Promote security culture to combat terror

Promoting a security culture within businesses and organisations is a key part of preparing against terrorist and criminal threats, according to UK police counter terror expert Superintendent Anthony Bennett. 

Bennett, Step Change Lead Transportation for UK Counter Terror Policing, was speaking at the Designing Out Crime zone at The Security Event 2019 at the NEC Birmingham. He emphasised the way that anti-crime initiatives and counter terror measures can play a complementary role in preparing businesses and organisations.

“It’s important to work with business as part of counter terror strategy,” he said. “The public and business play a big part in developing that security culture.”

Bennett pointed to the Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSC) initiative as a tool which has proven very valuable in enabling communication between private and public sectors on issues surrounding security and business resilience.

“The latest example has included communications about the incendiary devices from what we now believe is the New IRA,” he said. “We were able to get that information out there via the CSSC initiative before it hit the media.

“Our aim is to be able to contact as many businesses as possible in order to combat terror and crime via these initiatives.”

Bennett said Designing Out Crime programmes are of critical importance, and not just from the perspective of protecting buildings and their surroundings. He said the development of security-focused policies and cultures within organisations would allow for them to evolve and adapt to new threats as they emerge.

“Having a subject matter expert in a business is key, someone who understands those policies,” Bennett said. “Having a security mindset and developing that security culture is the way that business can provide a lasting legacy for the future. Embracing new ideas and encouraging people to contribute is the way to foster that culture.”