Terrorism Awareness and Homeland Security
Threat concepts
Terrorism awareness for a private guard is about recognition and reporting, not investigation. Understand the difference between terrorism (unlawful violence or threat to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population for political or social objectives) and ordinary crime, and know domestic versus international terrorism. Know the terrorist attack cycle - target selection, surveillance, planning, preparation, execution, escape - because the guard's best chance is to notice the earlier phases. Understand lone-actor and homegrown threats, and that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and vehicle-ramming are common tactics. Know the suspicious indicators: unusual interest in a facility, photography of security features, repeated probing questions, abandoned packages, unusual odors or wires, and vehicles parked unusually.
Reporting and response
Use the "if you see something, say something" principle: report to a supervisor and to law enforcement; do not confront a suspected surveillance subject alone. Know the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) concept - behavior plus context, not profiling by race, religion, or ethnicity. Do not open, move, or cover a suspected device; clear the area, avoid radios near it, and call professionals. Know the Homeland Security Advisory System's successor, the National Terrorism Advisory System, and that threat levels are informational, not a change in your post orders unless directed.
Traps and rule of thumb
Traps include profiling based on appearance, confronting a surveillance subject, and using a radio next to a suspected device. Rule of thumb: observe, report, and let the professionals act - behavior and context, never appearance.