The timing of the article was particularly poignant, being published against the backdrop of those appalling terrorist attacks in Madrid and the publication of research by London First and the London Chamber of Commerce – in conjunction with the police service's own National Counter-Terrorism Security Office – revealing that 40% of the capital's businesses have no plans in place for dealing with a terror attack.
Disconcertingly, the business community and the general public alike seem to have a changeable attitude towards security threats. During the past few years, heightened concern over security risks has repeatedly been superseded by a lapse into complacency.
While high profile incidents serve as a painful reminder that security should always remain a priority issue, in the interim periods many organisations adopt the: "It will not happen to us"-type mentality, which is wholly wrong.
Stefan's article made some good points concerning the existing and potential role of security officers in supporting the counter-terrorism move. However, at a higher level, the private security industry also has a more strategic role to play in helping organisations to make sensible, informed decisions that are founded neither in complacency nor an alarmist, knee-jerk reaction.
End user organisations need intelligent, measured consultancy on the scope and scale of the threat, as well as Best Practice advice on how to protect against the risks to their businesses and their response to potential incidents.
Source
SMT
Postscript
Douglas Greenwell, Marketing Director, Group 4 Securicor
