Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ordered an overhaul Friday of U.S. Embassy security practices in Iraq, tightening government oversight of diplomatic convoys escorted by private security contractors.

NPR: U.S. Embassy Security Practices in Iraq Overhauled

Western intelligence sources have suggested the training could be carried out by US-based private security contractors.

BBC: Covert help for Syria's rebels in Jordan

As a result, a State Department security officer accompanies every convoy manned by contractors, Al-Dabbagh said, and every vehicle is outfitted with a security camera.

CNN: Iraqi official: Blackwater staying on 'is bad news'

In June, five American contractors were detained by Iraqi security forces.

CNN: Briton held over death of 2 contractors in Baghdad

Nevertheless, nerves have been jangled by some glaring security lapses: for instance, plans to check the backgrounds of contractors and volunteers were reportedly dropped because organisers ran out of time.

ECONOMIST: Greeks bearing games | The

In fact, some security firms told a Senate Committee of finding hidden "trap doors" left behind by contractors and there is no way to know if they were left for benign or malicious reasons.

CNN: Senate report: Nation at risk of Y2K-related terrorism

There are tens of thousands security contractors just in Baghdad alone, performing missions that would otherwise have to be performed by Iraqi or coalition forces.

NPR: Petraeus Faces 'Complex' Demands in Iraq