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COUNTER TERRORISM

Of all the threats facing business, terrorism may seem the most daunting for security professionals because of the broad nature of the threat and the difficulty of getting senior managers to focus resources on such a remote problem before specific threats emerge. However, security companies can overcome these problems with the right strategy.

The first step is to understand the nature of the threat: whether the company is likely to be targeted, and if so, by whom, how, and when. With regard to intelligence, the security manager must consider both the need to gather intelligence about terrorist activities and the need to thwart information collection efforts by terrorists who will want to learn about the company. It is important to safeguard information, such as blueprints, that a terrorist might use to plan an attack. The company should also stay in touch with government personnel who would know if someone had requested public records about the company.

In addition to working with law enforcement and other sources to stay abreast of general intelligence on terrorist threats, a primary goal of any counter-terrorism plan should be to reduce the opportunity for direct threats against the company. To that end, several tactics, such as limiting the ease with which an anonymous threatening phone call can be made.

To mitigate this threat to the barest minimum, security should work with office managers and communications service providers to implement a rigid call routing system for calls that originate from outside the company. Other issues include the importance of assessing the credibility of threats that do get made and the importance of senior management support for any counter-terrorism program as well as the need to be sensitive to the potential future legal implications of discussions about corporate contingency plans related to terrorism.

Suggested Anti-terrorism Security Measures

Little or No Cost Actions

Maintain situational awareness of world events and ongoing threats.
Ensure all levels of personnel are notified via briefings, e-mail, voice mail and signage of any changes in threat conditions and protective measures.
Encourage personnel to be alert and immediately report any situation that may constitute a threat or suspicious activity.
Post emergency telephone numbers for police, fire, and rescue.
Encourage personnel to memorize important numbers.
Know the location of the closest police stations, hospitals, schools, etc. Encourage personnel to avoid routines, vary times and routes, pre-plan, and keep a low profile, especially during periods of high threat.
Encourage personnel to take notice and report suspicious packages, devices, unattended briefcases, or other unusual materials immediately; inform them not to handle or attempt to remove any such object.
Take any threatening or malicious telephone call, facsimile, or bomb threat seriously.
If such a call is received, obtain and record as much information as possible to assist in identification of the caller.
Record the time of the call, the exact words, any distinguishing features of the caller, and any background noise.
Develop bomb threat information forms to assist if not already in place.
Encourage personnel to keep their family members and supervisors apprised of their whereabouts.
Encourage personnel to know emergency exits and stairwells.
Increase the number of visible security personnel wherever possible.
Rearrange exterior vehicle barriers, traffic cones, and road blocks to alter traffic patterns near facilities and cover by alert security forces.
Institute/increase vehicle, foot and roving security patrols varying in size, timing and routes.
Implement random security guard shift changes.
Arrange for law enforcement vehicles to be parked randomly near entrances and exits.
Review current contingency plans and if not already in place, develop and implement procedures for receiving and acting on threat information, alert notification procedures, terrorist incident response procedures, evacuation procedures, bomb threat procedures, hostage and barricade procedures, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) procedures, consequence and crisis management procedures, accountability procedures, and media procedures.
When the aforementioned plans and procedures have been implemented, conduct internal training exercises and invite local emergency responders (fire, rescue, medical and bomb squads) to participate in joint exercises.
Coordinate and establish partnerships with local authorities to develop intelligence and information sharing relationships.
Place personnel on standby for contingency planning.
Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures.
Implement stringent identification procedures to include conducting 100% "hands on" checks of security badges for all personnel, if badges are required.
Remind personnel to properly display badges, if applicable, and enforce visibility.
Require two forms of photo identification for all visitors.
Escort all visitors entering and departing.
X-ray all packages, if possible, prior to entry, and inspect all handbags, and briefcases.
Validate vendor lists of all routine emergency deliveries and repair services.
Approach all illegally parked vehicles in and around facilities, question drivers and direct them to move immediately, if owner can not be identified, have vehicle towed by law enforcement.

Actions that May Bear Some Cost

Consider installing telephone caller I.D., record phone calls, if necessary.
Increase perimeter lighting. Deploy visible security cameras and motion sensors.
Remove vegetation in and around perimeters, maintain regularly.
Institute a robust vehicle inspection program to include checking under the undercarriage of vehicles, under the hood, and in the trunk.
Provide vehicle inspection training to security personnel.
Deploy explosive detection devices and explosive detection canine teams.
Conduct vulnerability studies focusing on physical security, structural, engineering, infrastructure engineering, power, water, and air infiltration, if feasible.
Initiate a system to enhance mail and package screening procedures (both announced and unannounced).
Install special locking devices on manhole covers in and around facilities.