Feature

Counter Terrorism Strategy

Preparing the business community for terrorism

Anyone who thought that terrorism is a thing of the past should have been woken up to the dangers we continue to face after the attempted attacks via the cargo system in November. What is clear is that the terrorist threat is as real as ever. The fact that we continue to go about our business in safety is a testament to the work of the various security services around the globe.

The absence of a successful attack in the UK does not mean the absence a very real desire of individual and groups of terrorists to attack us. 

The evolving terrorist
I am often asked what a terrorist attack may look like. Well that really depends on the terrorist themselves. It is the terrorist who will make that decision. The simple fact is that whilst there has been a certain degree of consistency of targeting and the methods used, the one thing we can be pretty sure of is that the methods, tactics and targeting will change and evolve as they learn what will be most successful from their perspective.

If our long history in having to confront terrorists proves one thing, it is that the threat will evolve. Our response therefore must be strategic, and we must give as much advice as possible to those likely to be targeted, that will allow them to best consider what measures they should take to protect themselves and to reduce their vulnerabilities accordingly.

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has been working on ways to help business protect themselves, giving advice on physical, information and personnel security as well as business continuity and resilience.

We are acutely aware that we need to work in a consistent way throughout the UK. We do not know where in the UK an attack may take place. It is always interesting to note that many across the UK see terrorism as a London problem.            

Perhaps the attack in Glasgow, and recent arrests in Exeter and Bristol have gone some way to persuade those who do not have access to the full intelligence picture of the terrorist threat, will realise that terrorism can impact in any area of the UK.

Multiple co-ordinated attacks
One of the most consistent attack methodologies is the use of multiple and co-ordinated attacks to cause mass casualties. This in itself brings into focus what we advise the public to do in the minutes, hours and days after an attack.

Taking this as an example, we know that terrorists have consistently used an attack method where they set off one explosion in order to get potential victims to evacuate themselves to a more open environment where they can be easier to attack either with a large bomb or firearms.             This use of firearms seen in Mumbai and Lahore also brings into question our usual response to an emergency.

The natural reaction to evacuate from the building could not only increase the death toll but also increase the fear value associated with the attack. Almost all the attacks outside of Iraq and Afghanistan are examples of this including Bali where a small device was exploded inside the nightclub to move victims out into the large car bomb outside causing catastrophic loss of life.

We also know that in an urban area flying glass has caused the majority of injuries in a bomb blast.

Therefore we must challenge the practice of automatic evacuation. It may be much more appropriate if a bomb attack happens in the street outside that the occupants take shelter in an already designated protected space or bomb shelter, if possible within the building (invacuation).

Automatic evacuation could mean taking those who are in the relative safety of a building out into a highly dangerous environment of secondary fragmentation and falling glass and of course possibly into another explosion.

Of course we must be careful not to advise invacuation as the automatic response, especially if the building is on fire or in danger of collapse. In those circumstances evacuation is the obvious answer, however those in key areas within business, must be aware of the potential consequences of each option so that they can make an informed decision.

We can also do much to make Crowded places less vulnerable. To do that business must take their security seriously.

Minimum requirements for security The following are crucial areas for a business to consider and take action on if they wish to reduce their vulnerability to terrorism.

A secure and resilient business should  have a well thought out and practiced:
•    Personnel security strategy
•    Information security strategy
•    Emergency/incident response plan
•    Business continuity plan

These businesses should also understand that they will be responsible for their staff and customers if a terrorist attack takes place and have an evacuation and invacuation plan.

The business should have a security culture, with buy in from all aspects of the business including the very top (often the most difficult to persuade).

Staff should be trained to understand what is expected of them in an emergency.

The majority of the items mentioned above come at very little cost to the business. The point is what is the cost if these things aren’t in place, and an attack happens in their town or city? How would their business reputation stand up to such a failure to prepare?
Now is the time to prepare. Use the tools that can be found on the NaCTSO website. www.nactso.gov.uk they are all free and will help you to protect your business and your people.

About the author
Detective chief inspector Chris Phillips is the head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO). He has 29 years policing experience which has varied between major public order and community based policing.

He has spent the last 15 years specialising in major event security and in particular is a specialist within counter terrorism protective security. He took over as head of NaCTSO in 2005 and has led the organisation to national and international prominence and recognition for their ground breaking work in CT protective security.

As Head of NaCTSO he has three major responsibilities within the United Kingdom. Firstly, for the protection of crowded places within the UK and to reduce the vulnerability of British nationals overseas from the terrorist threat to crowded places and soft targets. The role involves providing counter terrorist advice to all business involved in crowded places including hotels, stadiums, shopping centres, visitor attractions and licensed premises.

Secondly, he has responsibility for protecting hazardous sites and dangerous substances. His team works with the business community to make the terrorist acquisition of weapons more difficult, thereby reducing the likelihood of a successful attack on the UK.

Finally, he supports the CPNI to protect the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure.

For more information
Web: www.nactso.gov.uk

 

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