Recommendations for Assessing Vulnerabilities in Soft Targets and Crowded Places

Sydney L. Reichin; Katherine Parsons; Kelsey Ciagala; Sam T. Hunter

doi:10.1080/1057610X.2025.2488285

Recommendations for Assessing Vulnerabilities in Soft Targets and Crowded Places

Sydney L. Reichin
, Katherine Parsons
, Kelsey Ciagala
, Sam T. Hunter

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Soft target and crowded places (ST-CPs) are susceptible to mass violence and terrorism, necessitating robust vulnerability assessments. Part 1 of this paper undertakes a comprehensive review of existing tools and methods for assessing vulnerabilities in ST-CP contexts. Part 2 of this paper presents findings from interviews conducted with ST-CP stakeholders and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Protective Security Advisors. Practical recommendations are provided for ST-CP stakeholders and test developers based on takeaways from the review and the results of the interviews. Additionally, we include a discussion of adjacent concerns and directions for future research.

Original language	English (US)
Journal	Studies in Conflict and Terrorism
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2025.2488285
State	Accepted/In press - 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Sociology and Political Science
Safety Research
Political Science and International Relations

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10.1080/1057610X.2025.2488285

Cite this

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title = "Recommendations for Assessing Vulnerabilities in Soft Targets and Crowded Places",

abstract = "Soft target and crowded places (ST-CPs) are susceptible to mass violence and terrorism, necessitating robust vulnerability assessments. Part 1 of this paper undertakes a comprehensive review of existing tools and methods for assessing vulnerabilities in ST-CP contexts. Part 2 of this paper presents findings from interviews conducted with ST-CP stakeholders and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Protective Security Advisors. Practical recommendations are provided for ST-CP stakeholders and test developers based on takeaways from the review and the results of the interviews. Additionally, we include a discussion of adjacent concerns and directions for future research.",

author = "Reichin, \{Sydney L.\} and Katherine Parsons and Kelsey Ciagala and Hunter, \{Sam T.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 Taylor \& Francis Group, LLC.",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1080/1057610X.2025.2488285",

language = "English (US)",

journal = "Studies in Conflict and Terrorism",

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AU - Reichin, Sydney L.

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AU - Ciagala, Kelsey

AU - Hunter, Sam T.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

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AB - Soft target and crowded places (ST-CPs) are susceptible to mass violence and terrorism, necessitating robust vulnerability assessments. Part 1 of this paper undertakes a comprehensive review of existing tools and methods for assessing vulnerabilities in ST-CP contexts. Part 2 of this paper presents findings from interviews conducted with ST-CP stakeholders and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Protective Security Advisors. Practical recommendations are provided for ST-CP stakeholders and test developers based on takeaways from the review and the results of the interviews. Additionally, we include a discussion of adjacent concerns and directions for future research.

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JO - Studies in Conflict and Terrorism

JF - Studies in Conflict and Terrorism

ER -

Recommendations for Assessing Vulnerabilities in Soft Targets and Crowded Places

Abstract

UN SDGs

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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