RiskXtraDecember2018

In the Spotlight: ASIS International UK Chapter
materialism of a target or a victim, but rather on
the financial gain or message the act creates.
Bearing all of the aforementioned in mind,
what then are the basic security practices
deemed to be essential for business travellers
and tourists alike?
Research the stability of the destination’s
political and economic climate Prior to
departure, the security or travel co-ordinator
should research elements such as criminal
activity, political instability and recent events in
a given location that may cause harm to the
traveller(s) involved.
Establish contact with the local Embassy
Be sure that the travellers know where the local
Embassy is and how to contact a representative
in case of an emergency. For example, the
British Government runs a programme known
as ‘Foreign Travel Advice’ whereby the coordinator
and travellers can check summary
alerts on particular countries. Furthermore,
real-time events are uploaded to databases in
an e-mail alert and usually free to access.
Accommodation and activity planning Don’t
plan hotel accommodation on the outskirts of
the location being visited. For example,
Venezuela and Colombia have high rates of
kidnappings in secluded regions where mission
workers operate. Stay in highly populated areas
that make the detection of criminal activity
more noticeable.
Business travellers should not venture out
alone or go to meetings solo. Instead, they
should be accompanied by fellow travellers or a
company employee counterpart who’s
accustomed to the local culture.
Tourists, and especially those in the younger
realm, often prefer to stay in a hostel due to
their lower price and casual atmosphere and
the guests’ more adventurous intentions. Many
hostels do offer decent accommodation in safe
areas. If you’re going to stay in a hostel, spend
the extra money on staying with those whom
you know. Try to avoid group accommodation
with strangers just because it’s costed at a
lower tariff.
During transit (ie from the airport, en route to
the hotel and to and from business activities),
don’t advertise your presence or put out
‘markers’ to make yourself more vulnerable to
attack Business travellers have a tendency to
keep a business card in the outer window of
their luggage. This should be prohibited as it
provides an aggressor with the contact
information they need to potentially lure the
business traveller into a precarious position.
Moreover, the business traveller(s) should have
a mandatory briefing in basic security and
safety procedures from the nominated security
co-ordinator prior to departure.
Don’t volunteer too much information or
broadcast your presence By their very nature,
people can be both verbose and loquacious.
There’s a difference between being too friendly
and leaking sensitive information. The business
traveller needs to be cognisant of who’s aware
of the group or the individual’s travel plans.
Be aware of your surroundings Remember that
aggressors conduct surveillance of their
intended target. The bigger the prize (ie a
ransom or stolen goods), the more time an
aggressor will study and obsess over their
intended target. Trust to your instincts and
report anything suspicious to the local
authorities and your security co-ordinator.
Refrain from becoming a walking bank Don’t
carry large sums of money on your person.
Safes are to be found in almost every high-end
hotel. Use the room safe and only take with you
what will sustain you financially for the day.
The same principle applies to passports. Be
sure to keep a copy with the security coordinator/travel
co-ordinator, at home with
family members and on your person.
“Prior to departure, the security or travel co-ordinator
should research elements such as political instability in a
given location that may cause harm to the traveller(s)”
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