Counter Strategies and Policy Agenda of Private Security against New Terrorism

Abstract

Unlike terrorism in the past, new terrorism does not have any form or battle line and it softens the targets by targeting civilians. As terrorist targets are changing to soft targets such as public facilities, it is crucial for police or local government, which are closest to citizen’s life, to take measures for terrorism prevention. In addition, the role of private security guards is very important as they are allocated to the field such as buildings or facilities. However, there is a tendency in Korea to regard private security at much lower level than public security, playing secondary roles. This perception becomes problems in maximizing the capacity for national crisis management and counter-terrorism. Recently, police and various organizations in private sector have engaged in so-called cooperative security to prevent different types of crimes and made several achievements. In this context, it is necessary to analyze the role of private security in dealing with new terrorism more efficiently. This research made the following suggestions for the strategies of private security in order to respond to new terrorism efficiently and proactively. First, The September 11 terrorist attack in New York provided a motivation for not only the U. S. but also developed countries like the U. K. to strengthen the system of mutual cooperation between police and private security. In responding to terrorism, police and private security have a number of advantages through various programs for mutual cooperation. Second, the most important factor for counter-terrorism activities is training of human resources with potentials to make them highly professional. The training system for private security should be strengthened to enhance the capacity to respond to new terrorism. In addition, certain degree of specialization should be obtained by introducing license system for security guards engaging in anti-terrorism missions. The qualifications of security guards should be diversified and specialized based on their tasks Third, the public security should not be relied on for safety management of various local festivals and events with a large number of participants. A large portion of safety management should be transferred to private security. Fourth, there should be thorough countermeasures against cyber terror, which is used as a means of new terrorism. Lastly, anti-terrorism measures should not be participated by police, military or National Intelligence Service only. Anti-terrorism measures are the responsibility of the whole nation and the international cooperative system is also crucial. In particular, in a situation where the capacity of private security is rapidly increasing, private security should be recognized as an important actor, capable of resolving problems, in national counter-terrorism policy.