Most critical infrastructure protection programs today, supported by significant investment, focus on improving perimeter security, access control, and incident response. It is our belief at Abraxas Applications that we may be able to achieve better results, and do so more cost effectively by shifting our focus to attack prevention.

The National Counterterrorism Center Report on Terrorist Incidents indicated there were approximately 14,000 terrorist attacks in 2006 resulting in 20,000 deaths in various countries around the world.

At the end of FY2007, the Department of Homeland Security, under the Homeland Security Grant Program, had invested approximately $23 billion in local planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises for state and local governments since 9/11. These grants were intended to "enhance the ability of states, territories, and urban areas to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks and other disasters". The vast majority of this money has been spent in support of emergency first responder communities and in defending critical infrastructure by strengthening access and perimeter security measures. Billions more has been invested by the private sector. While these investments have been prudent, history has demonstrated that physical security enhancements do serve to diminish the affect of an attack, but do not prevent determined terrorists from launching assaults resulting in significant loss of life and damage to critical assets. There are many examples of successful terrorist attacks against "hardened" targets. At the same time, however, it is difficult to defend "soft" targets such as exist in crowded transit facilities with a physical security enhancement strategy.

The use of suicide bombers and large vehicle-borne explosives provide determined terrorists with significant advantages. Even when facility defenders see these types of attacks coming, as has often been the case, experience has tragically demonstrated that it is then too late to take preventive measures. On the day of the attack, all of the advantage resides with the terrorist. To defeat terrorism, we must intercede when they are most vulnerable - during the pre-attack information gathering and planning process.

While Damage Impact Mitigation Measures Are Prudent,
Attack Prevention Must Be The Goal!