FEDERAL AGENCIES RETURN TO WORLD TRADE CENTER IN 2015

FROM:  U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 

Federal Agencies to Move to One World Trade Center
The General Services Administration, Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers slated to move to World Trade Center in 2015

December 10, 2013

NEW YORK -- Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that federal agencies will be moving to One World Trade Center in New York City. GSA plans to move its regional headquarters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District headquarters, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) New York Field Office to six floors of high-quality office space in the iconic building. This move marks the return of the federal government to the site and delivers on the federal government’s commitment to the redevelopment of the World Trade Center.

“We are excited to return to the World Trade Center Complex, which federal agencies have been a part of since 1973. From the day that the Port Authority started planning reconstruction, the federal government committed to remaining an important part of this building and the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan,” said GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini. “Through this lease agreement, these three federal agencies will have the office space they need to serve the American people in providing goods and services, tackling vital infrastructure projects, and protecting our nation’s borders.”

"I once again applaud GSA and the federal government for committing to the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. “After 9/11 many wondered if Downtown would become a ghost town, but it has flourished with new residents, stores and businesses.”

The agencies are planning to move in late 2015 to floors 50 through 55. Last year, GSA secured a lease agreement for approximately 270,000 feet of space for an initial term of 20 years. GSA will create flexible and collaborative workspaces that reduce these agencies’ footprints by an average of 40 percent.

“For the past twelve years, we have been resilient in our resolve to rebuild and become stronger. Today’s announcement is another important step in rebuilding New York. I am proud to see that U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which had its offices destroyed by the horrific attacks of September 11th, 2001, will be returning to its historic home in Lower Manhattan,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10). “1 WTC will stand as a symbol that our great city and our great nation will never be defeated by those who seek to destroy our way of life. Appropriately, 1 WTC will be one of the world’s finest and most secure new office buildings and will house important offices of the federal government.”

This lease will help the federal government reduce its overall real estate needs in Manhattan as it occupies space in One World Trade Center. In preparation for the move, GSA will offer government-owned space at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan to other tenants in the region, helping to reduce leased space.

GSA and the USACE will leave the Javits Federal Building and CBP will leave leased space in Midtown Manhattan.

“The GSA has been an important part of Lower Manhattan for many decades,” said Al Sanfilippo, World Trade Center Project Manager for The Durst Organization. “We look forward to working with the GSA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on their build-out and occupancy at One World Trade Center.”

“When GSA, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and Customs and Border Protection move into One World Trade Center, they will experience world-class transportation, shopping and dining options on the site, in addition to commercial office space in one of the safest and most environmentally friendly structures in the world,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.

Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni said, “The GSA’s lease at One World Trade Center is essential in our effort to being one of the most successful commercial developments in the world, and a significant generator of jobs and economic activity.”

The Port Authority is owner and developer of One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The Durst Organization is an equity partner in the property and bears primary responsibility for leasing, operating and managing the building.

U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA GIVES DETAILS REGARDING CYBERDEFENSE

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Panetta Spells Out DOD Roles in Cyberdefense
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta spelled out in detail the Defense Department's responsibility in cybersecurity during a speech to the Business Executives for National Security meeting in New York, today.

Panetta has stressed the importance of cybersecurity since taking office last year. In addition, the secretary has warned about a "cyber Pearl Harbor" many times, including during testimony before Congress.

The speech before BENS aboard the USS Intrepid Museum is the secretary's clearest discussion to date of DOD's responsibility in the cyber domain.

"A cyber attack perpetrated by nation states or violent extremist groups could be as destructive as the terrorist attack of 9/11," he said in prepared remarks. "Such a destructive cyber terrorist attack could paralyze the nation."

The secretary pointed to denial of service attacks that many large U.S. corporations have suffered in recent weeks, but also cited a more serious attack in Saudi Arabia. In that attack a sophisticated virus called "Shamoon" infected computers at the Saudi Arabian state oil company, ARAMCO.

"Shamoon included a routine called a 'wiper,' coded to self-execute," he said. "This routine replaced crucial system files with an image of a burning U.S. flag. It also put additional 'garbage' data that overwrote all the real data on the machine. The more than 30,000 computers it infected were rendered useless, and had to be replaced."

There was a similar attack later in Qatar. "All told, the Shamoon virus was probably the most destructive attack that the private sector has seen to date," Panetta said.

Enemies target computer control systems that operate chemical, electricity and water plants, and guide transportation networks.

"We also know they are seeking to create advanced tools to attack these systems and cause panic, destruction and even the loss of life," he said.

"An aggressor nation or extremist group could gain control of critical switches and derail passenger trains, or trains loaded with lethal chemicals," he said. "They could contaminate the water supply in major cities, or shut down the power grid across large parts of the country."

