In a sudden outbreak of cyberwarfare Saudi and Israeli hackers are in a heated and escalating battle to see who can capture more enemy credit card numbers. Although far gentler than traditional warfare, this latest Mideast flareup may prove most costly in Riyals and Shekels to the citizens of both countries.

A quick reminder as we settle in to 2012: Security doesn’t just take place at the firewall or via a messaging security appliance. While these security devices are crucial, traditional security breaches still take place. And in this equally savage age of litigation, these traditional crimes can make your company accountable.

Last week the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued alerts warning of phishing attacks targeted at both banks and their depositors.

Even in the heart of Silicon Valley, where the high-tech cognoscenti live and shop, there is no immunity from cyber breaches: Lucky Supermarkets, located all across northern California, this week advised its customers to “close their bank account and open a new one.”