The attempted assassination of Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef coupled with weapons stockpiles recovered by the Saudi Interior Ministry represent very bad news for the aviation industry globally.
Ever since the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC in September 2001 the industry has been fighting to get ahead in the battle against aviation terrorism, but the apparent new shift in tactics by al-Qaida could mean that the terrorist organisation remains well ahead of the curve.
The method of weapons delivery utilised in the Bin Nayef assassination attempt is a first which presents serious challenges to security planners.
Specifically, deployment of body scanners is only just beginning following years of objection by privacy campaigners. But these x-ray devices only penetrate to clothing depth. They are designed to identify what may be concealed on the person, rather than what may be contained within the person. It is unlikely they would indicate an improvised explosive device carried within the anal cavity.
Therefore, this negates the premise upon which body scanners are being rolled out at airports and raises the very real prospect of such a device being carried aboard an airliner in this manner.
No airport in the world has the ability yet to screen departing passengers or visitors for the presence of explosive residue on arrival at the terminal. This presents the possibility that mules such as the assassin who targeted Bin Nayef could be used in a concerted attack on airport premises with their weapons packages remotely detonated.
The consequence of such an attack against an airport terminal or terminals at the peak travel times is one that has kept security planners awake nights thinking about since there are no easy answers.
The recent discovery of remote detonation technology, found in large quantity in al-Qaida weapons stockpiles, imposes upon airports a need for significantly enhanced vigilance over who is visiting their facility and what they’re leaving behind.
Airports are extremely busy transport hubs and high value targets. Ensuring total security of such highly accessible buildings is a near impossible task made much harder by the discovery of remote detonation technology in the hands of terrorists.
London gathering
Counter Terror Expo, which was formally launched earlier this year, proved to be a valuable tool in fostering this harmonized and concerted effort to address the threat from global terrorism.
Delivering a focused atmosphere in which key counter-terrorism professionals were brought together to debate the issues faced, the event proved to be the crucible for much detailed discussion and sharing of techniques and concepts.
Counter Terror Expo 2010 will build on this success, with multiple conference streams, a wide range of specialist workshops and an extensive product exhibition featuring security solutions from vendors from across the world.
Sponsored by Thales, the event is to be held at the National Hall, Olympia Exhibition Centre, Earls Court, London, 14-15 April 2010.
For further information please contact Nicola Greenaway on + 44 (0) 208 542 9090 or email: ngreenaway@niche-events.com or visit the website..
