Power Engineering - Five steps to help protect your business from a terrorist attack

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec. 20, 2003 -- Terrorist groups often target businesses for their destructive. This is true not only of international terrorists whose motives are steeped in ideological differences, but also of domestic terrorists who may have political or ethical beliefs that run counter to those of the group or business they're targeting.

Col. Anthony J. Mancuso, an executive with RIBI Security and the former police chief of Providence, says businesses must become more sensitive to and cognizant of the potential for terrorist attacks.

In a presentation on security awareness and preparedness, Mancuso says, "The business community must remember that heightened security consciousness, coupled with good and reasonable security practices, will help reduce a business's vulnerability to criminal attacks.

An important step is to foster awareness of the importance of establishing and maintaining good and reasonable safety and security practices."

Col. Mancuso offers five steps businesses can use to safeguard their people and property:

1. Institute a threat assessment and crisis management team. The threat assessment and crisis management team's initial mission is to determine what threats to the company may exist, then establish contingency plans to address these potential threats.

2. Assess your risk level. Could your business be targeted because it supports causes opposed by terrorist groups? Is it owned by or does it do business with someone of an ethnic background that terrorists target? Do you supply products that the public needs, such as water, food, power, or transportation? These factors may all increase your risk.

3. Consider your vulnerability. Terrorists historically hit "soft" targets. How easy would it be for a terrorist to attack your business? Are security measures lax? Can anyone go anywhere they want in your facility without being questioned?

4. Conduct a needs assessment. After you've determined your vulnerabilities, detail exactly what your business needs to do to minimize the risk. Do you need a new security system? A stronger guard presence? Better access controls?

5. Implement a risk reduction program. A risk reduction program should include comprehensive security and safety guidelines, an employee training module, and needed upgrades to security systems.

By taking steps to ensure employee and facility safety and foster security awareness, businesses can improve morale and enhance productivity.

RIBI Security is a professional security services organization dedicated to protecting people, property, and assets. For more information, please contact Col. Anthony Mancuso of RIBI Security at (800) 539-RIBI or tmancuso@ribisecurity.com.

Add RSS Feed