Categorie archief: Reports 2015

September 2015, An Aproach to IT security

September 2015, An approach to IT security

IT security

The world is connected, interconnected and everybody, consumer, business and government, have often several IT systems installed and operating.

IT systems are not only the home PC and accounting, ERP system in companies but also the data servers, communication switch systems and control systems of powerplants and sewage systems. IT systems control nearly all processes in a developed economy.

IT systems need to be protected against all kind of intruders. There are several threats to IT systems. From the “computer nerd”, criminal to terrorist organizations or even foreign governments who want to break into, hack, your IT systems. Hacking can have several motives. It can be done just to find out how they can come in and how it is designed. Out of curiosity. But most attacks are out of ulterior motives. Criminals are interested how to get as much as possible money out of information of the company and customers. Governments and other companies are primarily interested in industrial espionage. Getting information about products, methods and pricing. The third group are terrorist and foreign countries who want to gather information, manipulate information/data and even destroy complete IT sytems.

The level of proficiency of all three groups can be alike. And very often the different groups operate or are forced to work together. Nerds can work for criminals or governments by either simple the threat of physical force or by offering incentives or protection from prosecution. Criminals do it for incentives and protection from prosecution. Terrorists do it out of conviction, for example fighting for god.

What ever the motive it is in your interest to keep all unwanted “visitors” out of your IT systems. Everybody can remember the impact and danger of viruses like Stuxnet, Dux and Regin.

 

Entries into IT systems

There are a several options how to enter an IT system. From rather simple to sophisticated:

– You can use a password;

– piggyback on somebody else;

– have somebody inside to open up the door;

– use a fake entrance site;

– enter an IT system by connecting a physical device;

– use software to break the code;

– or break into a communication line between several computer systems.

Several entries can be closed by using technical means. Install and update firewalls and anti-virus software. It is a matter to buy and install the right systems and keep them up to date.

Passwords can be get by stealing or deceiving people in freely giving the necessary passwords. Phising is still a technique used to get information out of people, including passwords and ATM/pin codes of bankaccounts. Surprisingly, many people can be tricked into giving up much personal details.

Hackers can build identical looking websites which mimick an original website. The hacker’s site is put in front of the original site or small changes have been made in the url, name, ID, of the site.

Hackers look at vulnerabilities of software, websites, about how they can enter and do their thing.

Software has also been used to enter IT systems, to identify passwords, to find weak spots in systems and be able to look around inside.

IT systems, even closed systems, can be illegally tapped by physical devices and by breaking into communication cables.

 

Protect your IT systems

IT systems need to be protected to operate flawlessly. The first line of defense is the security of the operating system. It needs to be up to date and be evaluated continuously to look for vulnerabilities will need to be closed immediately after discovering.

The second line of defense is also about the use of technical means. The firewall and anti-virus software needs to be up to date and always operating. Especially if an IT system is online.

The basic technical means need to be operational. If those are not operating, installed, it is basically an open invitation to a hacker.

Other technical means which can be used efficiently and make it more difficult to enter an IT system are about registration and allowance to enter an IT system or certain area of a system. An IT system can also respond to a request to enter to make a connection itself with the person/entity requested entrance. Other options are using profiles. Of all people using an IT system can be made a profile. If they behave differently from their usual pattern, something can be wrong and needs attention. The profiling can go as far as looking for word use, grammar and speed of the use of the keyboard. Any change of behavior is a reason to give the user additional attention and if necessary cut the communication or even start an investigation with your own offensive software to get more information about the user, capabilities and intentions.

Technical means are about halve of your IT security. The other part is about the human use, abuse, of IT systems.

Everybody using IT systems should be aware. Awareness about the system and about the threats. Learning and training are important to create and nurture that awareness.

Users have to protect their passwords, never inform others about their codes. Nobody, even officials/employees of organizations/businesses were the password is necessary have a need for your password. A password is only necessary for you to enter/order the IT system. If officials/employees would have a need to enter the, your, IT system there will have been created entrances for their use only.