Cyber attacks could be part of a major attack against the United States, and this could mean the cyber Pearl Harbor the secretary fears. This is "an attack that would cause physical destruction and loss of life, paralyze and shock the nation and create a profound new sense of vulnerability," he said.

DOD has a supporting role in cyber defense, he said. The Department of Homeland Security is the lead federal agency, with the FBI having lead on law enforcement. Still the overall DOD mission is to defend the United States.

"We defend. We deter. And if called upon, we take decisive action," the secretary said. "In the past, we have done so through operations on land and at sea, in the skies and in space. In this new century, the United States military must help defend the nation in cyberspace as well."

DOD has responsibility for defending its own networks, and can also help deter attacks. "Our cyber adversaries will be far less likely to hit us if they know we will be able to link them to the attack, or that their effort will fail against our strong defenses," he said. "The Department has made significant advances in solving a problem that makes deterring cyber adversaries more complex: the difficulty of identifying the origins of an attack."

DOD has improved its capability of tracking attacks to point of origin. "Potential aggressors should be aware that the United States has the capacity to locate them and hold them accountable for actions that harm America or its interests," he said.

But improved defenses will not stop all cyber attacks. "If we detect an imminent threat of attack that will cause significant physical destruction or kill American citizens, we need to have the option to take action to defend the nation when directed by the President," Panetta said. "For these kinds of scenarios, the Department has developed the capability to conduct effective operations to counter threats to our national interests in cyberspace.

"Let me be clear that we will only do so to defend our nation, our interests, or our allies," he continued. "And we will only do so in a manner consistent with the policy principles and legal frameworks that the Department follows for other domains, including the law of armed conflict."

DOD is finalizing a comprehensive change to rules of engagement in cyberspace. "The new rules will make clear that the Department has a responsibility not only to defend DOD's networks, but also to be prepared to defend the nation and our national interests against an attack in or through cyberspace," he said. "These new rules will make the Department more agile and provide us with the ability to confront major threats quickly."

The private sector, government, military and international partners operate in cyberspace. "We all share the responsibility to protect it," he said. "Therefore, we are deepening cooperation with our closest allies with a goal of sharing threat information, maximizing shared capabilities, and deterring malicious activities."

All U.S. leaders have discussed cyber security with foreign leaders. Panetta raised the issue with Chinese leaders during his recent trip to Beijing. "I underscored the need to increase communication and transparency so that we can avoid misunderstanding or miscalculation in cyberspace," he said. "That is in the interest of the United States, and it is in the interest of China."

But businesses have the greatest interest in cybersecurity. Businesses depend on a safe, secure, and resilient global digital infrastructure, and businesses own and run many of the critical networks the nation depends on. "To defend those networks more effectively, we must share information between the government and the private sector about threats in cyberspace," the secretary said.

While there has been progress in sharing public-private cyber information, "we need Congress to act to ensure this sharing is timely and comprehensive," he said. "Companies should be able to share specific threat information with the government without the prospect of lawsuits hanging over their head. And a key principle must be to protect the fundamental liberties and privacy in cyberspace that we are all duty-bound to uphold."

Baseline standards must be set for cyber security and that means Congress must act, Panetta said. He said the bipartisan Cybersecurity Act of 2012 "has fallen victim to legislative and political gridlock. That is unacceptable to me, and it should be unacceptable to anyone concerned with safeguarding our national security."

One option under consideration, Panetta said, is an executive order to enhance cybersecurity measures. "There is no substitute for comprehensive legislation, but we need to move as far as we can in the meantime," he said. "We have no choice because the threat we face is already here. Congress has a responsibility to act. The President has a Constitutional responsibility to defend the country."

U.S. NAVY PHOTOS OF 9-11 ATTACK

 
FROM: U.S. NAVY
010914-N-3995K-015 New York, N.Y. (Sept. 15, 2001) -- A New York City fireman calls for 10 more rescue workers to make their way into the rubble of the World Trade Center. U.S. Navy Photo by Journalist 1st Class Preston Keres. (RELEASED)

 
　

010914-N-1350W-003 New York, N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2001) -- Rescue workers conduct search and rescue attempts, descending deep into the rubble of the World Trade Center. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson. (RELEASED)


 

010911-N-3783H-174 Arlington, Virginia (Sept. 11, 2001) -– Smoke and flames rose over the Pentagon late into the night, following a suspected terrorist crash of a commercial airliner into the southwest corner of the Pentagon. Part of the building has collapsed meanwhile firefighters continue to battle the flames and look for survivors. An exact number of casualties is unknown. The building was evacuated, as were the federal buildings in the Capitol area, including the White House. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Bob Houlihan (Released)