What is the term used to describe efforts by the government to make potential terrorist targets more difficult to attack?

The term "target hardening" is widely used in the context of homeland security to describe efforts directed at making potential terrorist targets more difficult to attack. This concept encompasses a range of strategies aimed at increasing the physical security measures at locations that may be vulnerable to terrorist activities, such as transportation hubs, public utilities, and government buildings.

Target hardening involves implementing physical barriers, security personnel, surveillance systems, and other forms of deterrence that are designed to either prevent attacks or mitigate the damage if an attack occurs. By making these targets less accessible or more challenging to penetrate, authorities aim to discourage potential attackers and enhance overall public safety.

The other terms presented, like target security, target shielding, and target protection, do not capture the specific and established security measures implied by target hardening. While they suggest some level of protective efforts, they lack the specificity and recognized application associated with the term target hardening in the field of homeland security. Thus, target hardening is the most appropriate and accurate term reflecting these proactive measures.