Anders Behring Breivik's massacre of 77 people on 22 July 2011 sheds light once again on the dangers and potential dangers posed by ‘lone wolf’ or lone operator terrorist acts. As demonstrated on 22 July, the lone wolf operational model presents a number of critical challenges for crisis management and emergency preparedness. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the phenomenon of lone wolf terrorism and to critically assess the response by Norwegian authorities to the twin terror attacks in 2011. In so doing, it will discuss the implications of lone wolf terrorism for crisis management and contingency planning, and argue that, while law enforcement plays a central role in efforts to combat lone wolf attacks, it is essential that counterterrorist approaches be based on democratic principles and respect for human rights.