Protect Duty – Your digital footprint

Protect Duty – Your digital footprint

Anyone planning an attack typically conduct hostile reconnaissance. Gathering information is a vital component of attack planning. Generally, the more sophisticated the attack, the more complex the planning, which requires more information and reconnaissance (but even low sophistication attacks are usually preceded by hostile reconnaissance). Terrorists want their attack to succeed, so they require reliable and detailed information to plan effectively and to feel assured of success. They will need to carry out research into the range and type of security measures, including effectiveness. 

Protecting these three elements is a good start for your business:

1. Regularly check your digital footprint to ensure that there is no useful information readily available that will assist and motivate attack planning. For example, floor schematics of a site, details about the make and model of security screening equipment or the number of CCTV cameras. Local authority planning applications etc.

2. Remove or delete the detail or ensure you address this vulnerability. For example, if there is a media article about a security incident, take the opportunity to convey the right messages that counter any potential vulnerabilities.

3. Publicise your security capability across a range of communication channels. This may result in your site being discounted as a potential target early on especially as some target selection may be carried out online. This marketing should highlight your security procedures without giving away information useful to an attacker. This can be achieved in ways that do not cause anxiety or concern to staff or visitors such as tweeting that you thank your CCTV operator for protecting your premises etc.

A good security-minded communications strategy will help deter attackers from selecting the organisation, site or event as a target in the first instance because:

They are unable to get the information they need online and they are concerned about the effective security measures that are already in place

Internal communications play a vital role in helping achieve the desired security behaviours in staff. For example, to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour around the event/site, to challenge or report people not wearing passes, to prevent vehicles or people tailgating, or recognising and reporting suspicious emails or approaches online.

Our Protect Duty Consultants are all retired full term UK Special Forces, CT Policing or Ministry of Defence Police.