Personal Security is a state of being that occurs after all reasonable and adequate measures have been taken to deter or delay a crime or possible crime, as well as adequate provision being made to warn against such a possible crime. If such a warning occurs, personal security would be enhanced by summoning assistance and preparing for the possibility of such a crime, in a way that provided a considerable disarming of the cause of potential injury.
Personal security would aim to protect people from physical violence, domestic abuse, or from predatory adults.
Personal Security also consists of the adherence to, and application of, basic rules of codified behaviour and procedure that could literally save your life. But it is a sad fact that many people are unaware of these rules or choose to ignore them.
The first step in personal security is to understand that you are, or may be, at risk and may very well be targeted by terrorists or common criminals.
It is important that you should not assume that you are not already in the cross-hairs of some radical organisation. If you begin by honestly evaluating your risk, then you can take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming a target.
Common elements in a criminal and terrorist attack must be considered when determining a level of risk associated with a particular facility, group or individual. Attention needs to be paid to both the potential attacker and the potential target.
Desire
Individuals or organisations need to have a desire or motivation to justify their actions or receive some tangible benefits from their actions.
Ability
Individuals or organisations need to recognize their various abilities (such as their physical skills, knowledge and available assets) to enable them to conduct a strike in order to endanger life or bring about endangerment to the detriment of the security of one or more person or groups of people.
Opportunity
Individuals and organisations may well select their targets based on vulnerability.
Now, to examine matters from the other point of view, the analysis shifts to the potential victim.
Have you ever considered that you may well be an attractive target? Criminals and terrorists manifest and harbour desire, acquire ability and then look for the opportunity to commit acts which may undermine your security.
Suitability: – Would an attack on you further the goals of a criminal or terrorist?
Vulnerability: – are you vulnerable to attack?
Probability of success: – Is an attack on you likely to succeed?
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings.
- Avoid routine patterns of behaviour.
- Practice adaptability.
- Be self-reliant. Self-reliance means to helping others.
- Don’t be a hero.
- Be aware that movement can keep you alive.
- Perception is everything. Walk with confidence, don’t look like an easy victim.
- Notice baselines.
- Be aware of social engineering.
- Always be aware of the location of the nearest emergency medical care.
- Take the necessary precautions in high risk locations.
- Look for country-specific travel warnings (forest fires, floods, tsunami, diseases).
- Avoid politically unstable regions.
- Check on any local criminal activity.
- Check the local laws and customs.
- Don’t dress out of place.
- Don’t look like a tourist.
- Dress and behave conservatively.
- Don’t use identifiable rental cars.
- Avoid places which are commonly frequented by tourists.
- Keep a low profile.
- Use a separate credit card or cash.
- Ensure that any meetings with unknown people are only in very public and familiar places.
- Moderate your behaviour.
If you follow all of the above, then your overall security will be immeasurably enhanced and you and your family will be safe and secure.
