Q & A With Alan Bell
THE THREATS ARE REAL
OVER THE PAST YEAR, SECURITY IN CANADA HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC DUE TO THE OLYMPICS IN VANCOUVER AND THE G20 SUMMIT IN TORONTO. SECURITY MATTERS RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH ALAN BELL, A TORONTO-BASED GLOBAL SECURITY AND TERRORISM EXPERT, TO GET HIS THOUGHTS ON HOW SAFE ALL OF US REALLY ARE
Security Matters: I have read that you have provided training and operational assistance to the CIA, FBI, RCMP, CSIS and other intelligence agencies world- wide. How does Canada’s intelligence community measure up to its counter- parts in other countries? Alan Bell: In the past, the focus of the RCMP and CSIS has remained on domestic issues. This was the result of government decisions to look inwards as opposed to outwards at international issues. At the same time, intelligence and law enforce- ment agencies in other countries have looked outwards to global security con- cerns. In the long term, this has provided them an opportunity to develop their expe- rience working in these areas. Canada, on the other hand, is trying to catch up.
SM: Do you have any quick thoughts on how security was handled at the recent G8/G20 Summit in Ontario? AB: Canadian law enforcement agencies were not experienced in planning for and responding to the types of tactics used during the G20. They had just success- fully designed a security plan for the 2010 Winter Olympics [in Vancouver] and firmly believed that the same strategies could be applied to security plans for the G8/G20. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The skills and experience required of those planning security for a G8/G20 type of event are specialized, unique and com- pletely different from typical/standard types of events, and it was obvious that this experience was lacking when police response to individual incidents at the G20 was scrutinized after the fact.
38 SECURITY MATTERS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
SM: How real a threat is terrorism in Canada? AB: The threat of a terrorist attack in Canada is very real. It is not a matter of if, but when it occurs. As the years pass from the 9/11 attacks, many Canadians have become complacent, adopting the “deny and repress” or “it won’t happen here” syndrome to terrorism. Canada re- mains one of the only countries that em- barked on the war against terrorism that has yet to be attacked by an international or home-grown terrorist group.
SM: After witnessing terrorist attacks in countries like the United States, Spain, India and Indonesia, do you think the Canadian government is doing enough to protect its citizens? AB: Since the 9/11 attacks, governments globally have enacted many different secu- rity protocols in an attempt to alleviate con- cerns over terrorist attacks. While it is almost impossible to prevent one from occurring, we should definitely focus on prevention and then ensure response mechanisms are in place to deal with any attacks that do occur.
SM: What are some of the steps you would take to beef up the security of Canada’s borders, ports, airports and utility facilities (e.g., nuclear, hydro)? AB: The training of personnel providing security for our borders, ports, airports and utilities should be ongoing and thor- ough. Personnel should be trained in the standard operating procedures of terror- ists. The deployment of emerging tech- nologies and the training in their use should be a priority.
SM: What are some of the mistakes most companies make when it comes to properly securing their assets and staff? AB: In times of fiscal restraint, there has been a tendency by many companies to cut security budgets as a result of inac- tivity. To save money, security is usually one of the first departments that is down- sized. When an incident occurs, there is then a “knee jerk” reaction, reminding us that security is an important part of any corporation.
SM: How has the digital world (i.e., Internet) impacted Canada’s national security? AB: Since the advent of the Internet, it is possible to plan and prepare for terrorist attacks from both inside and outside Canada. The availability of the digital world gives us information on potential terrorist groups — international and home-grown — on their organization, how they plan attacks, their targets and gives us the ability to monitor their move- ments globally.
CATCH ALAN BELL ON OCTOBER 20 AT THE CANADIAN SECURITY
ASSOCIATION’S SECURITY CANADA CENTRAL CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION.
HIS KEYNOTE ADDRESS WILL FOCUS ON SECURITY AND TERRORISM IN CANADA. FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO REGISTER, VISIT
www.securitycanadaexpo.com
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