By Daniel Sommer

Any individual that keeps up with current events will note the recent influx of unrest throughout the world, including the pervasive presence of Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, as well as unrest throughout the Middle East and North Africa. These events contribute to a higher threat level throughout the world and therefore these countries have an increased need for counter-terrorism specialists who can make sense of the current situation and proactively prevent future terrorist acts. Given the enhanced threat environment, one could argue the demand for these specialists will continue to increase. Individuals wishing to pursue a career in counter-terrorism should focus on increasing their knowledge base by taking counter terrorism training courses, which will prepare them for this field. This essay provides an overview of the increasing demand for counter-terrorism specialists throughout the world and how these specialists can bolster their knowledge through counter terrorism training courses.

Current threat environment

The current threat environment throughout the world has been heightened by a number of events, in addition to the continued wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In January, Chechen separatists launched a suicide attack against the Moscow airport, in which over 30 people were killed. The New York Police Department sent counter-terrorism specialists to assist Russian authorities in dealing with this matter, and also assisted Russian authorities in the spring of 2010 after terrorists launched an attack on the Moscow subway. Recently, Somali pirates hijacked a private yacht in the Indian Ocean, killing the four Americans aboard. Somali piracy in this region, another form of terrorism, has been increasing exponentially over the past few years. Furthermore, the recent unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, which led to the demise of the Mubarak regime in Egypt and a domino effect in countries such as Bahrain and Libya, may also contribute to a heightened terrorist threat in the coming months. Unrest in this region could lead to such a threat as the security apparatus within each of these countries is in crisis mode and is not focused 100% on counter-terrorism preparedness.

Importance of counter terrorism training courses

Counter-terrorism training is vital for future stability across the globe. The persistent threat of terrorism requires counter-terrorism specialists in law enforcement, military and intelligence communities to continually refine their skills. To understand how to fight terrorism, these professionals must recognize trends in terrorist activity as well as develop strategies to prevent emerging threats from becoming a reality. Counter terrorism training courses enable these specialists to continue to hone specific skills so that they will remain on the cutting edge of their field. Counter-terrorism professionals must have sophisticated skills in order to develop and conduct advanced intelligence collection as well as perform detailed threat assessments.

Counter terrorism training courses and programs encompass a wide variety of areas, and focus on preventing or mitigating non-state actors from carrying out attacks against governments, infrastructure, and private citizens. Many of these training programs include a variety of topics including the study of terrorist organizational structure, understanding terrorist psychology, and learning how to develop threat assessments through gathering real time data as well as analyzing historical action. Many programs also offer more focused emphases on weapons of mass destruction terrorism, area study analysis, cyber and information security, as well as advanced surveillance and counter-terrorism coursework. The point of these programs is for students to learn how to conduct counter-terrorism operations successfully and develop and conduct intelligence collection programs.

While the threat of terrorist attacks will not magically disappear, counter-terrorism specialists can mitigate this threat to some extent by being prepared and thinking strategically. The current unrest throughout the world, both within nation states as well as the threat posed by non-state actors, only heightens the relevance of counter-terrorism specialists and the need for counter terrorism training courses.

About the Author: Dan Sommer is the marketing director of Henley Putnam University (HPU). For more info on Henley-Putnam University,counter terrorism training courses, counter-terrorism, call 888-852-8746.

Source: isnare.com

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