Be aware for questions about your passwords, about demands to renew your bankcards/passwords. That you have to enter, or be directly linked, to the website of the issuer of the bankcard and fill out all kind of documents to renew your bankcard. The website is often a good look a like, with nearly the same URL as the official website. Never give away information about bankaccounts and passwords or send your bankcard to a reliable looking kind of address.

The same is valid for messages send to you. Do not open strange mails, especially attachments. By opening you can give a permission to enter your IT system/computer. Or leave behind some kind of software which is dangerous to your computer, your data on the computer and even your own well being. As it could damage your computer, steal/manipulate data, steal money, use your computer for all kind of illegal affairs.

The above mentioned methods are called Phising and remains a tool for criminals and changes/improves as people get more knowledge about it.

An IT system/computer is usually protected by firewalls and anti-virus software but those will only function against something coming from the outside. If you would connect another IT system/computer or USB device on to your IT system it will will assume that you have checked the content and that it is allowed to enter your system. So never ever connect strange or found devices to your IT system as you don’t know if it is clean or safe to use.

Foreign secret services like the former KGB, the CIA and the Mossad have used it to get entry into government and commercial IT systems. For example USB devices with the Stux net virus on it has been placed, left behind, to be picked up and checked by employees who had found those devices.

People, staff, need to be trained, learned to be aware of the dangers around. Aware users together with the available technical means, IT systems can be protected against unwanted entrants/users.

It is up to every user, individual, company, or government, how to protect your IT systems. But considering the use and importance of IT systems, the best available protection/security is necessary. Install and use the right firewall, anti-virus/scanning software and be aware about the world. If necessary we from INSE services can help you.

 

Standaard
July 2015, Reports 2015

July 2015.II, AQI to ISIS/ISIL to IS

July 2015.II, AQI to ISIS/ISIL to IS/Daesh

ISIS/ISIL, the start of a movement

ISIS/ISIL, Islamic State in Iraq and Syria / Islamic State in Iraq and Levant originated in Iraq after Saddam Hussayn was removed out of power. After the Baath party lost power, the Sunni minority who used to run the country lost their prominent position.

This resulted in a civil war like situation when several Sunni groups started fighting the government. An Al Qaeda franchise, Al Qaeda in Iraq, AQI, became the most famous as they were more or less successful and very brutal/violent in their actions. The US military and the Iraqi government could with the help of Sunni clans suppress most of the actions of the Al Qaeda in Iraq.

At this moment when they were close to being defeated former Saddam Hussayn secret service operatives took over the organization of this group. This becomes clear after looking at the hierarchy of the group. There are a lot of former members of Saddam’s military and secret service active. Rather successfully they rebuilded the group and started a little later to work under the name of ISIS or ISIL.

The design of former military and secret service agents is clearly visible in the way the group is organized, how they conduct operations, how they expand their territory, how they maintain internal and external security and how to attract people.

To attract followers they introduced in their opinion to most pure form of Islam, to live according the Quran and Hadith. In a very strict interpretation. And to bring back the leading position of Sunni muslims in Iraq, for them their “natural” leadership role. The main objective of ISIS/ISIL is that they are fighting for a strict interpretation of the Islam, where Muslims can live and do their prayers and are protected from evil influences.

It is their strength that they are on a mission of God, fight till the end and willing to make any sacrifice. Impressive for less trained people/groups but easy game for a well trained military unit.

Large parts of the Iraqi province of Anbar could be taken over. But it is not densely populated, a lot of desert and inhabited by Sunni muslims. At the beginning their natural allies/followers. Not all enlargements were on the battlefield but clans were also persuaded to join/follow IS as they would bring back the better days of the Saddam era.

When the civil war in Syria started it was the opportunity for the movement to expand their operations. They could take over large parts of Syria. And became ISIS/ISIL.

