Whether your business is global or local, at some point real-time security information and operations will be vital to the continuity of your business. Some larger companies have created a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) that may also include regional centers. Other firms create a Security Operations Center (SOC) that helps manage security and resources within a single state or region. For this article we will use the term SOC for simplicity, as not all companies are global in footprint.
This article will provide some insight into some of the considerations our clients have wrestled with, the GSOC/SOC benefits they seek, and some steps we use to design a SOC.
The Security Operations Center (SOC) – A Good Business Practice
THE BRIEF HISTORY
For over 75 years government agencies and other entities learned the value to the organization provided by a central nerve center. A center that monitors various technology systems, live situations, or events, protects and directs personnel resources, and provides a hub for the organization’s quick response to a wide range of events that require immediate attention. Military organizations the world over utilize the principles of Command and Control.
While we were all impressed with NASA’s “Mission Control Center” during a space mission launch, crisis situations like the “Bay of Pigs” operation requiring a Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), and post-9/11 US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) new operations centers to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate, may not be so well known.
There are many types of operations centers, and today they include:
Global Security Operations Center (GSOC)
Security Operations Center (SOC)
Mission Operations Center (MOC)
Threat Operations Center (TOC)
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Network Operations Center (NOC)
THE PURPOSE OF THE SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SOC)
More than any time in our history, business entities face an infinite number of internal and external threats and risks. We have deployed various security technologies to help protect our staff, visitors, and assets:
Video Monitoring/CCTV
Access Control Systems
Intrusion Detection
Duress Alarms
Communications Systems
Possible IT Network Security Integration
Support to onsite Emergency Response Team (ERT)
Post-9/11 the proliferation of security technology created an array of challenges, such as:
Large amounts of data being stored, with data and systems being un-utilized or under-utilized
Disparate security systems, platforms, and applications
Failure to effectively monitor thousands of alerts and respond to events proactively
Increased regulatory compliance issues and consequences for failures
A disconnect between the people and the technology
Gaps in the integration of disparate systems
Timely communications failures
Reacting to data and information that is stale
Failure to protectively respond to alerts, before they become a crisis
High costs associated with “crisis response”, verses a Proactive Program
The Security Operations Center (SOC) provides the place for organizations to monitor developing situations, analyze the risks in real-time, and proactively respond before something becomes a crisis. As crisis response is extremely costly, the investment in a SOC helps conserves corporate resources, while clustering them to realize a savings.
CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
The mission control center is no longer something just for NASA or rocket scientists. Today’s SOC serves a set of vital functions that are common to many other business operations. Just as various business units will monitor a variety of business requirements and respond to them, the SOC helps apply the same business process to all matters related to security.
Just as the Finance Department monitors federal, state, and local regulations, taking appropriate proactive actions to keep the organization in compliance, the SOC monitors information in real-time, analyzes this data, and coordinates a measured response to protect people and assets proactively. Today’s business environment requires a high degree of internal and external situational awareness.
Building A SOC – Modern Cost and Risk Factors to Consider:
A highly mobile workforce that requires greater protection
Active threats, risks, and corporate responsibilities extending far beyond the buildings, campus and local area – Business is now global
The ever-emerging “All Hazards” landscape requiring agencies to address weather, wild fires, traffic/travel, seismic disturbances, man-made and natural events, active threats, local radical/reactionary group protests, home-grown and international terrorism
A heightened need for corporate intelligence and situational awareness
Increasing distrust, threats, and violence again government and quasi-government agencies
Significant legal action, court awards, penalties, and public outrage post-incident when response is slow or lacking
Large investments in current security technology with resulting data going to waste (storage)
Inefficient in deploying manned security resources and failing to maximize return on investment
DUTY OF CARE
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have enforced standards, rules, and regulations in the workplace since the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). Over the past few years, with workplace violence on the rise, OSHA and numerous court decisions have shined a spotlight on the OSH Act’s “General Duty” Clause (Section 5(a)(1).
