This week’s atrocities in Brussels have again raised the question of what can be done to counter terror attacks on airports and public spaces. Here Philip Baum – editor-in-chief of Aviation Security International and founder of Green Light, a security and consultancy service for the airline industry – explains why procedures need to be less predictable and more intelligent, and why the controversial topic of “profiling” needs to be considered.

Could anything have been done to prevent this week’s atrocities in Brussels, particularly the attack at the airport?

We can always learn from events, but it would be foolish to believe that there is any combination of measures which can guarantee security. There is no such thing as a 100 per cent secure airport – unless it is a closed airport. However, I do think that the aviation industry and those who regulate it have been loath to embrace the most effective security measure – profiling. Or, more specifically “behavioural analysis techniques” – which respond not only to the threats of yesterday and today, but also to the threats of tomorrow.

Full article can be seen here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/brussels-attacks-how-to-improve-airport-security/