ABSTRACT
There are many reasons terrorist groups target America. One reason is ideological differences. There are nations or cultures that do not appreciate the freedom and tolerance espoused by Americans. Terrorists may think that, through acts of terror, the US Government will negotiate and ultimately comply with their demands. The increased threat of terrorism and cyber-terrorism is a new and important consideration for information security practitioners. Many organizations may be potential targets of terrorists and have no idea they are even vulnerable. Government agencies, including federal, state, and local, and infrastructure companies may be primary targets. The operating paradigm of physical security has been deterrence. The idea of a perpetrator not wanting to be caught, arrested, or even killed has become so ingrained in the way we think that we take it for granted. Reducing vulnerability to physical security threats became immensely more complex after September 11, 2001. Terrorism now needs to be included in all physical security planning.