It is now recognized that “Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace”. This requirement is applicable to physical work spaces, as well as employees working off-site and traveling on company business.
From OSHA Guidance to Industry:
“Under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious harm.”
The courts have interpreted OSHA’s general duty clause to mean that an employer has a legal obligation to provide a workplace free of conditions or activities that either the employer or industry recognizes as hazardous and that cause, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to employees when there is a feasible method to abate the hazard.”
“An employer that has experienced acts of workplace violence, or becomes aware of threats, intimidation, or other indicators showing that the potential for violence in the workplace exists, would be on notice of the risk of workplace violence and should implement a workplace violence prevention program combined with engineering controls, administrative controls, and training.”
While a SOC will greatly assist the organization to address Duty of Care in a professional and responsive manner, this comprehensive business approach will clearly show proof of the organization’s commitment to protect people, assets, data, and places.
WHAT THE SOC PROVIDES TO THE ORGANIZATION
Unified Command – The basic principle of incident response is to provide a single command that directs the response to any incident or event. The SOC serves this purpose in real-time, with systems enhanced with artificial intelligence and analytics.
Monitoring of Real-time Security Video Feeds
Active Maintenance, Monitoring, and Response Perimeter
Gatekeeper for All Campus Access and Visitor Management
Real-time Monitoring and Analysis of Data – Speed & Actionability
Live Security Incident Reporting & Management
Live Area Incident
Weather / Wild Fire / Environmental / Seismic
Traffic
Staff Travel
IT Network Monitoring (optional)
Mass Notification – A Proactive Response Mechanism for Two-Way Communications Capabilities 24/7/365
Inclusion of New or Next Version Artificial Intelligence (AI), Plate and Facial Recognition, and Analytics Tools
The Concept of Continuous Prevention – In Real-time Operational Risk Management
Supportive of Basic Security Principles: Delay – Detect – Respond
Ability to Recover More Quickly from a Breach
Enhanced Protection of Staff Working Remotely or in Isolation
Far Less Costs Being Proactive vs. Reactive or Funding a Crisis Response Effort
Resources – The SOC is a place where all the resources of the organization are known and can be deployed quickly. From alerts of temperature issues in IT server rooms, to a broken pipe causing flooding within a building, the timely awareness and hailing of repair resources can salvage vital business assets. Whatever the problem or event, the SOC operator will have a ready list of response resources to call always to mitigate any active threat. While it is not advisable to flood SOC staff with numerous non-security responsibilities, business unit functions that are directly related to security and life safety, can be supported by the SOC.
Readiness – An organization that commits to a SOC is affirming its dedication to readiness. While other organizations may switch to “panic mode” and fumble to respond appropriately, the design, data feeds, SOC Operator training, and testing will ensure organizational readiness 24/7/365. The introduction of smart security tools such as recognition, AI, analytics, and other new or next version technologies allow the SOC to work smarter, with an additional level of readiness. Continuous Prevention is the organizational and SOC objective.
Proactiveness – The very nature of the SOC is to be the organization’s alert apparatus always and provide the proactive response mechanism that provides a steady and knowledgeable operation of trust. Apart from responding to any developing crisis, the SOC can provide helpful and sometimes lifesaving information to staff. This information and communications could be related to pending severe weather, the sudden shift of a wildfire, or a traffic incident with a mass warning to impacted staff, allowing for a detour or avoidance, for safe passage to work.
COST BENEFIT TO THE ORGANIZATION
A Security Operations Center will be a valuable tool to the organization through the provision of Continuous Prevention. In addition to the many functions the SOC actively delivers to keep people, data, and assets safe and secure, the SOC presents opportunities for cost savings.
Remote Assessment
False Alarm Reduction
Duress Technology – Life Safety
Working Alone /Remote Staff Monitoring
Monitoring and Mass Notification Warnings – Severe Weather/Terror Strikes/Disasters
An example of cost savings would include a strategy to deploy Remote Assessment. As the SOC is built out, strategically placed cameras with audio capabilities can be integrated with remote controllable hardware, and possible mobile devices that allow a single security officer in the SOC to preform Remote Assessment of many doors and locations around the entire campus. The technology becomes a force multiplier, thereby reducing the costs associated with manned security, while providing an enhanced level of protection to the organization.
