Hosting a special event, whether it’s a music festival, corporate conference, or sporting event, requires meticulous planning and execution. Ensuring the safety of attendees, staff, and performers is paramount. In this article, we’ll explore best practices for special event security to create a secure environment while maintaining a positive experience.
1. Risk Assessment and Threat Analysis
Before anything else, conduct a thorough risk assessment of the special event. Identify potential security threats specific to your event. Consider factors such as the venue, crowd size, location, and historical incidents. Collaborate with local authorities and security experts to evaluate risks comprehensively.
The timeline for this aspect can vary depending on the size and scale of the special event. The larger the event, the longer timeline horizon in advance that is required for adequate assessment. Generally speaking, most events this can be done within 2-3 days of an individual’s time.
Access Control: Implement robust access control measures. Use credential management systems, guest screening, and entry/exit point checks.
Emergency Response Plan: Prepare for worst-case scenarios. Define roles, responsibilities, and communication channels during emergencies.
Crowd Control: Manage large crowds effectively. Ensure clear signage, designated pathways, and crowd flow management.
Intelligence Fusion: Leverage technology for real-time intelligence sharing among security personnel.
Command Center: Set up a modern command center equipped with situational awareness tools and perhaps GPS tracking, depending on your use case.
This phase may be the most critical of the phases as proper planning in advance is where the rubber will meet the road when it comes time to executing successfully while on-site.
3. Professional Security Personnel
Hire trained security personnel. They should be well-versed in crowd management, emergency response, and conflict resolution. Consider using body cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV) – or more commonly known today as network video – for enhanced surveillance. Most camera systems nowadays can be remotely monitored by the Command Center mentioned in phase 2 above. Having a proactive set of eyes and ears dedicated to the event security team 24/7 would allow for dispatching of field personnel for odd behaviors, suspicious packages, or the like identified while monitoring the feeds.
4. Effective Communication and Coordination
Communication is critical. Establish clear communication channels among security teams, event organizers, and in-house venue security teams and/or local law enforcement. Regularly update stakeholders on security protocols and any changes.
Establishing a live channel for group communications via a WhatsApp, Signal, or other encrypted radio channel so group members are all on the same page at the same time is important to success.
Understand the impact of security incidents on your special event. Consider financial losses, reputation damage, and legal implications. Develop contingency plans to mitigate these risks.
7. Transportation and Traffic Management
Coordinate transportation logistics. Address traffic flow, parking, and transportation security. Work closely with local authorities to minimize disruptions.
8. Fire, EMS, and Public Health Preparedness
Collaborate with fire departments, emergency medical services (EMS), and public health agencies. Ensure timely medical response, evacuation plans, and health protocols.
Consider having a dedicated on-site medic for the special event operating hours to cater to attendee and staff needs. For the host company, if they have internal employees traveling internationally to the event, find out what their medical process for reporting is as some companies having specific reporting requirements to be met or additional resources available through their medical provider.
9. Post-Event Evaluation
After the event, conduct a thorough evaluation. Identify areas for improvement, assess the effectiveness of security measures, and document lessons learned.
Conclusion
Special event security is a multifaceted endeavor. By following these best practices, event organizers can create a safe and enjoyable experience for attendees while minimizing risks. Remember, effective security enhances the overall event atmosphere and contributes to its success. In the end, good security isn’t cheap and cheap security isn’t good!
The enactment of California SB 553, which takes effect July 1, 2024, creates the first general industry workplace violence prevention safety requirements in the United States. California SB 553 requires California employers to develop their own workplace violence prevention plans as part of their Cal/OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Plans or as a standalone Violence in the Workplace Prevention Program. Businesses must begin complying with the law on July 1, 2024.
Most organizations have either a partial Workplace Violence Prevention Program or an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) in place as required for all organizations under OSHA’s jurisdiction. OSHA, however, does not have specific requirements for a Workplace Violence Prevention program.
