What strategies can you use to mitigate terrorist attacks at events?

For those who didn't mind a little 'light' reading, this topic was focus of my 2022 MSc dissertation which can be accessed here https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362903312_Mitigating_Lone_Actor_Terrorist_Threats_to_Events_in_the_United_States_The_Application_of_Risk_Informed_Counterterrorism_Strategies_for_Event_Organizers_A_Narrative_Literature_Review

Assessing the risk is the key here as it is with any consideration from a safety perspective. While terrorism is A risk and it should be considered, what we need to assess is how much of a risk it is to OUR actual event and that is a function of a LOT of factors. Without getting into all those factors, experience has taught me that we need to be careful to not go deep down the rabbit hole with ANY risk unless is quantifiable worth that expedition.

Discussion Point 1: Assess risk holistically from multiple angles. See the sports security space from a wide angle lens. Say goodbye to tunnel vision-that's the way we've always done it... i.e. security theatre, say hello to enterprise security risk management

Unless there is something particularly unique about your event that makes it a more specific target, it is incredibly unlikely that you would find your event to be targeted. So first of all, don’t worry. That does not mean don’t take it seriously. I would assume that as an event planner you would be capable of conducting risk assessments for elements of the event to cover more basic elements such as trip hazards, or transport related risks, but genuine concern around terrorist threats needs to be addressed with appropriate professional support. I would ensure you can budget accordingly and bring in a specialist support company who have the capabilities, resources and expertise to help.

In fact , Mitigating terrorist attacks at events involves a multifaceted approach , personally I would emphasize on few crucial approaches : - Security Measures: ( BUT LIKE REAL & ON POINT CHECKS !! ) Implement robust security measures. - Crowd Management: effective crowd control to minimize the risk of stampedes or panic situations( exits roads , doors , quick evacuation , etc ) - Public Awareness: Educate event attendees on security protocols.(convey the message in a fun yet serious way (at the end we should not create a worrying atmosphere prior the event ) We can add to this : personnel training & collaboration with Authorities. Every event has its characteristics & strategies should by then be tailored for effective mitigation.

Responses need to be threat based. If threats change, responses need to change. An organizational workgroup made up of stakeholders from through-out the organization should review threats and response plans. Ensure that you have robust random security measures. Terrorists have limited resources and and need to maximise the impact of their ops. Hey will usually conduct extensive surveillance of the location. They are specifically looking for predictability. Random security measures create doubt.

Sur un évènement qui s'inscrit dans la durée (plusieurs semaines) une rotation des équipes est essentielle pour réduire l'effet routine. en terme d'organisation des changements peuvent être apportés sur le changement de couleur de badges; de renforcement ponctuel du dispositif selon les pics d'affluence...

Discussion Point 2: Computer simulations, tabletop exercises, red teams, and dry runs. Plan your response for if/when the unthinkable may occur. Be out in front by operating from a position of strength.

Do not ignore improving the physical protection of venues including installing physically robust security rated entrance and exit doors, protecting glazing against shattering and reducing the risk of injury from flying fragments of glass through application of window film or replacement with laminated glass in suitably robust frames. Security is a combination of strengths across different layers that combined creates a stable and effective security plan. An effective security plan includes Intelligence, physical robustness, trained human assets, CCTV/electronic security and communications. Miss one aspect of this in your plan and all other parts are less effective or your plan will fail under pressure.

Discussion Point 3 Secure the venue: The integration of technologies and physical security is a key risk mitigation strategy for properly safeguarding stadiums, venues, arenas-densely populated areas containing large groups of fans/people attending live sporting events. Additionally, effective communications and collaboration of efforts between venue staff and first responders-everyone speaking the same language in the interest of public safety bodes well for safety/security initiatives within the venue security /special events ecosystem.

