Al Qaeda calls for attacks against “high value” targets such as industry leaders

In an AP article distributed online by CBS news

(March 7, 2010: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/07/world/main6274928.shtml),

Associated Press writers Patrick Quinn and Maamoun Youssef report that American-born Islamic-convert Adam Gadahn has “described Maj. Nidal Hasan as a pioneer who should serve as a role model for other Muslims, especially those serving Western militaries.” Nidal Hasan, as you will recall from recent news is the alleged “Fort Hood shooter” that killed 13 people on the base in a November 5, 2009, shooting in Texas.

Gadahn, who was quoted from a recently released 25-minute video posted on “militant Websites,” said “fighters should target mass transportation systems in the West and also wreak havoc ‘by killing or capturing people in government, industry and the media.’”

It is important to being preparations for what is already underway: a massive call for attack, cyber or otherwise, on anyone in those venues or others. My suggestion is that you read this article and check Corporate Risks for new information as available. Preparations should be made at your homes and offices for a cyber security threat—I had one try last night, for example, but my Norton Security (Symantec products) stopped it and notified me instantly. The hacker tried twice.

It is important to protect this information, not only at work but at home as well. As soon as you “plug” into a LAN at home, be it Wifi or Cable, you have just opened your computer up to the hackers of the world—including those who want information to disrupt your business. Or worse, they want information from your type of business to disrupt the peace and sanctity of the world.

If each of us thinks about it in this way, perhaps we can do our part to protect each other as best we can. If not, then we are leaving our security, our livelihoods and our futures entirely up to the governments and administrations of the world.