Understanding the Rising CBRN and Counterterrorism Threat: Why Your Organization Must Act Now
The Increasingly Volatile World Around Us
In today’s increasingly volatile world, the threat landscape is rapidly evolving. Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards, once the exclusive concern of military planners, are now squarely in the public and private sectors’ domain. At the same time, non-state actors and terrorist groups continue to pursue unconventional means of attack, raising the stakes for agencies, businesses, and communities alike.
The Expanding Global Threat of CBRN and Asymmetric Terrorism
From chemical and biological agents to radiological and nuclear weapons, the modern CBRN environment is more dynamic and dangerous than ever. In recent years, geopolitical instability, the rise of rogue states, growing terrorist ambitions, and accelerating technological advancements have created a climate where CBRN threats are no longer hypothetical—they are imminent.
The use of chemical agents in Syria, the Novichok poisoning in the U.K., and attempted radiological weapon plots all reinforce this reality. Synthetic biology, gene editing, and poorly secured radiological sources have further lowered the barrier for nefarious actors to acquire or develop WMD capabilities (National Academies, 2018).
What’s more troubling is that while these threats are increasing, national preparedness appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
In June 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the dismantling of its Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office, dissolving it into separate components across the agency (Global Biodefense, 2025). This move weakens centralized coordination and disperses critical responsibilities for biosurveillance, threat detection, and operational response, just when national cohesion is most needed.
As the 2022 U.S. National Security Strategy makes clear, preventing the spread and use of WMDs must remain a top priority (White House, 2022). But the elimination of the CWMD Office raises serious questions about how prepared we truly are.
The Local Impact: Why This Matters to Your Agency or Business
CBRN incidents don’t always begin on battlefields; they often begin in local hospitals, schools, transportation hubs, or private facilities with hazardous materials. If your organization isn't currently assessing its exposure to CBRN risks or preparing for terrorist threats, you're operating with a blind spot.
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (2023) warns that terrorist organizations are actively pursuing the tools and knowledge to exploit biological and radiological vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, revealed just how devastating a biological threat can be, causing trillions in economic damage and straining every level of public health infrastructure. We cannot afford to be reactive in the face of such danger.
How Summit Response Group Helps You Lead Through Crisis
Summit Response Group exists to close the gap between known threats and real-world readiness. Our mission is to help you build the internal capability to detect, deter, and respond to modern hazards—including CBRN and terrorism-related events.
Our services include:
✅ CBRN Risk & Vulnerability Assessments
✅ Counterterrorism and Intelligence-Led Threat Planning
✅ Emergency Response SOP and Crisis Policy Development
✅ Custom Training for Hazmat, CBRN, and Terrorism Response
✅ Full-Spectrum Exercises: Tabletop (TTX) to Full-Scale (FSE)
✅ Leadership, Team Communication, and Incident Command Training
We work with public safety agencies, government departments, critical infrastructure teams, and private companies to ensure your organization is not just compliant but truly resilient.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Test Your System
CBRN and counterterrorism threats are not slowing down. If your department or company hasn’t updated its preparedness strategy within the past year, now is the time.
Let Summit Response Group help you train your leaders, forge resilience, and master response. Reach out today and take the first step toward operational confidence and community protection.
📩 Contact Us: info@summitresponsegroup.com
🌐 Learn more: www.summitresponsegroup.com
🔒 Training Leaders. Forging Resilience. Mastering Response.
References
Global Biodefense. (2025, June 16). DHS FY 2026 budget dissolves CWMD office amid structural overhaul. https://globalbiodefense.com/2025/06/16/dhs-fy-2026-budget-dissolves-cwmd-office-amid-structural-overhaul/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology. https://doi.org/10.17226/24890
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). (2021). Statement on the use of Novichok nerve agent. https://www.opcw.org/
United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. (2023). Preventing the acquisition and use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups. https://www.un.org/counterterrorism
White House. (2022). National Security Strategy of the United States. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/National-Security-Strategy-2022.pdf
