Keeping Soft Targets and Crowded Places Safe from Mass-Casualty Attacks: Insights from a Landscape Assessment

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hollywood, John S.

Contributor:

Ali, Rahim

Bauer, Ryan

Brothers, Annie

Gierlack, Keith

Goode, Thomas

Hill, Devon

Moore, Pauline

Tran, Jonathan

Willis, Henry H.

Language:

English

Other Title:

Keeping Soft Targets and Crowded Places Safe from Mass-Casualty Attacks

Place of Publication:

RAND Corporation 2024

Summary:

Soft targets and crowded places (ST-CPs) are easily accessible to large numbers of people and have limited security or protective measures in place, making them vulnerable to attack. Examples include sports arenas, shopping centers, schools, transportation systems, and houses of worship. Although attacks on them are relatively rare, they result in significant loss of life and contribute to an atmosphere of fear throughout society. Researchers performed a landscape assessment of the threat to and major vulnerabilities of ST-CPs, existing security measures and initiatives, and ways to improve allocation of security resources. The researchers then developed a road map for future investments and made recommendations for improving ST-CP security and response to attacks. These recommendations include research, development, test, and evaluation priorities to improve prevention and protection, such as seeking methods of deterring and dissuading would-be attackers, more evaluation of the effectiveness of security measures, and developing a model concept of operations for open and nonsecure spaces. In addition, they recommended funding and policy priorities focused on public education and training, providing additional resources to cross-organizational security teams and managers, and increasing funding for access control systems.