Strategy vs Tactic

Strategies vs. Tactics

Strategies and tactics often get confused when it comes to safety, security and emergency response. The goal is to create a safe, secure and responsive environment by assessing actual needs and developing a comprehensive strategy. Tactics are those actions taken to acheive the strategy, such as creating policies and procedures or implementing physical improvements in the environment.

There are three main classes of tactics:

Passive - Are tactics that utilize the physical environment and normal everyday activities to accomplish the desired result.

Example: Positioning windows so that a receptionist can see those approaching while in the course of their normal work.

Organized - Are planned actions designed to improve safety, security and emergency response capabilities.

Example: A Community Watch program utilizes organized, planned surveillance to better protect a facility.

Technical - Are mechanical tactics that aid in human involvement.

Example: Metal detectors to search for weapons, or CCTV to aid surveillance.

Tactics are ultimately designed to modify behaviors by deterring, detecting, delaying, or denying the ability to behave inappropriately. During our assessment vulnerabilities are identified, strategies are developed, and then tactics are selected to produce the desired behavioral effects. Many times tactics are chosen without an enderstanding of the effect on behavior that the tactic produces. For example, card readers and lock systems are often touted as able to "control access" but once the door is opened, anyone or any number of people may enter. Misapplied tactics often create a false sense of security and potential liabilities, as they do not always produce the expected results.

How much a tactic costs and how it deters, detects, delays, or denies inappropriate behavior must be considered. Are there other, betterm more cost effective ways of accomplishing the goal? Generally speaking, passive tactics are the most effective and least expensive, as they are accomplished under non-technology assisted conditions. They are more self-sustaining, as little extra effort or excessive maintenance is required to accomplish them.

Of course, each facility is unique. There is no one size fits all solution. What works well in one situation may fail in another. Each facility must develop its own strategy and its own unique set of tactics. The assessment is the first step toward developing a comprehensive strategy and the implementation of appropriate tactics.