Terrorism & Security Risk Management: Targets, Tropes, Fear and Practicalities for Practitioners and Protectors

Simply put, there is not one single definition of terrorism and the idea of terrorism and terrorists remains highly subjective for individuals, governments and communities making the entire subject noisy and conflicting at any one moment in time, where the definition and context of terrorism has invariably changed and distorted over time.

Therefore, identifying precisely what a terrorist or terrorism-orientated organisation may target or prioritise remains highly subjective as well.

Moreover, random, willing individuals motivated by political and terrorism ideology may target and prioritise yet another random set of targets, individuals or events.

As a result, policy makers, managers, amateurs and professionals alike should continue to exercise caution with following or prescribing absolute security risk mangement and terrorism models that assert invisible local, regional or international terrorists/terrorism groups will follow a particular, consistent formula of target selection, planning and attack.

Because they don't.

With that said, a generic framework for practitioners may be useful from time-to-time.

EVILDONE (despite the convenient spelling trope and kitsch pitch), broadens the consideration of targets that may required preliminary consideration as attractive to those motivated by harm, attention, ideology and politics.

However, as introduced from the outset, the model is a broad, hyper contextual reference rather than a universal truth to be rigorously embraced and bluntly applied around the world.

Therefore, an absolute model will remain elusive and unforeseeable.

Especially among the horde of books and references on terrorism that range from anecdotal narratives by willing commentators to those with commensurate academic and scientific rigour...which remain the smallest and rarest of those in circulation.

Not to mention all the ancillary management, corporate and generalist contributions that routinely cite poor works, convenient narratives and resources yielded at the top of a Google search, with little understanding or discerning model for determining from terrorism trash or terrorism treasure.

Real amateurs and pretenders have no specific citations, terms of references or basis for their personal preference for 'terrorism' solutions, protective methods or views.

Subsequently, the thematic landscape for terrorism is one of varied topics, emphasis and advice that is neither universal nor helpful for practitioners and protectors.

Perhaps this is why there is such a high level of 'artistic license' across the terrorism landscape, inclusive of security risk management.

Moreover, the public well of disinformation and social media influences further contaminates the gene pool of terrorism perspectives, research and bonafide findings.

Routinely overstating, hyping up and emphasising even the smallest event and most basic actor as that of the next local or international terrorism uprising.

Fear sells, motivates and wins elections.

Risk perception of terrorist threats, harms and probability of death remains significantly distorted, but the headline sells.

Depending on the last news flash, media report or personal experience... influences individuals and groups fear, awareness and concerns of terrorism.

During which time, much has changed.

My own research and analysis within an international context, affecting tourism and business travellers identified popular use of the word terrorism but revealed a fundamental lack of specifics, accuracy, relevance and qualitative referencing.

Fear, uncertainty, dread and doubt distort security and risk management thinking, prioritisation and perception.

It takes skill, experience and specific qualifications/training to navigate these complex waters.

Journalism and media reporting is not at the top of this list.

In sum, no two people let alone countries are likely speaking about the same thing when talking about terrorism.

Especially across communities, ideology and classes. Therefore, understanding and protecting against terrorist threats and acts of terrorism remains a hyper contextual and threat specific concern for experienced security risk management professionals who in turn need to keep current on training, tactics, procedures, threats and capabilities of routinely concealed and secretive individuals and cohorts.

In short, counter terrorism and the protection of people, property and assets remains a full time vocation dependent upon constantly changing information, knowledge, intelligence, threats, technology, skills, tactics and opportunity across a broad equally dynamic, public surface area of varying 'value' to bad actors and terrorists.

Tony Ridley, MSc CSyP MSyI M.ISRM

Security, Risk & Management Sciences