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Facing the real threat to commercial buildings in the US today In the summer of 2004, the federal government warned of possible terrorist attacks against several financial institutions in New York City, Washington, DC, and Newark, N.J. The targets were buildings that represented America’s economic leadership in the world and the anticipated means of attack was a car bomb. While these attacks never occurred, the alert symbolized what is considered by experts to be the single most likely method of attack in America. Counter-terrorism experts and intelligence analysts agree that the terrorist threat against the United States is dangerously real and that the chance of another terrorist attack on American soil is virtually 100%. They cite many factors that lead them to this conclusion and warn that smaller attacks in the US, such as those that took place in Madrid and London, are only a matter of time. The most likely targets continue to be the drivers of the US economy. Office buildings and retail centers that house those drivers are considered prime targets. No location is immune to such an attack because the terrorists will operate wherever they have access. Small town USA is no safer, in that regard, than America’s major cities. Counter-terrorism preparedness has therefore become an urgent priority for property owners and enterprise management. With no preparedness program in place, the ultimate cost of a terrorist attack, even one which is limited in scope, is likely to be catastrophic from every point of view. Structural damage, loss of life, and immediate loss of business continuity are only the most obvious of the casualties. The most likely method of attack is the suicide terrorist and the car bomb. Relatively easy to assemble and difficult to detect, they represent a natural choice for even a small terrorist cell. The outcome is disproportionately great in comparison to the relatively low cost involved. According to The Sentinel, a publication of the Industrial Risk Insurers, the average dollar loss from an explosion exceeds all other catastrophic events. Building owners and developers, therefore, need to take a close look at the vulnerabilities of their facilities and incorporate measures to alleviate the effects that a terrorist attack on their buildings might have. Whether an attack originates from a large truck bomb, a mid-size car bomb, or a small letter bomb, it will cause some degree of physical damage, with the possibility of one or more deaths related to the explosion. By identifying and closing vulnerabilities, however, installing deterrents to access, and limiting the impact of a localized explosion, it is possible to prevent extensive loss of life and catastrophic structural failure, which can itself result in casualties and may severely impede rescue efforts. Although blast mitigation provisions are ideally designed into the plans of new office buildings, existing buildings can be upgraded significantly to provide better protection in the event of an attack. Finally, the financial loss is likely to be catastrophic. 9/11 is a classic example of this. No event in recent history has had the impact on our national economy equal to the widespread disruption that occurred immediately after 9/11. The effect on New York City alone was staggering. Insurance losses on property, human life, workers’ compensation, business interruption, and other liabilities are estimated at $32.5 billion. The business continuity plans of industry and commerce prior to 9/11 were simply not designed to address the trauma and catastrophic disruption of a major terrorist attack. The most important lesson learned from the events of 9/11 was this: risk assessment that does not take into account the possibility of an impacting terrorist event will result in great loss and high liabilities in the face of a catastrophic event. A strong counter-terrorism preparedness program is one of the soundest investments a company can make to ensure building security, personnel safety, and business continuity in the event of a terrorist attack. The investment in preparedness will be relatively small compared to the much greater cost of post-attack loss and liability. Gerard Group International LLC is an affiliate of SSC,Inc. 
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