The attempted car bombing on May 1, 2010, in New York's Times Square - "the crossroads of the world" - served as another wakeup call to the world's police and security forces on the uncompromising global terrorist threat, and their ongoing efforts to successfully target urban environments in the US.

Only the alertness of two vigilant New York street vendors, Lance Orton and Duane Jackson, and the swift response of mounted New York City Police Department officer Wayne Rhatigan and his police horse "Migs" - coupled with the inexperience of would-be bomber Faisal Shahzad, who inadvertently mixed non-flammable "home garden fertilizer" together with the highly explosive amalgam of gunpowder, gasoline and tanked propane in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) delivery system - averted what could have been a horrifying disaster.

This latest terrorist incident - and the near escape of Shahzad on board an Emirates Air flight from New York to Islamabad, Pakistan - highlights the urgent need to properly train intelligence, counter-terrorism, police, and private security forces in the most advanced anti-terror, protection and detection techniques. Only by understanding the terrorist mindset and their methods of operation can security forces begin to interdict these attacks at the planning level, instead of relying on post incident investigation to connect the dots.

"Unfortunately, the IED and VBIED aren't just a threat on foreign soil," explains Brad Barker, President of The Halo Corporation, a California-based security firm specializing in terror detection training. "Sophisticated terrorist networks are already here. They are living in your neighborhood, working in a nearby business, or going to the local community college."

The HALO Corporation is sponsoring two upcoming "Counter-Terrorism Summits", one from June 7th to June 11th in San Diego, California; and the second from July 12th to the 16th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to provide cutting-edge training designed to address exactly these threats.

The topics to be covered range from the practical to the critical, and address issues such as uncovering terror bombers, the latest forensic techniques to follow the money trail, engaging in asymmetric warfare, and understanding doctrinal Islam the way the self identified jihadist movement understands it, which is a critical component in dealing with "jihad-motivated" terrorists.

HALO's intensive training programs are conducted by respected subject matter experts, highly-experienced in the areas of pre-incident planning, IED detection, understanding the criminal-terrorist nexus, conducting threat and vulnerability assessments including private sector threat awareness.

"Our instructors are drawn from the Special Operations, elite law enforcement and intelligence communities, experienced in counter-terrorism operations. The participants will learn to recognize organizations that commit acts of terror, the methods they use and the types of counter measures available to defeat this threat," explained Barker. "An understanding of intelligence operations is a key factor for any organization. Gathering information, establishing trust, and preventing casualties are all key focuses of the program. We want security personnel to learn how to establish, apply and maintain an independent and threat-oriented intelligence system."

The HALO Counter Terrorism Summits cover the full spectrum of public safety issues including the potential dangers of the organized crime/terrorism nexus, the current state of transportation safety, facility anti-terrorism standards, maritime security and port awareness, as well as surveillance awareness and technologies.

HALO President Brad Barker stresses the significance of the summit for both public and private security personnel, citing increasing incidents of kidnappings in foreign countries the ongoing threat of global terrorism and the critical need for personal protection. "We look at everything," said Barker, including teaching the participants to view situations and locations through the eyes of the aggressor, who has an overdeveloped awareness of opportunities and the victims' vulnerabilities. "We have to think like the opposition if we want to stay alive in today's world."

For more information about the Bicoastal Counterterrorism Summit please visit the HALO website here (PDF). Or to sign-up contact HALO's Training and Education Department at: (619) 881-9125 or email at info@thehalocorp.com.

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