NCJ Number
77543
Date Published
1979
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Factors related to corporate vulnerability to terrorist attack are identified, and the development of a company's physical security profile and crisis management techniques are discussed.
Abstract
By the mid-1970's company executives had become favored kidnap victims, yielding ransoms far greater than sums obtainable from bank robberies, and at less risk. Although attacks on corporate facilities by terrorists are relatively rare, the threat of such attacks exists and the techniques and tactics of terrorist groups are being refined. Given the radical socialist ideology of most terrorist groups and the presence of American multinational corporations, which are primary symbols of capitalism, in many countries where terrorist groups operate, these corporations would be wise to analyze their vulnerability and develop physical security and crisis management systems. A company's overall vulnerability or attractiveness for terrorist targeting can be determined by analyzing the variables of company visibility, image factors, the nature of the threat, a physical security profile, and crisis management capability. For example, assessing company visibility involves determining whether the facility is obviously American, whether the company is regarded as multinational, whether its product is symbolic of American capitalism, and the nationality of local management personnel. Evaluating the nature of the terrorist threat in the company's locale involves determining the character of the terrorist groups operating in the area, the nature of their tactics, how other terrorist targets have coped, and the availability of outside law enforcement assistance. Steps in dealing with a terrorist incident once it occurs are described in the discussion of crisis management capability. One note is listed.