6. Threat & Risk Assessment

Question 2

What are the 7 P’s of Principal Profiling?

Answer 2

• People
• Places
• Personality
• Prejudices
• Personal history
• Political/religious views
• Private lifestyle

Question 3

What is a Threat?

Answer 3

Threat is the negative entity (DANGER) which has or is perceived to have the potential to damage

Question 4

What are the 6 different types of threats? Give some examples.

Answer 4

1) Physical – Death, Injury, Kidnap, Assault
2) Embarrassment – Media Intrusion, Eavesdropping / Hacking
3) Disruptive – Media, Fans, Harassment groups
4) Destructive – Sabotage, Vandalism
5) Intelligence gathering – Snooping, Technical & Non Tech, bin lifting
6) Other – Intimidation, IT & Other security breaches

Question 5

What must we ask about a potential aggressor when assessing the risk posed by a threat?

Answer 5

1) Intent
2) Capability
3) Opportunity

Question 5

What are the 3 categories of risk?

Answer 5

High – Severe risk
Medium - Possible
Low - Possible but not likely

Question 6

What should be the first stage of a CP assignment?

Answer 6

Establish a ‘Threat assessment’

Question 7

What should be established within a threat assessment?

Answer 7

• the likely source and extent of potential threats
• an effective security plan that has the flexibility to provide effective protection

Question 8

What is not uncommon when completing a threat assessment?

Answer 8

The lack of appropriate intelligence to facilitate a thorough, current and accurate situation appraisal is not uncommon

Question 9

Why must you consider the risk and nature of the threat?

Answer 9

Considering the risk and nature of threat (once defined) it might be
unacceptable to you as a professional CPO; it could be that the risk, though high, may be acceptable which could then influence the cost (personal risk tolerance)

Question 10

What is less likely for most commercial security assignments?

Answer 10

A specific threat to an individual is less likely than general threats

Question 11

What is the Formula for Risk?

Answer 11

Threat + Likelihood = Risk

Question 12

When a threat assessment is completed, a workable plan has to be made. What 3 things must it take into account?

Answer 12

1) Manpower – Procedures & Policies
2) Technical – Intruder detection systems, CCTV, electronic countermeasures
3) Physical – Fences, Locks, Barriers etc.

Question 13

What are some planning considerations that need to be taken into account?

Answer 13

• Surveillance vulnerability assessment
• Counter surveillance
• Routine Procedures
• Emergency Operating Procedures (EOP)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Problems that may be beyond human reaction time
• Security team composition
• Vehicles, admin and logistical needs
• Communication requirements
• Technical equipment requirements
• Physical security
• Security profile / briefings / awareness training
• Recce / familiarization / orientation
• Liaison as necessary

Question 14

Name some methods used to aid planning.

Answer 14

• Previous security
• Intelligence agencies
• Media
• Commercial sources
• Archival / library
• Internet
• Staff (Past & Present)
• Police, Crime prevention

Question 15

What are the 5 UK threat levels of threat, and their corresponding likelihoods?

Answer 15

Low - an attack is highly unlikely
Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely
Substantial - an attack is likely
Severe - an attack is highly likely
Critical - an attack is highly likely in the near future

Question 16

Who sets the UK threat levels, and when do they change?

Answer 16

The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5). Threat levels do not have an expiry date. They can change at any time as different information becomes available