Homeland Security Executive Certificate Studies

The Evolving Threat Landscape

Terrorism poses an expanding and escalating threat to the free world today. The nature of terrorism has changed dramatically from a localized and politically motivated ideology to an international global phenomenon motivated by an uncompromising religious ideology and global agenda. A common misperception of the terrorist threat is that it is limited to only certain parts of the world. However, since 9/11 major attacks have been carried out throughout the world.

Furthermore, plots and unsuccessful or thwarted attacks demonstrate that global terrorist groups today remain both motivated and capable of carrying out significant and sophisticated attacks on targets worldwide both within the physical and increasingly in the cyber spheres. Over and above the physical and psychological toll that terrorism takes on not only directly on its victims but indirectly through the incitement of fear, it is also imperative to consider public resilience and community awareness alongside any discussion or decision making regarding national security and terrorism.

An Innovative Partnership

We are pleased to invite security practitioners and executives from government agencies and private corporations with Homeland Security (HLS), antiterrorism and corporate security responsibilities to participate in an innovative Homeland Security Executive Certificate Studies Program (HSECS). This week-long seminar partners the renowned academic reputation of Tel Aviv University, Israel's largest university, with the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International, the world's premier organization for security professionals and ASERO Worldwide, one of the world's foremost experts on Homeland Security, counter terrorism, cyber security and risk management.

The course combines case study analysis, academic lectures and discussions on relevant topics with a series of exclusive, professional on-site field trips designed to demonstrate lessons and methodologies presented throughout the week in the context of Israel's unique security environment.

The course has been evaluated, approved and endorsed by ASIS International. It also falls under the direct supervision of the Tel Aviv University Senate. This intensive course will be led by members of Tel Aviv University's distinguished academic faculty and a team of ASERO experts who offer hundreds of years of combined field and regulatory experience in the development and implementation of Israel's best practices in the fields of Homeland Security and counter terrorism.

ASERO lists among its professional team of instructors former senior ranking officials from the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) — including Doron Bergerbest-Eilon, former Director for Protection and Security and Founder and CEO of ASERO Worldwide — high level operational management from Ben Gurion International Airport and senior ranking officers from the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Home Front Command (HFC) and Israel National Police (INP). A series of guest lecturers will also contribute their valuable security expertise on a variety of topics throughout the course.

Participants in this course will gain practical, real-world experience and a better understanding of evolving threats, risk management and protective security methodologies, different approaches to cognitive-based security screening for the aviation, maritime and land domains, critical infrastructure protection, quality assurance tools and best practices aimed at mitigating both existing and potential future threats based on field-proven techniques developed over decades of experience. They will also gain unparalleled access to top Israeli security and counterterrorism experts as well as important strategic, cultural and historic sites in the Holy Land. This course is conducted in English and is limited to 20 participants per course.

Learning from Reality

Due to different circumstances, including historical, religious, political, ideological and geographical, Israel has been forced to face extreme security challenges for decades, and never more so than today.

In the early morning hours of 7 October 2023, thousands of armed Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza and brutally murdered over 1,200 residents of towns and communities along the Israel-Gaza border and attendees at an overnight music festival in proximity to the border fence. Over 240 people including women and children were taken hostage into Gaza and many still remain captive. The attacks came alongside 3,000 rockets launched against Israel reaching as far the center of the country. Immediately following this unwarranted attack, one of the worst terror attacks in modern history, Israel declared war on Hamas.

The events of 7 October 2023 represent huge failures on the part of the Israeli defense establishment. However, with failure comes an opportunity to learn. We believe that it is important for security practitioners to witness firsthand the impacts that 7 October had and continues to have on both the security infrastructure and the daily lives of Israel's citizens and to extract invaluable insights and lessons which may be learned from not only the failures but also, and importantly, from the resilience and initiatives undertaken by the Israeli public in the aftermath.

This course aims to provide a holistic perspective on security, balancing the need to understand the events of 7 October within the context of how it is like to impact security not only in Israel but throughout the world going forward, while also demonstrating and exposing participants to advanced and innovative security practices in place in other domains throughout the country. As terrorism and civil unrest continue to pose a significant threat throughout the world, Israel is still considered to be among the leaders in devising and implementing best practices and proven methodologies in the fields of Homeland Security and counter terrorism.

Designed for Security Leaders

Our program is designed to meet the professional needs of security managers and executives from the government, public and private sectors. The program has been designed for mid-to-senior level personnel with experience in Homeland Security looking to enhance their knowledge and capabilities to combat current and potential future threats and security challenges.

Upon completion of this seminar, participants receive a certificate signed by the Dean of Special Programs of Tel Aviv University recognizing the achievement of 40 academic theoretical hours in Homeland Security studies.

Program Costs

This price includes all prearranged meetings and site visits, guide services and some meals. Participants are responsible for the costs of accommodations and transportation to and from Israel.