Counter-Terrorism
Minimizing Suicide Bomb Threats at Your Facilities
By Amit Gavish

A recent survey presented by The Heritage Foundation concluded that 67% of the 117 terrorism/foreign policy experts responding believed that suicide bombings pose the greatest terrorism threat to the United States. 84% of the respondents felt that an attack similar to the 2004 Madrid bombings or 2005 London bombings is likely.

In examining recent political events, there may also be the increased motivation among terrorists to execute such attacks, especially after the targeted killing of Abu-Mus’ab Al-Zarqawi in Iraq.

It is almost like balancing a doubleedged sword. Targeted killings have dramatically decreased the number of Israeli casualties from suicide bombing terror in recent years. Targeted killings have as main objectives eliminating and disrupting terror activities by “targeting” key operatives in the terror infrastructure. These are: experienced terrorists;
bomb-making experts; decision-makers and cell-leaders – all critical in executing successful and sophisticated attacks.

The other side of the sword is that these killings also increase levels of hatred among Muslim community members and improve militant factions’ ability to recruit new terrorists.
It is not unthinkable that terrorists will have increased motivation to execute attacks against American interests in the U.S. and Iraq. Although al-Qaeda may have been dealt a
significant blow in June, it was only a blow.

What Can Be Done? What can American Security Directors can do to secure their facilities against suicide bombings?

We in the United States are not used to the idea that quantities of people are willing to sacrifice themselves through suicide terror attacks. It is not our general mindset to consider that people just hate us for who you are. We tend to think of focused hate –based on something a person does or did. But, we are not thinking like terrorist attackers. Worst, by the time suicide attackers are our gates we are at our last line of defense before a catastrophe.

As security directors we can benefit from a new mindset, one that helps us focus on taking advantage of opportunities to intercede during the surveillance and planning stages before an attack.

As resident security experts for our organizations we have a strong advantage: intimate familiarity with our facilities. It can help keep us ahead of those who are conducting surveillance on us.

Consider some of the suggestions below to augment a more alert posture on the part of your security personnel. Communicate heightened awareness to everyone in your organization. Our adversaries will have to invest resources, time and take risks to obtain the information. This“exposes” them. If we and our teams are “on focus” then their efforts to gain intelligence actually present our best chances to detect and dissuade the potential attackers -and hopefully prevent attacks.

Identify the risk level at each of your facilities and potential targets. Remember the objective of suicide terrorism is mass casualties. So, which are the most likely “candidates”?

Begin focus on the outer perimeter. Remember that the perimeter extends beyond the property lines. Recognize surveillance platforms around your facility and engage your security personnel in counter-surveillance operations.

Enforce proper stand-off distances when possible.

Make the adjustments to policies and procedures to be effective against suicide terrorism.

Ensure that your staff reports suspicious activity and suspicious conversations with strangers or “visitors” to you. Communicate with neighboring facilities.

Remember “The Invisible People” - make sure you know and track all employees, guests, visitors, vendors, contractors and temporary employees. Augment background checks to
include focus on counter-terrorism issues.

Access control- Make sure your staff knows what to look for (explosives can’t be detected using metal detector).

Harden the target. Use window lamination, and strengthening building infrastructure against progressive collapse.

Training - This is not the “war” of only security staff. All front line employees must take part and be vigilant. Training should focus on detecting indicators of suspicious behavior and reporting the information.

Have a well thought-out realistic emergency plan. Include: setting perimeter, fire control, explosive search, secondary device, evacuation plan, scene control, and medical assistance as parts of the plan. Test and practice the plan.

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