Life-Lines - Internet, Phones, Utilities - In Jeopardy.

BETHESDA, Md., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued today by Manhole Barrier Security Systems, Inc.

The recent incident that knocked out communications in Silicon Valley, California were highly disruptive locally, but the damage was miniscule compared to what could easily be caused by more concerted attack on the nation's life-lines that run underground throughout the nation and are accessible through unprotected manholes.

Two years ago, I authored a paper calling attention to this serious vulnerability, anticipating such attacks and recommending specific action. As early as 1997, the U.S. President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection, on which I served as a commissioner, predicted the vulnerability of the nation's telecommunications and information infrastructure and the enormous costs that would be incurred by attacks that could be easily mounted using readily available knowledge and tools.

Underground critical infrastructure, such as telephone lines, internet cables, fiber-optics cables, and gas and electric pipes and lines, run beneath ground in many cities and outlying communities. Access is generally through manholes. Yet these manholes remain unsecured. I have urged a practical and phased approach to securing these manholes, beginning with the most critical, before we are compelled to respond reactively and expensively because of our failures in planning.

Manholes, which are hidden-in-plain-sight targets, are susceptible to spontaneous and surprise attack by terrorists, saboteurs, or vandals. An attack could literally paralyze the operations of a city for a considerable period. Power and telecommunications could be knocked out. As illustrated last month in San Jose and San Carlos, a mere clipping of some eight fiber-optic cables by vandals crippled telephone and cell services, ATMs, the Internet and even the local 911 emergency service. Imagine the devastation from a more extensive or coordinated attack on critical infrastructure. In fact, such an attack on selected manholes in any major urban center could easily paralyze a large geographic region with crippling economic consequences.

We need to promptly and systematically address this weak link in our homeland security. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are easily made and deployed and have become a ubiquitous weapon of destruction, killing and maiming in foreign hostilities. There is growing fear that these weapons will become more widely used throughout the world, even in our country. Manholes are an ideal target for IEDs -- access is easy, can be surreptitious, and the devices can be detonated without harm to the attacker. Moreover, for an imaginative attacker, underground conduits accessible through manholes could be the vehicle for propagating other modes of attack such as chemical or biological agents.

It behooves the nation to address this problem, assess the risks, and undertake a risk-based program to protect and secure our life-lines.

The benefits extend beyond protection against terrorist attack. Even under peaceful conditions, a dislodged or missing manhole cover presents liability and safety concerns. In Philadelphia, a dislodged manhole cover cost $18 million to settle a personal injury lawsuit. And, unsecured water and sewer manholes in Virginia and California, which invited intruders to introduce contamination, resulted in legally imposed protective mandates.

Manholes, while frequently privately owned, are placed in the public domain. Attacks via such manholes, even beyond the losses of communications and energy, can endanger the public health, welfare and safety. It is incumbent upon government and is a civic responsibility of public companies to take all reasonable measures to secure and protect our life-lines.

Irwin Pikus, JD, Ph.D.

Visiting Professor, University of Virginia

SOURCE Manhole Barrier Security Systems, Inc.