In Syria they could establish in Raqqa their capital and declare themself as the caliphate. Just like the historical caliphates in Damascus and Baghdad. As they declared the caliphate, they start calling themself IS, Islamic State.

As IS, caliphate, they could attract more followers and expand through the integration of Islamic groups in other countries. Like in Nigeria, Libya, Afghanistan and Indonesia.

They initially gained the most followers by living and ordering people to live the most pure way of Islam, their successes on the battlefield, their harsh and brutal manners to govern the areas under their control and the spectacular, sometimes cruel, executions of prisoners, enemies of IS.

IS is/was not only fighting in Syria with Assad but also with rebel groups like the FSA and Jahbat Al Nusra. Because of the in-fighting the Syrian military could regain territory. Assad could however not profit fully from the division between the several groups in Syria. All are in a kind of stalemate, not strong enough to defeat the other groups.

But in 2014 with the take over of Mosul in Iraq IS had become the most successful and effective group in the area. They control substantial parts of Iraq and Syria. And more important IS could in the beginning generate enough financial resources to maintain a country/caliphate.

Turning point

The control of Mosul, Tikrit, Fallujah and Kobane (nearly) was the zenith of their power. There was even fear that IS would make it to Baghdad. Iraqi military incompetence and corruption was the main reason IS could relatively easy take over that large area.

But it was also the wake up call for the Iraqi government that they had got to get serious about the defensive and offensive capabilities of the military and the several Shia militias.

Resistance against IS became more organized and the USA and several other countries, including Arab countries, started to support the Iraqi government and several anti-IS groups with equipment, training and air support.

The Kurdish YPG could, after some initial difficulties, take Kobane back from IS who nearly had taken over control of this Kurdish town on the Turkish border.

Most clashes with YPG forces ended badly for IS. Air support gave the YPG the firepower needed to defeat IS more easily.

IS could enlarge its territory after loosing Kobane in Syria and Tikrit in Iraq but it could not make up the total losses since the fall of Kobane. They had to retreat in northern Syria and in Anbar province in Iraq.

Outside the Iraq-Syria area, IS could expand by accepting other groups in their organization. In most countries IS followers want to join, some are just individuals, some are groups and some are existing groups who had been part of another organization like Al Qaeda. Those are attracted to IS because of their successes on the battlefield but also because of the idea of a pure way of Islamic living.

The new members of IS are not established groups. They have to fight to keep their own territories. In Libya for example the local IS affiliate could take control of Sirte but lost Derna to an Al Qaeda allied group. In Afghanistan, groups who consider the Taliban not pure enough joined IS but this led to some serious in-fighting in the Taliban. The integration of Boko Haram in Nigeria into IS has been smoothly. But the recent operations of the government, with support of “military advisers“ of STTEP and neighboring countries, against Boko Haram has pushed them out of many territories they controlled.

IS can attract many people/groups but joining IS isn’t necessarily a success. It will give such a group some standing, sometimes some financial support and training but also more decisiveness in fighting it, as the brutality of IS is an additional incentive to keep them out, e.g. defeat them.

The defeats on the battlefield and the predator-like way of collecting “taxes”, money, translated into lesser income, money, for IS to finance their activities. Running a state is expensive as it will need a constant flow of money to make it work. The drop in the price of oil was the final nail to the coffin of the revenues of IS.

The future of IS

The fighting of IS and against IS will continue for some time. They will not be defeated easily. They are operating in a chaotic part of the world. Syria is involved in a large and lasting civil war with no group at the moment strong enough to create a decisive strategy and firepower to defeat the other contestants. In Iraq the situation is different as there is not really a civil war going on but the weakness of the Iraqi armed forces and the problems with several Shia militias will make it rather difficult to have a fast advance and take over of the territories under control of IS.

