Terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures

Tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) is an essential concept in terrorism and cyber security studies.
Key concepts
Evolution of TTPs
All terrorists, or terrorist organisations, worldwide historically have exhibited an evolution in TTPs. This can be as a result of:
* changing circumstances
* resource availability
* changing ideologies, or "war-focus"
In the case of the Taliban, their tactics have consisted primarily of guerrilla-style improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and small-arms ambushes against international and state-level security forces and interests, such as police checkpoints and military supply convoys. However, more recently Taliban TTPs have expanded to include mass casualty attacks by suicide bombers and other suicide attacks in order to undermine the current government.
Kill-chain model
The kill-chain model (KCM) is a conceptual tool used in terrorism analysis and studies. All terrorists' or terrorist organisations' TTPs form part of understanding the terrorist kill chain, which is the pattern of transactional activities, link together in order for a terrorist act to take place. Broadly, this involves describing the "hierarchy of tasks and sub-tasks that may be involved in the execution", or in making a terrorist act happen.
* An individual or group actively promotes a terrorist or extremist ideology on the internet, in books, pamphlets, etc. This is then picked up by another terrorist, or terrorist organisation, who then act on this.
* Two or more parallel kill chain sequences of activities (by various individuals or groups) which are only indirectly connected by intermediary individuals or groups. Sharing similar beliefs, but as well crossing over into complementary beliefs or ideologies. Many such intermediaries can operate in this space, passing ideas and resources, even recruiting between the various terrorists, or terrorist organisations, groups and cells.
* A terrorist or terrorist organisations picks up ideas, knowledge, etc., and jump-starts into various places along the "standard" concept of the KCM.
Transfer of TTPs
Terrorist TTPs are often transferred between various terrorists, or terrorist organisations, and they often learn from each other. The degree to which the transfer of TTPs occurs depends on their relative success when transferred to a different conflict, and a different environment.
The similarities in TTPs between various terrorists, or terrorist organisations, across conflicts and periods suggest a transfer of information.
* Explicit knowledge: This is the theoretical information which is often stored in hard copies, such as textbooks, manuals and on computers through PDF and video files. These are extremely easy to get a hold of, but without the appropriate teaching or experience, this easy access information is commonly not effectively used.
* Tactical knowledge: Most commonly taught or learnt through experience and hands-on teaching. This requires training establishments to be organised. For terrorists, or terrorist organisations, acquiring this information is harder; however, it is seen as a more effective transfer of knowledge.
Key tactical concepts related to TTPs
Several key tactical concepts can be related to TTPs, which are typically used in terrorism or insurgency operations.
* Interposing tactics
* Mimicking operations
* Rhizome manoeuvres

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