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From the category archives:
I was talking to a fellow on the phone the other day about bug-out bags. He indicated that he had read somewhere lately that he should mark his map with three routes to his BOL (Bug-Out Location) and asked what I thought of the idea.
I indicated that, at least in my opinion, that it didn’t sound like a sensible OPSEC (Operational Security) idea. In a bug-out situation there are many conditions that could cause your map to fall into the wrong hands.
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We’ve had a few requests for information on flying with a firearm since our article a few days ago on Breaking Into a Suitcase with a Ballpoint Pen and What You Can Do About It. We couldn’t think of a better source than someone who’s already put together some very extensive and fantastic information on this topic.
Deviant Ollam is known well in Locksport circles and frequently gives talks at conferences like DEFCON and Black Hat. In the video embedded below he goes into physical security and applying it to flying with a firearm. The information he presents is how to work the law in your favor and always fly with a firearm in every checked bag you have.
This will require you to provide your own locks that only you have the key to. There also won’t be any visual indicator of any kind applied to your hard case that contains your firearms and they can’t be opened by TSA or airport personnel without you being present.
One thing to keep in mind is that even when you’re flying into a non gun-friendly state, you can use this method if you’ll be renting a vehicle and driving to another state that is friendly. The safe passage provision of the Firearms Owners Protection Act states that it’s legal to travel through these states with firearms, provided they’re properly cased and unloaded. Certain states have ignored this though and the NRA currently has details on a H.R. 4269, a bill that would put a stop to this. The only exception to this is NFA weapons (short barreled rifles, etc.) which requires you to file Form 5320.20 with the ATF. [Read More…]
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We’re presenting a security announcement today surrounding the protection of your valuables while traveling. The technique of using a ballpoint pen to open any luggage utilizing a zipper, is one that’s been publicly disclosed for some time now.
There are unfortunately many that aren’t aware of this risk, or that it leaves no tell-tale sign that the suitcase has even been tampered with. As you’ll see below in our video demonstration, by simply shoving a ballpoint pen into the zipper track, you can pull the suitcase lid open and access the interior contents. Then with a simple movement of a still-locked zipper slider you can reseal the suitcase without leaving evidence of tampering.
We also offer some suggestions in this article on what you can do to further secure your luggage while traveling, both physical items that afford you extra security and knowledge that will help you the next time you travel. [Read More…]
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Time Magazine recently named “The Protester” as the 2011 Person of the Year because of their impact on society. Unfortunately, that impact is not always positive. Protests often result in:
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The history of “safes” goes back to the days of the caveman, when they attempted to keep their belongings safe from fire. Of course they didn’t have secure containers or locking devices to keep out unscrupulous cave folks. Those weren’t developed until the first “lock” that’s credited to the Egyptians. The Romans and Chinese created warded locks and the rest is history.
We wont go too in depth on the history of safes, but if you’re interested in early and mid 19th century American safes I found this website which has great information and some cool photos. For a entertaining read check out this blog post that talks about the “15 most impenetrable bank vaults”.
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Finally? Yes, almost a year ago I wrote an article here on ITS Tactical where I said that Airport Security needed to be “Israelified.”
Last month we got the word that the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) would be screening passenger behavior at Boston Logan Airport. I’m really glad and also surprised to see the TSA institute this, as it’s certainly profiling and something I never thought the government would have the backbone to implement.
The profiling is part of a $1 Billion national program called SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques) and trains TSA screeners to ask passengers non-intrusive questions to see how they respond. Suspicious or anxious behavior, like avoiding eye contact and searching for answers will warrant additional screening.
While the program is still in its pilot phase, I feel it’s certainly a step in the right direction. I still feel we need to do even more to model our airport security after Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, but profiling is a step in the right direction.
What’s your opinion? Do you agree that we need to Israelify our Airport Security even further?
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If you ask me this is the very best time of the year; we’ve all got food we’re still working off from Thanksgiving and finishing up our Christmas shopping for our friends and family. What none of us need is unexpected trouble this holiday season.
Unfortunately, this time of the year is when Crime elevates and careless mistakes can be disastrous. Today I’ve put together a few simple tips and precautions that will hopefully save you and your family from any misfortune that can ruin your holidays. [Read More…]
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We feel that this is one of our more applicable and import articles, as everyone out there should know something about garage door security. We’ve touched on this topic briefly in our article on a bypass technique commonly used by criminals, but today we’re going to expand on that to look at garage door security as a whole.
Garage doors are a common weak point when looking at security in a whole-home approach and an easy target for thieves. Garage door are not only a weakness, but provide criminals a shelter once inside. To the casual passerby an open garage with a work truck pulled up to it doesn’t look out of place or scream break-in.
Securing your garage door doesn’t just mean the roll-up door; as you’ll read in the article below, you have to look at every entrance point as a vulnerability. Not that any loss to your family isn’t devastating, but one that occurs through a preventable measure just shouldn’t happen. Here are the 12 most important things you can do to secure your garage. [Read More…]
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This has been an article that’s been on the forefront of my mind for the past few weeks and the more I’ve researched it, the more I’ve felt that what America needs to do is “Israelify” our airport security.
The media has been in an uproar lately about the new AIT scanners or “whole-body imaging devices” and how they’re an invasion of privacy. I understand everyone’s concern with the ridiculous searches and the potential for radiation, but I was just in the Salt Lake City Airport and didn’t mind it myself. I didn’t have anyone from TSA groping me, but I had nothing to hide either.
Despite the arguments over this new technology, I think everyone is ignoring the real issue with the TSA. [Read More…]
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In this article we will discuss ways to check your vehicle for the three B’s: Bombs, Bananas and Bad things. If you’ve never had training on searching a vehicle this will provide you with a few basic techniques.
I say basic because thoroughly checking a vehicle takes a good amount of time, more than is realistic in most cases and circumstances.
Just like conducting route surveys you have to tailor these techniques to your situation. A PSD team may take up to 40 minutes to check a vehicle before a mission if it had to be left unattended; that’s not a reality for the average person. [Read More…]
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