Anti-Terrorism Officer Course :

Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) Course

The S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) Course is designed to prepare security and law enforcement professionals for assignments involving the protection of facilities against terrorist attack. This program provides a detailed exploration of contemporary terrorist methods and essential skills and knowledge necessary for managing terrorism-related risks.

The information presented in this course reflects best practices in anti-terrorism, physical security, and emergency preparation as may be applied to a wide range of commercial and government facilities. The measures presented in this course are based on the instructor’s decades of experience in managing risks of terrorist violence, critical evaluation of hundreds of terrorist attacks, and analysis of methods for managing terrorism-related problems pioneered by organizations throughout the world.

Summary of topics include:

Introduction to Terrorism • Dynamics of Terrorist Attacks • Advanced IED Threat M.O. • Chem-Bio Terrorism • AT Countermeasures & Risk Management Concepts • Protective Counterintelligence/OPSEC • Physical Security Design and Entry Control Planning • Blast & Weapons Effects Mitigation • Mail Security Planning • Emergency Response Planning & Infrastructure Design • Response to Armed Attacks • Bomb Threat Management • Suspect IED & VBIED Response • Post-Blast Response • CBRN Attack Response

See the course outline below for a detailed description of topics.

- Recognizing risks associated with contemporary terrorism including an in-depth understanding of contemporary terrorist modus operandi.
- Understanding technical characteristics of explosive events, CBRN weapons, IEMI threats, and ballistic weapons necessary for designing effective protective measures.
- Identifying security requirements essential to reducing terrorism-related risk.
- Assessing facility risks and utilizing risk management principles in anti-terrorism planning.
- Implementing Operations Security (OPSEC) and protective counterintelligence principles to impair terrorists’ ability to gather target intelligence.
- Designing and specifying physical security measures for effective performance against terrorist armed attack and IED delivery scenarios.
- Developing effective entry control measures for validating, screening, and searching entrants at facility and building entry points.
- Identifying hazardous devices, possible device components, and risks associated with hazardous devices.
- Designing and specifying protective measures and facility improvements for mitigation of projected charge weapon, IED, chem-bio, and IEMI attacks.
- Developing an effective mail screening and security program.
- Recognizing indications of terrorist attack or impending terrorist events.
- Developing a facility-level Incident Command System and designing effective infrastructure to support emergency response operations.
- Developing safe and effective procedures for responding to a full spectrum of terrorist attack scenarios.

DAY ONE

The Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer
- ATO Skills
- IACSP cATO Certification Process
Introduction to Terrorism
- Ideological Motives & Actors
- Strategic Objectives
- Types of Terrorist Targets
  - Target Selection Criteria
- Categories of Terrorism Related Risk
- Terrorist Planning and Execution Phases
Threat: Explosive Attacks
- Types of Explosive Devices
- Blast Dynamics
- Technical Characteristics of Explosives
- Common Explosives
- Unique IED Construction Methods
- Activation
- Device Concealment
- Damage Potential
- IED Delivery and Attack Scenarios
  - PBIED
  - VBIED
  - Projected Charge Weapons
  - Installation Devices
  - Unique Terrorist M.O.
Threat: Chemical & Biological Terrorism
- Why Use CB Agents?
- Historical CB Terrorists & Incidents

DAY TWO

Threat: Chemical & Biological Terrorism (cont.)
- Terrorist vs Military Agents
- Routes of Exposure
- Symptoms
- Chemical Agents
- Agents of Biological Origin
- Dissemination of CB Agents
- Chemical & Biological Terrorist Attack Scenarios Against Facilities/Orgs
Risk Management & Anti-Terrorism Security Planning
- Risk Management Principles
- Integrated Countermeasures Strategy
- Adapting Risk Management Strategy to Application
Operations Security (OPSEC) & Protective Counterintelligence
- Terrorist Intelligence Requirements
- Terrorist Intelligence Collection Methods
- Information Security
- Employee/Contractor Screening & Monitoring
- Surveillance Detection Measures
- Suspicious Activity Reporting & Analysis
Physical Security & Entry Control
Physical Protection System (PPS) Theory & Design Principles
Intrusion Detection & Attack Recognition Systems

