Routledge Soft Target Hardening: Protecting People from Attack

The US government spends billions of dollars to secure strategic and tactical assets at home and abroad against enemy attack. However, as "hard targets" such as military installations and government buildings are further strengthened, vulnerable soft targets are increasingly in the crosshairs of terrorists and violent criminals. Attacks on crowded spaces such as churches, schools, malls, transportation hubs, and recreational venues result in more casualties and have a powerful effect on the psyche of the populace. Soft Target Hardening: Protecting People from Attack, Second Edition, continues the national dialogue started by the first edition by providing case studies, best practices, and methodologies for identifying soft target vulnerabilities and reducing risk in the United States and beyond. Soft target attacks steadily climbed in number and scale of violence since the first edition of this book. New tactics emerged, as terrorists continually hit the "reset button" with each attack. In this volatile, ever-changing security environment, plans to protect people and property must be fluid and adaptable. Along with new hardening tactics, such as the use of tactical deception to disguise, conceal, and divert, the author has updated the text with new case studies to reflect and respond to the fast-moving transformation in methods from more complex and organized forms of terror to simpler, yet still-devastating approaches. This book is a must-read for those who secure, own, and operate soft target facilities, and for citizens who want to protect themselves and their families from attack. Soft Target Hardening, Second Edition, was named the ASIS International Security Industry Book of the Year in 2019.     Review "Four years ago, Dr. Hesterman’s book Soft Target Hardening started the dialogue about protecting civilian venues from attack. The second edition is updated with new content and case studies of recent attacks, new hardening tactics, and best practices garnered from the author’s 32 years of experience in the security field." Jack Plaxe, Founder/Managing Director, Security Consulting Alliance "Dr. Hesterman addresses the soft target hardening topic like no one else in the security industry. Attackers assess targets to see if they are inviting; the goal hardening is to stop the fight before it starts. This well-researched, superbly written book details the soft target hardening challenge from threat to vulnerability and mitigation." Lawrence J. Fennelly, Security Expert and Author of over 35 books "One fundamental problem in protecting free and open societies from terrorism is their virtually unlimited number of 'soft targets,' unprotected venues like churches, shopping malls, and dense public spaces. Dr. Hesterman's latest volume assesses the growing soft target threat and provides innovative hardening tactics to protect citizens from violent attacks." Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, PhD, Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; and Chief Executive Officer, Valens Global"Violent attacks against soft target locations are on the rise. This unique book assesses soft target vulnerability factors and provides best practices for handling an attack scene before responders arrive. Dr. Hesterman’s background in counterterrorism and commanding emergency response in the military brings a practitioner’s approach to this topic, a benefit to all readers." Joshua Sinai, PhD, Counterterrorism Expert and Senior Analyst at Kiernan Group Holdings About the Author Dr. Jennifer Hesterman, US Air Force (retired), served three Pentagon tours, commanded both logistics support and mission support squadrons, and served as a base commander in the months following the attacks of 9/11. Her last assignment was vice commander, 316th Wing, at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, the home of Air Force One. In this role, she was responsible for installation security, force support, and the 1st Helicopter Squadron,