Many US organizations conduct business in California and must comply with this requirement. As an industry best practice and to ensure compliance, organizations should consider rolling out the plan to their entire organization, not just for their California-based operations. So goes California, the rest of the states have a strong tendency to follow suit in due time.
To ascertain the current state of your program, your organization must conduct a program assessment to develop a strategic plan to ensure compliance with California SB 553. Key provisions of this would include:
Reviewing existing HR, Security, Workplace, Business Continuity, and Injury Illness program policies, procedures, and business processes that have a nexus to the California SB 553 requirement.
California SB 553 minimum requirements to be assessed, to the extent they are available, include: 1. Program roles and responsibilities 2. Identification of workplace hazards 3. Reporting methods without fear of reprisal 4. Remediation of workplace incidents and hazards 5. Training 6. Employee communications 7. Plan compliance 8. Emergency Response 9. Post-incident response and investigation 10. Recordkeeping
The uniqueness of your organization should be addressed through the program assessment findings. Once your organization identifies the gap between the current state of your program and California SB 553 compliance items, you can work on addressing the items you may be deficient in. This phase of the endeavor will be more technical in defining the elements and recording them in a formal program document.
Should you require outside assistance in addressing your California SB 553 program compliance, please do reach out to us to begin a discussion on how Premier Risk Solutions can help.
With increased cyberattacks on organizations of all sizes, digital risk detection is of paramount importance. What is digital risk detection? Digital risk detection is the process of identifying and assessing the threats that organizations face in their digital environments. It’s the application of a tool or tools to access information on the social, surface, deep, and dark web. It’s seeking out exposures, data breach indicators, threats of violence, or otherwise reputationally damaging content to a brand or an individual’s (typically an executive’s) integrity. Keeping the information funnel succinct with relevant content across so many outlets can be a daunting task, but there are tools available in the marketplace like Media Sonar that aid in filtering the information available into one manageable ecosystem.
In 2023 and beyond, organizations can expect to see the following trends in digital risk detection:
Increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): AI and ML can be used to analyze large volumes of data to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate a threat. This can help organizations to detect threats more quickly and accurately than traditional methods.
Greater focus on insider threats:** Insider threats are threats that come from within an organization, such as from employees, contractors, or suppliers. Insider threats can be particularly difficult to detect, as they may have access to sensitive data and systems. Organizations will need to implement a variety of measures to mitigate insider threats, including digital risk detection tools.
More sophisticated attacks:** Cybercriminals are constantly developing new and more sophisticated attacks. This means that organizations will need to have a layered approach to digital risk detection, using a variety of tools and techniques to detect and respond to threats.
Here are some tips for organizations to improve their digital risk detection capabilities:
Implement a variety of detection tools and techniques. This could include AI/ML-based tools, user behavior analytics (UBA), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and vulnerability scanners.
Monitor your digital environment continuously. This includes monitoring your networks, systems, applications, and data.
Have a plan in place to respond to threats. Once a threat is detected, you need to have a plan in place to investigate the threat and take appropriate action.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Act of 1970 outlines the duty of care an employer has for keeping a workplace “free of recognized hazards” that could lead to physical harm to a person or persons. This extends to business travel as well. This means an organization must act in a prudent manner to recognize hazards (i.e. be proactive in doing so). Each organization should start with a digital risk assessment to identify its threats and vulnerabilities in order to begin mitigation strategies on how to best tackle the situation presented. Every organization will be unique in its needs due to company culture and risk appetite as well as available resources (capital or otherwise).
While there are a variety of ways to mine information on the web, if you are able to automate searches to collate those into one ecosystem and organize the results in a custom manner germane to your organizational interests how much time would you save your team and efficiency would you create for your operation? Digital risk detection is an essential part of any cybersecurity strategy. By implementing a robust digital risk detection program, organizations can protect themselves from a wide range of threats and reduce the likelihood of a successful cyberattack.
Watch this 2-minute video put together by Media Sonar that discusses’ how their tool functions within this topical matter. Please reach out to the management team at Premier Risk Solutions should you like to discuss your digital risk detection program needs!
