Target hardening
Encyclopedia
Target hardening is a term chiefly used by police officers and those working in security, referring to the strengthening of the security of building in order to reduce or minimising the risk of attack or theft
. It is believed that a "strong, visible defense will deter or delay an attack".
In terms of home security, target hardening may also be referred to as crime prevention through environmental design
. This can include ensuring all doors and windows are closed and securely locked, removing any tree
s or bush
es that could offer suitable hiding places or could be used to climb to a higher level of the property. However, for a business, taking target hardening too far can send the wrong message out to potential customers.
In military or counter-terrorism
terms, target hardening refers to ensuring strategic or tactical assets are secured against enemy attack.
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...
. It is believed that a "strong, visible defense will deter or delay an attack".
In terms of home security, target hardening may also be referred to as crime prevention through environmental design
Crime prevention through environmental design
Crime prevention through environmental design is a multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior through environmental design. CPTED strategies rely upon the ability to influence offender decisions that precede criminal acts...
. This can include ensuring all doors and windows are closed and securely locked, removing any tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s or bush
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
es that could offer suitable hiding places or could be used to climb to a higher level of the property. However, for a business, taking target hardening too far can send the wrong message out to potential customers.
In military or counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
terms, target hardening refers to ensuring strategic or tactical assets are secured against enemy attack.