Reposted from Tim Richardson

If you see something, DO something

There are so many questions today after a Florida State University student killed two men and injured seven others on campus yesterday. I never imagined that the campus where my wife and I spent many classroom hours learning, researching, writing papers, and in my case teaching others as a graduate student, would make the news in this horrible way. When tragedies like this happen, I wonder what, if anything, could have been done to prevent them. Were there signs that the shooter was unstable or that he needed professional help? Did a friend or family member notice a recent behavior change? Was he experiencing an unusual amount of stress or anxiety? Anxiety related illnesses has skyrocketed since smartphones and social media use became popular – particularly among young people. There has been trend of rising anxiety and depression diagnoses among U.S. college undergraduates with the spread of smartphones (2010–2018). Anxiety climbed from ~10% to ~24% (a 134% increase since 2010), and depression rose ~106%. Source: American College Health Association.

Studies at Columbia University Department of Psychiatry have shown a clear link between heavy social media use and negative mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and even suicidal ideation. While nothing has been reported about the shooter’s motive, this situation is yet another reminder that these terrible incidents aren’t going away. In fact, they are becoming more and more common. This is the 6th school shooting in Florida this year.

Of course, we don’t know all the reasons why these tragedies continue to occur. But we do know that stress, rapid rates of change, and smartphone and social media use are all affecting our mental health in a big way. Every form of anxiety is increasing and increasing dramatically. And it’s not just college students who are affected. Our workplaces employ people of all ages. Until yesterday, I had no awareness that April was Workplace Violence Month. Not only should awareness increase in April, but awareness also needs to be ongoing. Don’t get caught up in the idea that, “it can’t happen here.” Most organizational leaders probably didn’t sign up to be counselors, protectors, or referees in the workplace but it’s becoming increasingly clear that those skills are needed in today’s world. We all need to have more awareness. I would encourage leaders to learn more about what causes anxiety and mental illness and provide internal training and education. Make sure employees have options for counseling services and regularly remind your team that if they need a minute, or an hour, or a day, give them opportunities to pause and let them know it’s okay to struggle and that it is okay to ask for help. If you have a story, share it. We need to normalize and prioritize mental health issues in our schools, colleges, and the workplace. For several years, we have heard this: If you see something, say something. Sadly, yesterday proved again how important that statement has become. Today, I would add that if you see something, don’t just say something, do something too. You can start with prayers for the entire FSU community.

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Reposted from CISA/DHS

The National Threat Assessment Center Presents
First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs: A Case Study on the Link Between Domestic Violence and Mass Attacks

Event Date: April 23, 2025

Event Time: 1:00-2:30 PM EST

The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) is pleased to announce a presentation on our latest publication, First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs: A Case Study on the Link Between Domestic Violence and Mass Attacks. Releasing on April 23, 2025, this behavioral case study examines the background and behavioral history of a gunman who killed 26 people, including his wife’s grandmother, and wounded an additional 22 others in an attack at a church in Texas. In this presentation, NTAC researchers will discuss this attacker’s long history of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual violence perpetrated against friends, family members, and others.

Registrants will be emailed a Microsoft Teams link prior to the event.

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Reposted from AMM

There’s a sea change underway in giving and volunteerism

In September, the Generosity Commission released a report on downward trends in giving and volunteerism, what is at stake for society when volunteers and givers stay home, and steps that community members, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders can take to alter that reality.

We’re excited to kick off this year’s conference with a virtual opening session featuring one of the co-chairs of the Generosity Commission and vice president of the Aspen Institute, Jane Wales. She’ll give us the big picture perspective and how the recommendations of the Commission might play out in a volatile year.

You can also join us as we carry the conversation forward to our in-person Leadership Breakfast, focused on how Quad Cities arts and culture organizations are adapting to these trends. They will share their observations, discuss how today’s political climate may have an impact, and how they are adapting to find stability despite the crosscurrents.

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Reposted from SafeHaven Security

Upcoming Trainings

Webinar | May 15 2:00pm CST
From Panic to Power: Developing a Mindset That Survives Danger

As an HR professional, you’re often the calm in the storm—navigating crises, managing workplace emergencies, and supporting others through high-stress situations. And thanks to social media and the legacy news media, fear is embedded and synonymous with our future.

This webinar is designed to help you strengthen your own mental resilience so you can lead with clarity and confidence when it counts. It will equip you with the tools to stay calm, think clearly, and act decisively in the face of danger. Through real-world scenarios, psychological insights, and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to rewire your instinctive reactions and cultivate a mindset built for survival and strength.

2025 RISC Conference
May 1 in Little Rock, AR

The annual Risk Intelligence Sharing Consortium is hosted by the AR State Police and SafeHaven Security Group. This is a closed door, invitation only event for select participants, including law enforcement and directors of corporate security. The event will include briefings and time-sensitive updates from heads of top law enforcement agencies and corporate security teams and experts from the world's most at-risk companies.

Request Invite or email experts@safehavensecuritygroup.com.

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Reposted from Safehaven Security

Three Cornerstones of Secure Mental Health Related to Violent Behavior

There are many divergent and competing views of how to understand human behavior, “mental health,” and how it applies to violence. At times we may be at risk of overthinking things and missing some foundational and obvious mental health aspects that are right in front of us. The three foundations discussed in this article are sleep disturbance, co-regulating relational connections, and grief/trauma.

