London bus bomb
Terrorist threats and contingency planning. Ignore them at your peril
Former covert intelligence officer in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the Middle East, Simon Atkinson, now the managing director of Athena Security & Intelligence Consultants Ltd, says we ignore recent threats by al Qaeda in Britain at our peril
"By the last day of March 2008, martyrdom seekers of the Organisation of Al Qaeda in Britain will target…political leaders, embassies, 'crusader centres' and their interests throughout the country," or so Al Qaeda affiliated websites stated in January 2008.
Irrespective of whether or not the predicted timeline is accurate, this statement demonstrates the intent of terrorist organisations to harm our populace, businesses and way of life. Statements of this sort were evident prior to both 9/11 and the London bombings of 7/7. We ignore them at our peril.
In a security context, 'Risk' is understood to be the condition when an opposing force has the capability or the intent to conduct acts against us. 'Threat' is the condition when they have both capability and intent.
The UK Government Threat Level is presently SEVERE – meaning that a terrorist attack on a UK target is HIGHLY LIKELY and, given the previous definition of 'Threat', it is widely understood in Whitehall that certain groups have both the capability and intent to do us harm.
Given the aforementioned intent coupled with the modus operandi used by many Al Qaeda affiliated groupings, it is not difficult to develop a capability. Indeed, all one needs to do is spend time on Google and visit a number of everyday high street stores to develop the capability of constructing a simple but effective explosive device.
It may be argued that this known 'Threat' makes it incumbent upon Public and Private sector employers to take all reasonable measures to protect their employees and interests as they would any other threat to Health and Safety. To ignore it may be tantamount to negligence with all the subsequent ramifications that may come with it.
This is why Athena Security & Intelligence Consultants (ASIC) Ltd, in association with Demoman International, are hosting a Terrorism Awareness Seminar in Glasgow over the period 01-03 April 2008.
The aim of the Seminar is to raise awareness of current terrorist methodologies and suggest guidelines, that should be implemented to maximise:
a. Public and employee safety
b. Cultural & Race relations
c. Business continuity
Speakers include: Simon Atkinson, Managing Director of ASIC Ltd who is a former HM Forces Officer and covert HUMINT Operator with operational experience in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the Middle East and Tal Hanan, CEO of Demoman International, who is a former Explosive Unit Deputy Commander of the Israeli Special Forces.
Delegate daily rate is £300+VAT (including lunch and refreshments) and there is a discount of 30% available to readers of ContingencyToday.com
This seminar should be considered essential for:
· Security professionals
· Risk Management professionals
· Companies working in the Defence Sector
· Police and Emergency services
· Health and Safety professionals
· UK Resilience Contingency Planners
· Companies with Staff in Hostile Environments
For registration details, please contact ASIC Ltd on +44 (0)141 314 3983 or email enquiries@athenaintelligence.co.uk .
Simon Atkinson, Managing Director, Athena Security & Intelligence Consultants Ltd
www.athenaintelligence.co.uk
