Terror Plot BA Employee Gets 30 Years

Rajib Karim, 31, from Newcastle (originally from Bangladesh) a former British Airways software engineer has been jailed for 30 years for plotting to blow up a plane.

I think this is an excellent example of the insider threat (albeit a very serious one). This is someone who joined an organisation with one thing on his mind - to obtain 'critical and urgent information' and to then pass it onto a 3rd party to assist in the planning of an act of terrorism.

Rajib Karim gets 30 years
at her majesty's pleasure 

Karim, who worked at the airline's IT centre in Newcastle (having joined BA in September 2007 as a graduate IT trainee), was committed to martyrdom and even tried unsuccessfully to apply to train as an air steward during the BA cabin crew strike - which presumably would have allowed him to get 'airside' bearing in mind the trial heard Awlaki had emailed Karim asking: 'is it possible to get a package or person with a package on board a flight heading to the US?'

Karim passed on key information about airport security and suggested a crippling attack on BA's computer system. But the terrorist leader he reported to - Yemeni preacher Anwar al-Awlaki (a key figure in al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and is thought to have orchestrated the unsuccessful October plot to send mail bombs on planes from Yemen to the U.S., hidden in the toner cartridges of computer printers) - had plans for him to supply information to blow up a plane.

The Bangladeshi national, who studied electronic engineering at a university in Manchester between 1998 and 2002 has been described as 'mild-mannered, well-educated and respectful'. He has a British wife and child. The court heard Karim hid his hatred for the West from colleagues by joining a gym, playing football and never airing extreme views. BA colleagues had no knowledge of what he was planning or whom he was involved with, he kept his true intentions a secret. Karim 'kept a low-profile' at British Airways, while at home he was making violent propaganda videos for a terrorist group in Bangladesh, police said.

Throughout the trial, the court heard Karim was under the influence of his brother Tehzeeb who had spearheaded the attempts to contact Awlaki. Police spent nine months breaking the encryption on 300 coded messages found on Karim’s computer. Officers described the task as the 'most sophisticated' of its kind the team had ever undertaken.

He was found guilty last month of four counts of preparing acts of terrorism and sentenced today 25/3/11), he also faces deportation after his sentence is completed. Sentencing him at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith said he was a committed jihadist who planned offences 'about as grave as could be imagined'. He said Karim was a 'willing follower' who could have brought serious harm and death to civilians had his planning with others come to anything.

Karim was clearly a disciple of an extremist Islamist (Awlaki) but he was in a very dangerous position having access to the type of information which could have assisted in the plotting of a serious terror attack. In this example he was stopped but what measures do you have in place to detect and prevent these people who are clearly out there!

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The Washington Metro Are To Conduct Random Bag Checks

Metro anti-terrorism teams will immediately start random inspections of passengers' bags and packages to try to protect the rail and bus system from attack.

Police using explosives-screening equipment and bomb-sniffing dogs will pull aside for inspection about every third person carrying a bag, Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn said. The searches might be conducted at one location at a time or at several places simultaneously. The inspections will be conducted 'indefinitely'.

The inspections over the far-flung transit network, which has 86 rail stations and 12,000 bus stops, will be conducted by several dozen officers at most. Metro's trains and buses carry more than 1.2 million passengers every weekday, and officials acknowledge the limitations of the plan.

The screening will be conducted before passengers pay to enter the rail system or board a bus, and customers who refuse the inspections will be "free to leave," Taborn said. But there is a possibility that those who decline screening will be questioned further.

Will this work? Is this enough to deter a terrorist? Isn't the 'MO' to detonate at first point of contact? 

Still something is certainly better than nothing!

Terrorists (aka Tourists....according to the House of Commons) Banned From Big Ben!

According to the Sun newspaper all 'foreigners' have been banned from Big Ben over fears that this iconic worldwide tourist landmark could be targeted by an Al-Qaeda type attack. The reasoning behind this is that it is too costly to pre-screen foreign visitors who are looking to tour the location (which are all pre-arranged in any case), however British citizens will still be allowed (after the appropriate checks have been carried out of course).

