New Terror Report Warns of Insider Threat to Utilities

[harvey007]

Source: ABC News

Sabotage by an insider at a major utility facility, including a chemical or oil refinery, could provide al Qaeda with its best opportunity for the kind of massive Sept. 11 anniversary attack Osama bin Laden was planning, according to U.S. officials.

A new intelligence report from the Department of Homeland Security issued Tuesday, titled Insider Threat to Utilities, warns "violent extremists have, in fact, obtained insider positions," and that "outsiders have attempted to solicit utility-sector employees" for damaging physical and cyber attacks.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/terror-alert-warns-insider-threat-infrastructure/story?id=14118119

[Newest Reality]

1. Were we not a bit overdue? - NT

[ixion]

2. oy

:eyes:

[leveymg]

3. This is news?

[RC]

4. I suppose they need an excuse to shut down any talk of Pentagon budget cuts.

Maybe it would free up some funds if we would stop making new terrorists by our terrorism in the Middle East? Huh, ya think?

I'm tired of their "All Fear, All the Time" Bull Shit. At least it isn't orange shit anymore. Still stinks though.

[EFerrari]

5. Who needs Al Qaida, we have PG&E. n/t

[frylock]

8. well played!

[lonestarnot]

9. No shit! Whole neighborhood and their dogs at once. Then there is always those fuckers BP!

[EFerrari]

11. Diablo Canyon used to be PG&E, too. I don't know if it still is. n/t

[kentauros]

6. 30 years ago that wouldn't have been a problem,

as most workers were direct-hire, established long-term loyal workers for the utility operator. These days, most if not all are contract employees. This is one of the reasons given for why it took three weeks (or more in some cases) in Houston to restore power to most areas after Hurricane Ike. Back in 1983, Hurricane Alicia was even stronger, yet most Houstonians weren't without power for more than a week. The grid was constantly maintained. These days it's only "maintained" if something breaks.

All it takes is a fake ID, an "official" looking uniform, and acting like you belong there for unauthorized people to get into places where they aren't wanted. And all too often, contract employees don't wear uniforms...

[EFerrari]

12. My uncle retired from PG&E and there were 150 people at his dinner.

They all knew him, too, they weren't there for the rubber chicken. It was another world. He wasn't a big deal, just an engineer but you can make a lot of friends in 25 years.

[kentauros]

14. I can just imagine.

It was truly another world and time. It's too bad we can't force utility companies to go back to that model.

My father retired after 35 years with an oil company (also an engineer.) That kind of longevity at a company doesn't even happen with them anymore, either.

[Downwinder]

7. IMHO the threat of Washington insiders is greater.

How many will cuts in SS, Medicare, and Medicaid kill? But thats right, those people don't count as long as the lights stay on.

[plumbob]

10. "violent extremists have, in fact, obtained insider positions,"

If that's true, we know who they are. Fire them, FFS!


God, I have to think of everything.


Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot - TERRA! TERRA!TERRA! TERRA!TERRA! TERRA!TERRA! TERRA!TERRA! TERRA!

Obligatory fearmongering was nearly left off.

[buckrogers1965]

13. Correct me if I am wrong...

But is telling terrorists how to get a job, and what shiny candy apple red button to press to blow up a plant the way we are doing security now?

"Do not get a job at a nuclear power plant, you terrorists, and do not drain the water out of the reactor by pressing the big red button. How can he possibly resist the maddening urge to eradicate America at the mere push of a single button? The beautiful, shiny button? The jolly, candy-like button? Will he hold out, folks? Can he hold out?"