Obama's Eye on Al-Qaida
"It is a top priority for us to stamp out al-Qaida once and for all," president-elect Barack Obama said in his first post-election interview on 60 Minutes. One of his top priorities will be setting a national security team in place as soon and as seamlessly as possible. Smooth transitions in government are crucial, especially considering that al-Qaida historically has attacked during changeovers in government, says Courtney Banks, CEO of National Security Associates Worldwide (NSAWW). Obama holds a similar view. "Transition periods are potentially times of vulnerability to terrorist attack," he said in the interview.
Banks uses her background in national security to guide companies through the Department of Homeland Security when the government contracts work out to them. Companies that NSAWW works with include those that offer cleaner power plants, develop identity tracking software, assist in strengthening security or prepare businesses to handle crises. The global homeland security market may be worth $178 billion by 2015, and her company's revenue rose to more than $1 million after only two years. She discusses this industry and the looming danger from al-Qaida.
Q: Why does al-Qaida tend to attack when the government is in transition?
A: They are very smart to use their knowledge of Western governments to their advantage. When the government transitions from one political party to another, the decision-makers aren't in place, or new decision-makers come in. This makes the government more vulnerable because there is poor communication, and their credibility hasn't been established with other countries yet.
Q: What are some examples of this timing of past attacks?
A: The London bombing of the train system happened on July 7, after the general election on May 5. The Madrid bombing happened three days before their general election, and the first attack on the World Trade Center happened one month after Clinton's inauguration.
Q: Is the U.S. prepared to handle or prevent a future attack?
A: I think we are in a more vulnerable position right now during the transition period between administrations, but we are better than we were eight years ago.
Q: What does the U.S. government need to do to prevent an attack?
A: Maintain a heightened sense of vigilance. This includes putting a strong transition plan in place so there are fewer gaps in knowledge. The current government needs to educate incoming staff on procedures so that people get smart before something happens, not after. The public also needs to maintain vigilance by reaching out to the press about covering national security issues, like events and changes to protocols, for instance, at the airports and train stations. Instead of being distracted by the economy, the press needs to make the public aware that our country is still under threat of terrorist attacks.
Q: What region has the most potential for growth in the homeland security market?
A: The EU ascension nations have a lot of promise, specifically Romania and Bulgaria. These countries recently joined the EU, so barriers and Russian influence have been removed. India also has potential for partnership with Western homeland security companies because their fast-growing economy needs to modernize its infrastructure.
"It is a top priority for us to stamp out al-Qaida once and for all," president-elect Barack Obama said in his first post-election interview on 60 Minutes. One of his top priorities will be setting a national security team in place as soon and as seamlessly as possible. Smooth transitions in government are crucial, especially considering that al-Qaida historically has attacked during changeovers in government, says Courtney Banks, CEO of National Security Associates Worldwide (NSAWW). Obama holds a similar view. "Transition periods are potentially times of vulnerability to terrorist attack," he said in the interview.
Banks uses her background in national security to guide companies through the Department of Homeland Security when the government contracts work out to them. Companies that NSAWW works with include those that offer cleaner power plants, develop identity tracking software, assist in strengthening security or prepare businesses to handle crises. The global homeland security market may be worth $178 billion by 2015, and her company's revenue rose to more than $1 million after only two years. She discusses this industry and the looming danger from al-Qaida.
Q: Why does al-Qaida tend to attack when the government is in transition?
A: They are very smart to use their knowledge of Western governments to their advantage. When the government transitions from one political party to another, the decision-makers aren't in place, or new decision-makers come in. This makes the government more vulnerable because there is poor communication, and their credibility hasn't been established with other countries yet.
Q: What are some examples of this timing of past attacks?
A: The London bombing of the train system happened on July 7, after the general election on May 5. The Madrid bombing happened three days before their general election, and the first attack on the World Trade Center happened one month after Clinton's inauguration.
Q: Is the U.S. prepared to handle or prevent a future attack?
A: I think we are in a more vulnerable position right now during the transition period between administrations, but we are better than we were eight years ago.
Q: What does the U.S. government need to do to prevent an attack?
A: Maintain a heightened sense of vigilance. This includes putting a strong transition plan in place so there are fewer gaps in knowledge. The current government needs to educate incoming staff on procedures so that people get smart before something happens, not after. The public also needs to maintain vigilance by reaching out to the press about covering national security issues, like events and changes to protocols, for instance, at the airports and train stations. Instead of being distracted by the economy, the press needs to make the public aware that our country is still under threat of terrorist attacks.
Q: What region has the most potential for growth in the homeland security market?
A: The EU ascension nations have a lot of promise, specifically Romania and Bulgaria. These countries recently joined the EU, so barriers and Russian influence have been removed. India also has potential for partnership with Western homeland security companies because their fast-growing economy needs to modernize its infrastructure.
