With threats of terrorism, political chaos, riots, kidnappings, and growing street crime, today’s international business travelers need to be aware of their surroundings and keep their guard up at all times to maintain personal safety. Navigating even the safest and most developed regions of the world, or those perceived to be, has become more challenging than ever. From Europe to Asia and even in our own back yard, events that can easily put an unsuspecting or unprepared business traveler in harm’s way.
As a security officer or manager for your company, you worry about the safety of your business travelers. However, following a few basic tips will help both you and those traveling feel more comfortable and prepared, wherever business may take them.
This September will mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and some security pros fear that the worst could be yet to come. “Our view is that the goal of terrorists is to beat the devastation they caused on September 11, 2001, and one way to do that is to go after our children,” says Alan J. Robinson, director, Protection and Security Services/CSO, Atlantic Health, Morristown, NJ. “Topping the events of 9/11 is difficult to replicate; unfortunately, in order to exceed or even match the shock and awe of 9/11, terrorists must target a population so vulnerable it restores their reputation as a terrorist organization.”
Security issues exist every day on our nation’s ports, terminals and roads, but funding challenges and regulations makes securing those areas difficult. What’s working, what’s not and what do security end users and integrators wish they had in their arsenal of tools? Security magazine editor Diane Ritchey andSDM magazine editor Laura Stepanek brought together end users and integrators from these critical infrastructure areas to discuss their challenges and successes.
Who would have thought that if we put on an international terror trial in Chicago with a cast of bad guys, including a self-confessed two-timing spy, secret documents, a shady Chicago businessman and testimony of alleged involvement by Pakistani ex-military officers in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 170 people including six U.S. citizens, who would have figured that no one would show up for the trial?
Not surprisingly, the conversation about TSA privatization or opt out of federal run passenger and baggage screening usually focuses around four major concerns: customer service, customer complaint, wait time and staffing flexibility.