Illegal violence is always a mental health issue and likely has an association with all three of these foundations (among others). While there are hundreds of theories of what goes wrong in mental health (particularly to create violence), ironically it could be argued that it is a lack of safety itself that cyclically creates such a lack of safety. At the brain’s most basic and highest prioritized level is one’s own safety and survival instincts. Unsafe people feel unsafe.

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Reposted from Cultural Property News

Cultural Property News has moved our operations to Santa Fe, New Mexico. We have an exciting year ahead!

We will continue to provide our thousands of readers with emailed quarterly Newsletters and extra News Bites. The combined Cultural Property News and Cultural Property Law websites have almost 600 articles on art, archaeology, and cultural heritage, extensive written testimony on U.S. and European legislation, and in-depth analyses of U.S. and international law and policy. We are revamping our websites to make these free, globally accessible resources easily searchable and reader-friendly for educators, students and general readers.

Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services Gutted
Serious Loss for U.S. Museums and Libraries
An executive order issued by President Trump on March 14 called for reduction in six different agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to “the minimum presence and function required by law.” The staff of IMLS responded simply by continuing to show up for work, many wearing black. So, when Deputy Secretary of Labor and newly appointed Acting Director of IMLS Keith E. Sonderling arrived at its doors with security officers and DOGE representatives a few days later, hoping to padlock the agency, they were surprised to find all 55 of its employees hard at work.  They left, hoping to avoid a scene. By the month’s end, however, the administration had dealt a seismic blow to cultural and educational infrastructure in the United States. On March 31, an abrupt order was issued, placing all staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services on administrative leave. The staff’s email accounts were disabled and communication with grantees cut off. Staff were told to take home their belongings and access to the building was cut.
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Reposted from CISA/DHS

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), and New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ), released a joint Fast Flux Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) to warn organizations, internet service providers (ISPs), and cybersecurity service providers  of the ongoing threat of fast flux enabled malicious activities and the gap that many networks have in defending against them. This CSA encourages ISPs and service providers, especially Protective Domain Name System (PDNS) providers, to help mitigate this threat by taking proactive steps to develop accurate and reliable fast flux detection analytics and block fast flux activities for their customers. The CSA also provides guidance on detecting and mitigating fast flux by adopting a multi-layered approach that combines DNS analysis, network monitoring, and threat intelligence to protect networks against fast flux operations. Government and critical infrastructure organizations should close this ongoing gap in many networks’ defenses by using cybersecurity and PDNS services that block malicious fast flux activity.

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Reposted from Abigal G Manning

Think- How we look at situations, influences outcomes

Say- The way we speak to ourselves, and others change lives

Speaking at the Pentagon

I’m thrilled to share a recent milestone. I've received VIP treatment at the White House, Camp David, and Marine One (HMX-1) and last month, I led a three-hour workshop at the Pentagon! I spoke on "Stress to Success" and shared how to recognize Purple Threads of limiting personal beliefs, and how to transform them into personal strengths. We also discussed how to empower teams with ThinkSayDo skills in an environment where the stakes are high, the pressure is real, and stress can feel like a constant companion.

I would love to hear from you....

What are the top stresses you face in such a high-pressure environment?

 What strategies have you found most effective in lowering stress for team success?

Together we thrive under pressure and enhance team performance! Together we thrive under pressure and enhance team performance!

My #ThinkSayDo Tip of the Month ...

Confidence Is a Skill You Can Build. Do you ever feel stuck by self-doubt? Imagine if you could replace hesitation with unshakable confidence. That’s what "Authentic Health" is all about.

Confidence Helps To:

1. Improve decision-making and problem-solving skills because you trust your judgment.

2. Enhance communication and relationships both personally and professionally where you express your ideas and thoughts clearly and convincingly.

3. Increased resilience to bounce back after difficulties and motivation to keep moving forward.

Building confidence isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about unlocking your full potential to thrive in every aspect of life.

Through the ThinkSayDo Skills framework, you’ll learn to:

Reframe your thoughts for success.

 Align your words with your actions.

Move forward with clarity and purpose.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

Some of you will hate me after reading this.  I’m rooting for Duke in the Final Four. I am a huge fan.   But not for the reason you might expect.  I didn’t go to Duke—my father did. Because of him, I’m a Duke Blue Devils basketball fan.  Dad was old-fashioned. We didn’t share the same political views. 

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Reposted from EMR-ISAC

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T’s) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) released a new Video Security Systems Technology Handbook.

Video security systems (VSS) provide surveillance capabilities used to protect people, assets, and systems. VSS equipment is often used to support comprehensive security systems by incorporating video coverage and security alarms for barriers, intrusion detection, and access control. The new handbook serves as a reference for emergency responders, law enforcement security managers, and other security specialists to aid in planning, designing, and purchasing VSS products.

This handbook was first published in July 2013 and was originally called the “CCTV Technology Handbook,” since the leading video surveillance technology at that time was closed-circuit television (CCTV). This 2025 edition has been updated to reflect current terminology and modern VSS technologies, including cameras, lenses, monitors, multiplexers, recorders, and transmission systems, and internet protocol-based systems. It includes systems that incorporate technologies like edge analytics, cloud storage and artificial intelligence. The handbook provides considerations for implementing a VSS. An overview of video analytics and programmatic considerations such as design, data storage and retention, cyber security strategies, and system integration is also included. The Video Security Systems Technology Handbook is available in NUSTL’s System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) library.

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