International and Domestic Security Warnings

There are numerous countries that have residual and heightened terrorism and other security risks.

Three countries that people from Australia travel to are France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The governments of these countries have expressed growing concern regarding the threat of terrorism on the soil.

France has raised its terrorist threat assessment to the country’s highest level.

Australia is not immune from threats of terrorism, acts of terrorism and the climate of violence. As an illustration and consistent with local advice, the UK government’s assessment on Australia states “Terrorist attacks in Australia cannot be ruled out”.

France

Official threat assessment issued by the French government and by other countries warn of an elevated terror threat in France. The French threat alert warning is now at the country’s highest level.
The Australian Government advises travellers to France to ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’. France’s Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal said that “the Islamist terrorist threat is real, it is strong” and that “it has never wavered”.
The backdrop for the assessment and counterterrorism actions by France includes the attack in Crocus City Hall venue in Russia a few days ago (March 22), recent terrorism attempts foiled in France this year, intelligence assessments regarding active recruiting by IS in France, threats against schools, and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games to be held in France. The Australian Government through its online ‘Smart Traveller’ resource mentions shopping centres, schools, places of worship and landmarks.

Italy

The Italian government has also stepped-up counter-terrorist surveillance and other measures with concern for Easter holidays and places of mass gathering. Italian authorities have assessed the threat coming from ‘lone wolves.’

United Kingdom

The UK government threat level indicates the likelihood of a terrorist attack there.
Like Italy, the ‘lone wolf’ scenario is central in assessments. There is evidence of terrorist recruiting in the UK.

The government expresses concern regarding threats against UK’s interests overseas.

Organisational Actions Here

Ensure your personnel travelling or deployed to international locations have appropriate training, briefings and incident support.

Terrorist organisations have again recently broadcasted their warnings and encouraged their followers internationally to violence. There is also a dramatic and sustained rise in the propensity for violence from other areas related to domestic extremism linked to, or influenced by international events.

Places of worship and associated communal venues and events should have advanced security and emergency management preparation and heightened vigilance during religious days.
Public memorial ceremonies such as ANZAC Day and associated sacred locations and venues should also be at advanced protective security and emergency management preparation and heightened vigilance.
Crowded places and publicly accessible locations for example, shopping centres, educational campuses, hospitals, entertainment venues, and CBD commercial and government buildings, need to refresh their security risk and threat assessments and clearly understand their current vulnerabilities.

Security assurance and preparedness before special days and events are critical. For example, personnel should understand hostile surveillance, protective surveillance and emergency responses.

Fire as a weapon’ was used in the Russian attack. This method is not new (e.g. Mumbai 2008) and recently a planned attack against a church in the USA included fire as a weapon. Many organisations with identified terrorism risks have not properly assessed this type of complex attack in their context.
Insider threats are not properly appreciated and effectively managed by organisations. Potential incidents may involve trusted insiders and authorised visitors (such as delivery drivers, shoppers and patrons).

If you are uncertain or not satisfied that your organisation has appropriately and expertly addressed these or other issues, please do not hesitate to contact us, LinkedIn DM, info@harris.com.au, or +61 2 9560 9933.

Also, encourage your personnel responsible for your security, or provide you security services, to join the Protective Security Network – more information
www.protectivesecuritynetwork.com.au

Disclaimer:

The above article is of a general nature only, it is not a comprehensive analysis and not contextualised. The article is intended to stimulate and focus conversation on security and related risk management. Full reading of any referenced sourced material is recommended.
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