Glossary English

The Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) developed this Glossary to facilitate a common understanding of terms frequently used in security risk management.

The terms and definitions have been drawn from a range of trusted resources, including GISF’s own publications. They have also been informed by a working group of GISF members.

The GISF Glossary is available in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic. The site has been designed to enable easy navigation between terms in each language, supporting more consistent and accurate communication across language barriers.

The GISF Glossary is reviewed and updated regularly, to reflect new terms and changing definitions within the security risk management sector. If you have a term you would like to add to the Glossary or a suggested amendment, please contact us through our feedback form.

target

A person, object, or place selected as the focus of an attack or the subject of criminal activity.

Related terms: attack

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Translations: cible , objetivo , هدف

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target settlement figure

The figure aimed to be agreed in a negotiation. Although this generally refers to a financial figure in response to ransom demands, it can also be used to refer to non-financial concessions, for example, the provision of services.

Related terms: ransom

Source: Abduction and Kidnap Risk Management Guide, GISF

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Translations: montant cible du règlement , cifra objetivo de liquidación , حجم التسوية المستهدف

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terrorism

The unlawful use or threat of violent acts by individuals and/or groups in order to achieve political, religious, or ideological aims, and designed to coerce or intimidate governments or the public.

Related terms: non-state armed group (NSAG)

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Translations: terrorisme , terrorismo , الإرهاب

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theft

Taking someone's property or services without their consent and where there is no use of force.

Related terms: burglary , looting , robbery

Source: Security Incident Information Management (SIIM) Handbook, GISF

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Translations: vol , hurto , سرقة

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threat

A potential act that may result in harm or injury to staff, or loss of, or damage to an organisation’s property or programmes.

Related terms: hazard

Source: Security & Safety Training Pack, GISF

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Translations: menace , amenaza , التهديد

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threat assessment

The practice of identifying and analysing the nature, origin, frequency, and geographical concentration of threats (also referred to as threat analysis).

Related terms: hazard , threat

Source: Good Practice Review 8: Operational Security Management in Violent Environments

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Translations: évaluation des menaces , evaluación de amenazas , تقييم التهديدات

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threat of closure

Events that could potentially prompt the forced closure to an activity, programme, or organisation.

Related terms: forced closure

Source: Security Incident Information Management (SIIM) Handbook, GISF

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Translations: menace de fermeture , amenaza de cierre , التهديد بالإغلاق

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tolerance

As part of an acceptance strategy, tolerance reflects a level of acceptance achieved amongst different stakeholders for the organisation as part of a continuum, which ranges from targeted, rejected, tolerated, and ultimately accepted.

Related terms: acceptance strategy

Source: Achieving Safe Operations through Acceptance: challenges and opportunities for security risk management, GISF

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Translations: tolérance , tolerancia , تحمّل

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torture

The deliberate infliction of severe pain or suffering on a person for reasons such as punishment, extracting a confession, interrogation for information, or to intimidate other parties.

Related terms: attack , beating

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Translations: torture , tortura , تعذيب

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trauma-informed response

A practice that recognises that traumatic experiences impact the way individuals respond and react and not to re-traumatise or blame victims for their efforts to manage their traumatic reactions (also referred to as trauma-informed care). For example, instead of thinking a victim/survivor is disruptive or not interested in engaging in an investigation, acknowledge that they require understanding and support to deal with the impact of trauma.

Source: United Nations Glossary on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

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Translations: intervention tenant compte du traumatisme subi , respuesta informada al trauma , الاستجابة الواعية بالصدمات النفسية

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trigger

A particular event or situation that prompts a chain of events or specific actions.

Related terms: contingency plan

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Translations: déclencheur , factor desencadenante , تحفيز

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