What Is A Soft Target & How To Protect It Without Hindering Culture
Some businesses simply have higher risk due to the nature of their work
Soft targets are on everyone’s minds since, an Australian gunman entered Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, and shot and killed 42 people and then drove to Linwood Masjid Mosque and killed seven more. Three more victims died of their injuries after the attacks.
What is a Soft Target? The simplest description is by way of ‘what it is not’. It is not a government or military institution, and it is not an institution or location with multiple security layers. It is often places that are not perceived as targets - restaurants, cultural properties, a popular public space or a house of worship.
Having a visible security force is important and just about every cultural property these days (especially in the museum world) has a security officer right up front. Security officers are not only ambassadors of that institution, they are the first person most visitors will see and sometimes the only person they will interact with. This is a deterrent factor and alerts anyone who is thinking of doing something nefarious.
Technology plays a factor in securing any environment, so knowing and understanding it is key, but needs to be applied for a purpose—to solve an issue. Security is: technology, people, policies, and procedures and the management thereof. I a security practitioner is only understanding and doing one part of this, they are only doing one part of the job.
Some businesses simply have higher risk due to the nature of their work. Examples include construction businesses, entertainment venues, industries that deal with vulnerable persons (aged care) and any other business that may attract adverse behaviour from those with opposing ideologies - such as RSL clubs, places of worship and sporting organisations.
Barringtons security risk management and assessment team has decades of experience working with clients of all shapes and sizes across a broad range of industries. Their arsenal of Risk Assessment Management Services includes location accessibility assessment and customised risk minimisation policies. They are able to provide a quick turnaround, reporting on any weaknesses in an organisation and develop valuable solutions in helping organisations develop diverse approaches to build resilience against many types of risk.
Click here to find out how Barringtons can help your business.
Source: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/online-exclusives/2019/protecting-soft-targets-without-hindering-culture/
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