What is the purpose of a threat assessment?

The purpose of a threat assessment is fundamentally to evaluate potential risks and security threats that could impact safety and security in a maritime environment. Conducting a threat assessment allows security personnel and management to systematically identify, analyze, and prioritize threats based on their likelihood and potential impact. This process is crucial for developing effective security measures and responses to those identified threats, ensuring that proactive steps can be taken to mitigate risks. By establishing a clear understanding of what threats exist, organizations can better prepare for and respond to security challenges, ultimately enhancing the overall safety of the vessel, crew, and cargo. This focus on potential security breaches differentiates the function of a threat assessment from other considerations such as crew performance, cargo logistics, or passenger services.