The Kurdish groups, united in the KRG, in the north of Iraq are better equipped with weapons and trained to fight IS but they still lack a lot of necessary equipment. The Iraqi government is not delivering all support they receive for the north to the KRG as they fear that the KRG will demand autonomy/independence from Iraq. The KRG will be able to move against IS in the north of Iraq as it gains strength every month. The KRG could take Mosul but it would be difficult without support from the Iraqi armed forces. And they act slowly because of the known shortcoming against IS. But in the end they will be there and do their part.

With the exception of some parts of the province of Anbar most of Iraq will be happy to see IS go. IS will keep a substantial following in Iraq under the Sunnis. They want to regain their former position but that will proof to be impossible. IS will be in Iraq reduced to a small, terrorist, organization. Which can be dealt with police, para-military and some special forces.

The situation in Syria is more complicated as the civil war will extend any fight against IS. If IS is weakened or defeated it will be beneficial for Assad, he will loose one of the major rebel groups against his government.

IS could stay in Syria but it is under threat as the Kurdish YPG is moving towards the self proclaimed capital of IS, Raqqa. At the moment they will wait for reinforcements from Arab rebel groups like Jahbat Al Nusra, the remnants of the FSA and others before they will attack Raqqa. The Arab rebel groups are necessary because the relations between the Kurds and Arabs are not that good. The Arabs suspect the Kurdish YPG to expel them out of the area.

IS is under severe stress as the YPG is pushing the forces of IS out of the northern territories. Those areas are very important to IS as they deliver new manpower and support via Turkey.

At first Turkey considered IS not a direct threat. You could make deal with them. They could arrange that the diplomatic staff taken by IS in Mosul was released. Later they saw them as a useful kind of ally as they fought the YPG, Syrian Kurds. They are in turn allied with the PKK, the Turkish Kurdish party.

After the suicide attack of IS on a Turkish/Kurdish town, Suruc, Ankara realized that IS is an uncontrollable projectile. Which should be destroyed as it would destabilize the whole Middle East.

The Turkish reaction to an attack on their territory was air strikes at IS positions, YPG and the PKK. This has tipped the scales even further against IS. And at the same time they could gain indirectly support of NATO in the attack of PKK and YPG targets. This will weaken the Kurdish case, autonomy or even independence for one or more Kurdish state(s). The attack at the PKK/YPG is at the same time an electoral movement of prime-minister Erdogan. He can show that he will defend Turkey against every threat, IS and PKK. This double or even triple strategy should minimize the threat of any Kurdish ambitions in Turkey, at the same time could it deliver an electoral success and IS could be defeated which will deliver Turkey extra credits in the West.

Turkish firepower, airstrikes, and the permission for the USA to station forces in Turkey will be even more damaging to IS. But Turkish involvement comes with a price. They will also attack Kurdish YPG and PKK targets in the area to limit/end any Kurdish ambition.

Turkey and the USA even want to create a safe zone in a part of the north of Syria to prevent that the Kurdish YPG/PKK will take control the border region.

The support of the Kurdish YPG is absolutely necessary in the fight against IS. You can’t win a war from the air. You will need feet on the ground to defeat IS and take control over the area, people, living there.

IS does not have many friends in the area. They have made enemies with about every group, clan, state or even people in the area. With the exception of course of some Sunni clans/people in Anbar.

The future of IS does not look good, to many enemies and the resources, financially and militarily, get depleted and are more difficult to restock. The harsh treatment of the people living in the areas under control of IS will lead eventually to uprisings, rebellion, from the inside. The several poisonings of IS fighters and the many people that want to get away are the first signs of resistance against IS.

IS have, as many dictatorial regimes, their own republican guard, the Shield of Islam. A military brigade, better trained, armed and paid and above all absolutely loyal to IS. The Shield of Islam should protect the leadership and keep the common IS fighters committed to the fight/Jihad. But if the Shield of Islam becomes a priority target and the IS fighting groups get beaten most of the time it will even become more difficult to keep all and everybody under control.