DAY THREE

Physical Security & Entry Control (cont.)
- Area Surveillance
- CCTV
- Officer Posts & Patrols
  - IED Delivery Indicators
- Control Rooms
- Barriers
  - Anti-Personnel Barriers
    - AP Barriers & Delay Time
    - Intrusion-Resistance Standards
    - Ballistic Barrier Construction & Specification
    - Protective Layer Design
    - Façade and Entrance Design
    - Secure Lobby Design
    - Safe Rooms
- Egress Design
- Response Force Planning
  - Personnel Selection & Training
  - Tactical Response Strategies
- Vehicle Barriers
  - Vehicle Entry Point Design
- Entry Control
  - Planning Considerations
  - Entrant Verification Methods & Applications
  - Contraband Screening Technologies
  - Human Entry Screening Procedures
    - SPBIED Detection and Containment
  - Vehicle Entry Screening Procedures

DAY FOUR

Facility Design and Mitigative Measures
- Limiting Concealment Opportunities
- Protection Against Projected Charge Attacks
- UAVBIED/Drone Countermeasures
- Blast Mitigation & Facility Design
  - Minimizing Fragmentation Hazards
  - Blast Walls
  - Structural Design to Mitigate Progressive Collapse
  - Façade Construction & Fenestration
  - Emergency Access & Evacuation Requirements
  - Protection of Building Subsystems
  - Utilization & Protective Asset Positioning
- Chemical & Biological Attack Risk Mitigation
  - Measures for Protection Against Contaminated Consumable Attacks
  - HVAC System Protection
    - Facility Design
    - ColPro & HVAC Filtration Systems
- IEMI Protection
  - Conducted IEMI Protection
  - Radiated IEMI Protection
Mail Security
- Mail Security Planning
- Physical Mail Screening
- Mail Screening Technologies
- Response to Hazardous Mailings
  - Suspect Mail Bomb Response
  - Response to Contaminated Mailings

DAY FIVE

Response to Terrorist Incidents
- Incident Response Scenarios
- Response Priorities
- Responsibilities & Incident Command Systems
- Communications Systems and Infrastructure Design
- Active Shooter/Terrorist Armed Attack Response Planning
- Bomb Threat Response Planning
  - Search and Response Approaches & Procedures
  - Response to Suspicious Objects
- Suspicious Vehicle Response
  - Alert & Refuge Procedures
  - TSWG Evacuation and Refuge Guidelines
- Post-Blast Response
  - Localized Bombings
  - Conventional Weapon of Mass Destruction Incidents
- Chemical & Biological Attack Response
  - Public Safety Response Sequence
  - CB Attack Recognition
  - Response to Indoor Aerosol/Vapor Attacks
    - Emergency Decontamination
  - Response to Outdoor Aerosol/Vapor Attacks
    - Shelter-In-Place Procedures (CB incidents)
      - Shelter-in-Place during Radiological and Nuclear Events
  - Response to Covert CB Attacks

IACSP Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) Professional Certification

In addition to providing 40-hours of instruction on topics essential to protecting facilities against terrorist attack, the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) course is designed to prepare program participants for independent certification through the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) Program.

In order to be awarded with the IACSP cATO™ certification, eligible candidates are required to complete and successfully pass a 50-question examination based on content included in the S2 Institute ATO course.

Information about the IACSP Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer application, examination, and certification process is available online: www.catocertification.org.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Attending the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer course does not guarantee award of IACSP cATO® certification. All course graduates pursuing certification after attending the program must meet essential eligibility criteria and complete the independent application and certification process including successful completion of the cATO® examination.

Present

With a community of over 2,500 alumni representing hundreds of corporations and government ministries, the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) Program is recognized worldwide as the gold standard for anti-terrorism and facility security training.

Present

2018

S2 ATO Course becomes the first advanced-level anti-terrorism training program in West Africa

The S2 Institute presents the ATO course in Ghana as the first advanced-level public anti-terrorism course presented in the West Africa region.

2018

2017

S2 ATO Program becomes the basis for a new professional certification

The International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP) launches the "Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer" (cATO) examination and professional certification based on the S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer program.

2017

European Commission adopts the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer Program

The European Commission adopts the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer course to serve as a standardized training program for EC security personnel.

2017

The Government of the Netherlands officially endorses the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer Program

The S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) Course is awarded a national stock number for procurement by the Government of the Netherlands. The S2 ATO course is the only program of its type officially endorsed by the Dutch government.

