RiskXtraJune2019

Security Services: Best Practice Casebook
communication for many, meaning that there’s
an enormous amount of information and
intelligence to monitor. Blogs, websites and
community pages can also be valuable sources
of intelligence.
Open source intelligence has made it
possible to access previously unknown or
unmonitored information. That being the case,
we can now be more proactive with advanced,
real-time analysis and plan for more complex
security breaches.
How can organisations looking to protect
themselves keep up-to-date with the sheer
volume of information, though? Few businesses
have the right skills, time or capacity to monitor
the many thousands of data signals with which
we’re all bombarded on a daily basis. What,
then, is the solution?
Specialist intelligence teams can analyse and
interpret this data, as well as other valuable
sources of information, in order to identify any
threats or suspicious activity that may lead to
business disruption. Highly-skilled intelligence
analysts are right at the heart of these teams,
bringing with them a wealth of experience
through similar roles performed with the police
service, the military or Government.
Being readily able to capture and analyse
vast amounts of information in real-time or tap
into services that can provide such intelligence
for you is now critical to the security of your
operation. Cutting-edge technology also plays
an important role.
For example, our own Securitas Intelligence
Unit makes good use of an industry-leading,
cloud-based open source listening platform
with real-time access to multiple Internet data
streams. Using this, we can monitor
occurrences and advise our clients on unusual
or concerning activity.
Intelligence services in action
One high-profile organisation commendably
taking a proactive and preventative approach
towards its security regime is Formula 1 (F1).
Recognised the world over as representing
the pinnacle of motorsport, F1 is a showcase for
automotive engineering excellence, design
innovation and unrivalled driving skill. Up to
195,000 fans attend each race on the annual F1
calendar, with 1.76 billion watching live at
home. F1 enjoys an estimated global fan base
of no less than 500 million-plus.
When it comes to security, each F1 race
venue is unique with the promoter responsible
for arranging on-the-ground operations and
security. In 2017, F1 undertook a
comprehensive review of its event security
operations which involved running a thorough
“Open source intelligence has made it possible to access
previously unknown or unmonitored information. We can
now be more proactive with advanced real-time analysis
and plan for more complex security breaches”
corporate risk management workshop. Then,
early last year, F1 signed a three-year contract
for global corporate risk management services
with a dedicated security advisor.
A bespoke risk management tool and risk
assessments have been specifically created for
F1 to reflect the unique threats faced at each
Grand Prix location. Risk levels are assessed by
combining the likelihood and impact of threats
and hazards observed. This information is then
shared via an online dashboard, which is part
of the risk management tool, such that F1’s
management can log-in at any time to monitor
and review the risks and threats identified.
At the same time, recommendations and Best
Practice solutions are put forward with a view
towards closing gaps in security and fully
mitigating risk.
Given the dynamic and transient nature of
travel to the various race locations, it’s a
priority for F1 to provide its staff with critical
information as they do so, thereby always
ensuring their safety and security. To achieve
this, F1 receives pre-travel threat assessments
on the risks members of staff may face as they
enter each new country and environment.
During live Grand Prix proceedings, a team of
highly-skilled intelligence analysts, all of whom
are experts in investigating open source
intelligence, will continually monitor for any
emerging threats.
As you can imagine, crowd safety and event
security is of paramount importance at each
Grand Prix. F1’s intelligent and preventative
approach towards security helps to mitigate
risks and provides assurances that its own
people, the fans, race venues and the F1 brand
itself are in safe hands.
The security needs of businesses are
evolving. We’re also facing a new reality that
requires an holistic approach to security.
Reassuringly, despite new threats and an everchanging
security landscape, data-driven
insight and innovation means that we’re now
more tuned-in than ever before to both internal
and external threats.
Security solutions can now be designed for
clients which combine corporate risk
management with security intelligence such
that we can proactively mitigate risks before
they become threats and act determinedly in
real-time when and where needed.
Omar Abu-Rish:
Security Operations Centre
Excellence and Insight
Manager at Securitas UK
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