SIA CP Threat Assessment — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a threat assessment in close protection?
- To decide how many bodyguards are needed
- To identify, analyse and evaluate potential threats to the principal (Correct answer)
- To create a budget for the security operation
- To train the principal in self-defence
Correct answer: To identify, analyse and evaluate potential threats to the principal
A threat assessment systematically identifies, analyses and evaluates potential threats to the principal, enabling the close protection team to implement appropriate countermeasures.
Question 2: In threat assessment, what does the acronym 'JTAC' stand for in the UK context?
- Joint Technical Assessment Committee
- Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (Correct answer)
- Junior Tactical Assessment Course
- Joint Threat Advisory Council
Correct answer: Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre
JTAC (Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre) is the UK organisation responsible for setting threat levels and providing terrorism-related intelligence assessments.
Question 3: What are the five UK terrorism threat levels, from lowest to highest?
- Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Red
- Low, Moderate, Substantial, Severe, Critical (Correct answer)
- Minimal, Low, Medium, High, Extreme
- Safe, Cautious, Alert, Warning, Danger
Correct answer: Low, Moderate, Substantial, Severe, Critical
The UK's five terrorism threat levels are: Low (an attack is highly unlikely), Moderate (an attack is possible but not likely), Substantial (an attack is likely), Severe (an attack is highly likely), and Critical (an attack is highly likely in the near future).
Question 4: What is a 'principal' in close protection terminology?
- The head of the security company
- The person being protected (Correct answer)
- The senior police officer in charge
- The leader of the close protection team
Correct answer: The person being protected
In close protection, the 'principal' (also called the 'protectee' or 'VIP') is the person who is being protected by the close protection team.
Question 5: When conducting a threat assessment, what does 'intent' refer to?
- The principal's travel plans
- Whether a potential adversary has the desire and motivation to carry out an attack (Correct answer)
- The security team's planned response
- The cost of security measures
Correct answer: Whether a potential adversary has the desire and motivation to carry out an attack
Intent refers to whether a potential threat actor has the motivation, desire, and willingness to carry out an attack against the principal. Intent combined with capability determines the level of threat.
Question 6: What is an 'advance survey' in close protection?
- A questionnaire sent to the principal
- A pre-visit reconnaissance of locations the principal will visit to identify threats and plan security (Correct answer)
- A financial assessment of the operation
- A medical check of the protection team
Correct answer: A pre-visit reconnaissance of locations the principal will visit to identify threats and plan security
An advance survey (or recce) involves visiting locations before the principal arrives to identify potential threats, plan entry/exit routes, establish emergency procedures, and liaise with local security.
SIA CP Threat Assessment
What is the primary purpose of a threat assessment in close protection?