THE WEAKEST LINK

Speaking with any individual working in the security industry, they will most likely inform you of the weakest link of any infrastructure, the “Human Element.” This applies to your personal safety, business, church, or home.

In the world of vice, why would a potential criminal pick a lock, shatter a window, or disable a security camera/light when they could simply walk up to the front desk or clerk acting as an approved individual and talk their way into a restricted area of interest? When put in words, it sounds too absurd to work, however, this happens all the time and depending on the situation, it is the preferred method for criminals. The former would take time and equipment spelling out more work for the thief or assailant and the latter would take just a little acting skill. This type of attack is generally called social engineering.

The best way to combat this type of attack is by strengthening the human element through training in situational awareness. The potential victims of this sneaky form of attack, should not just focus on assessing and spotting a threat, but more effectively, they should focus on identifying what is merely out of place. Due to the differences pertaining to every environment, it is paramount to first establish the baseline and then spot the anomaly in the baseline, which may very well reveal itself to be the threat.

PREPARATION NEEDED

We can further develop our situational awareness by practicing in everyday life. For instance, we can simply count how many people in our surrounding area are wearing hats or count how many people are wearing a specific color etc. This exercise can help us focus on our surroundings. This method is only limited to our imagination and can be used virtually anywhere. We can also be more attuned to our “gut feeling” or intuition. Intuition is when your mind is subconsciously collecting information regarding a situation. When something doesn’t “feel” right, pay close attention.

Proverbs 26:23-26

23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.