Growing immunity to terrorist or other violent attacks at UK higher education institutions - CHESS: the Colleges and Higher Education Security Standard

Much has been written about the threat to the higher education sector in relation to cyber security (e.g. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/united-kingdom-uk-universities-losing-cyber-security-battle; http://www.comtact.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/University-Challenge-Cyber-Attacks-in-Higher-Education-April-2016.pdf) however, little has been written about the threat of terrorist or other violent attacks at a UK higher education institution. However, with a current UK national threat level of severe, where higher education institutions contain large numbers of individuals (staff and students), such organisations are at risk of becoming locations where such attacks have a potential to take place. As has been shown in the United States, further and higher education institutions “seem to be the prime target of attack for gunmen” (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ohio-state-university-mass-shooting-injured-timeline-schools-colleges-last-12-months-a7444001.html) by lone individuals or groups, mainly non-terrorist related. To avoid similar recurrences in the United Kingdom, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office has developed guidance for further and higher education institution (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-terrorism-protective-security-advice-for-higher-and-further-education), however, little exists in terms of sharing of effective practice in this area. The CHESS (the Colleges and Higher Education Security Standard), funded by the Home Office and led by the University of Northampton is helping to identify effective practice from the further and higher education sectors, as well as closely aligned and other sectors and experts to assist further and higher education institutions in the development of preparations and plans in this area. This presentation will explore the project and outline key findings. It will provide delegates with an insight into the relationships between the higher education sector and HM Government and between institutions and sector-wide associations.