NCJ Number
43377
Journal
Security Management Volume: 21 Issue: 5 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1977) Pages: 6-9,11,13-14
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
GLOBAL TERRORISM IS A STRATEGY AND SINCE 1968 OVER 1100 CORPORATE EXECUTIVES HAVE BEEN KILLED BY TERRORISTS. AN ORGANIZED RESPONSE REQUIRES POLICIES, RESOURCES, AND COMMUNICATIONS BEYOND USUAL CORPORATE SECURITY.
Abstract
CORPORATE MANAGEMENT MUST REALIZE THAT IT CANNOT TRANSFER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MEETING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. EVEN WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED, THEIR FOCUS IS ON THE CRIMINAL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM -- RECOVERY OF THE VICTIM, INVESTIGATION, AND APPREHENSION OF THE TERRORISTS. THE CORPORATION WOULD STILL HAVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE RANSOM DECISION, EMPLOYEE MORALE, COMMUNICATIONS WITH ALL INTERESTED PARTIES, AND PROTECTION OF ALL ASSETS. IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, THE SITUATION IS EVEN MORE COMPLEX; INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED IN WHICH THE FIRM HAS HAD ITS ASSETS NATIONALIZED BECAUSE IT DEALT WITH TERRORISTS TO FREE AN EXECUTIVE. WHAT IS NEEDED IS A CRISIS MANAGEMENT RESPONSE WITH TRAINED PERSONNEL HEADING THE EFFORT. THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM SHOULD BE COMPOSED OF FIVE TO EIGHT EXECUTIVES ABLE TO DRAW ON SUCH INTERNAL RESOURCES AS INSURANCE ADVISORS, FACILITIES ADVISORS, MEDICAL EXPERTS, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PERSONNEL. THEY WOULD ALSO HAVE TO DRAW ON EXTERNAL RESOURCES INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS, THREAT ANALYSTS, CRISIS CONSULTANTS, AND INTERMEDIARIES. THE JOB OF THIS TEAM IS TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, IMPLEMENT SECURITY, AND PROVIDE LEGAL DIRECTION. IT MUST HAVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND MUST ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO PERSONNEL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS OF EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES, BE SKILLED IN PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND BE ABLE TO VIEW THE SITUATION THROUGH THE EYES OF THE TERRORIST. TO BE READY FOR A CRISIS, ALL THREATS AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION FROM WHATEVER SOURCE MUST BE ANALYZED AND A PLAN ACHIEVED TO COMBAT SUCH THREATS. TOP MANAGEMENT MUST COOPERATE FULLY WITH THIS PLANNING AND ALLOW THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM TO OBSERVE DAILY ROUTINES SO THAT EFFECTIVE SECURITY CAN BE IMPLEMENTED. A WELL-TRAINED CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM CAN HANDLE A WIDE RANGE OF CRISIS OTHER THAN THOSE GENERATED BY TERRORISTS. THEY CAN BE EFFECTIVE DURING FLOODS, NATURAL DISASTERS, LABOR UNREST, AND CIVIL DISTURBANCES. A STATE OF READINESS IS ESSENTIAL TO MINIMIZE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY.