|
|
|
|
|
Y2K Intelligence
Few will remember my arguments about having the New York Y2K/Emergency Room high up in the World Trade Center, a recipe for disaster should there be an incident in the area. Few will remember the heated arguments about how long an Emergency Generator could run before seizing, which proved correct in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Y2K showed up the vulnerabilities of many aspects of Critical IT Infrastructure, and any future terrorist, or cyber criminal had a field day in collecting information, for future use. Many major corporations shipped their vital software off to India, Pakistan and the Philippines, to save money in using domestic programmers, and are only just realizing what we warned them about. As predicted towards the end, the rollover went smoothly, thanks to the dedicated work of tens of thousands of computer programmers, and support staff. "All I did was Bring Good News" In September 1998 I appeared a lot on TV and radio across America and Europe, and confidently predicted the Y2K date problem would be fixed, or worked around by December 31st 1999, and we should see a painless changeover to the new Millennium. This email was typical of the thousands I received flaming my statements. This one dared me to publish! Y2K Lessons - US Power Grid A brief note that we need to invest more in upgrading the Power Grids across the United States as more load, and more natural and man made disasters will result in many more blackouts. Y2K - Private Sector Intelligence and Media Hype - Presentation at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C. on the lessons learned from Y2K. Widely circulated. (Feb. 2nd, 2000) Banks, Mattresses & Gold Trinkets The response to the thousands of e-mails asking "Should I take all my money out of the bank in December 1999" (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site.) (Aug.12th,1999) Y2K: Hackers, Crackers & Jewelry Heists A light look at the serious problem lurking for those not taking proper security precautions over the millennium changeover. (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site.)(Aug 3rd, 1999) "Buy Gold, Get an AK47, Liquidate Assets, and my Dad says I will start shaving by 2000" The Web abounds with self-proclaimed "Experts" predicting doom and gloom, advising families to buy Gold, and run to the hills. How many are lonely 13 year olds!! (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site) Y2K - The End of I-Society The community preparedness, and civic planning groups should become a permanent fixture, along with our new found will to communicate, and cooperate. (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site.)(Feb 1st, 1999) Y2K - 1999 The Year of the Informed Citizen One of the by-products of the Year 2000 crisis is the evolution of community awareness groups, and a stirring of civic preparedness. (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site.)(Jan 28th, 1999) Y2K - The First World InfoWar The organized disinformation campaigns, coupled with the capability of global economic, and infrastructure damages, makes Y2K "The First World InfoWar". (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site.)(Jan 27th, 1999) Testimony before Congress Called before Congress to testify on the effects of Y2K on Global Communications, this is the testimony before the Horn Committee. (June 22nd, 1998) "The Global Food Chain" The original paper was presented before the US Senate meeting on the effects of Y2K on the supply chain, and how it effects each segment in a different way. (Chosen by US Government for GSA ITPolicy site.) (Apr 28th 1998) Y2K FAQ One of the most popular Y2K FAQ's on the web. Over 1,000,000 people have downloaded this page, as well as it being mirrored on major intranets. Chips With Everything In late 1998 sensing the end of their highly lucrative fear mongering the Rabid Right created the threat of Embedded Chips in everything from Toasters to Satellites. |
The Year 2000 computer crisis should be a case study in every college. It gave many of us advance warning of the serious problems facing our society today, and a trial run on how governments and industry handles potential threats and disasters with flawed intelligence.