Monitoring and analysis of data is a real-time function of the SOC. Some of the data being scrutinized are intrusion detection/alarm system. A SOC operating 24/7/365 can assess these alarms and determine legitimate from false alarm, thereby reducing the costs associated with false alarm response.
In support of a workplace violence / active threat prevention program, inexpensive duress technology can be incorporated into the current prevention plan to raise the bar in providing proactive actionable intelligence prior to a full-blown event. This is a very important life safety benefit that can be delivered by the SOC systems and staff.
Whether staff are working remotely or in an isolated area of the main campus, the SOC can provide an immediate link to remote or isolated working staff through many voice and signal technologies. The SOC increases compliance with General Duty of Care provisions, while providing a potential lifeline and peace of mind to isolated or remote working staff.
SAMPLE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS AND CONSIDERATIONS
Depending on the client and their needs and desires, PRS follows this flexible process. It is provided here to give you an idea of the planning process. If you have not yet selected a site for your GSOC/SOC, then one of your first missions will be to conduct an All Hazards Assessment of the possible sites, in order to narrow the choice. If your SOC operations are critical to your business and you require 99.999% reliability and up-time, then careful site selection will be even more critical. The Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) / 911 Center is generally a post-disaster facility with redundant utility runs from two or more compass directions. If 99.000% (or 5 nines) is necessary, then you need to soberly consider your site, threats, risks, and vulnerabilities, as well as the ease of running redundant utilities and systems.
Sample Phased Implementation
Phase 1 – SOC Conceptional Design Process
The Security Operations Center project would take a conservative phased approach. Initially, a SOC Conceptional Design Process will seek to quantify technical needs with rough order of magnitude budget, functional requirements, as well as to document SOC operational expectations will. This initial phase will flow as follows:
Fact-Finding – In addition to engaging stakeholders, the nature of the SOC requires sober information and data analysis. By examining information through the lens of several internal and external sources, we can determine the features and design principles we need to accommodate. This phase of research and analysis is accomplished off-site.
Stakeholder Engagement – Our experience has shown that early engagement of the client’s stakeholder group is imperative to the success of the SOC. As State Fund will be making a significant investment in this center, we need to confirm what services and expectations the stakeholders will be anticipating, and how they can best be delivered by the SOC now and in the future. If this vital engagement does not happen, costly retrofits may be required going forward. This work is best accomplished on-site.
On-Site Study – Following an off-site research and analysis phase, PRS will launch into the stakeholder engagement and on-site study portion of the work to that conserves client resources. By examining the physical plant with any constraints, limitations, and requirements, PRS takes our collective data analysis and applies this knowledge to site reality.
Numerous important design considerations will be assessed and research, with deliverables to include a Security Operations Center Conceptual Design Document that answers:
What design elements are required externally to support an SOC – materials and infrastructure
What should be housed in the SOC and what features will support long-term monitoring needs
The essential services are expected by the organization and to be services by the SOC
Based on emerging trends – What technologies should be included in the SOC (phased in)
Details of SOC manpower requirements, proposed selection process, and training needs
A Rough Order of Magnitude (RoM) projection of costs and suggested phase in plan, so that the decision makers have an informed implementation path to match with budget processes and timelines
Next Steps Plan
Phase 2 – First Layer Build-out and Integration
During this phase, the initial build-out of the physical space for the SOC will take shape and integrate perimeter video and intrusion detection system. As the organization benefits from this initial layer of situational awareness and continual prevention, the systems will be incorporated and expanded to other locations and terminated into the SOC, as costly manual or manned processes are eliminated.
