The Secretary of the (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the curren heightened threat environment across the United States.
The Bulletin states that the “United States continues to face a diverse and challenging threat environment as we approach several religious holidays and associated mass gatherings that in the past have served as potential targets for acts of violence”.
This assessment for the remainder of 2021 into 2022 illuminates the threat picture drawn by domestic violent extremists (DVEs), including racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists and anti-government/anti-authority violent extremists. DHS warns that DVE pose a significant threat to the U.S.
The report states “DVEs and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences will continue to exploit online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity. The ongoing global pandemic continues to exacerbate these threats. Further, foreign terrorist organizations and DVEs continue to attempt to inspire potential followers to conduct attacks in the United States, including by exploiting recent events in Afghanistan”.
The threat picture provided by the DHA has relevance to other democratic countries. The rise and momentum of DVEs in these countries should be well considered in the security risk assessments of organisations and facilities. Of particular concern are government occupied buildings, properties providing health services, offices of parliamentarians and places of worship.
Violent mass public protests and insider threats are two of the specific considerations for the assessment process.
On another perspective, as international borders open it is time to refresh your security risk assessments for the U.S. should you have personnel and business interests there. Other issues to consider include updated travel security awareness training, emergency communications and arranging security threat alerts.
Please read our blog ‘Going Overseas?’.
NTAS Bulletin here.
Please read our related blog ‘The unfolding Afghanistan situation: International security impacts”.
Our expertise will significantly support your due diligence and risk management. Please contact us before you need to contact us.
Stay safe.
Geoff Harris
Principal Consultant
Harris Security Management
Contact us at info@harris.com.au or Phone +61 2 9560 9933.
Trusted independent security consultants since 1983
Disclaimer: The above discussion is of general nature only and intended to stimulate and focus conversation on security and related risk management. It lacks context. We do not provide endorsement or assessment on information or research provided by others that may be referenced in this article. The above discussion is not comprehensive and does not provide expert legal comment or advice. The discussion does not provide professional advice from us. Seek expert analysis and advice relevant to your specific context from trusted advisers.
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Sydney, Australia 2021.
Posted: 18 November 2021.