2017

2014-2015

S2 ATO Program adopted for training EEAS RSOs

The S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer course is adopted by the European External Action Service (EEAS) as the basis for developing a standardized curriculum for training EEAS Regional Security Officers.

2014-2015

2010

S2 Institute develops a special version of the ATO Program for use by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior

The S2 Institute is contracted by US CENTCOM to design and develop the new Anti-Terrorism & Facility Security training program for the Ministry of Interior of Iraq based on the S2 ATO course. The program encompasses development of a three-week security training program and on-site Train-the-Trainer mission in Baghdad to prepare the new MOI instructors.

2010

Anti-Terrorism Officer Course OSCE Mission to Georgia

2009-2010

S2 ATO Program is adopted by OSCE for training government security professionals in the Caucasus region

S2 is contracted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to develop and present a series of custom Anti-Terrorism Officer courses for government security professionals from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

2009-2010

2009

S2 ATO Program is adopted by US DoD for training Saudi and American base security personnel

The S2 Institute is contracted by the US DoD to present a special version of the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) course for Saudi and American security professionals responsible for protecting US military facilities in Saudi Arabia.

2009

S2 is contracted by US Army to train AT/FP personnel on CONUS military installations

The S2 Institute is contracted by the US Army to present the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) course for security professionals responsible for protecting US Army bases in the United States.

2009

2008

S2 trains US Capital Police and PFPA personnel as ATO's at the US Senate

S2 conducts a custom Anti-Terrorism Officer course for US Capital Police and Pentagon Force Protection Agency personnel at the Russell Senate Building in Washington, DC.

2008

2004

S2 ATO Program is adopted for protecion of US critical infrastructure

The S2 Institute develops a ten-day Anti-Terrorism Officer training program for a special force of security officers assigned to protect power stations and seaports in the United States.

2004

2003

S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer Program is created

In the wake of 9/11, the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer Program is developed to fulfill the needs of training security and public safety professionals in issues specific to protecting facilities against terrorist attack.

2003

What is an Anti-Terrorism Officer?

As a general definition, an Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) is a security or public safety professional that has received training in measures for protecting facilities and organizations against terrorist attack. However, the specific application of the term has different meanings in different organizations. Some private security agencies, such as Critical Intervention Services and Pinkerton, employ this terminology for security guards that have received specific training in anti-terrorism related tasks. The U.S. DoD employs the term “Antiterrorism Officer” to define force protection personnel who have completed specific requirements defined under DoDI O-2000.16.

What is a Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®)?

The Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) designation is awarded by the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP) to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements and complete the cATO® examination. Although the S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer course encompasses the full cATO® body of knowledge, attending the S2 Institute course is not required to obtain certification. Nor does graduating the S2 ATO course guarantee certification. The Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) certification process is independent from the S2 Institute course.

What are the differences between the S2 Institute and U.S. DoD Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) courses?

Although the topics and protective measures encompassed in the S2 Institute and DoD Anti-Terrorism Officer courses are similar, the U.S. DoD structures Anti-Terrorism Officer courses into levels in accordance with curriculum defined in DoDI O-2000.16 “Department of Defense (DoD) Antiterrorism (AT) Program Implementation.” The U.S. DoD programs are designed to present information specific to DoD policy, procedures, Unified Facilities Criteria, etc. The S2 ATO program includes much of this information, but also addresses many issues related to soft target facilities, protective approaches and research developed in other nations, and best practices beyond the spectrum of U.S. DoD doctrine.

Is the S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) course accepted by the U.S. DoD in substitution for courses defined in DoDI O-2000.16?

Maybe. The S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer course has been accepted in the past by U.S. DoD organizations when DoD courses were unavailable and the Institute has presented the S2 ATO course for U.S. military AT/FP personnel under contract by the U.S. Army. However, the S2 program and courses defined in DoDI O-2000.16 are different and there is no standing “waiver” or “official approval” that we are aware of issued at the DoD-level. If a DoD employee wishes to attend the S2 ATO program in substitution for a mandatory U.S. DoD course, we recommend they investigate within their organization to ensure approval.

What organizations have officially adopted the S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO) course?

The S2 Anti-Terrorism Officer course is a mandatory training requirement for AT/FP personnel in the Netherlands and Singapore. As such, the program has been issued an official stock number for procurement by the Government of the Netherlands. The S2 course has also been officially adopted as standardized training by several European institutions including the European Commission, Eurojust, and the European Parliament. Special versions of the S2 ATO program have also been developed to serve as standardized training by the European External Action Service and Ministry of Interior of Iraq.

