Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security Training :

Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security Course

The S2 Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security training course is designed to prepare Regional Security Officers for assignments involving the protection of diplomatic 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 against diplomatic missions.

The information presented in this course reflects best practices in anti-terrorism, physical security, and emergency preparation as specifically applicable to Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilities. The measures presented in this course are based on the instructor’s decades of experience assisting organizations in managing risks of terrorist violence, critical evaluation of hundreds of terrorist attacks, and analysis of methods for managing terrorism-related threats pioneered by diplomatic security services throughout the world.

The basic 5-day version of the Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security training course explores the threat of terrorism and effective security measures for protecting diplomatic facilities. The 8-day advanced version of this program includes an added day of training in personnel security and special events, and two days of in-class exercises focusing on risk and vulnerability assessment methods.

Summary of topics in the basic-level course include:

Diplomatic Security and The Terrorist Threat • Dynamics of Terrorist Attacks • Advanced IED Threat M.O. • Chem-Bio Terrorism • AT Countermeasures & Security Risk Management Concepts • Protective Counterintelligence and Operations Security • Physical Security Design and Entry Control Planning for Diplomatic Missions • 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 outline below for a detailed description of diplomatic security training topics encompassed in both versions of the program.

- Recognizing current trends and risks associated with terrorism against diplomatic missions including an in-depth understanding of contemporary terrorist modus operandi.
- Understanding technical characteristics of explosive events, CBRN weapons, and ballistic weapons necessary for designing effective protective measures.
- Identifying security requirements essential to reducing terrorism-related risk against diplomatic facilities.
- Assessing facility risks and utilizing risk management principles in security planning and emergency preparation.
- 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 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, and chem-bio attacks.
- Developing an effective mail screening program.
- Recognizing indications of terrorist attack or impending terrorist events.
- Developing an Incident Command System and designing effective infrastructure to support emergency response operations at the mission-level.
- Developing safe and effective procedures for responding to a full spectrum of terrorist attack scenarios against diplomatic facilities.

Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security – Basic Course

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

Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security – Advanced Course

All topics encompassed in the basic course, in addition to the following three training days.

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

As a further step for professional development, S2 encourages all RSO’s who graduate the Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security training course to seek certification through the IACSP Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) program. Approximately 85% of the cATO® body of knowledge is encompassed in the Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security course.

The Certified Anti-Terrorism Officer (cATO®) credential is awarded independently through the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals to eligible candidates who successfully pass a 100-question examination based on content included in the S2 Institute Anti-Terrorism Officer (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 Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security training program 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.

The S2 Anti-Terrorism and Diplomatic Security training course was originally developed in 2014 to provide Regional Security Officers (RSO’s) employed by the European External Action Service (EEAS) with a standardized level of knowledge in anti-terrorism and diplomatic security topics. During 2014 and 2015, several courses were conducted at the EEAS headquarters in Brussels to train the organization’s global team of RSO’s. When completed, over 80 Regional Security Officers and EEAS headquarters security specialists graduated the program.

Similar programs have also been developed and presented for organizations such has the European Commission and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Following are some highlights of our experience over the past 22 years related to anti-terrorism and diplomatic security training.

Present

With an alumni of over 4,000 corporate and government security professionals from over 50 nations, the S2 Institute is recognized as the most prestegous private school for anti-terrorism training in the world.

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

2016

S2 Assessing Terrorism Related Risk Workshop is adopted by the European Commission

The European Commission contracts the S2 Institute to train its security directorate in terrorism risk assessment methods and assist in improving its internal security risk assessment methodology.

2016

Terrorism Risk Assessment Course Brussels 2017

2015-Present

Public ATRR Assessing Terrorism Related Risk Workshops resume

After six years of restriction as a private training course, the S2 ATRR program is presented as a public program in the US and multiple European locations. The program is attended by representatives from over 40 different corporations, government ministries, and institutions of the EU and United Nations.

2015-Present

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

2013-2020

U.S. DoD engages S2 to train senior intelligence officers in counterterrorism

Between 2013 and 2020, the S2 Institute conducts a series of special 3-week symposiums under sponsorship of the U.S. DoD for senior intelligence officers representing an Arabian Gulf nation focusing on counterterrorism intelligence, counterintelligence, and crisis management.

2013-2020

Terrorism Risk Assessment Course OSCE Baku

2010

S2 ATRR Workshop is adopted by OSCE for training the MoNS of Azerbaijan

S2 Institute is contracted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to train a unit of critical infrastructure security experts from the Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan.

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 the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons in bomb security

The S2 Institute conducts a two-day course on bomb security for over 100 employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Texas Department of Corrections at the U.S. Penitentiary Beaumont.

2008

2007-2009

S2 trains Illinois police officers in response to IED incidents

The S2 Institute conducts six courses for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board in different geographic locations and jurisdictions. Altogether over 300 Illinois police officers from over 25 police departments complete the course.

2007-2009

2007-2008

S2 trains US Capital Police and PFPA personnel in anti-terrorism and WMD readiness

S2 conducts a series of WMD and Anti-Terrorism Officer courses for US Capital Police and Pentagon Force Protection Agency personnel in Washington, DC.

2007-2008

2005

S2 Assessing Terrorism Related Risk Workshop endorsed by U.S. Department of Justice

The S2 ATRR Workshop is recognized and endorsed as the only private training course recommended by the U.S. Department of Justice for providing terrorism risk assessment training.

Ref. Leson, Joel. Assessing and Managing the Terrorism Threat. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2005. Print

2005

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

FLETC conducts peer review of the S2 ATRR program

Experts from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) conduct a peer review of the S2 ATRR Program and request approval to adopt elements of the S2 methodology for use at FLETC.

2004

S2 Assessing Terrorism Related Risk Workshop is developed

S2 develops to the ATRR Workshop to provide security professionals with instruction in advanced methods and tools for assessing threat and vulnerability to facilities at risk of terrorist attack.

2004

2003

S2 Institute assists AICHe CCPS in preparing chemcial companies for terrorism threats

S2 Institute assists AICHe's Center for Chemical Process safety in improvement of its new risk assessment methodology and develops a special course on facility security planning for chemical companies.

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

1999

Bomb Countermeasures CD-ROM is released

After two years of writing and development, the Bomb Countermeasues for Security Professioanals CD-ROM is first released and distributed through ASIS International.

1999

1998-1999

S2 conducts a series of advanced WMD courses for the State of Pennsylvania

The S2 Institute, in partnership with the Public Safety Group, conduct a series of advanced WMD courses for Pennsylvania emergency responders assigned to regional terrorism task forces.

1998-1999

Course Details

Instructor
Craig Gundry

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

Presentation Time
Basic: 40-Hrs/5 Days
Advanced: 63-Hours/8 Days

Audience
Regional Security Officers, Security Professionals Employed by Ministries of Foreign Affairs

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.”