Top 10 overseas security trends for the U.S. private sector in 2007

services, and banks. The attacks were carried out by flooding websites with digital debris, forcing them to become unusable, and by infecting computers around the world with viruses in order to remotely operate them against Estonian systems. It is vital to recognize that these attacks can easily be replicated against a new target, including the U.S. private sector. It is incumbent that crisis management plans now account for this type of cyber threat.

* Europe: Radicalization

Radicalization of home-grown elements in Europe continued in 2007, evidenced by terrorist plots disrupted in Germany and Denmark, the discovery of explosive devices in two cars in London, and a flaming SUV that extremists crashed into the Glasgow airport in Scotland. The radicalization process, influenced by international terror groups, appeals to people of varied backgrounds, living under diverse circumstances. These plots and incidents underscore the fact that extremist elements in Europe continue to pose an ongoing threat to the region.

* Latin America: Natural disasters

Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tropical storms significantly impacted operations of the U.S. private sector during 2007, destroying property, killing hundreds, and leaving thousands homeless. In one particular case, 70 percent of Tabasco, Mexico was flooded and a major natural gas pipeline exploded as a result of a late-season tropical storm. Both tourist and industrial sectors are vulnerable in areas prone to natural disaster. This has lead security managers to re-evaluate contingency plans within the region.

* Latin America: Political obstructionism

Political conflict has emerged as a significant concern to the U.S. private sector in Latin America with the movement by some Latin American leaders to nationalize private industry and campaign against U.S. interests through proposed constitutional referendums. This was demonstrated in late 2007 when Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, proposed 69 amendments to the Venezuelan Constitution which could have diminished economic stability and property rights. The same type of movement has been orchestrated by Bolivian President Evo Morales. Political demonstrations have at times flared into violent street protests, which have paralyzed commercial areas in some cities and resulted in both injury and death.

* Middle East and North Africa: Political instability in Lebanon

For much of 2007, Lebanon’s dueling political blocs led some in the private sector to worry that the country could return to civil war if issues are not resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. Lebanon also experienced several tension-inducing incidents in the past year that have been political and/or sectarian in nature, including low-level bombings, assassinations of several well-known anti-Syrian figures, and battles between military and extremists in Palestinian refugee camps. These incidents have increased concerns that terrorist elements or sympathizers could take advantage of the situation in order to establish themselves and plot attacks against Lebanese or Western interests.

* Middle East and North Africa: Terrorist attacks in Algeria

Violent terrorist attacks throughout Algeria over the last year have confirmed that AQIM (al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb) poses a serious threat to government and private sector entities. Using sophisticated tactics, several AQIM attacks targeted economic interests, including three attacks on Western company convoys. Other threat incidents included several suicide vehicle bombings (two of which were coordinated attacks on multiple high-profile targets in Algiers), a suicide vest used in an attack targeting Algeria’s president, as well as plots to kidnap Westerners.