IS will most likely have a hard time in the coming months. Slowly they will loose territory in Iraq and Syria. The intervention from Turkey could cause some delay as the YPG/PKK have been and will be targeted by the Turkish air force. But IS have been and will be hit harder and more as they are also on the hitlist of the USA and co.

IS will not be able to hold on to their caliphate, country-like, structure with their capital Raqqa. In Iraq and Syria they will return to a less organized/structured group. Groups will have to start operate more independently and will be more dependent on looting and only occasional support form IS leadership.

In Iraq they will be loosing more and faster territory and power. The Kurdish KRG gets better organized, trained and armed. The Iraqi armed forces get support from the USA and Iran in training and armament. The Shia militias continue to play a major role in the capturing of IS occupied territory. The militias get more experienced and are fighting kind of for their own survival. IS consider the Shia as heretics and deserve to be killed. The fight between those two will often lead to mass killlings as taking prisoners is not their style.

IS will in Syria probably fall back as one of the many Islamic radical groups fighting Assad. The only commonality between all those groups is the wish to remove the Assad regime and install an Islamic republic.

In the last year the more moderate FSA has been marginalized between Jahbat Al Nusra and IS. A USA trained and funded group is also under attack of Al Nusra. Their commander and a few men have been kidnapped by Al Nusra after a conference of rebel groups. The situation is pretty chaotic about who is supporting who and who are working together. There are often ad hoc groups but rarely for the longer term.

The differences between all groups will give the Assad government a very good chance to survive on the short term and even longer. The chance to defeat all groups and keep Syria in one part might be not possible for Assad. But with the help of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah they might be able to secure the areas they have under control.

The re-approachment between the USA and Iran, the end of the sanctions against Iran and the importance of Syria for Russia will mean a continuation of and probably more support for the Assad government.

IS will be forced to seek more and better cooperation with other groups, the bad name and track record of IS will not make that easier. They have collected a lot of hate and fear. Which can be beneficial in a fight but a drawback in negotiations or if looking for partners.

They will however continue to receive support from abroad but that will not directly translate to support on the battlefield in firepower, men or finances. Internationally they can rally support of a large part of the Sunni Muslim community, especially youths. But in large part this is based on some kind of admiration of the “Islamic warrior” idea and that the much disliked USA, a.k.a. Western countries, are occasionally attacked. In the war in Syria they cannot and will not be of any help.

IS will be reduced from caliphate with capital to one of several radical Islamic groups fighting Assad and the Kurdish YPG and PKK in Syria. And IS will be also fighting the Kurdish KRG and the Iraqi Shia government in Iraq. And probably even some Sunni tribes in Syria and Iraq who have enough of the strict and brutal rule of IS. In the mean time they will remain dangerous and deadly and will continue fighting as a organization propagating a strict Islamic society with terrorism as its main weapon. Time could in the end turn them into history.

Standaard
July 2015.I, Reports 2015

July 2015.I, Greece, the debt drama

Greece, the debt drama

Greece a nice country in the south of Europe, a tourist paradise with friendly and hospitable people. Political they had their share of problems but also the habit of spending to much. As mostly the last or next generation had better times.

A short history

Greece has accumulated since entry into the common currency, the Euro, a substantial national debt. A debt to high to be sustainable or that it ever could be repaid. Greece always had a lot of debt but the entry into the Euro offered Greece two advantages. First Greece became part of stabile area with low inflation and second their interest rates became significantly lower since the entry into the Euro.

This gave them the opportunity to lend even more and creditors had to much trust into the Greek government. Ofcourse the creditors could get a higher interest rate so making it for them more attractive to lend money to Greece. Both sides, debtors and creditors could be accused of irresponsible behavior.

The entry into the Euro-zone was only possible with the rather dubious help of one of the leading financial groups in the world, Goldman Sachs, and a lot of creative bookkeeping.

