More questions than answers...

OK, so Vodafone's back up and running; blurb on the news sites suggets that this was sone by network engineers grabbing what they could from vodafones testing labs and using that kit to rectify what thieves had done overnight. But it still leaves some gaping and stupendously common-sense questions left unanswered...

Here's an excerpt from one of their staff on their customer forums...

Have you experienced anything like this in the past?
Nothing of this nature.

What security measures have you put in place for other similar sites?
All our sites are protected by high level security systems - we're reviewing these with the police in the light of last night's break in.

OK. I can accept that nothing of this nature has hit them before, but given that BT has been experiencing exchange attacks of late, and that there's a burgeoning black market for stolen comms infrastructure kit in eastern Europe, surely this sort of event was on the cards for a mobile network operator?

Further, bugger the high-level security. Unmanned means little or no deterrent. It's a proven fact: Thieves LOVE unmanned targets. So, why did Vodafone NOT have a comprehensive series of security layers in place, INCLUDING human guards?

Simple answer, folks. Look at their profit line. More humans on the payroll - even contractual security - means a lessening of that profit line.

However, here's a thought, folks: If having a human on premises acts as a deterrent to thieves, why did they NOT have them on-site?

Further, having a security guard on-premises during the quiet hours is noted as a handy way to reduce the premiums on insurance for fire coverage purposes (I've been a security guard in my time, so can attest to this too), so there's a double purpose for having human security on-site.

Lastly, and by no means least - there's the terrorist threat to consider. Terrorists will likely target vulnerable infrastructure, such as the mobile network facilities.

So, and again, WHY was there no Human Security present, Vodafone?

Frankly, I think we're looking at their bean counters and the bottom line again, folks, don't you agree?