Page 58 - the SyI Quarterly 15

Chartered Security Professionals

A View of Terror and

Security in 2023

- By Chris Stevens CSyP MSyI

When asked to produce an article for the Security Institute
magazine, selecting a subject was challenging. Deciding to
capture several relevant points, it is hoped to bring discussion,
changes, and support to advance aspects of security industry
professionalism.
The word ‘security’ describes an ever-increasing number of
scenarios and events. While this as a term grows ever broader,
my perspective remains physical security-focused and counter-
terrorism centric, placing it within a suitably holistic frame.

Threats and Risks exist as they always have; they cannot be
eradicated. Residual risk endures, even with mitigation and
reduction measures. Acceptance by everyone of these facts is
essential, particularly when considering terrorism, where potential
threats will always exist.

Not every act of violence or vehicle involved in a collision with
a pedestrian or building is a terrorist act. Equally, neither is
every security breach defendable and certainly not by extreme,
unjustifiable security measures.

With no International agreement on the definition of terrorism,
politicisation by some people from the term being loosely misused
can create benefits. Unchallenged, dynamic behaviours do nothing
to reduce the fear and concern felt across communities. Elements
of the industry are currently focusing on the strategies used to
define “terrorism” rather than the aspects of ideology or goals,
leading to the pre-emptive labelling of incidents just hours after it
has occurred.

With 24-hour, almost immediate news and social media available,
all this has significantly altered how the world is informed of
an incident in nearly real-time. One person alone incorrectly
suggesting an incident is terror-related can cause hype and
hysteria, with many repeats before the authorities declare it as
such.

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