Your hotel may be a terrorist target, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
A secret document released in 2006 and published recently on Wikileaks, outlines specific terrorist threats to properties, including possible usage of improvised explosive devices, arson, small arms attacks and chemical, biological, or radiological agent attacks.
The manuscript also offers examples of how to spot indicators of potential terrorist activity, including people in crowded areas with bulky clothing, vehicles illegally parked in areas where large numbers of people tend to congregate, unattended or suspicious packages, and evidence of unauthorized access to Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) areas.
People should also be on the lookout for surveillance activities by terrorists including people with video cameras, cameras, or observation equipment near the hotels for an extended length of time, hotel employees asking questions about equipment, operations, assets or security equipment even though it does not relate to their jobs and hotel employees that willfully associate with suspicious persons.
Hotels are vulnerable because they may contain areas with unrestricted access adjacent to the building and the periphery as well as HVAC. They may also be vulnerable if they do not perform thorough background checks on employees and have limited security forces.
What should hotels do to protect their properties?
1. Plan and prepare. This includes designating an employee as a security director, who will be responsible for all security-related activities, conduct threat analyses, and test security and emergency response plans by conducting regular exercises with employees.
2. Conduct background checks. A hotel should also maintain a security force, check guest identification on check-in and ask them to report suspicious activities.
3. Define vulnerable areas. That includes areas around the hotel that require access control for pedestrians and vehicles, issue photo IDs to employees and special ID badges to contractors, vendors, and temporary employees. Require that the badges be displayed at all times.
4. Install barriers near the building as well as the perimeters. Install barriers to protect doors and windows from small arms fire and explosive blast effects.
5. Stay in touch. Install communication systems to communicate with employees, guests, security, and local law enforcement agencies.
6. Install video surveillance equipment. Constantly monitor everyone entering and leaving the facility. Install quality control inspections on food and beverages coming into the hotel.
7. Implement security systems for computer hardware and software. Continually review the hotel Web site so no sensitive information is provided.
8. Be prepared. Have an incident response team with adequate personnel ready to go 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can download the document (PDF) on Wikileaks’ site here.
As a hotel guest, make sure you assist the employees by being vigilant and report any suspicious activity the next time you stay at the property.
