Riley has been meeting with other University officials over the last week to determine whether additional security measures are needed. HUPD has been in contact with federal agencies ranging from the FBI to the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service to discuss the University’s risk level.

And, in what is a clear sign that the department has long been considering Harvard’s risk, HUPD had looked into purchasing a bomb-sniffing dog prior to last Tuesday.

Vigilance and education can only go so far, though, experts agree, because no place can protect against every type of attack—especially at a place so diverse in buildings and people as Harvard. Even in New York, which has spent millions over the last decade preparing and training for a terrorist attack, the sheer scale of last week’s attack baffled many law enforcement officials. Before last week, few terrorist scenarios considered suicidal hijackers with pilot training.

Thus, departments and agencies must focus significant resources on training and contingency plans—and, here, Harvard’s vast resources give the University a leg up.

HUPD regularly offers its officers additional specialized training, Riley says. Many officers receive first responder training in hazardous materials from Harvard’s division of Environmental, Health and Safety. And, unlike some other college police forces—like Brown’s—HUPD officers are armed.