Good morning. Here’s your Daily Situational Awareness for Monday, 14 February 2022. You can receive this daily briefing by signing up at https://forwardobserver.com/daily-sa
TODAY’S BRIEFING:
- CISA issues ‘shields up’ warning for Russian cyberattack
- Aluminum shortages by 2024
- Largest trucking unions denounce border blockades
- Hazards Warning
UPGRADE TO EARLY WARNING AND GET THESE BRIEFINGS:
- Russia-NATO SITREP: U.S. & U.K. TROOPS WITHDRAW FROM UKRAINE, POSSIBLE INVASION ON WED
- Indo-Pacific SITREP: CHINA PACT EMERGING, U.S. EMBASSY FOR SOLOMON ISLANDS
- LIC Summary/ INTSUM
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
CISA ISSUES “SHIELDS UP” WARNING FOR RUSSIAN CYBERATTACK: The Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning stating that “every organization in the US is at risk from cyber threats that can disrupt essential services.” The “Shields Up” alert to protect critical assets is strengthened by reports that Russia will invade Ukraine as early as this Wednesday. (Analyst Comment: CISA has been warning for months about the cyber risk that Russians can exploit on the U.S. domestic infrastructure. While currently moving towards patching these vulnerabilities, the federal government has often stated that this measure will take time. Short-term deterrence lies with early and accurate detection of cyberattacks with appropriate retaliation against attackers. – D.F.)
ALUMINUM SHORTAGES BY 2024: Singapore-based Trafigura Group says worldwide stockpiles of aluminum will be depleted by 2024. Demand increased for aluminum during the pandemic, but energy and labor disruptions in China and Europe are credited with reducing production. Worldwide manufacturing will likely face disruptions as aluminum production remains flat. (AC: A global shortage in aluminum will reduce availability for automobiles, technology, and supermarket items. The prediction doesn’t account for potential conflicts with China, which will induce shockwaves in logistics and manufacturing. Green energy policies will face challenges as renewable energy devices rely heavily on aluminum. – D.M.)
LARGEST TRUCKING UNIONS DENOUNCE BORDER BLOCKADES: Major trucking unions have recently denounced the blockade tactics used by protestors on the U.S.-Canadian border. The economic impact of border disruptions in Detroit and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) warning of possible Super Bowl disruptions led to the denouncements. As results show a lack of Super Bowl protests, the primary U.S. coordination is still poised for 1 March 2022, aligning to President Biden’s State of the Union address. (AC: Major organizations are making their positions clear ahead of potential disruptions from protests. Funding will continue to be a challenge for a U.S. movement with the recent hack of the GiveSendGo platform and leak of donor information. A counter trucker protest movement by residents has started to grow in Ottawa with growing support for a similar movement in the U.S. – D.F.)
HAZARDS/WX:
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