Security Stepped Up in Instanbul; European Cybersecurity Agency Is a Go; Bill Aims to Protect Phone Numbers of Wireless Customers; GOP to Run Ad for Bush on Terror Issue

Security Stepped Up in Instanbul

Security has been tightened in Istanbul amid fears of more violence after suicide bombers killed 27 people and injured more than 400 yesterday, according to a BBC News Online story today. The latest attacks came less than a week after 25 people were killed when two synagogues were hit in Istanbul. All police leave has been cancelled and security boosted at shopping malls, stations, mosques and other venues. Soldiers are reported to have been deployed in some areas to assist the police. A team of 16 British police officers from the anti-terrorism squad will help the Turkish security forces with the investigation. According to the BBC’s Tim Franks in Istanbul, the growing list of organizations claiming responsibility for the bombings suggest that there is appetite for more violence. Todays Washington Post reports that Turkish authorities have arrested several people during the initial investigation of yesterdays double truck bombings against the British Consulate and a British bank.European Cybersecurity Agency Is a GoThe Register today.

The European Union has voted to set up a pan-European agency, called The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), to promote closer co-ordination on information security. Until now, there has been a lack of cross-border co-operation or information exchange between the EU Member States on information security. Headquartered in Brussels, it will go live in January 2004, according to a short piece in

Bill Aims to Protect Phone Numbers of Wireless CustomersThe Washington Post today. The proposed new system would allow people to call 411 and connect to mobile phones as well as land lines. Yesterday’s legislation, introduced by Rep. Joseph R. Pitts (R-Pa.) and Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), would prevent cell phone carriers from including an existing customer’s wireless number in the new database unless the customer actively assents, or opts in. New customers would be given the chance to opt out.

Two House members yesterday introduced legislation designed to protect the privacy of consumers who do not want their wireless numbers included in a new nationwide directory-assistance system, according to

GOP to Run Ad for Bush on Terror IssueNew York Times, the Republican Party is responding to months of sustained attacks against President Bush in Democratic primary debates and commercias with its first advertisement of the presidential race, portraying Bush as fighting terrorism while his potential challengers try to undermine him with their sniping. By indirectly invoking the Sept. 11 attacks, the commercial plays to what White House officials have long contended is Mr. Bush’s biggest political advantage: his initial handling of the aftermath of the attacks, the Times says. In short, watch for security to be a continuing issue in next years presidential campaigns.

According to the lead story in todays