In today’s digital age, organizations face an ever-increasing threat of cyberattacks and data breaches. While investing in robust security measures is crucial, creating a culture of security within the workplace is equally important. By fostering a security-conscious environment, companies can empower their employees to become the first line of defense against all threats. In this article, we will explore practical steps and strategies to cultivate a culture of security, emphasizing the role of leadership, employee awareness and training, and the implementation of best practices throughout the organization.
1. Leadership’s Commitment:
Creating a culture of security starts at the top. Leaders must champion the importance of security and set an example for others to follow. By actively demonstrating their commitment to security, leaders can establish trust and motivate employees to prioritize it. They should communicate the significance of security measures, allocate resources appropriately, and foster a sense of shared responsibility throughout the organization.
2. Employee Awareness and Training:
Educating employees about potential threats and providing comprehensive training is paramount to building a security-focused culture. This includes teaching them about common cyber risks, phishing attacks, password best practices, and the importance of data privacy. Regular training sessions, workshops, and simulated phishing exercises can enhance awareness and help employees develop the skills needed to identify and mitigate security threats effectively. Additionally teaching staff about common physical risks such as piggybacking, potential consequences of doors left ajar, and general situational awareness best practices would arm the organization with a team of security and safety-conscious personnel.
3. Clear Security Policies and Procedures:
Developing clear and concise security policies and procedures is essential for creating a culture of security. These policies should address areas such as data handling, access controls, incident response, and acceptable use of technology resources. It is crucial to communicate these policies effectively to all employees, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding company data and systems. Good physical security plays its part in the protection of the data and systems by creating the outlying barriers to detect, deter, delay, and ideally displace any attempted criminal element.
4. Encouraging Reporting and Collaboration:
To foster a culture of security, organizations should encourage employees to report any suspicious activities promptly. Implementing an anonymous reporting mechanism can help alleviate concerns about retaliation. Additionally, fostering collaboration among team members, departments, and security professionals can promote a collective effort to identify and address security vulnerabilities effectively.
5. Regular Security Audits and Assessments:
Conducting regular security audits and assessments (penetration tests) is essential for maintaining a secure workplace. These evaluations can help identify vulnerabilities, address potential weaknesses, and ensure that security measures are up to date. By involving employees in these processes, organizations demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement and provide opportunities for input and suggestions.
6. Recognize and Reward Security Consciousness:
Acknowledging and rewarding employees who exhibit exemplary security consciousness can reinforce the desired behaviors and encourage others to follow suit. Recognitions can range from simple shout-outs during team meetings to formal awards or incentives. By publicly appreciating employees’ efforts in maintaining a secure workplace, organizations reinforce the importance of security and motivate others to prioritize it.
Conclusion:
In an era where data breaches and cyber threats continue to rise, organizations must prioritize creating a culture of security in the workplace. Through leadership commitment, employee awareness and training, clear policies, encouraging reporting, regular audits, and recognizing security-conscious behaviors, organizations can build a workforce that understands the significance of security and actively contributes to its maintenance. By investing in a security-conscious culture, companies can better protect their valuable assets, mitigate risks, and establish a strong defense against the evolving threat landscape.
Dubbed The Yellow Brick Road to Personal and Professional Safety and The Menu Approach to Human Behavioral Threat Assessment, PRS Advisory Board Member Rich Cinfio provides insight into the reasons why both programs have been in high demand and are very well-received in the private and public sectors. With the continuing escalation of acts of mass violence and workplace violence, Rich believes security professionals can best serve their organization and teammates by providing comfort during uncomfortable times.
This core, coupled with simple, yet effective, safety strategies can dramatically change how one views their ability to recognize unsafe situations and quickly respond to prevent harm. Alarmingly so, recent mass-casualty events continue to demonstrate that the first breakdown more often than not is the failure to recognize and report early indicators of pending violence along with the absence of a robust human behavioral threat assessment posture. Rich will shed light on the importance of threat assessment and offer strategies to consider when adopting a program in your organization.
