DHS Issues Report Warning of Insider Threats to Utilities

This week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a report warning major utilities such as chemical plants and oil refineries that “violent extremists” have obtained insider positions and might use those positions to conduct physical and cyber attacks on behalf of Al Qaeda.

Though DHS has said that it does not have any specific threats against U.S. utilities, the report indicates that violent extremists have already been able to obtain insider positions at chemical and oil refineries, and have tried to "solicit" employees in the utility sector. The report cites an attempted insider sabotage (not linked to Al Qaeda) at a water treatment plant in Arizona as evidence of American infrastructure vulnerabilities. DHS has said that it plans to work with its partners in the utility sector and at the state and local levels to protect utility facilities.