Multiple explosions in Brussels, Belgium this morning. Reportedly two at the airport, and a third at a metro station. Some reports of a third device, undetonated, located at the airport.
Listening to Sky News quietly in the background, and they are being refreshingly honest about the inability to secure places like airport check-in lanes and metro stations. It's an unfortunate truth: a determined and dedicated attacker can not be stopped with zero casualties.
Question: If Johnny Jihad wants to strap on a Semtex vest and wander in to your local airport, at what point is he going to be detected? What if it's a NY subway station? Ever seen Grand Central or Penn Station at rush hour? A ballgame?
Where does the security begin? When you arrive at an airport, think about the usual course of events:
- park the car, wait for the bus to the terminal
- ride the bus with 5-20 strangers and their luggage
- enter the terminal for check-in, stand in line with 20-200 strangers and their luggage
- stand in line for Security Theater with dozens or hundreds of strangers and their carry-on
There is no good answer.
5 years ago
