Dark Reading

You're probably gearing up for the well-known security risks you've watched emerge over the past year to go front burner in the new year -- the insider threat, Web 2.0, and targeted attacks. But don't pop that champagne cork just yet: Some obscure potential threats that could be more difficult to prepare for and defend against also are looming for 2009.

These aren't your typical enterprise hack attacks. They're mainly large-scale Internet threats that could trickle down to your organization. We're talking Internet network infrastructure attacks, radical extremist hackers, Web attacks that adversely affect online ad revenue, and even the unthinkable -- human casualties as a result of a cyberattack.

The bad news is that some security experts have these threats on their radar screen in the new year. The good news/bad news is that your organization is more likely to suffer a Website hack than one of these attacks. That doesn't mean you should scratch these threats from your list of threats for the new year, either. But don't panic: Even if you can't personally stop a cyberattack on your ISP, you can at least be aware of the risks and set up a contingency plan. "These aren't something IT administrators or everyday Joes can do [much of] anything about," says Kevin Prince, chief architect for Perimeter eSecurity.

So before you turn out the office lights for the night (and the year), check out these lesser-known potential threats that security experts are watching out for in '09.

Next: An Internet "e-bomb"