Is the S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer course the same as the Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (C.A.T.S.) program?

No. The programs are distinctly different. The S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer course is a 40-hour/5-day program with a global alumni community of over 2,500 professionals since its development in 2004. The Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (C.A.T.S.) program is a 24-hour/3-day class administered by Global E2C in Singapore. Global E2C is a private company and issues the C.A.T.S. certification as a credential to all who attend the course. Graduates of the S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer course who wish to receive the Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) designation are required to complete a separate application and examination process. Those who pass the exam are awarded the Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) designation by the International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP), a third-party independent from the S2 Institute.

Why doesn’t the S2 Institute issue a certification for attending the Anti-Terrorism Officer course, as Global E2C does for the Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (C.A.T.S.)?

All students attending the S2 ATO course receive a certificate of training, but not a “certification.” To provide our graduates with an opportunity to obtain a truly credible certification, we worked with the IACSP to develop the Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) credentialing process including candidate eligibility requirements, peer-reviewed examination, proctored testing procedures, and similar measures. Our aim was to establish a certification process for our graduates with a high standard of credibility. So-called “certification” means very little when issued by a private company with no other requirements than class attendance.

Course Details

Instructor
Craig Gundry

Restriction Level
Level 2 – Verified Security Professionals & Law Enforcement Only

Presentation Time
40-Hrs/5 Days (8:30am to 4:30pm)

Audience
Security Professionals, Force Protection Officers, LE Professionals Assigned to Anti-Terrorism Activities

Upcoming Class Dates

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Student Testimonials

"In all of my travels and training, military and civilian, I rarely have the pleasure of encountering such professional instructors and presentations. The knowledge possessed and demonstrated by the instructor staff sets the bar for all civilian training agencies to follow…"

J. White

Advanced Training Section, U.S. SOCOM

“The instructor knew all the subjects like the back of his hand…A+++!"

SMSgt G. Enwright

Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, USAF

national-bank-of-romania-omfif-economist-meeting

"The class met all of my expectations and even more."

M. Florescu

National Bank of Romania

"I have had a few terrorism / anti-terrorism classes, but none have come close to the intensity and historical background as the S2 course. Your course is what every law enforcement officer should be taking."

R. Bast

U.S. Department of Treasury

"Really excellent. A lot of practical advice that one can use in one's everyday work. Excellent."

J. Perois

Dolphin Energy

"I thought this course was very well done. The topics very relevant and up to date with what is currently going on. This is definitely a "must take" course for anyone dealing with physical security/anti-terrorism matters."

C. Vernieuw

U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

"Very interesting course! The in-depth instruction is very high and the knowledge of the instructor is amazing. I think this course is a must for even people already active in the spectrum."

M. Scharding

The Swatch Group

"Very relevant and a must for security professionals in the emerging dynamic services. The program is targeted to address all of the major contemporary security issues globally."

Dr. A. Acidah

Nigeria LNG Limited

“Great stuff! Presentation was of high standard…I personally give thanks to S2 for the opportunity. Thank You!”

F. Gaspar

U.S. Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit

“I think this course is really excellent. I have been involved in AT matters for a number of years, however, I found many new and valuable insights.”

J. Dos Santos

IBM Pacific Asia

“The course is given in a very professional manner. Will highly recommend this course!”

K. Bergwerff

Ministry of Justice, Netherlands

“The class is totally useful and helpful. The instructor is amazing...Perfect. One of the best courses I have ever taken in my professional career.”

Gen. M. Ebeid

American University in Cairo

“Excellent instruction. Very interesting course and professionally presented.”

C. Hodson

Walt Disney Corporation

"The instructor was very knowledgeable and experienced. The course was well prepared and presented.”

A. Logtenberg

European Commission

“This course takes anti-terrorism theory and puts it in a practical perspective. I would rate it very high against the other anti-terrorism training I have had.”

E. Vogt

U.S. DOJ, Federal Bureau of Prisons

“The best training I’ve ever had. Extraordinary trainer. Extremely important.”

M. Cerasoli

European Commission

“I wanted to congratulate and strongly encourage you to continue to raise the bar...my job responsibilities require continuous and active education and training and I must say that your ATO course is one, if not the best I have ever taken.”