Use every legal means possible to deport those who incite violence, terrorism, and insurrection….no fooling about with long trials and appeals. Create A law to expedite the process - make it a bench trial, and too bad if the the perpetrator has a family in the host nation. They can chose to stay or go. Once a few of these take place, then these inciters will think again about raising a hand or voice against their host nation. If they love sharia law, then judge them with the harshness of the law they love. But certainly, maintain our dignity and deal with these inciters with swiftly and sternly. …a repatriation law allows the state to escort them back home or suitable non-NATO state that does not put our allies at risk (ie Israel).

One way to make your event more secure is by requiring lanyards or badges for all staff and attendees. This creates a visual queue to notice people who may be out of place. It isn't a catch-all but one thing to implement. Better yet would be to have each badge come with a QR code that should be scanned upon entry (and re-entry) to the event.

All security measures should be tied to the threat/vulnerability/criticality/risk assessments and should be layered in depth. Its important that all members of the organization understand procedures. Simplicity and reinforcement of concepts will assist in organizational knowledge.

In addition to local training efforts, understanding industry smart and best practices is critical. Programs such as the IAVM's Academy for Venue Safety and Security can provide great resources, relationships and motivation to staff to have a strong safety and security mindset.

Sur les évènements qui s’inscrivent dans la durée, les séances de ''minutes de sécurité'' ou ''Tools box meeting TBM'' doivent être réalisées à chaque relèves. Ces TBM doivent porter sur les points essentiels a surveiller en terme de prévention d'actes de terrorisme, l'objectif est que chaque jour ces sujets soient ''frais'' dans les esprits des équipes de surveillance.

It's important that plans are communicated well and effectively, and that you run refresher sessions. But don't forget that in a time of crisis, people will forget a high percentage of what they learned, so making sure their are procedural guidelines posted an various areas will help.

This is very essential, training the staff and familiarizing them in the event venue is going to be very helpful in this kind of situation as this going to be their guild on how they will help people.

Discussion Point 4: Train the staff: Training, training, and even more training. Say no more. We've seen what has happened when venue ownership groups do not invest in proactive staff training. No venue wants to be known for all the wrong reasons-when something goes terribly wrong. It's that simple. Invest in your staff, foster their career/professional development, it's really the only way to go.

This, however, can be a two-edged sword. Terrorists intend to inflict fear, uncertainty, and loss of confidence in leadership. This type of communication prior to an event can have the unintended consequence of furthering their goal. Education of situational awareness should be a part of our individual training regime, practiced to the point that it becomes second nature, almost to the point of unconscious implementation. Scanning venues for exits, unusual behaviors, potential dangers, and a knowledge of defensive reactions can all be learned as a part of a life skills curriculum.

Because we know from lessons learned and post event analysis that most attackers exhibit pre-incident warning signs, suspicious behavior, and/or leakage observed by scattered sources and reported to scattered incident reporting options, it is critical to equip First Preventers with strategies and tools (can you imagine First Responders not being equipped?) to collect, funnel, securely share, assess, and connect all the warning signs from hundreds of sources so the right resources can see the bigger picture before rather than after and take timely pre-incident intervention actions.

Responsible intervention and follow-through with the complete picture of a troubled individual will make a difference! -it supports the individual -in a world of litigation and holding people liable, wouldn’t the ability to show the threat team’s prevention/intervention actions be valuable (saving millions in legal awards and costs)?

I’d highly recommend to have an active shooter insurance policy, especially in the US States where open carry is legal. Some venues will not even allow to host an event at their location without this policy.

Responsible intervention and follow-through with the complete picture of a troubled individual will make a difference! -it supports the individual -in a world of litigation and holding people liable, wouldn’t the ability to show the threat team’s prevention/intervention actions be valuable (saving millions in legal awards and costs)?

Personal integrity management (human failure management), external threat indicator identification (I know this includes a variety of threat types), integrated monitoring (using different sensing mechanisms, including humans and machines), and response planning with timely execution are all important. Sure, an internal threat is a huge problem, hence the need for integrity management (monitoring, analysis, and control) and proactive sensing. Using a body of risk management knowledge helps to identify, monitor, and act on both external threats and internal failures... Horses for courses, though, as all environments are unique and must be treated as such.