As project phases and budgets are approved, the holistic SOC will seek to incorporate:
Multi-Campus Access and Visitor Management
Multi-Campus Video with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics
Enhanced Protection Systems – Staff Working Remotely or in Isolation
This process sample should help you with your planning and building of a business case. If done properly, the GSOC/SOC can be the crown jewel of your security organization. Proving its value and active vigilance that will prove vital to your business. By directly connecting the business with security, you will be well on your way to building a a contemporary corporate security organization that will stand the test of time.
Trusted Global Private Security Services
Serving US: Seattle, Bellevue, San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont, Milpitas, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno, Portland, Vancouver WA, Honolulu, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Washington DC, New York City, Boston
Serving International: Vancouver Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea
Premier Risk Solutions LLC (PRS) has created a new, fresh approach towards the Executive Protection industry. After listening to a group of cross representation of select end-users and subject matter experts, we have listened to the current and future opportunities that they have identified, gaps in the marketplace when considering the qualities of an individual agent(s) on Executive Protection assignments, and what the industry is already doing at a high level. Based on their experience working with Executive Protection providers these are the top five areas that they deem are most important for agents:
High-Level Professionalism & Appearance
Ability to Communicate at All Levels
Experienced Personnel
Responsiveness
Flexible and Adaptable
In short summary, these five qualities are required for an ideal candidate for Executive Protection agent positions can be summed up as highly trained, situationally aware, emotionally intelligent individuals who represent and carry themselves (and ergo their employer and client/principal) extremely well. Often the hard skills associated with the job (concealed weapons permit, education, previous training and related) are easy to identify through the talent selection process. It is the soft skills and emotional intelligence which are much more difficult to quantify and clarify with a level of certainty. We believe this is where the greatest opportunity for fitting the client needs rests.
PRS has developed our own Personalized Culture FitTM program that utilizes science of self methodologies creating custom job benchmarks for our staff to integrate into our client’s corporate culture and structure.
Using the PRSMeridian ModelTM, PRS’s senior management team will gain insight into unique needs and culture-specific tailoring to our approach in providing Executive Protection services. We are able to provide our client with a robust concept of how an Executive Protection program deployed can offset and/or prevent organizational strife during challenging times of a minor, moderate, or major incident. Our model details ten (10) categories of consideration and discussion with our client to help articulate the value of an Executive Protection program.
In doing so, PRS and our client obtain a deeper relationship with each other to employ best practices and show true value to the client organization. Utilization of the Personalized Culture FitTM program is our unique approach to talent selection. We can provide validated and reliable empirical data that has been proven EEOC & OFCCPcompliant to ascertain Behaviors, Driving Forces, Acumen Capacity Index, and Competencies for each job benchmark/role identified for the final candidates to be considered for the position. In doing so, we can provide an additional level of comfort and definitiveness to our clients that the final candidate(s) selected for the role(s) will be a great match. The longer-term implications for this include reduced turnover, higher job satisfaction, engaged employees, and a more satisfied client when the proper fit is established and maintained. Bottom line, relationships matter, and knowing our client’s unique needs for consistency and reliability is of utmost importance to PRS and the next evolution in Executive Protection.
Trusted Global Private Security Services
Serving US: Seattle, Bellevue, San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont, Milpitas, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno, Portland, Vancouver WA, Honolulu, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Washington DC, New York City, Boston
Serving International: Vancouver Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea
In terms of survival, nature gave us a great gift: our intuition or “gut instinct”. We all can relate to having that innate feeling that something was not quite right. Whether it was the hair on the back of our neck standing on end or that funny feeling in the pit of our stomach, we felt that danger was close-by. Our instinct and senses told us so. People who find themselves in this situation know they only have four options at their disposal depending on the circumstances – freeze (to do nothing), run, hide, or fight. From my perspective, it is the first that causes the greatest risk, yet this is what happens much of the time.
