"We, fortunately, were already doing a great deal of work associated with the Olympics that had to do with security. Much of that was applicable after 9/11," he said.

Kuehn said the state has also worked with natural gas and petroleum companies to analyze what weaknesses they have in protecting pipelines and other facilities, "and do what we can to assist them to reduce that risk." He said that has included beefing up a variety of security measures.

Mass transit

The 9/11 events and subsequent terror attacks worldwide — including against subway and train systems in London and Spain — transformed security at the Utah Transit Authority and its bus and light-rail systems.

UTA went from contracting with some security guards to forming its own police force with full police powers, said Larsen, its police chief and public safety manager.

"Times have changed. We want more control and accountability, so that we have a system that is as safe as possible," he said. The system has added more surveillance, training and even practice with other agencies about how to handle attacks.

Despite the extra police officers and powers, Larsen said the biggest change may be that the department has worked hard to educate and enlist all UTA riders as helpers.

"We need everyone to be our eyes and ears. If someone leaves a backpack, maybe they should nudge them and say, 'Is that yours?' If they see something that just doesn't feel right, we encourage them to call us at 287-EYES."

He said that after 9/11, calls increased 300 percent — and have stayed at such levels as the public keeps an eye out for anything unusual.

"We are an open system, so we need the public's help. People can just walk up to a bus or up to a TRAX platform. We don't have controlled access like you would with a subway system. That limits some of the things we can do," he said.

Similarly, the Utah Department of Transportation has enlisted the help of motorists to watch for anything unusual near bridges or along highways.

Kuehn said, "There is a different mentality now. I think the population as a whole, including state employees, is much more vigilant. If there is anything suspicious going on, people are much more likely nowadays to put in a phone call."

Military access

One of the more obvious steps since 9/11 is that security has been beefed up at military bases in Utah, and cars and people are checked much more closely before they may enter them.

For example, two years ago Air Force bases — including Hill Air Force Base in Utah — started posting civilian security guards at entry stations in an effort to expand resources to implement stricter entry procedures.