From the moment they were in the Euro zone, Greece continued to do business as usual. Spending even more, increase the size of the government, more civil servants, a generous social service system, an oversized military, to less tax revenues, an incompetent tax, internal revenue, service and to much regulations were they should not and to little legislation were they should.

In 2009 this out of control government, spending, was confronted with severe financial problem when the first financial crisis started. The debt of Greece had grown to 130% of GDP, it’s assumed that 90 to 100% of GDP is acceptable. Greece had a budget deficit of 15% and if they would continue living this way, the national debt would increase 12% per annum.

This is the major problem of Greece, spending to much in relation to the revenues which they can earn as country.

The financial crisis of 2008 saw a change in policy on the international financial markets, lending less and with more conditions. Greece had difficulties in raising enough money to service their national and international financial obligations.

In 2010 Greece received a financial support package to get their house in order, pay the bills and create economic growth. Part of the support package was the condition that the government would become more efficient and that they would start spending lesser. The first austerity package.

The 2010 support package didn’t have the results that were anticipated so Greece did get more. In 2012 Greece did get, beside an even larger support package, a debt reduction and debt restructuring. This became also necessary as to many large European banks had lend to much money and if Athens couldn’t or didn’t meet their obligations those banks would get into great difficulties.

The 2012 debt reduction meant that 107 billion Euros of debt was eliminated. Private creditors which had bonds in value of 206 billion Euros saw over half of their credits disappear. And debt to banks were in essence refinanced. The banks got their loans repaid with new debts from European governments/EU/ECB. The debts to governments, EU/ECB and IMF were at that moment not part of the debt reduction.

During this time Greece introduced a large austerity package which cut the number of civil servants, government spending, social spending etc. The result of the austerity package was that the Greek economy got a lot smaller. The economy has shrunk over 25%. With the result that the debt to GDP ratio became even worser, a rate of 175% of the GDP.

The social situation in Greece has become for a lot of people intolerable. Their incomes went down and the cost went up. There haven’t been any promising sign of all this austerity. They want a change and above all, better living conditions and a growing economy.

Greece does need however another support package, or rather the execution of the 2010/2012 support package, to meet its obligations. But to get this the EU/ECB/IMF demand austerity, social changes, more taxation and the sell off of government property/businesses.

The new elected government of the left(radical) party Syriza promised a change, no more austerity and economic growth. All negotiations about the execution of the support package have been dragged out and no agreemeent reached. Even a referendum which supported Syrizas refusal to implement more austerity could not change it.

This led us to the current situation were Greece is at the cross point of executing the harsh conditions of the support package. Which in the meantime has become better because payback deadlines have pushed forward to about 2040-2055 and the interest rates down to little to nothing. What means with an inflation rate of about 2%, in 30 to 40 years the debt will be evaporated. In the end it’s just another way of debt reduction but politically better acceptable in many countries. In the meantime the debt will remain on the books, will nominally be the same but will loose value.

Or ofcourse, default on the debt. The first default actually happened when Greece didn’t pay the IMF in the first week of July 2015. This will give them a month to pay or reach a deal with the EU/IMF.

Greece will have to deliver, accept and execute the terms of the support package. Which officially has to be renegotiated and approved by parliaments but this can be done considering the experience/knowledge of the old package.

The future of Greece

There are two options for Greece, cooperation with the EU within the Euro or default and have a new currency. You can talk about it, talk about democracy, economy and the structure of the society which should be more equal and fair. In the end it remains a debt which has to be dealt with. A debt you pay, make an agreement for conditions or even about a reduction. But it has to be arranged.

There are theories that having your own currency will have the advantage that you national bank can better act and create a situation which is beneficial for your country. The value of your currency will get less which should improve your export. Ofcourse your import will get more expensive to, so it could be a zero-sum game. If you don’t have an export oriented industry/economy and have a competitive industry, currency plays are not really beneficial.

Having an independent national bank will give you the advantage to control/manipulate the volume of the national currency and interest rate. But these powers are also limited as the value will be set by the the international markets and inflation could also have damaging effects on your economy.

