Going Through the Security Motions

By | September 26, 2006

The Associated Press profiles security guru Bruce Schneier. Bruce writes clearly and well, and apparently got a mention in “The Da Vinci Code”. He’s also very critical of Post 9–11 overreaction: “Eventually we will all come to our senses about security,” he says. “I think it’s 10 to 20 years. A generation.” His argument: less showmanship, more cost-effectivenesss. Amen.

To that I’d add consistency. Those implementing security need to apply the same level of alertness whether it’s 1 am or 1 pm. They also need to be involved in the decision making and planning process — at least enough to understand that looking under a car for a bomb is not just about going through the motions of looking under the car. (My favorite example of this is when security guards in Asia make a great song and dance of inspecting the inside and underside of an SUV, but then entirely ignore the external hard cover for the spare wheel stuck on the vehicle’s rear door.)

Security is a process, but it’s not just a procedure.

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