The Philadelphia Penn Association of Government Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter Volume 28 Issue 8 April 2000 Gold Medal Chapter 1996-1999 1997-1998 FIRST PLACE NEWSLETTER Computer Security and Camden County College, New Jersey. He is an adjunct Computer Information System Professor at Manor College in Jenkintown PA where he teaches: Programming In C, Visual Basic Programming, Programming Data Structures and Algorims Using C++ and Database Management Systems and SQL. Mr. Covone is also an independent Representative/ trainer for McAfee Products (i.e. Virus Scan, PGP Guard Dog, and First Aid). Mr. Covone areas of interest are in Software Engineering, Programming Languages and Web Technologies. Our guest speaker for e March 15,2000 luncheon was John Covone who is a supervisor of e Computer Assisted Auditing Techniques (CAATS) Division of DCAA. Prior to joining DCAA, Mr. Covone was an internal auditor at Certain Teed Corporation, Valley Forge, PA. Mr. Covone has a BBA from Temple University and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in software engineering at e University of Maryland. Mr. Covone taught Web Design and Microsoft FrontPage at Holy Family College, Philadelphia PA Mr. Covone began his presentation by reminding us of e recent shut down of e-bay, Amazon, Yahoo, and oer Internet companies. These were most likely caused by Spoofing. Spoofing attacks allow an intruder to send many packets/ requests as if ey were coming from multiple addresses simultaneously. Because ese requests may have e appearance of coming from legitimate host, it may be possible to bypass security measures. In all likelihood ese companies were aware at a spoofing attack was coming. Usually days and sometimes weeks before e attack ere is an continued next page Inside is Issue 1-2 Computer Security 3 President s Message 4 Notice of Next Luncheon Meeting 5 Luncheons and Activity Schedules / National Activities 6 Chapter Activities 7 Chapter Officers and Directors
Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter - Page 2 Covone increase in e number of disconnected requests. This is an indication at someone maybe trying to test e security system in order to determine e best time and number of spoofed requests to submit to overload e system. Mr. Covone reminded us at passwords are still a valuable tool in computer security. However, users should follow e basic steps of not writing down e password or sharing it wi oers. Encryption can be used to improve security provided at your system is compatible wi e capacity of e oer system you are sharing information. Firewalls are an effective means of preventing unauorized access to your system. However, Firewalls are only as effective as how well ey are designed and positioned. The analogy is having a stainless steel vault door on a house of sticks, wi many open windows. No one can get in rough e front door, but wi so many oer means of entry its not necessary. We ank Mr. Covone for his interesting and informative presentation. We appreciated at he took time out of his schedule to speak at our luncheon. VITA NEEDS YOU We will be hosting e Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at e 30 Street Station on (of course) April 17, 2000 from 1 to 5 P.M. So please lend a much needed helping hand. Sign up on our web site www.agaphilcom. ELECTION As part of e 50 Anniversary Chapter Recognition Award of e AGA, we have nominated five members for e Philadelphia Chapter. To find out who ey are, to vote for one of ese members, or to vote for a member of your choosing, visit our web site are www.agaphil.com. Hurry deadline is April 14, 2000. Nominating Committee Nicole Freda, Lorraine Fleury, and Charles Hoeger were appointed to e Nominating Committee during e March 15, 2000 meeting. The Committee will be selecting next year s Officers and Committee Directors. If you are interested in serving e Philadelphia Chapter contact any of ese committee members (each telephone number is listed at Officers and Directors section of e Newsletter). Promotions DCAA: Larry Levin has been promoted to Chief, Quality Assurance Division and Carol Donato has been promoted to Regional Audit Manager. As part of our new Promotions Section, if you or someone you know is a member of e AGA and has been Promoted or Received an Award or some oer kind of recognition and would like to share is information wi e oer Chapter Members please feel free to forward e information to e Newsletter Editor, AGA Philadelphia Chapter, P.O. Box 17584, Phila, PA 19105-7584. We will make every effort to include is information in e newsletter, provided e availability of space and e appropriateness of e announcement. Nationwide Satellite Teleconference The GASB 34 training will be held by satellite teleconference on May 3, for more details visit our web site at www.agaphil.com.
Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter - Page 3 President s Message John Covone made an excellent presentation at our March meeting, to over 40 members, about Internet security in e home and office. This mon s luncheon will be our Past President s Luncheon, to honor ose individuals who have served our chapter. This mon, Bob Koons of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, will discuss e need for Accounting and Audit Support during Investigations. The meeting will be held on April 19 at e First Union Building, 5 and Market Streets, Philadelphia, starting at 12:00 Noon. The cost will remain $10 for members and qualifies for 1 CPE credit. Be sure to make your reservations early at our web site www.agaphil.com. On April 17 we are going to once again host a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at 30 Street Station on Monday, April 17 from 1 to 5 P.M. If you are interested in participating, please sign up on e chapter web site. rd On May 3 we will be hosting a web-cast of GASB 34 training which is being sponsored by e National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT) and e Association of Government Accountants (AGA). The one-day event provides 8 hours of CPE credit and cost $99. Refer to our web site for more information. Be sure to set aside May 12 to attend our annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) to be held at e Radisson Airport Hotel. We will once again have a wide variety or workshops to select from to earn 8 hours of CPE for only $60. This year s keynote speaker will be Jonaan Saidel, Philadelphia City Controller. Additional information will be available on our web site shortly. A part of its 50 Anniversary observance, e Association of Government Accountants is planning to honor one member form each participating chapter for his or her contributions to e Association. All members are invited to vote for one of five nominees for e Philadelphia Chapter at were selected by e Chapter Executive Committee, or write in anoer candidate, on e Chapter web site. The deadline for voting is April 14, 2000. A nominating committee has been established to select next year s chapter officers and committee directors. If you are interested serving in one of ese positions next year, or wish to nominate someone, please contact Nicole Freda, Lorraine Fleury, or Charles Hoeger, or leave your name and phone number on e chapter web site. Hope to see you on April 19. Bob Peterson Chapter President
Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter - Page 4 Notice of Next Luncheon Meeting LOCATION: First Union Building DATE: Wednesday, April, 19, 2000 5 and Market Streets COST: $15.00 for non-members Second Floor Dining Room $10.00 for AGA Members Philadelphia, PA. TIME: TOPIC: SPEAKER: Executive Meeting begins at 11:15 A.M. Lunch begins at 12:00 Noon Accounting and Audit Support during Investigations Bob Koons, Defense Criminal Investigation Service REGISTRATION: Register on-line at www.agaphil.com or call JohnB ocelli (215)814-5396 or Bob Peterson at (215)597-7457 by 12 Noon on Friday, April 14. Please Leave your name, agency, and daytime telephone number. FY 2000 Luncheons and Activities Schedule Wednesday, April 19, 2000 Bob Koons, Defense Criminal Investigation Service Friday, May 12, 2000 (All Day) Annual Professional Development Conference Philadelphia Radisson Airport Hotel National Activities 1999-2000 AGA Calendar of Events New look for AGA web site home page at http://www.agacgfm.org Chapter Newsletter Editor Contest, deadline April 15, 2000 49 Annual Professional Development Conference & Exposition, in San Francisco, CA first week in July, 2000.
Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter - Page 5 Chapter Activities! An executive meeting was held on March 15, 2000 wi 9 Executive Committee members in attendance. This year s potential guest speakers, presentation topics, social activities, and professional activities were discussed. The Board also discussed: e National Awards and e number of individuals nominated, sponsoring a golf outing, and speakers and topics for e PDC. The Board approved sponsoring e National Broadcast of GASB 34 to be held on May 3, 2000 at one of e possible locations in Center City.! Next Executive Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2000 at 11:15 A.M. before e regular Chapter Meeting.! Vince Gallo, Treasurer, reported at e chapter finances as of 03/2000 are as follows: Cash Beginning Balance $ 8,815.48 Add: Receipts 1,066.25 Less: Expenditures (1,996.79) Cash Ending Balance 7,884.94 Accounts Receivable $ 360.00! Lorraine Fleury, Director of e Recognition Committee, reported our chapter 1999-2000 recognition points earned were:
Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter - Page 6 Category YTD Max Points Administration 2,000 2,000 Awards 1,000 1,000 Community Service 800 2,000 Education Events 1,600 3,000 Meetings 1,400 2,000 Membership 0 2,000 Newsletters 2,000 2,000 Total Points 8,800 14,000 Goal 10,000 Percentage of Goal 88%
Accountants-Philadelphia Chapter - Page 7 1999-2000 Chapter Officers and Directors Chapter Officers OFFICE OFFICER PHONE NUMBER President Bob Peterson, (DCAA) 215 597-7457 st 1 Vice-President Mike Walsh, (HHS) 215 861-4480 nd 2 Vice-President Will Weikel, (DCAA) 215 597-7453 Treasurer Vince Gallo, (EPA) 215 814-5773 Secretary John Bocelli, (EPA) 215 814-5396 Past President Dennis T. Zawacki, (U.S. Attorney) 215 861-8576 Committee Directors COMMITTEE DIRECTOR PHONE NUMBER Awards Nicole Freda, (HHS) 215 861-4501 CGFM Larry Levin, (DCAA) 610 878-2892 Education Larry Levin, (DCAA) 610 878-2892 Historian Charles Hoeger, (DOD) 215 322-7190 Membership Cay Mastropieri, (EPA) 215 814-5160 Newsletter Paul Teti, (HHS) 215 861-4505 x. 2027# Public Service Paul Sager, (City of Philadelphia) 215 686-3497 Recognition Lorraine Fleury, (EPA) 215 814-2341 Webmaster Bill Beerman, (DOD) 609 757-5179 If you are interested in any of e Officer or Committee positions, even ones at are currently filled, please contact any member of e Nominating Committee (Nicole Freda, Lorraine Fleury, or Charles Hoeger). UPCOMING FEDERAL HOLIDAYS Monday, May 29, Memorial Day