Denial and Rationalization
Author John Leach shares, “Many witnesses attest that victims of a disaster often perish despite reasonable possibilities for escaping because their behavior during the initial moments of the accident was inappropriate to the situation. Frequently witnesses report victims ‘freezing’ in the face of danger.” So, why do people often fail to react to threats by foregoing their intuition? The answer to this question can be found in nature’s second gift; one that often overpowers intuition: Denial! Denial can be an all-powerful force often overriding intuition. Denial can lead us to believe we are safe when we are not. To complicate things more, denial has a strong ally, and it’s called rationalization. Denial provides the seeds for incorrectly and unsafely assessing the situation one finds themselves in and rationalization offers the fertilizer and water for a potentially hazardous outcome.
There are many reasons why rationalization occurs, and denial is one of them. We simply do not want to believe that someone will carry out their implied or specific threats. We can become overwhelmed with this horrible thought and simply do not want to acknowledge the dangers or deal with them. Rationalization comes in many forms especially in response to veiled threats. Excuses are made to explain away the behavior attributed to the individual; comments such as “They were only joking” and “They don’t mean it” serve as prime examples of rationalization and denial at work. Another concern is the ignoring of threats based on one’s personal assessment or belief when they have no training or experience to base this on.
Another form of rationalization is ego and the feeling of invincibility. While I believe in the concept of never living in fear, we need to avoid a cavalier approach that ignores danger signs and the credible advice of security professionals.
Executive Protection and the CEO
While the need for protection can transcend all levels of an organization dependent on the nature of the threat, the perceived figure head or “face of the organization” is often targeted due to their high-profile position. In politics, it’s government leaders who hold office, as evidenced by the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (Louisiana) and others during a congressional baseball practice in Alexandra, Virginia. In the private sector, it can be the CEO. The CEO is the face of the organization and can substantially contribute to the public’s perception of the company’s brand image. It is this position that often garners threats and acts of aggression from inside and outside the organization. These threats can also include the CEO’s family and home. The CEO must always be aware they may not be the only one at risk. Often, risk extends to the organization the CEO is responsible for.
Challenges
While there is no doubt a CEO is a special individual who has accomplished incredible success, this does not mean they are immune to denial and rationalization. Typical reactions from CEOs considering executive protection can include:
Wanting to avoid feeling or appearing special or above others.
The notion that the company can survive without them.
Appearing to be self-centered or selfish.
“Wasting” organizational funds.
Spreading fear within and outside the organization as the result of having executive protection.
The feeling that threats are dictating their professional and personal lifestyle.
Minimizing the seriousness of the threat.
These reactions are justified; but, we know the public, media, government regulators and others do a very good job of taking a catastrophic event and working backwards to determine where the weak link lays; that point during the event’s early developmental stage where a decision was made that dictated a course of action or, in some cases, no response. If the threat and response strategy was incorrectly minimized, then this is where blame and subsequent consequences will be focused.
One benchmark for assessing the validity of the aforementioned reactions is answering one simple question: Should an attack occur, upon hindsight, what could have been done differently? This is where denial and rationalization most often rears its ugly head and sets in motion future heartache and regret. When there is the opportunity to introduce a mitigation strategy that balances overreaction with under-reaction while neutralizing the threat, then denial and rationalization is eliminated and safety enhanced.
Executive Protection: Is it for you?
When considering executive protection for a CEO, their family or other organizational leaders, PRS recommends focusing on the following:
Conduct a risk assessment – office, residence, transportation, travel and frequented off-site locations.
Stress the importance of hiring EP professionals who are a match for the client. This can be more complicated than it seems. PRS uniquely assesses potential candidates to ensure a high level of protection and service. This ensures what PRS refers to as a personalized culture fit – adapting as close as possible to the needs of the client.
The well-being and safety of the client and their family cannot be overstated. Simply stated, threats produce stress. EP eliminates this at work and home.
Discuss with the prospective client the business continuity benefits EP provides.
EP eliminates distractions caused by the threat. It is important to avoid dismissing organizational distraction. Even though the threat may be directed at the CEO or organization in general, staff will probably be aware of the situation hampering their focus on daily business.
