NCJ Number
64867
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
PROFILES OF TERRORISTS AND THEIR VICTIMS, AS WELL AS THE PATTERN OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, ILLUSTRATE THE DANGERS FACED BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
EXPERTS AGREE THAT ADVANCED SOCIETIES ARE INCREASINGLY VULNERABLE TO TERRORIST DISRUPTION. CORPORATIONS, IN PARTICULAR, HAVE SUFFERED FROM TERRORIST ATTACKS IN TERMS OF RANSOMS PAID AND DISRUPTION OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS. ALTHOUGH KIDNAPPING OR ASSASSINATION OF A BUSINESS EXECUTIVE IS UNCOMMON, SECURITY SPECIALISTS URGE FIRMS TO FORMULATE SPECIFIC KIDNAP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. COMPANIES CAN ALSO MAKE HOTEL AND AIRLINE RESERVATIONS UNDER PSEUDONYMS, REMOVE COMPANY IDENTIFICATIONS ON AIRCRAFT AND LIMOUSINES, KEEP CONFIDENTIAL THE ADDRESSES OF OVERSEAS MANAGERS, AND ENSURE THAT THE HOME PHONE NUMBERS OF EXECUTIVES ARE UNLISTED. EXECUTIVES ARE CAUTIONED TO AVOID OSTENTATION, ALTER WORK AND HOME ROUTINES, BE WARY WHILE IN TRANSIT TO AND FROM WORK, KEEP FAMILY MEMBERS INFORMED OF EACH OTHERS' DAILY ITINERARY, AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE HIGH RANKING POLICE OFFICIALS IN THE COMMUNITY. PERSONAL SECURITY FILES ON EXECUTIVES SHOULD BE KEPT TO HELP POLICE DETERMINE WHETHER A KIDNAPPING IS REAL OR FAKE. EXECUTIVES' WIVES ARE ADVISED TO PROVIDE A LOW PROFILE FOR THE FAMILY, TEACH CHILDREN TO BE WARY OF STRANGERS, AND INSTITUTE PHYSICAL SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE HOME. GREATER COOPERATION BETWEEN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS EMPHASIZED, AND BUSINESSES ARE URGED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM POTENTIAL CIVIL SUITS BY GRIEVED EMPLOYEES BY DEVELOPING A CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN WHICH PROVIDES GUIDELINES TO NEGOTIATORS AND ENCOMPASSES THE CRITICAL STEPS IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS. EXECUTIVE PROTECTION SERVICES ARE EVALUATED, AND FUTURE TRENDS IN TERRORISM ARE DISCUSSED, NOTING CLIMATES FAVORABLE FOR TERRORISM, FUNDING SOURCES FOR TERRORISTS, TERRORIST PROFILES, AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TOWARD TERRORISTS. ACTIVITIES OF THE FBI AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL IN COMBATING TERRORISM ARE REVIEWED. CHARTS, A MAP, TABULAR INFORMATION, AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.