In recent months, there have been more unfortunate reminders that threats to life and safety can no longer be considered to be remote and rare possibilities. School shootings, workplace violence, and attacks at public venues from sports stadiums to shopping malls – even churches – still shock us, as they should.

Fortunately, security managers at many institutions – including not only schools but also hospitals, government and retail locations – are taking steps to improve their incident prevention and emergency response procedures. Often, the focus is on creating layers of protection using surveillance and access control systems, among other elements. This increased attention on incident prevention is certain to help – and should lead to the next logical planning question: what happens if despite those efforts, an incident nonetheless occurs?  (Remember, the Sandy Hook intruder got past a locked perimeter door.)