As the news of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington has sunk in, Professional Security in its November 2001 edition asked members of the UK security industry where they think we stand. First, Jerry Hart, lecturer in security management at the Scarman Centre at the University of Leicester.
1) How should we react after September 11?
I?m going to answer this question in terms of what I think about how security professionals should react, rather than the broader issues of international or military response. First, I think that the events of that day have changed ?the rules? (i.e. the fundamental assumptions and norms upon which we base our reasoning) forever. One of the most striking things is clearly the futility of deterrent measures that threaten or compromise the perpetrators? personal safety and security. I therefore feel that one thing we have to do is revise our security mindset with this in mind, as simply ?beefing up? security in any conventional sense will be of limited value. The second thing that strikes me is that all notions of ?proportionality? must be revised, as these terrorist acts were clearly borne of an entirely different calculus than anything previously encountered. Unfortunately, my personal feeling is that this increases the stakes and we have to be prepared to match the threat with a commensurate response.
2) Does security have more respect now?
I hate to be cynical, but I think that any re-prioritising of security within organisations can only be sustained if further acts of terrorism occur. The weakness of our consumer culture is that people will not stand for the inconvenience of ?enhanced? security for very long, and the market will have no choice (unless compelled by government) but to respond to this by relaxing the rules.
3) Does the situation threaten the UK?
Absolutely. We have (in my view, quite rightly) come out in full support of the US and let it be known to the world that we are prepared to lend a great deal of support to their efforts. This has to make us a ?legitimate? target.
