As homeland securi ty becomes an ever-higher priori ty of the U.S Government and economy, America must use its might and resources to mitigate this threat. Up until now, many suggestions have been made, funds have been allocated and laws have been written to try and cope with the heightened terrorist threat. However, there is an approach and a mindset that has not yet sunk into the consciousness of the decision makers, homeland securi ty officials and the public at large.

America is trying to fortify itself with equipment and technology. Equipment is indeed an important tool, but it falls short of being the total solution, because:

• Technology is only as good as the people who operate and maintain it.
• Technology is effective only when it serves a defined goal.
• Most securi ty breaches are a result of human error or negligence.
• Terror as well as crime is the product of intentions rather then means - technology checks for means but not for intentions.

I begin this idea memo with an overview of two different perspectives on securi ty - the uniform and the selective approach. While the uniformed securi ty approach focuses on detecting destructive means (explosives, knives, chemical substances), the selective approach focuses on threat detection and threat determination. That is not to say that selective securi ty does not use technology but technology is merely a tool by which threat is being assessed. The idea that threat can be assessed individually and within the context of a given situation proves itself to be much more effective in the mitigation of the terrorist threat.

Take the following example. A nail clipper is detected by a screening machine or a securi ty guard at a U.S. airport terminal. It is considered (under the uniformed securi ty approach) a threatening object. However, any object - including one's bare hands - can be threatening. It is the intentions of the person holding the nail clipper, which makes the object, the person and the situation threatening.

Under the selective securi ty approach, detection of a suspicion indicator will be the first stage in the threat assessment process. A pocketknife being detected by an airport screener is merely an indicator for a given suspicion. The second stage will be to determine the validi ty of the suspicion indicator by trying to refute it. If a child or 70-year-old granny has a pocketknife in their carry-on baggage, the situation (not the knife or tool) can be deemed unthreatening. But if the person carrying the knife is 16 to 60 years old then the suspicion indicator was not refuted and the threat is valid until proven otherwise. This example reflects using only one criteria of many that are used in the assessment of threat.

The human element of securi ty, which relates to decision-making, common sense and awareness, must be upgraded. And this can only be affected through education, training, and drilling of personnel. An organization, whether governmental or private, which buys equipment worth millions of dollars would be unwise to not invest in educating its personnel to make the right use of that technology.

Sometimes in securi ty, the human element stands alone. Awareness, detection and determination of threat, deployment, taking action, and alertness are key ingredient for securi ty. This is where Predictive Profiling comes into play.

Organizations across the U.S and abroad have started to realize that one of the greatest securi ty resources they have is their own employee force. An empowered, trained and aware group of people will contribute to the securi ty framework as a force multiplier that is unequalled by any other securi ty investment or enhancement.

Training in the Predictive Profiling™ method adds many more "eyes and ears" to the conventional securi ty establishment. It empowers every member of the group to be a useful, forceful and effective team player with regard to the securi ty of the group. This training allows each person to take some control over their own destiny, and has the added benefit of multiplying the securi ty awareness level of the communi ty many times over.

Predictive Profiling is a situation assessment, which aims to categorize threat (not people). It is an approach and methodology that can be applied almost anywhere protective securi ty measures are required:

• Opened and controlled environments
  (airport terminal vs. nuclear reactor)
• Cargo scenarios
• Fraudulent behavior
• Access control

Predictive Profiling is customized to the threat level and requirements of each customer and situation and it is delivered after carefully examining the working environment and constraints of the client. As mentioned above, securi ty is built from the ground up and therefore it is essential to build a Predictive Profiling model that will list typical suspicion indicators, vulnerabilities and procedures.

The educational program in Predictive Profiling teaches the following aspects of the Chameleon Associates’ securi ty methodology:

• Securi ty Awareness
• Questioning as a tool for determining threat
• Aggressor's Methods of Operations
  (from Marking to Getaway)
• Threat Assessment
• Suspicion Indicators and appropriate reaction to threat indicators
• Terrorist means
  (explosives, biological and chemical weapons, etc.)

Chameleon Associates’ expertise and knowledge is derived from an extensive Israeli securi ty experience but it is coupled with the understanding of the American corporate, legal, social and political environments. Chameleon consultants and management come with hands-on experience and have fought the new American war on terrorism many times over in Israel over the last 40 years.

Chameleon Associates LLC is offering training and consulting services to government agencies, municipalities and corporate organizations, to help them implement selective securi ty methodologies and Predictive Profiling™ techniques in their securi ty frameworks. Chameleon offers customized courses in Securi ty Awareness and Predictive Profiling™ as well as seminars dealing with the integration of human elements and technology.

Amotz Brandes
Managing Partner
Chameleon Associates LLC