What does the term "soft target" commonly refer to?

The term "soft target" commonly refers to civilian or non-military entities, which are generally more vulnerable to attacks due to their lack of robust security measures. These targets can include places like shopping malls, schools, public transportation systems, and other areas where large groups of people gather but are not heavily defended or fortified. The accessibility and unprotected nature of these locations make them appealing to those intending to cause harm, as they often provide maximum visibility, impact, or psychological effect while being easier to breach than hard targets, which are typically military installations or fortified locations that have implemented significant security measures.