Target-hardening and Terrorism: Challenges and Risks

Prevention is widely regarded as the most cost effective approach in dealing with terrorism. Target hardening has become one of the key tools in these efforts. Target hardening can take a variety of forms ranging from what is termed multi-event thwarting to single-event thwarting. Single-event thwarting refers to something such as installing metal detectors in airports. This is a measure that is meant largely to prevent just one type of terrorist activity (i.e. the hijacking of aircraft) at one specific location. Multi-event measures, however, are more general and include something like the creation of a highly-trained commando force to use in terrorist scenarios. The commandos can be used in a wide variety of situations and can carry out a range of different functions: siege situations, to free hostages, to protect VIPs, to ambush terrorists, etc..