Resolution No. 4814 - Laserfiche WebLink

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15.0 TERRORISM 15.1 Overview For mitigation planning, terrorism is broadly inclusive of a wide range of deliberate malevolent acts intended to damage buildings, infrastructure or to result in deaths and injuries. The possibility of international terrorist organizations targeting the Eugene/ Springfield Metro Area, is not zero, but is certainly small. However, the Eugene/ Springfield Metro Area is certainly subject to deliberate malevolent acts from many sources including vandals, mentally disturbed individuals, domestic terrorist groups, as well as by disgruntled residents, and past or present employees. The range of possible malevolent actions includes vandalism, arson, explosions and armed attacks, as well as use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials. Chemical attacks include deliberate release of on-site chemicals as well as deliberate dispersal of transported hazardous materials. Biological attacks include deliberate dispersal of biologically active materials (e.g., anthrax) capable of causing sickness or death. Radiological attacks include deliberate dispersal of radioactive materials, via dirty bombs (conventional explosives laced with radioactive materials) or other methods. Nuclear attacks include explosion of nuclear devices and the radioactive fallout from such explosions. The range of possible malevolent actions also includes cyber-terrorism, or deliberate disruption/damage of computer systems and data. Especially for utility systems, cyber- terrorism can also result in loss of service due to disruption/damage to automated SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems widely used by utilities. 15.2 Threat Spectrum For purposes of mitigation p~anning, we consider three sources of terrorist (malevolent) actions: outsiders, insiders, and hackers. In each case, we consider three levels of attack, with the levels reflecting the numbers of individuals involved, the level of technical knowledge or expertise, and the level of equipment or tools available. This threat spectrum is summarized below in Table 15.1. In Table 15.1, outsiders means anyone who is not an employee of the facility under potential terrorist attack. Outsiders could be vandals, disturbed individuals, or members of domestic or international organized groups. For the Eugene/Springfield Metro Area, the most likely terrorist or malevolent acts are minor vandalism or actions by disturbed individuals or employees. Deliberate terrorist actions are most likely from domestic groups and are unlikely to be from international organizations. In Table 15.1, insiders means anyone who is an employee of the target under potential attack. Acts of vandalism, theft and other relatively minor actions are common. Larger scale malevolent acts are less common but still occur with some frequency. Such acts include larger scale damage, arson, explosives, and such actions as contamination of water supplies. Public Review Draft: October 14, 2004 15-1