Huawei Executive Released; Active Assailant Preparedness; and More

Here’s a quick look at some of the security-related news since Friday (and remember to check out the biggest news in security: today’s GSX Daily).

Canada Releases Huawei Executive, China Frees Two Canadians

The United States reached an agreement with Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of large Chinese technology company. Called a deferred prosecution agreement, U.S. prosecutors delayed prosecution until December 2022. If Meng abides the conditions of the agreement, all charges will be dropped.

Canada had arrested Meng in late 2018 at the request of the United States. In what critics call retaliation, China arrested Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. As part of the arrangement, China agreed to release both men.

Collierville, Tennessee, Had Never Experienced Mass Violence. They Prepared for It Anyway

On Friday, a gunmen at a grocery store in Collierville, Tennessee, outside Memphis killed one person and wounded 14 others. This New York Times report describes how the town’s first responders had trained for just such a scenario despite never having to respond to such a call previously.

Commercial and Home Alarm Systems Put a Crimp in 5G Rollout Plans

Many commercial and home alarm systems use 3G technology, but carriers building 5G networks made plans to discontinue the 3G service. All was on schedule—or close to it— for the alarm systems to be upgraded, but then the COVID-19 pandemic ground upgrading to a halt. Just as it began to open back up, the computer chip shortages have created a second upgrade bottleneck.

Ransomware Hijacked Grain Cooperative Situation Turns Bizarre When Troll Interrupts Negotiations

Chat logs that appeared to show ongoing negotiation between the New Cooperative and the ransomware gang BlackMatter were made public. In the public release, BlackMatter accused New Cooperative of violating the terms BlackMatter had set forth and threatened to release the information it stole publicly. At that point, a chatter named “Victim” made an offensive remark to BlackMatter. Representatives from New Cooperative disavowed the comments saying the chat had been compromised, at which point “Victim” admonished New Cooperative, telling them not to pay BlackMatter.

Tool Analyzes Who’s Really Going Back to Work

Fast Company magazine highlights a tool from real estate firm Avison Young that maps foot traffic in 20 cities in the United States and Canada and spans 30 industries. Of the cities in the study, Austin, Texas; Edmonton, Alberta; and Calgary, Alberta are leading the way, with foot traffic that is nearing two-thirds of prepandemic levels.

“The data have wide implications, not just in terms of providing another way to see how badly the pandemic has thumped the economy. [An executive at Avison Young] says she expects the Vitality Index to be useful to building owners, the companies that occupy those buildings, city officials, transit agencies, and the commercial businesses trying to figure out when their customers will be back at the coffee shop, lunch spot, or happy hour.”