Threats to security are moving beyond train bombings and now include cyber terrorism and climate change. U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to introduce a new national security plan this week, which will include government strategies for handling new, unprecendented threats.

A report to be released this Wednesday indicates that competition for natural resources, migration and the possibility of widespread pandemics pose as much of a threat as attacks carried about by extremist groups. Brown was supposed to release a security strategy before the end of 2007, however it was been delayed several times since. The security plan is expected to address these issues and outline the role of the military, as well as local law enforcement if faced with such a situation. Currently the military only becomes involved at the request of civilian authorities in the events of disasters such as floods, however the strategy may introduce new parameters that will have the military working with intelligence agencies at home.

The plan will likely also include plans to deal with potential "cyber warfare," which some believe is the next natural step for terrorist groups, who are aware of the potential catastrophe of wreaking havoc using global and national computer networks.

» Guardian