The only view of Big Ben that foreign tourists will now see!
Photo by Brandon Swartz

I cannot help but think that the House of Commons has got this one a little wrong. Isn't the insider threat one of the most significant security risks to any establishment at the moment? Also what about the British Citizens whom are 'sleepers' and have never been on the authorities’ radar but with the right opportunity wouldn't think twice about causing harm to others.

Since when did British Citizens pose a lower risk then most foreign citizens - apart from of course a number of obvious countries!?

So what is next banning tourists from St Pauls, London Eye or the Natural History museum? You heard it here first.............

AQAP Attempted Air Freight Bombing

Janusian - The Risk Advisory Group has released its analysis of the AQAP air freight bombing attempt. Read it here.

So can the secret Ring of Steel save the City from terrorism?

The following is all about an exhibition I recently visited following reading an article by Kieron Long in the Evening Standard. the exhibition was at Hanbury Hall near Brick Lane, E1. 'Allegedly' it was a photographic trip in time and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM). It wasn't, but still interesting just the same.

The article in the Evening Standard by Kieron Long was about a phenomenon that had been relatively covert, until documentary photographer Henrietta Williams and cartographer and trainee architect George Gingell began their project ‘Entering the Panopticon’: a study of the Ring of Steel, earlier this year.

In essence Williams and Gingell attempt to take us on a journey of how their research revealed one of the most significant transformations of an urban planning anywhere in London, 17 years of alterations to the public realm that have fundamentally changed the way the city meets the rest of the city. Or in layman terms and as we security people know designing out the hostile vehicle attack through Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM).

The project now complete and their comprehensive mapping and photographic survey of every element of the ring of steel ready for show, I with a couple of colleagues attended.

The article stated that Williams and Gingell's work had documented a landscape of explicit security measures, such as new chicanes in roads manned by armed police, security cameras and bollards, as well as more subtle segments of the ring. The pictures reveal decorative water features and planters that are in fact built solidly enough to prevent car-bomb attacks. They also showed many places that were once streets but are now private property that staffed by security guards who move on homeless people, prevent photographers from taking pictures and stop kids skateboarding.

Unfortunately the exhibition did not translate well, and what Williams and Gingell were probably attempting to communicate was lost in its surroundings. There were a limited amount of pictures on display and some of them were not any type of HVM, the bollards in one of the pictures were that of a different London borough and were not HVM and this was disappointing.

I was unable to attend and walk the planned tour earlier in the day, but I doubt that any commentary would have helped me in understanding the point as the exhibition had already lost any credibility through obvious mistakes.

The Ring of Steel itself as quoted by Kieron Long is 6.5 miles of bollards, police boxes, CCTV cameras and other more subtle obstructions that has transformed the capital since it was conceived in 1993. It is the City of London's defence against car-borne terrorism, an unbroken security cordon that encircles London's financial heart.

What I would say is Williams and Gingell's had a fascinating idea and as a topic is ignored daily and although the exhibition is now over, I would suggest visiting the square mile and playing eye spy the HVM. I personally believe both the City of London and the Capital as a whole can offer the modern day counter terror security advisor some great examples of how best to mitigate this increasing threat around in the world. Maybe next time walking around the capital I'll get my camera out and take some pictures, introduce myself to some security staff and have a argument about the risk and the right to take pictures in public (that of course is a whole other argument nowadays and one not for me).

Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review

The Government has published its Strategic Defence and Security Review: Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty [PDF, 800KB] which sets out how it will deliver the priorities identified in the National Security Strategy [PDF, 375KB]. It describes how HMG will equip our armed forces, our police and intelligence agencies to tackle the threats we face today and in the future.

National security is the first duty of Government. Britain as a country continues to have global responsibilities and global ambitions. We will remain a first rate military power.

National security depends upon economic security, and vice versa. Bringing the defence programme back into balance has required some tough decisions but is a vital part of both how we tackle the deficit and how we protect our national security.

Faced with these challenges, the Government has been determined to make the right decisions for the long term defence and prosperity of the country.

This Review will equip the UK with modern defences: Armed Forces and equipment fit for the 21st century; strong security and intelligence agencies; and diplomats and development aid which can help us prevent threats before they become a reality. We will double the amount of aid we spend in conflict countries, tackling threats at their source.