The vendor needs to avoid dictating to the client; it’s a partnership that suits the needs of the CEO. It is important to create for the CEO and their family a level of comfort and safety without disrupting their life style.
Benefits of Executive Protection
The benefits of EP are extensive and need to be considered when conducting a cost-benefit analysis: Benefits include:
Organization and individual preparedness. Preparing for a threat is vital for every organization.
EP is an excellent business continuity strategy. The organization, staff, customers, business partners and families all rely on the continuity of the organization, which is provided by the CEO.
EP serves as an “insurance plan”, thus providing comfort for the client, their business associates and, most importantly, family. Threats and/or attack disrupts family life. The feeling of being unsafe and vulnerable will linger and prove to be unproductive.
Protects public persona – in control, measured and functional. Brand image is protected from the public’s viewpoint.
IRS benefit – written off as part of business continuity planning and risk mitigation.
Keeps all involved “safe, comforted and focused”.
CEO recognizes the adverse effect on the company and their family should their capabilities be hindered to some degree as the result of an attack or significant threat and is prepared to respond.
Losing the CEO is a significant risk to the organization.
The CEO is the “face” and “life-blood” of the organization – credibility and future direction (vital if publicly traded).
Should an attack occur, others who are in the way – administrative assistant, etc. – are put in harm’s way. EP provides protection for all in the immediate work area.
EP enhances the ability of the CEO and executive team to exercise “a duty of care”.
Executive protection and weighing the need for it can be a complicated endeavor. PRS is prepared to assess your situation, offer guidance based on a foundation of reasonableness and objectivity, and partner with critical stakeholders to create a safe and productive future. Contact the PRS team for further information.
Trusted Global Private Security Services
Serving US: Seattle, Bellevue, San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont, Milpitas, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno, Portland, Vancouver WA, Honolulu, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Washington DC, New York City, Boston
Serving International: Vancouver Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea
With the start of the PyeongChang 2018 XXIII Winter Olympics February 9 – 25th we are right around the corner for this large-scale event putting South Korea in the international spotlight. Games will be held at multiple venues from the Alpensia Sliding Center, Jeongseon Alpine Center, Gangneung Ice Arena, Kwangdong Hockey Center to the Yongpyong Alpine Center. Numerous sponsors of the games from multi-national corporations will be participating sending staff from the US to South Korea to be on-the-ground for the better part of the games.
Here are some items for consideration in your planning for travel to the region:
North Korea and its propensity for sporadic, unusual behavior are of the most serious concern for these games from a safety & security posture. What North Korea will do is unknown but they have proven themselves in their desire to be a disruptor on a large scale.
With the location of the games largely on the eastern side of the peninsula, bear in mind via automobile this is a standard 4-hour drive one-way from Seoul/Incheon airport. If there is inclement weather, it could easily be much longer. Alternatively, South Korea has built a high-speed rail as an option as well, which initial indications it will be about a 3.5-hour trip if this route is chosen instead although it is new and has yet to really be tested.
A number of the multi-national corporations are planning on housing their traveling staff overnight in Seoul for up to 2 nights prior to making the travel to the eastern peninsula. With the long-haul flight and time difference doing so allows the traveler to refresh before the additional half-day+ trip ahead of them.
Those who will seek a luxury SUV please understand that these are in short supply and high demand. South Korea doesn’t tend to import lots of vehicles, but Range Rovers and Cadillac Escalade’s are an available option, although again in limited supply.
English fluency of dedicated drivers is rudimentary. They can manage required tasks ok, but one can’t really have an in-depth conversation with them. The Bilingual Executive Protection Agent (Close Protection Officer or CPO) is better, although these personnel too – like the luxury SUVs – are in short supply.
Any CPO agent your team may desire to accompany your principal to the games will additionally need a ticket purchased for their entrance to the games as well, just like any other attendee.
For any engagement related to the games, PRS’s vendor partner in-country does require a 30% deposit up-front which is non-refundable. We will need to work hard to secure proper resources so is best to start this planning early while the best personnel are still available.
