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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
12 vernonia’s voice business may 2009 Intruder Alert – How About That Infrastructure? By Burt Tschache Bernal Named John L. Scott Top Producer So far in this column, I have identified the necessity of computer security suites for home computer protection and writ- ten about a few real-time issues that have affected computing and the digital environment as a whole. There are now larger security issues that must be addressed and solutions implemented. Local Vernonia Real Estate Agent Sharon Ber- In the April, 2009, issue of Popular Mechanics is an article on some of the strengths and weaknesses of the automated control nal was named 2008 Top Producer for the John systems that for all intents and purposes quietly run America’s infrastructure that we have come to rely on. The analyst they spoke L. Scott Marketing Center that covers Carlton, with said that it is unknown how vulnerable the automated infrastructure is, and that is what is keeping him awake nights. Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Vernonia. Bernal SCADA or Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition systems are the top level computers that interconnect and operate out-performed seventy-six other agents to earn smaller, lower-level automated systems that are, in simple terms, the on and off switches for so many different applications the award. This comes on the heels of being within the infrastructure. named Rookie of the Year, the previous year. Included in the list, but not limited to, are water- and sewage-processing plants; power generation and distribution fa- cilities; petroleum extraction, transit, processing and distribution systems; mass transit systems and manufacturing facilities. “Out of thirty-two transactions in 2008, twen- Pretty much anything we do in this country has a computer associated with it in some way. ty of those were in the Vernonia area,” said On April 8, 2009, it was reported that the electrical grid had been hacked into and China and Russia were among the top Bernal. Bernal says this year has started out suspects. The Wall Street Journal reported that some programs were left behind that could cause disruption to the grid. China slow, but she expects it to improve. “I’m re- and Russia have denied any involvement, of course. ally busy right now with paperwork, which The major issue, that is so troubling, is computer hackers have gotten much more sophisticated at their craft and security is the front end and gives indications that the experts are doing the best they can in their attempt to remedy known weaknesses and security leaks. The computer industry second half of this year should be really good. has even gone to the extent of hiring some of the hackers, so they can use their knowledge to protect the systems they previ- So I’m working like crazy right now.” ously troubled. New security leaks are discovered at an alarming rate though, many by professionals known as “White Hat Hackers.” This is one of the main techniques for discovering issues within computer systems and programs. Another term for it is “stress testing,” because it usually causes stress to all involved with the process. These computerized control systems were never intended to be networked except within the facility where they reside. As soon as multiple facilities Membership Dues: come into the equation or remote control abilities are necessitated, the Internet becomes the tool for information transfer. Now, these control systems do not have robust secu- Family: $10.00 rity as when most of them were put in place that was not an issue. $5.00 Control system security originally consisted of fences and locked doors. Those Individual: $1.00 plus 2 hours minimum of work in the library were efficient for quite a while. Oh, there was the occasional vandalism for which the Minimum: response was higher fences with razor wire and stronger doors and locks. Those fences Make checks payable to: Friends of the Vernonia Public Library and doors are still necessary for physical security, but what if the site has wireless capa- Mailing Address: 701 Weed Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064 bility? Many wireless configurations are not implemented to the highest security level and that is an easy door in. Name In the coming months, I will have interviews with people working within various infra- structure facilities and also those charged with keeping security. Fortunately, President Address City State Zip Obama has given infrastructure upgrade a very high priority in his administration. No- body really knows what the potential for harm and disruption is, but you can bet that Phone we have the best minds in computer security working on the issue and finding solid, Date Amount Enclosed $ workable solutions. Friends of the Vernonia Public Library Burt Tschache is the owner of B&B Computing in Vernonia. He can be reached at bnb998@msn.com or 503-429-0817. Double C Tack Celebrates Grand Opening Dawn Carr made it official, with a wonderful Grand Opening Celebration at her new location for Double C Tack. And lots of Vernonians came out to celebrate with her. Now located at 1103 Bridge Street, just above the flashing light at the corner of Bridge and Rose Avenue, Carr opened the doors in style. She also wel- comed Kim Camarda, from Ca- marda Gardens, who will be on site seasonally to sell plants and garden supplies. Vernonia resident Mack- enzie Carr-- Miss Northwest Professional Rodeo Association 2009-- was there with her horse, Pedro, greeting the kids, signing photos and handing out gifts. The Schwan’s guys were there with a block party, giving away samples Dawn Carr and Miss NPRA 2009 Mackenzie Carr at the Grand of their food, including free ice Opening of Double C Tack cream! Dr. Steve Vredenburg gave a discounted vaccine clinic, and lots of folks brought their pets to take advantage of that. There were baby goats, ducks, geese, and turkeys, and everyone hung around and enjoyed the beautiful spring weather. Carr held a raffle to help raise funds to support Mackenzie Carr in her travels as Miss NPRA. The big winner of the day was Joe Chestnut who won the grand prize saddle. Joe also won the horseshoe lamp, a gift certificate to Armstrong Horseshoeing, a hat, roll-on spray, and a wormer. Other win- ners in the raffle were: Mary Ann Shaw, Kassidy Fetch, Don Webb, Shirley Goodman, Debbie Sloop, Michelle Dennis, Diane Benes, Megan Ely, Corrina Beuhler and Michelle Mikal. I am interested in helping with the following committees (optional): Please Circle •Membership •Endowments •Book Sales •Publicity & Public Relations •Fund Raising •Library Services •Finance-Budget-Legal Matters VHS CLASS OF 2004 REUNION NEWS! VHS class of 2004 is having their 5 year reunion this summer! While some alumni have yet to RSVP, most have gladly joined in the excitement. In the mean time, we're still waiting for the rest of you to jump on the wagon. If you have any interest or know anyone from the 04 class, please contact Megan Baker. Remember... "The hardest years, the wildest years, the desparate and dividing years. These shall not be forgotten" ~Senior class of 2004 The reunion will take place at the Vernonia Golf Course on August 15th. Food, drink, unlimited course access and many memories all await those who attend. During the reunion, coordinators will be holding a few fundraiser events, donating all proceeds to an unnamed charity fund. To learn more about this fund please contact the lead coordinator. Anyone who knows Vernonians would undoubtedly say that we're a rowdy bunch. With that in mind, plans are being worked on to have a 'camp out' so everyone has a safe place to crash for the night. The hopeful prospect for the campsite is Airport Park. We've all gone through hard losses over the years due to drug and alcohol abuse in one way or another, let's not make THIS event another "shoulda, coulda woulda." The plan is to rent out the entire park (Airport Park is next to the Vernonia Golf Course) so that there won't need to be any driving afterwards. BBQing and camping-out have always been a favorite pastime of the locals, losing another peer however is not on the menu. Knowing that the class is working with a local charity fund, please consider the following: The coordinators of the VHS 2004 reunion ask that proceeds of park rental fees associated with the reunion go the the event charity fund. Park associates will be given details on the proposition. MEGAN BAKER Miss NPRA 2009 Mackenzie Carr meets some young admirers VHS2004@GMAIL.COM (907)602-0415