In Indonesia, security is tight at five-star hotels, where guests must typically walk through metal detectors and vehicles are inspected. But many visitors say searches are often cursory. Defense analyst Paul Beaver, former top editor at Jane's Defense Weekly, said putting in place the kind of stringent security measures needed to help prevent attacks was difficult for hotels - and risked making properties that are supposed to be welcoming to weary travelers feel like prisons. "You don't want to embarrass your guests with security measures," he said, noting that plotters in dozens of countries can also alter tactics based on experience gained from prior attacks. "This is the risk we take. There are a number of attacks like these waiting to happen."

This is the real difficulty in commercial security operations. If the operation is very pro-active at all, the guest will only put up with it for a very short while, and having a reactive operation in a bombing situation is like having no security at all ...