9/10-2003 (Issue SOGM)

Dec 11, 2003
Commentary, 9/10, 2003

Security and Liberty?
Security may be the most significant issue currently on the public’s mind. This is not surprising considering the events of the last two years. Issues of security have been cited for removing the Taliban from Afghanistan and as justification for "regime change" in Iraq. Security is a broad term, and these examples show that the word has been politicised and internationalised. Yet the desire for security does permeate the human psyche. Parents have always wanted their children to be secure – healthy and safe in the present and as they grow. Environmentalists have struggled to preserve the security of the natural world. Bankers and brokers help us to secure our financial security. And naturally, when our security is threatened, our reaction is intense. We must be careful not to let our gut-reaction overwhelm our reason, as oft-quoted America statesman Benjamin Franklin maintained, "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security."

Insure Against Commercial and Political Risks
Dec 11, 2003
The oil and gas sector is enormously diverse, ranging from the giant exploration, production and supply companies to the manufacturers, suppliers and service providers that support an industry of crucial importance to the global community. For understandable reasons, risk management in the oil and gas sector has tended to concentrate on health and safety and environmental issues. Consideration must be made for the risks of engaging in domestic and international trade. By Fergus Fergusson and Nigel Heap.

Safety in the UK Offshore Sector: A Situation Report
Dec 11, 2003
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Offshore Divison (OSD) aims to ensure that risks to workers in the UK’s oil and gas extraction industries are properly controlled. With around 25,000 people employed directly in these sectors, this is a challenging task. Since the early 1980s the UK has been one of the world’s largest producers of offshore oil and gas. Undertaking this task on the UK Continental Shelf are some 250 offshore installations, of which 52 are fixed normally unmanned structures and 31 are mobile drilling units. By Taf Powell.

Little Bugs and Big Nasty Worms
Dec 11, 2003
Our computers are bombarded with malicious viruses and huge amounts of spam e-mails every day. And despite the high level of attention from law enforcement and security experts, we are not gaining ground on the hackers and dubious marketing operations that are behind this; in fact, they seem to be pulling ahead. So what can we do to stop the attacks? By Erlend Gram Simonsen.