Swatting Growing More Common, Automated, and Targeting Organizations Over Individuals

The Domestic Preparedness Journal has written an article discussing how organizations can combat swatting, or the use of prank calls to bring law enforcement such at SWAT teams to a certain location. While historically swatting has been used to target specific individuals, the article also notes that recent data suggests the practice is expanding to target facilities and organizations, especially schools.

Swatting has grown increasingly common due to automation, to the point it’s believed there is a robust market offering swatting services. Law enforcement efforts to combat this trend are difficult as police have to treat each incoming call as serious in the moment. However, local communities are considering multiple approaches to this threat, including anti-swatting education programs and voluntary registries for those at risk of becoming a victim, such as online personalities or regular citizens who regularly experience behavior targeting their social media that typically culminates in swatting. Read more at Domestic Preparedness Journal.