Counterterrorism Strategies for Corporations: The Ackerman Principles

by Mike Ackerman, Ariel Merari (Foreword by)

Overview

When America's corporate leaders need reliable information and expertise about dealing with threats to personnel both here and abroad, they turn to Mike Ackerman, who for more than thirty years has helped the business community deal with everything from random street crime to global jihad. Widely acknowledged as one of America's leading authorities on terrorism, Ackerman's forte is recovering kidnap victims. He has been involved directly in more than 150 cases.In this comprehensive overview, a distillation of his 46 years of experience in intelligence, military security, and, most of all, corporate security, Ackerman explores in depth the risks, direct and indirect, to multinational corporations from al Qaeda and its affiliates, and suggests practical countermeasures. Similarly, on the subjects of kidnapping and extortion, where his experience is unparalleled, he explores risks and suggests strategies for prevention and response. Several kidnapping and extortion cases in which he has been involved are described in dramatic detail.Ackerman also comments in depth on the use of bodyguards and armored vehicles, two of the more controversial subjects in corporate security, and addresses in depth residential security. Again, arguments are buttressed with concrete examples drawn from Ackerman's long experience. Like no other book on the market, this excellent resource is a must-read for corporate CEOs; CFOs; general counsel; executives charged with security, legal, human resources, risk management and travel management responsibilities; overseas travelers; business-school students; and, indeed, anyone concerned about terrorism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591026549
Publisher:	Prometheus Books
Publication date:	09/23/2008
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Mike Ackerman (Miami, FL) has been the CEO of The Ackerman Group LLC for over thirty years. His company provides services to sixty-five of America’s top one hundred multinational corporations, along with numerous European and Japanese corporations. His former positions include operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency and security officer for the US Air Force Strategic Air Command. He frequently comments on terrorism-related developments on Fox News and has also appeared on NBC News, ABC News, The Larry King Show, Crossfire, The Today Show, and other programs.

Table of Contents

Foreword     13
The Ackerman Principles     17
Prologue
The Great Asparagus Caper     21
The Critical Need for Intelligence     27
Contending with Global Jihad
The Character of Global Jihad     37
The Aims of Global Jihad     43
Al-Qaida Goes for the Jugular: The Pakistani Aberration     47
Specific and Class Attacks: Algeria and Egypt     53
Attacks against Specific Economic Targets     65
Class Attacks: Commercial Aviation     75
Class Attacks: Trains and Subways     83
Class Attacks: Hotels and Hangouts     91
Class Attacks: Tourism     97
Dealing with Kidnappings, Extortions, Threats
Chaos Breeds Kidnapping     105
Kidnapping: The Ultimate Corporate Nightmare     113
Cases from Hell     131
Dealing with Extortion     137
Dealing with Threats     145
Conventional Crime Problems
Express Kidnapping     155
Other Violent Street Crime     161
Entertainment Venues     167
Residential Crime     169
Protecting Employees from Specific Attacks
Modifying Behavior     181
Armored Cars     189
Bodyguards     195
Interacting with Corporate Security
The Corporate Security Function     207
What to Look for in a Corporate Security Director     211
Success Depends Upon: Credibility, Authority, Business Acumen     215
Epilogue: A Look Back and a Look Ahead
A Look Back at My Career     223
A Look Ahead     241
Addenda
Major Global Jihad Attacks and Attempts Post-9/11
Direct Attacks on Commercial Targets     249
Commercial Aviation Targets     251
Train and Subway Targets     252
Hotels     253
Tourism-Related Targets     254
Governmental and Military Targets     255
Travel Guides
Air Travel     257
Travel by Senior Officers with Protective Details     263
Solo Travel to Countries with High Terrorism or Crime Risks     267
Travel to Moderate-Risk Destinations     272
Travel to the Muslim World     275
Travel to Hostile Countries     278
Travel to Unstable Countries     281
Travel Tips for Women     282
Travel Tips for Nonwhites     283
Surviving an Abduction     283
Residential Security Checklists
Apartment-High-Risk Area     285
Apartment-Moderate-Risk Area      290
Single-Family Dwelling in Walled, Gated Community-High-Risk Area     294
Single-Family Dwelling on Public Street-High-Risk Area     299
Single-Family Dwelling-Moderate-Risk Area     305
Index     309

What People are Saying About This

Cynthia Helms

Dick had the highest regard for Mike Ackerman's ability to adapt skills learned at the CIA to problem-solving for American corporations navigating a troubled world. The Ackerman Principles is a 'good read' that discusses in unemotional terms the risks we all face. Dick would have loved it. (Wife of the late CIA director)

Howard Raiffa

Mike Ackerman gives sage advice, distilled from decades of firsthand experiences, about how to negotiate with kidnappers and other terrorists-if you must.... first-rate...a fascinating documentation by someone who has impeccable credentials to speak on the subject."
-Frank P. Ramsey Professor (Emeritus) of Managerial Economics, Harvard Business School

Editorial Reviews

""Dick had the highest regard for Mike Ackerman’s ability to adapt skills learned at the CIA to problem-solving for American corporations navigating a troubled world. Counterterrorism Strategies for Corporations is a "good read" that discusses in unemotional terms the risks we all face. Dick would have loved it.” —Mrs. Richard Helms, wife of the late CIA director “Mike Ackerman gives sage advice, distilled from decades of first-hand experiences, about how to negotiate with kidnappers and other terrorists—if you must." —Howard Raiffa, Professor (emeritus), Harvard Business School

From the Publisher