The only thing which could deliver a short term advantage is closing your country to external influences. Import as little as possible, only the really necessary products will be imported. Everything has to be produced in the country. This will create economic growth and employment.

This will however violate the basic idea of the EU, free movement of people, products/services and captal. And you can do it only for the short term. If an industry can’t compete on the international market it will not survive if the market/borders will be open again. Protected industries are not really effective, efficient and innovative.

The real question is, what will happen to your debts. You can default on the debt, a country can refuse to pay them. There is very little you can do, as a creditor, about that. There are some agreements in the Club of London and the Club of Paris what to do if a government doesn’t pay but enforcement is always the problem.

The debt will remain the same if no agreement is reached with creditors. The creditors can sue a country/government in their national courts. Depends on the conditions of the bonds, likewise, what will be nominated currency, even if there is a change of currency, In this case from Euro to Drachma, or whatever the name will be of a new Greek currency.

The current debt of Greece will most likely be remain in Euros, the Greek government might decide to change them into the new currency but they still can be sued about that in foreign courts. Some creditors can be very determined in following/sueing debtors. Argentina has some nasty experiences with those companies.

The debt will become absolutely unpayable with the new currency as the new currency will depreciate in value as fast as it is introduced. The value of the new currency will 4 to 5 Drachmas to 1 Euro. A conservative estimation.

Greece wil not have a real benefit on going on its own. Default has no real advantage for Greece. The debts remain, they will be reduced by time but in the meantime, it will be very difficult for Greece to import and get the financial resources they need to service not only their financial obligations but also civil servant wages, pensions and other operating costs.

Rationally, Greece can best reach an agreement with their creditors. This offers the best opportunity to get out of this misery.

In the end all will agree, to get better, Greece will need to grow. Its economy and employment will need to increase. It’s necessary that the debts will be reduced but also that social services will be adapted, like the taxation and regulations/legislation.

Austerity is a part of the solution, expenditures on the same level as in 2000-2008 are absolutely impossible. Greece is at the moment not able to spend that much. If Greece will implement the changes recommended by the EU/ECB/IMF there will be more financial support for economic development programs. Leading to more economic growth and employment.

The only problem at the moment is that some EU governments/people lost interest to support/help Greece. Maybe, Syriza, should have accepted the last, July, offer of the EU/ECB/IMF. The advantage of Greece is that moderation has usually won at the end of the day in the EU.

Time will tell.

Standaard
June 2015.I, Reports 2015

June 2015.I , An approach to home security

An approach to home security

Security is an important part of your life. You, your family and business are in need of some kind of basic security. Especially at home you are in need of security. Without it, you and your family will not live and sleep as comfortable as you should be.

To create the security you need at your home you can do some simple things. The most important condition for security is awareness. Where ever you are, at home, at work, travelling. You and your family should be aware of the environment around you. Be aware where you are, what is around you, who you’re going to meet and how you can get away. This is in general, the basic idea about security. Everything else is more or less supporting your security. Mostly with the use of technical means.

Home Security

To be secure and safe in your home, you ideally do, or have done, some research about the geographic area where you’re going to live and/or where you’re living. The neighborhood is an important element as it will tell you were the dangers, potential threats will come from and what, level of, actions are necessary to maintain/improve your security. In what kind of community you’re living, buy or rent, house or appartement, upper class or working class, gated community or ghetto. How often does your living area turn up in police reports or even local news.

Where you live will determine what you have to do. Living in an appartement or a single house on a plot of land. Will demand a different kind of approach, entry, into security.

To be more secure we will build several layers of defence around your home. This will make it any trespasser more difficult to enter your property. We don’t want any trespasser to enter your property so we will make it difficult to enter. We will create obstacles to change his mind about entering your property.

There are five layers to overcome before any trespasser can make it to the inside to his or her thing, e.g. become a imminent threat to you and your family.

