If you ask most people what the opposite of love is, they may tell you it is hate. As security professionals, it is encumbered upon us to understand the subtle difference that suggests the opposite of love is not hate; the opposite of love is indifference. Hate requires a similar level of passion as love; apathy is devoid of emotion.
When planning a retail security strategy, reminding ourselves that the target is indifferent towards our client is essential to preparing an effective security plan. The civilian perpetrator is only passionate towards compromising the security plan and gaining benefit for themselves, not winning an ideological war.
When it comes to defending an ideology or military opponent, it requires a very different philosophy only because you are not dealing with indifference, rather an expressed hatred and passion for opposing flag or country. The opponent approaches the target with a desire to capture or destroy, for political reasons instead of reaping the rewards for their gain.
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In the commercial world, the criminal intent also never changes, regardless of the asset or industry we are protecting. It is almost always a self-serving and borderline narcissistic soul(s), wherein military or political scenarios the acts usually are selfless and sacrificial towards a higher goal. There is a reason the security defense industry is divided into separate worlds. Some specialize in criminal intent that is void of passion; some focuses on opponents that are entirely fueled by passion.
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Criminal intent is at the forefront of any crime. When developing a strategy to secure assets in a state of rest or transit, it is essential to have a healthy regard for what motivation the perpetrator may have. A balanced approach to planning how to make the criminal’ act harder to commit is essential in any effective commercial security plan.
Be safe and profitable.​