As many of our clients are discovering, offices and a host of other workplaces in the Province of Ontario, Canada are presenting them with new legal obligations to protect their employees from Workplace Violence and Harassment. The Ontario Ministry of Labour Health and Safety inspectors enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This Act is to facilitate a strong Internal Responsibility System (IRS) in your workplace.
Most immediately, companies with operations in Ontario, Canada need to be aware of these requirements:
An employer MUST assess the risk of workplace violence and present a full plan to the joint health and safety committee or to a health and safety representative [OHSA s. 32.0.3]
The risk must be reassessed as often as is necessary to protect workers from potential workplace violence [OHSA s. 32.0.3(4)]
The law requires that all of your workplaces be assessed, including offices, shops, site, and even any mobile staff (bus drivers, truck drivers, delivery personnel, outside sales, etc.)
The process is very detailed and employers must consider:
The Nature of the Workplace
The Type of Work
Conditions of work
Apart from a full physical security review of corporate facilities and work spaces, employers are encouraged to engage staff at all levels within the organization, such as front-line staff, supervisors, union officials and more. Depending on the outcome of initial assessments, further special assessments and documentation may be required under this legislation. The Act identifies certain work and workplaces as being associated with “higher risk of violence: such as:
Handling cash
Transporting People and Goods
Working Late Nights
Public or Community Contact
Isolated Workplaces
Workplaces Located in Areas Found to Have High Crime Rates
These workplace violence prevention assessments and programs are obviously sensitive in nature and could expose your company to legal risks, if performed by in-house staff. These programs also require a very seasoned security professional that can work in conjunction with your local Health and Safety staff and committee to collaborate effectively.
Premier Risk Solutions, LLC has been active in assisting our clients to comply with the provisions of the Ontario Workplace Violence and Harassment law. PRS is uniquely qualified to assist these clients as I personally understand the United States practices firms have in place currently. As I previously lived in Canada and obtained Canadian citizenship (dual national) while living there,
I understand the inclusive process that should be used to engage local staff. As we all know, many times a US approach to Canadian operations is not always best and we need to be sensitive to that fact. Just ask US companies that moved into Canada, only to close within 12 months because of a poor understanding of the market and the culture of our northern neighbors.
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of working with a small team of Canadian professionals to assess an entire provincial worker’s compensation system with numerous far-flung offices and a variety of work spaces across the vast province. At times these offices and their staff faced significant threats of violence, and at times physical assault due to denied claims. I recall assessing one office when a call was received and their client stated he was on his way with a firearm. Fortunately, we could get the office into lock-down and the local police department was only one block away. This irate man did come to the worker’s compensation office (minus any firearm), and was promptly arrested for these uttered threats.
If you have operations in the Province of Ontario, please contact me to see how PRS can assist you with these important legal requirements.
Trusted Global Private Security Services
Serving US: Seattle, Bellevue, San Francisco, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont, Milpitas, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas, Reno, Portland, Vancouver WA, Honolulu, Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Washington DC, New York City, Boston
Serving International: Vancouver Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea
Last week I interviewed with FOX5 in Las Vegas and was asked about changes in security on the Vegas Strip. The interview lasted quite a bit longer, but for the segment, they took a few soundbites and the story came out well. My colleague, Evan Levitt, advised that since 9/11, many of the casinos have already been doing quite a bit behind the scenes in working with The Fusion Center and Law Enforcement to identify and interview individuals who may cause concern. Another local colleague, Rich Diaz, has eight bomb dogs currently covering several of the major casinos and event centers. My comments about the first responders and LV Metro PD were left out of the interview, but I will say again that their response on that tragic day was amazing. The Las Vegas community responded quickly and maintains a great support even a few weeks later. I’ll stand by my statement that the Strip is a very safe place to be. Check out the interview here: https://youtu.be/SlsvJQPeYN8
It is truly hard to believe that yet another annual ASIS International Seminar & Exhibits has just concluded. Dallas provided a convenient location to see, learn, and network. While my corporate security and vendor colleagues and I get a tad older each year, it was great to see the younger generation learning and working that exhibit floor.