The first layer: perimeter defence;

the second layer: ironware;

the third layer: electronic security;

the fourth layer: safe room;

the fifth layer: essentially a catch all layer, awareness.

Perimeter defence

If you don’t live in appartement or gated community and have a single home on a plot of land you will need some kind of fence and automatic gates as the first obstacle to deter trespassers.

The area between the fence and the house should be observable and shouldn’t give any illegal entrants the opportunity to hide themselves. But it should also give you privacy and give bypassers little opportunity to have a good view at your property. Anything what they don’t see wil not attract them to come inside. With the use of landscaping and gardening you can do a lot to achieve it.

Ironware

The fence, gates, doors and windows should be of good quality as should the locks on it. A lock is for a professional burglar nothing more than an 1 to 5 minute delay. It’s never the less an obstacle which could stop a trespasser, make it more difficult and most important create noises which could set of an alarm, security, system. Or attract attention from who ever might hear it.

Hard wooden, solid, doors or even steel doors will make it more difficult to break it down. Glass has to be double-pane or even security kind of glass.

Electronic security system

Were as perimeter defence and ironware will make it more difficult to enter, electronic alarm, security, systems will give a warning if somebody is entering but it will also work as a warning to enter. Most burglars will choose an other object to enter if they’ve knowledge about a security system.

The main advantages about electronic security is:

– it will work 24/7;

– it will report if something is going on;

– it will call emergency services;

– and you get the help which is needed.

Indoor electronic security system work with passive infra-red and movement sensors and glassbreak sensors. Or a combination of both. This depends on if you have animals or if you want to have an alarmsystem operating and still have the ability to walk around in the house. Most systems also have a fire-detection system, an emergency button and electrical current control function coupled to the system.

Outdoor electronic security systems also exist and can be used. They register any contact with the fence or if somebody crosses certain areas. They can be used in combination with a CCTV system to check if the alarm is genuine.

An electronic security system can be a stand-alone system, just giving a sound and/or light alarm. It can be connected to your mobile phone and will send you a sms tekst message what is happening. And you even can connect it with a CCTV system. This will show you what is happening at your property. You can then contact the police or fire department.

It’s ofcourse better if your electronic alarm system is connected with a professional alarm centre, emergency room. They will monitor your alarm system, send someone over to check the situation and/or contact the necessary emergency services.

Safe room

If your property, house, is entered by burglars, criminals, and the police isn’t be able to respons that quickly you can build for this occasion a safe room in your house. This room is constructed with extra strong walls and an armored door. Inside there are communicaton equipment and enough food and beverages to wait for the police to come and rescue you and your family.

Awareness

The most important element of security is awareness. Be aware where you live, who is around you, who is passing by. Try to get as much information as possible about the environment around you. With this information you can find out if there is a potential threat around which might harm you and your family. Plan for incidents and what to do if they might happen.

Make sure the gates and doors are locked and the electronic security system is switched on. Be aware to change your behavior. Try not to do everything everyday the same. Patterns are great for criminals and for security services for that matter.

Awareness will take care that you’re prepared for most incidents which might happen. And if you’re prepared you will be better able to confront the problem and eliminate it.

Conclusion

Security is a choice, you can do more than expected. It depends where you live and what you can afford or want to invest for your security. But even for an average house, there is a electronic alarm system available with an alarm centre for a very reasonable price. For example, in the Netherlands is the security provider Securitas offering such a (professional) home security system.

And be aware is possible for everybody, it is a mindset. You can train yourself to be more aware of the world, people, around you. You can do your own risk analysis about your environment and what can be done to maintain/increase your security.

What you need to improve your security is a matter of analysis. You can do it yourself. Or we can do it for you. Decide what level of security is necessary for you and your familiy. What equipment and systems are needed. And what additional training you and your family need to be secure.

Especially for larger properties, economical/political important families and security interested people a professional analysis might be useful.

 

 

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