Al Qaeda Video Calls for Electronic Jihad on Government Computers

A video purportedly from al Qaeda that promotes cyberattacks on the U.S. electric grid is being circulated by Senate backers of legislation to regulate the computer security of critical industries, including power companies. The video includes a U.S. television clip featuring cyber analyst James Lewis and former National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell discussing the vulnerabilities of government and private networks. Congress and the White House are trying to strengthen cybersecurity laws to prevent the types of threats depicted, but partisan divides are interfering with the effort.