I recall the days when the exhibits occupied a small room. Two or three companies produced the electronic security devices we knew and loved. Getting to all the exhibits was more than possible during our week at ASIS each year. As the number of companies and exhibit floor space grew, Roy Bordes, CPP helped us sort out which companies and technologies were worthy of our limited ASIS exhibit floor time. Roy is sorely missed by those of us that knew him.
While PRS has not been paid a fee, and does not specifically endorse any of the products discussed, we thought it would be fun to put forth our list of top security tech for 2017. It is not a detailed technology review and as with all technology, you really need to assess your needs case for applicability.
This year I identified and visited 17 exhibits in between our client and vendor meetings. Here is my Top 5 List of interesting products for 2017…
# 5 – Facial Recognition – Blue Line Technology / www.bluelinetechnology.com
These former law enforcement officers have taken a technology that has been around for some time and has often presented challenges and have tamed the beast to a degree. It really depends on the application, but Blue Line’s product deployment can be intimidating for an illegitimate user of a space. While the system can tackle one-to-many scans, we all know that the size of such databases makes a search slow as a snail. Blue Line’s true processing power shines with a dedicated door or portal application. The system integrated with a number of existing products.
A camera and credential reader greets the user. A fraudster with invalid credentials will not want to come here. I can see this very effective for a convenience store, high-end jewelry store and related retail. Of course, no credential is presented in this scenario, but a thug with a hoodie or face mask is not going to gain entry. In corporate environments, vulnerable IT rooms, C Suite offices, and other sensitive areas would be served well by Blue Line Technology. Two-factor authentication that moved the security beyond a card. Too many good features to list here. They plug and play with a wide variety of existing security systems.
Who is watching your video surveillance systems besides your GSOC operators? Will your corporate video system be used to launch the next wave of global Bot Net attacks? Razberi’s solution is an appliance that plays well with many of the popular video systems currently on the market, such as Genetec, Verint, Milestone and others. The company will be expanding their offerings to include additional add-on units to protect any size camera network.
The appliance monitors and provides MAC addresses/Device Bonding, firewall, whitelist, unusual internet traffic, poor passwords and more. Like any appliance, Razberi updates firmware easily and efficiently to protect against the latest threats. Any corporation with video surveillance systems from small to large needs to consider this extra level of protection.
Report Exec has been around for many years, providing security incident reporting and analysis, dispatch, alerts, asset tracking and more to the corporate security world. Omnigo has provided similar software to government and law enforcement. Recently, acquired the product known as Report Exec and is refining and enhancing their product offerings. A new enhancement centers around the alert portion of the tool and the refinement of GPS data. Keep an eye on Omnigo as this company re-examines their government, public safety and corporate security offerings.
For years, governments and the intelligence community have used a variety of techniques to protect sensitive discussions and meetings. Some may be familiar with Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and more. Now, Intelligent Devices has taken this concept and created a range of products that are available to corporations. I can see applications related to highly sensitive Board of Director’s meeting prior to a public company’s Annual Meeting and such.
The company screens clients and does not sell to everyone. In fairness to them and national security, I will say the systems use speech masking and some other techniques, to protect conversations and computer/data traffic from eavesdropping. Very interesting tech and another company to watch.
We are all very familiar with companies monitoring Twitter and other social media to track discussions regarding your company or event. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is nothing new. However, over the past month or so PRS has been researching a product that offers something more. Our journey culminated at ASIS 2017 at the LifeRaft exhibit. This exciting product twist comes from a community by the sea that we don’t equate tech to – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Tracking people, assets, accessing intelligence not just from social media, but the dark web and elsewhere, LifeRaft develops an impressive collage of data. The data is presented in such a way that a GSOC or analyst can take it and do something with it. Many, many cases use for this product and great people to do business with. From executive protection to fraud prevention, Navigator from LifeRaft is worth checking out.
