Abstract

• Author: Vasilis Karlos - Martin Larcher
• Pages: 4-4

4

Abstract

The purpose of the current document is to provide guidance to security and law enforcement officials,

building/site owners, venue organizers, state organizations, engineers and other stakeholders that are in charge

of securing facilities and critical infrastructures against the growing international terrorist threat. The focus of

the report narrows down into recommendations for a robust and usable approach for the physical protection of

infrastructures against this borderless phenomenon. It addresses shortcomings encountered in the design of

such security solutions and aims at producing a simple, self-contained prac tical guide to enable the selection

and installation of elements that are able to stop and/or deter potential terrorist attacks.

A detailed analytical procedure is illustrated for identifying the weaknesses of potential terrorist targets and

assess the relevant risk for different terrorist tactics. Advice is provided for the introduction of protection

measures against both external and internal explosions and design methodologies are presented for minimizing

the likelihood for the development of a progressive collapse mechanism. Moreover, specialized perimeter

physical protection measures are proposed that may successfully restrict unauthorised vehicle and intruder

access, supplemented by the employment of modern digital technologies, such as video surveillance, smart

sensors and video analytics. The novel and emerging threat landscape is also addressed, such as the malicious

use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, requiring new response strategies that call for the adoption of state-of-

the-art counter technologies.

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