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Meet the Experts: Jennifer Hesterman on Securing Soft Targets

Jennifer Hesterman, an expert on soft targets, talked to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) about how to make soft targets more secure.

  • published: 2022/07/20
  • contact: Eva Burklund
A white slide including Jennifer Hesterman's headshot, and NCITE logo, Hesterman's name, her title as Vice President, Education Services at Watermark Risk Management, and date (July 14, 2022).

By Eva Burklund, NCITE student

“Security doesn’t start at your front door,” said counterterrorism and soft targets expert Jennifer Hesterman, Ph. D., during a talk she gave at UNO on July 14. Hesterman, a former U.S. Air Force colonel who authored books on hardening soft targets, looks at security in rings with the innermost ring protecting the “target” and being the most secure. She explained that as you move further away from the “target” you have rings of security with less and less protection extending outside of the building you’re securing.

It is important to consider emerging threats and security now despite the urge to turn away, she explained. For example, the constant stream of bad news can cause people to feel hopelessness, fatigue, and resignation, which can be exploited by bad actors wanting to create discord.

“The one threat I can pull through is anger–everyone is angry, seething, and when you pour gas on that, you have outbursts,” Hesterman said.

We can strike a balance between normalcy and vigilance. Be proactive, be on the offensive, and don’t apologize for it.

 National security expert Jenni Hesterman

Soft targets or places where citizens aren’t thinking about security (such as schools, hospitals, and malls) are often attacked by bad actors because they are easy and cheap to attack and help boost morale in a group. When consulting businesses on how to become more secure, Hesterman said she finds the Achilles' heel of each building she visits. If compromised, this spot would cause security to fail. Hesterman then builds an exercise pushing security to fail to show skeptical clients just how fragile their security systems are.

“I force mall managers and hospital administrators to know that if you don’t do what I say, this is the risk you’re buying,” Hesterman said. In her current role, Hesterman is vice president of education services for Watermark Risk Management.

Hesterman’s talk hit home with UNO’s Charlotte Evans, who is the chief of police and associate vice chancellor for public safety at UNO. Her job is to keep UNO and UNMC faculty, staff, students, and visitors safe while on campus.

“The safety of our community is at its best when we take a multi-faceted approach to security,” Evans said. “We do this by mixing technology (cameras, card access, and alarms) with human interaction (dispatchers, security officers, and police officers).”

Hesterman’s advice for people responsible for security includes reading DHS bulletins and understanding the threat landscape. Additionally, she says that measures such as having metal detectors or even making a building look more secure can help prevent attacks.

“We can strike a balance between normalcy and vigilance,” Hesterman said. “Be proactive, be on the offensive, and don’t apologize for it.”

During her NCITE visit, Hesterman also spoke to women at NCITE about what women working in national security. Her advice here? Let go of mistakes and try to laugh about it. Don't assume you have to represent all women. Strive to find balance - prioritize health and fitness and accept offers of help from family members and friends.

See her full talk here: