BPPG - Slashdot User

Canadian Eco-Database almost compromised.-> 0

Submitted by

BPPG

on Friday August 15 2008, @03:31PM

BPPG writes "An unusual mishap occurred that could have opened up attacks on a government database known as NEMISIS, the National Enforcement Management Information System and Intelligence System.

From the article:
A sensitive government document detailing a classified computer database has been given to the CBC after it was found lying on an Ottawa street in a rain-stained, tire-marked brown envelope.

The document is a risk assessment of an Environment Canada classified environmental enforcement database. It details a number of the system's failings and describes exactly how the data could be attacked and corrupted, the CBC's James Cudmore reported.

NEMISIS, a semi-secret system and database which has been around since the late 90's (as detailed in some heavy documents here)[PDF] is due for an security overhaul. Somebody might have just happened to drop some medium-risk "Protected B" assessments out of their briefcase. Environment Canada has responded and is doing some internal internal investigations. The interesting this is that nobody has said whether or not the documents could have already been looked before they were found by the people that turned them in.

Aside from industrial fraud and ecological activism, The name 'NEMESIS' alone could have prompted an attack."
Link to Original Source

Ottawa apologizes for "Indian residential scho-> 0

Submitted by BPPG on Wednesday June 11 2008, @08:06PM

BPPG writes "Starting as early as the 1870's and late into the twentieth century, the Canadian government implemented a school system for aboriginal children, intended to reform them into English-speaking Christian Labourers. The methods of these schools mostly included isolation from their previous cultures and severe reprimands for those even speaking in their native languages.

Today, Ottawa is formally apologizing. Native leaders including Leader of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, Inuit leader Mary Simon, Metis leader Clem Chartier, Patrick Brazeau, national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples were present in the house of commons for the speech delivered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (video also available). While generally seeming like a joyous day for survivours across Canada, there are still some mixed reactions to the apology.

I have a buddy who told me that they were worried about protesters for other causes taking advantage of the media on Parliament Hill today, but apparently that didn't turn out to be much of an issue."
Link to Original Source