Meticulous preparation

Professional criminals carefully prepare their attack.
They prefer to run as little risk as possible and therefore work very systematically.
After selecting the potential target, they begin a “criminal SWOT analysis.”
They list the opportunities and threats and look at the strengths and weaknesses.
To do this, they collect information in all kinds of ways, for example by observing their target and collecting information via social media or people.
Based on the knowledge gathered, they make a go/no-go decision.
They decide whether an attack makes sense or whether it should be diverted to another target.
After the decision to attack has been made, the criminal organization meticulously plans the attack and gathers the necessary resources/tools.
Sometimes the criminal organization carries out a so-called dry run before launching a real attack.
This is to determine whether the planned attack scenario also works in practice.

Discourage and prevent an attack in 3 steps

If your organization is a potential target, you would do well to kill this criminal business case as soon as possible.
The closer the moment of actual attack, the more difficult it becomes to get the criminals to abandon their planned attack.
Prevent an attack by following 3 important steps.

1. Confidentiality (DENY)

Make sure that the criminals do not have access to information (online, on paper or through employees) that is important to them when planning an attack.
For example, information about who works there, what the routines are and what security measures are in place.
The lack or inability to find information makes the criminals insecure.
They are now unable to determine when and where to attack in order to be successful.
This uncertainty can contribute to their finding your organization less attractive than comparable targets for which information is available.

2. Detection (DETECT)

Detect it when unauthorized people request or retrieve information.
Camera systems can signal that there is suspicious movement around your premises.
Make sure employees are alert and that your suppliers do not leak information (stories, references, photos).
And make sure that you receive a notification from the municipality when someone requests construction drawings of your building.
The point is that the chance that criminals will be caught collecting information (in any way) is as high as possible.

3. Discouragement (DETER)

Discouragement is the communication about the probability of failure and uncertainty.
Communicate that it is impossible to gather information and that if you explore or gather information, you will be detected immediately.
And also that the actual attack is noticed immediately (at an early stage).
Show that the structural security measures you have in place are solid.
That due to a strong and adequate response, the attack will fail and the chance of being caught red-handed is high.
Criminals are quick to notice if this is not the case.
Through this communication, you influence the perception of the criminals.
They will see your organization as a target that is difficult to approach.
While the potential loot is attractive, the risk of failure is high and requires (disproportionate) effort.
Your organization is a bad business case for them.
In most cases, they will therefore refrain from attacking your organization and focus on a less secure object.

A ladder next door…

Finally, it’s also important to be aware of your surroundings.
What is happening with your neighbors, competitors or similar organizations?
The less attractive you are (compared to others) or the stronger your security, the greater the chance that the criminal will see you as too difficult to reach.
You should repeat this test periodically because the situation for you and others can change rapidly.

Be resistant when they come!

However, a solid discouragement strategy is no guarantee that they won’t come.
Not all criminals make a good business case, and some will find the potential loot at your organization irresistible.
Not only is an integrated security plan required, but structural measures are also necessary.
This is to delay a possible attack so that there is sufficient time for follow-up (mobilizing and arriving at the scene of the right emergency responders).

Mactwin Cash Security Products Discourage Criminals

In recent years, Mactwin has developed many different cash security products, including the MactwinBox, an intelligent cash transfer case that mutilates money in the event of a robbery.
This product is a great example of how you can discourage a criminal.
The chance of a successful robbery (read: loot) of this cash transport suitcase is nil.
After all, in the event of an attack, the money in the suitcase is (automatically) mutilated and the mutilation process can no longer be stopped.
Not even by the money and valuables transporters themselves.
So there is no point in using violence against these people.
After the introduction of this cash-in-transit case at the time, criminals knew in no time that an attack on a CIT company was no longer useful.
The number of robberies dropped drastically and the employees of the CIT company were able to do their work safely again.
Another example is GlueFusion: a cash cassette with a built-in module for glue mutilation.
GlueFusion glues the banknotes in the cash cassette together in the shortest possible time.
So that a ‘brick’ of banknotes is created.
Notes will tear immediately if an attempt is made to detach them.
The applied adhesive cannot be dissolved or removed in other ways.
The money is completely worthless.
No one will accept a ‘brick’ of notes or loose shreds as a means of payment, nor will the mutilated notes fit in payment terminals.
Both of these solutions demolish the business case of criminals.
Attacks on cash boxes or ATMs with GlueFusion result in worthless loot.
This discourages the criminals, so they will eventually look for another target.