threatens Federal Operations p. 48 COUNTERTERRORISM THREAT ITEMS FROM THE PRESS: High School Grad Guilty in Terror Case is Cited in Report on Future of Islamist Extremism p. 48 NYC Man Gets 27 Years in Homegrown Terror Case p. 51 Maryland Teen Plans Guilty Plea in Pennsylvania Terror Case p. 51 Philadelphia Man Charged with Aiding Islamic Terror Group p. 52 Iran Diplomats Cased NYC Landmarks, Police Official Says p. 53 Authorities Probing Possible Terrorist Links to People Taking Photos Of NYC Landmarks p. 54 Azerbaijan Arrests 22 Suspected of Plotting US, Israel Embassy Attacks on Iran's Behalf p. 55 Former US Army Soldier Indicted for Attempting to Provide Material Support to Al-Shabaab p. 56 (U) NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT NEWS FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: (U) FBI Director Robert Mueller Delivers Statement on Key National Security Threats and Crime Problems to the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (07 MAR 2012) (U) The FBI remains focused on defending the United States against terrorism, foreign intelligence, and cyber threats; upholding and enforcing the criminal laws of the United States; protecting civil rights and civil liberties; and providing leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners. Our continued ability to carry out this complex and demanding mission reflects the support and oversight provided by this subcommittee. (U) More than 10 years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the FBI continues to be a threat-focused, intelligence-driven organization that is guided by clear operational strategies. And we remain firmly committed to carrying out these strategies under guidelines established by the attorney general that protect the civil liberties of those entrusting us with the authorities to carry out our mission. (U) As our nation‘s national security and criminal adversaries constantly adapt and evolve, so must the FBI be able to respond with new or revised strategies and operations to counter these threats. The FBI continues to shift to be more predictive, preventative, and actively engaged with the communities we serve. The FBI‘s evolution has been made possible by greater use of technology to gather, analyze, and share information on current and emerging threats; expansion of collaboration with new partners, both domestically and internationally; and investments in training, developing, and maximizing our workforce. The FBI continues to be successful in maintaining this momentum of transformation even during these challenging times. Here is a brief summary of key national security threats and crime problems. (U) National Security Threats (U) Terrorism (U) The terrorist threat facing the United States remains complex and ever-changing. We are seeing more groups and individuals engaged in terrorism, a wider array of terrorist targets, greater cooperation among terrorist groups, and continued evolution and adaptation in tactics and communication. UNCLASSIFIED 2 UNCLASSIFIED (U) While Osama bin Laden and certain other key leaders have been removed, al Qaeda and its affiliates and adherents continue to represent the top terrorism threat to the United States abroad and at home. Core al Qaeda remains committed to high-profile attacks against the United States. Additionally, al Qaeda affiliates and surrogates, such as al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, represent significant threats to our nation. These groups have attempted several attacks against the homeland and our citizens and interests abroad, including the failed Christmas Day airline bombing in 2009 and the attempted bombing of US- bound cargo planes in October 2010. (U) In addition to al Qaeda and its affiliates, the United States faces a terrorist threat from self-radicalized individuals. Self-radicalized extremists, often acting on their own, are among the most difficult to detect and stop. For example, in February, the FBI arrested Amine El Khalifi, a 29-year-old Moroccan immigrant, for the suspected attempt to detonate a bomb in a suicide attack on the US Capitol building. According to court documents, Khalifi believed he was conducting the terrorist attack on behalf of al Qaeda and had become radicalized even though he was not directly affiliated with any group. The Khalifi case exemplifies the need for the FBI to continue to enhance our intelligence capabilities, to get critical information to the right people at the right time, before any harm is done. (U) The basis from which acts of terrorism are committed, from organizations to affiliates/surrogates to self-radicalized individuals, continue to evolve and expand. Of particular note is al Qaeda‘s use of online chat rooms and websites to recruit and radicalize followers to commit acts of terrorism. And they are not hiding in the shadows of cyber space: al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has produced a full-color, English-language online magazine. Terrorists are not only sharing ideas; they are soliciting information and inviting communication. Al Shabaab, the al Qaeda affiliate in Somalia, uses Twitter to taunt its enemies, in English, and encourage terrorist activity. (U) To date, terrorists have not used the Internet to launch a full-scale cyber attack, but we cannot underestimate their intent. Terrorists have shown interest in pursuing hacking skills. And they may seek to train their own recruits or hire outsiders, with an eye toward pursuing cyber attacks. These adaptations of the terrorist threat make the FBI‘s counterterrorism mission that much more difficult and challenging. (U) Foreign Intelligence (U) While foreign intelligence services continue traditional efforts to target political and military intelligence, counterintelligence threats now include efforts to obtain technologies and trade secrets from corporations and universities. The loss of critical research and