Chapter 7 - Bomb Threat Planning: Things Have Changed

Abstract

Bomb threat planning and suspicious package mitigation can be daunting for managers. Balancing security and productivity is a difficult task but can be done if everyone realizes that there is a mutual benefit to business and law enforcement. Bomb threats are felonies in most cases, and there must be some mechanism in place for property owners to assist law enforcement in bomb threat investigations. Insider information theft is an integral part of terrorism. Intel theft is at an all-time high with the increase of technological storage devices such as camera phones, iPods, and disguised flash drives. Collecting sensitive information from trash, overheard conversations, stolen laptops, and plain old espionage is clearly one of the first steps in terrorism planning. Common political focus points are gun control, white supremacy, and antigovernment/antitaxation. These types will focus their attention on federal offices, governmental agencies, or businesses that they feel support governmental policies or agendas. Tactics for these groups include property damage, arsons, and bombings. Identified under Left wing terrorist groups are special interest groups such as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and environmental groups such as the Environmental Liberation Front (ELF). Other groups may include antiabortion or abortion-rights groups. These groups target public health facilities, universities, and businesses. Tactics include arson, sabotage, and bombings. There are four primary classifications for targets: statement targets, infrastructure targets, commercial targets, and transportation targets. Educating the work force on not allowing tailgating on secure doors, or not propping open secure doors, challenging visitors, and keeping the workplace clean and free of debris, especially outside, are simple social engineering changes that can have a huge impact on target hardening.