We will continue to invest in our security and intelligence agencies. And we will establish a transformative national programme to protect ourselves in cyberspace, backed by £650m of new funds.

Beer Googles!

Some of the Internet Search Engines

I recently read an article (its here) which mentions some of the pitfalls when using the Internet to search for information (including pictures) for potential recruiters. I think this is a very interesting subject and I would recommend reading the article and the subsequent comments at the end which offer both arguments for and against from the HR professionals prospective.

Any information posted on the internet is in the public domain so surely I/you shouldn't put anything on here that you don't want others to potentially see (for whatever reason), however the issue then comes when someone else puts something on the internet without your knowledge and which could potentially lead to reputational damage for you! Obviously the privacy settings within social networking sites could help here, but these are only as good as the users awareness of these and also your friends of a friend of a friends awareness of these also!!

My personal view (as is all of the content on this site) is that a Google search (or Yahoo! for that matter) is a tool which can be utilised with caution within the pre-employment screening process for certain roles. For example security sensitive positions where an internet search may highlight information which would prompt you to ask some more probing questions during the interview stage i.e. you may find that someone worked for company XYZ, wasn’t sacked but mentions on their social networking profile how they were able to procure £2000 fraudulently and further more this role doesn’t appear on their CV within the employment history section.

From a legal or DPA prospective I am not too sure what the view on this is(but I can guess that it’s not particularly pro). Now with my security hat on surely advising a candidate at the initial stages that an internet search may take place will potentially deter the candidates who could pose a problem................in the current climate good candidates are a plenty, we all want to recruit the best, but we also don't want to recruit the candidate within the accounts department who has previous for fraud (but never convicted) or the candidate who has links to a terrorist organisation that joins your business to gain valuable intelligence and pose an insider threat.....or the person that lacks integrity and is clearly not a team player!

Update 7/10/10: Sal Remtulla, Head of Employee Screening at Risk Advisory has recently circulated some snapshots of recent CV liars. You can read her analysis here

Address at the WCoSP by the Director General of the Security Service, Jonathan Evans

Counter Terror Conference 7-8 December, Russell Square, London UK

On the 7th & 8th December 2010 at Hotel Russell in London, Richard is attending and presenting.

Counter Terrorism is delighted to welcome the following keynote speakers: 

• Detective Chief Superintendent Liam O’Brien, ACPO TAM Interoperability Lead
• Adrian Dwyer, Counter Terrorism Risk Advisor, British Transport Police
• Mike Downing, Deputy Chief, Counter Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau, LAPD
• Andrew Huddart, Program Manager, National & Local London Resilience Team
• Rob Bartlett, Programme Manager Operations, Government Olympic Executive 2012
• Sue O’Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Police, Former President of the Counter Terrorism Alumni Association, Ottawa Police Service
• Col Tony Abati, US Army Special Forces Chief of Current Operations Deputy Director for Special Operations (J37) 3000 The Joint Staff, The Pentegon
• Detective Chief Inspector Chris Philips GCGI, FSyl, National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)
• Superintendent Alan King, CBRNe Co-ordinator, Metropolitan Police
• Joris De Baerdemeaker, Bio Terrorism Prevention Program Manager, INTERPOL General Secretariat
• Chief Inspector Tim Marjason, Strategic Business Continuity Manager, CO3 Emergency Preparedness OCU, Metropolitan Police Services
• and Me, Richard Bell, Security Audit Manager, Transport for London

This Counter Terrorism 2010 Conference, is being billed as an essential event for all counter terrorism stake holders wishing to hear the latest on the following:

• Expanding the use of scanning devices outside of airport security
• Operational command and control
• Overcoming communication challenges to improve response times
• Operational feedback from anti terror CCTV
• Future requirements for surveillance technology
• Combating the emerging threat of cyber terrorism
• Latest developments in biometric identification

Security is simple - another data loss

USB stick with anti-terror training found outside police station:

Keychain cops

A memory stick containing anti-terror training manuals and other sensitive material was reportedly found on a street outside a Manchester police station.…

Certificate in Terrorism Studies

Richard says... "I completed this online programme in Certificate in Terrorism Studies: a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much. I wouldn't say it help me in my role, but it certainly made me understand and appreicate the wider issues related to terrorism. The support offered is second to none and even though it's on line, there is a good oppotunity to speak to others from the profession all over the world".

The Certificate in Terrorism Studies is a 16 week programme of study from the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at the University of St Andrews and Informa.

Delivered entirely online, this is the leading terrorism studies course, vital if it's part of your responsibility to protect people, infrastructure, organisations or investments. Find out more: http://www.terrorismstudies.com/LR0038BA1V1

A 16-week online programme from the renowned Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at the University of St Andrews and Informa which provides a sophisticated introduction to the fundamental issues behind terrorism as well as the motivations, ideologies and modus operandi of the various strains of terrorism in the world today. Knowing how and why terrorist organisations function makes an unmistakable difference to counter terrorism and security strategies, whilst providing a valuable context to operational duties. Study the leading terrorism studies course, which has enrolled students from over 72 countries.

E: mailto:info@terrorismstudies.comT: +44 (0)20 3377 3210 (UK)

£3m 'anti-terror' CCTV cameras 'set up to spy on Muslims' to be covered

The 218 cameras have sprung up in Birmingham’s Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook areas – to the outrage of residents who say they were not asked. They have been paid for with £3million from the Association of Chief Police Officers’ terror and allied matters fund.

None of them will be used until a public consultation exercise has taken place.
Rodger Godsiff, Lab­our MP for Hall Green, said: ‘Police have got themselves into a bit of a hole now because they have a difficult problem to explain to the public and try and get them on their side. ‘If the money did not come out of a counter-terrorism budget they may have got a different reaction.’

The Respect Party’s Sparkbrook councillor Salma Yaqoob said: ‘In terms of reassurance it’s going to take a lot more than plastic bags.’ The police say the cameras are there to fight all types of crime.

Cultural sites 'vulnerable to criminals' during 2012 Olympics

Former Scotland Yard expert warns that security focus on London games will leave museums, galleries and cathedrals open to theft

The Ashmolean museum in Oxford was broken into in 1999. Photograph: Graham Turner for the Guardian A former head of Scotland Yard's art and antiquities squad has warned that "virtually nothing" is being done to secure Britain's cultural and religious sites against criminal attacks which he claims could be sparked by the London 2012 Olympics.

Charles Hill said security around the games was focusing on Olympic sites, while many so-called "soft targets" – including museums, galleries, churches and cathedrals – are being overlooked.
Hill pointed to evidence of "high and holy day trophy art crime" being carried out when police resources are especially stretched.

During the 1994 winter Olympics in Norway, thieves stole Edvard Munch's painting The Scream from the Oslo National Art Museum and left a note that said: "Thanks for the poor security."

On New Year's Eve 1999 robbers broke into the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and took its only Cézanne, while Rembrandts and a Vermeer were stolen from a museum in Boston – still the art world's biggest unsolved theft – on St Patrick's Day 1990.

Hill has investigated some of the most high-profile art thefts and headed undercover operations to recover works. Today, he said soft targets inside and outside the capital would be vulnerable during the Olympics, which could also be a target for terrorist attacks.

His comments came after the sports minister, Hugh Robertson, announced last week that the security minister, Pauline Neville-Jones, is carrying out a review of security for the 2012 games.
However, it has not been confirmed whether the review will include soft targets, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport saying security was a matter for the Home Office.

Hill's concerns were echoed by Peter Osborne, a former national security adviser for the nation's museums, who said: "It is imperative that the security of [cultural] sites is not overlooked." But the directors of the Museum of London and the National Portrait Gallery said today that their security was being reviewed through the National Museum Directors' Conference, which represents the UK's national collections.

Jack Lohman, the Museum of London director, said: "We're hot on security …liaising with police. All national museums have plans, co-ordinated by the NMDC." However, Dr Michael Dixon, the chairman of the NMDC, said: "There is no specific project that NMDC is working on to consolidate security issues for the Olympic year.

"It's up to individual museums, and there are good relations with the security services."
A spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Museums, galleries and cultural sites typically put in place their own security measures where necessary."