Threat and Risk Assessment

In the fight against terrorism, threat and risk assessment is a necessary process. This process helps to identify the level of threat and possible measures that can be taken to reduce the threat. Most local government and law enforcement agencies are required to perform this type of assessment. If the risk of a terrorist attack is high, measures are taken to reduce the threat, therefore making areas safer. Security precautions are often implemented due to the results of these assessments.

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Components of threat and risk assessment

Threat analysis is the first aspect usually performed in the assessment. Without identifying the threat, implementing security measures is impossible. Locating the source of the threat is the first step. A threat involves an asset, something that is valued. In dealing with terrorism, the asset is security. It also involves vulnerability. Determining how security is vulnerable, helps in developing a plan to protect it. Threat also involves attackers. Identifying attackers helps to make security less vulnerable. With terrorism, it is often difficult to identify the attackers before the attack occurs. There is not always an obvious common thread among the attackers. Gathering good intelligence helps identify potential terrorists.

Risk assessment is the next component. It is often difficult to quantify risk. Potential loss and probability of occurrence need to be considered. When dealing with terrorism, potential loss can be extensive. With the proper planning and implementation of these plans, loss can greatly reduced. A risk with a high potential loss and a low probability of occurrence needs to be treated differently than a risk with a low potential loss and a high probability of occurrence. These different risks need to be planned for differently and with varying levels of urgency.

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Vulnerability also needs to be assessed. This determines how many and where holes in security exist. These areas of weakness need to be addressed in plans to increase security. Terrorists generally know their intended target’s areas of vulnerability. To prevent attacks, these areas need to be identified and solutions implemented.

Steps Involved

The first step in threat and risk assessment is to prepare and plan for the analysis. This includes gathering data needed for analysis. Policy and procedures are often examined at this point. Security is greatly impacted by procedures that organizations follow and abide by. By analyzing security measures already in place, weakness can be identified and fixed. Identifying areas where security is lax is the first step in developing a more comprehensive plan. Determining how capable an organization will be in fighting off the attack is also a good place to start.

The next step is to analyze the information gathered and develop recommendations to increase security measures. The recommendations then need to be implemented into practice, becoming new policy and procedures.

In the war against terrorism, identifying vulnerability and taking steps to rectify these vulnerabilities are crucial first steps. Terrorists often know their target’s weaknesses and will use them to their advantage. By performing regular threat and risk assessment, organizations can greatly reduce their susceptibility to an attack.