T 0.34 Attack

An attack can constitute a threat to an institution, certain areas of the institution or individuals. The technical possibilities to perpetrate an attack are numerous: throwing bricks, blasts by explosives, use of firearms or arson. Whether and to what extent an institution is exposed to the danger of an attack depends not only on the location and environment of the building but on the institution¿s activities and the socio-political climate. Companies and public bodies that operate in politically controversial areas are more at risk than others. Institutions close to the usual demonstration staging areas are more at risk than those in remote locations. To assess the level of threat or when suspecting the threat of politically motivated attacks, criminal investigation authorities or the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation (Bundeskriminalamt) can be consulted.

In the case of archives, threat assessment must take into account a special circumstance: they store a large number of documents and data in a relatively small space. This can be, for example, medical records, contracts, deeds or wills. Their destruction can have far-reaching implications, not only for the archive, but also for other users. For example, it may be necessary in such a case, that the lost data must be re-collected or newly recorded with great effort. Under certain circumstances some data will even be irrevocably lost. Attacks on paper-based and electronic archives can therefore cause substantial damage.

Examples:

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