A Growing Industry: More Companies And People Are Realising The Need For Emergency Preparedness Planning And Travel Risk Management.

As part of our "Operating in Complex Security Environments" Networking Programme, Aprodex talks to Shaun Boulter, Director of Security at Assistance Alliance International (AA International Inc).

What is your background, and how have you developed your International Security and Risk Management career?
I am considered a specialist in all aspects of security and crisis risk management, including travel risk management. Prior to joining the AA International I was head of Crisis and Security Risk Management at RISQ Group based in Singapore, Prior to this I was also the European and Asian Security and Risk Manager for Perot Systems based in London, managing Europe and India where i also headed the Crisis Management Team. During this time i was responsible for developing and implementing the business continuity, security and risk management plans and operations in Europe and India. I have also gained extensive experience in Close Protection and Security Advisory roles. I was a security advisor and protection officer to the Qatar Foreign Minister for a period of four years, during which I travelled extensively on a global scale working and liaising with many foreign governments and security forces.

I have also performed a variety of other security related tasks such as surveillance operations, security surveys and close protection related tasks to members of foreign royalty and corporate VIPs in Europe, US and the Middle/Far East whilst being a senior consultant for Control Risks and also Red24. I was previously a member of the British Military for twelve years achieving the rank of sergeant, where I specialised in counterterrorism in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and Asia. I hold an MSc in Security & Risk Management from the University of Leicester. I am also a Singapore licensed Private Investigator and Security Officer. During my time in the military I was awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal.

What does your company do?
AA International (AAI), Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, is an assistance company and a member of the International Assistance Group (IAG). AA International operates from offices located in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Singapore Hong Kong, Seoul and Taipei.

The founding member company Asia Assistance Network (M) Sdn Bhd, was formed on 20th October 1998 is a 24 hours assistance company providing assistance services ranging from Medical Assistance, Security Assistance, Car Assistance, Third Party Administration Services, Home Assistance, Customer Service Assistance and other customised assistance services.

AA International, is today servicing over 5 million members, amongst our clienteles are over 30 major Insurance Companies, Airlines, as well as Corporate, Banks and Credit Cards companies throughout the region. AA International offers value added services in the form of comfort and security that help is just a phone call away. In turn, by ensuring that your Members quickly receive the best assistance available, AA International reduces the risk and cost of personal safety and operations locally and abroad.

Our 24 hours operations centre is managed by a team of dedicated staffs with multi language capabilities; our team of professionals is trained to handle security, medical, logistical and technical aspects of crises, minor and major emergencies with the efficiency and compassion that such events require providing round the clock assistance to your Members.

AAI also owns its own Air Ambulance service with two Lear Jet aircraft based in Asia (Singapore & Taipei), these aircraft operate under the brand name AeroMed Asia.

AAI provides solutions to members travelling worldwide. AAI is a Member and shareholder of the International Assistance Group with 36 offices and 46 round the clock alarm centres worldwide.

What are the biggest challenges your company faces today?
Remaining ahead of our competitors, so we always strive to provide a service that is flexible to fit with our clients requirements and allowing where possible for clients to have direct access to single points of contact and in so doing giving them a more client friendly boutique service.

How has your market changed in recent years, and how have current trends and developments affected the way your business operates?
The market has changed to our benefit as more and more companies and people are realising the need for emergency preparedness planning and travel risk management. Which is the reason our company is always looking to ‘build business for tomorrow’. We are constantly analysing what the threats are to companies and individuals at both their home location and also overseas. This then enables us to build and plan new services to meet these challenges head on and in so doing preparing and assisting our clients to be able to suffer minimal disruption to their operations.

What are your 5 year predictions for the development and innovation of your industry sector?
We foresee our company spreading further across the region as we engage more clients (such as the larger insurance companies that have regional presence). We allow our new clients to drive our growth in the region for this purpose as most of the larger insurance companies want and require a local presence to handle their policy holders. We are constantly looking at new products we can tag onto our services or clients policies that they sell to enhance our portfolio and also theirs.

What additional services do you procure to support your operations, and how do you source new suppliers?
We procure the services of our partners in the International Assistance Group (IAG) to support us with clients of ours who require assistance services in parts of the world that we do not have a presence. We also use tried, tested and vetted security consultants and consultancies to allow us to have a multiple tier of service providers we can call upon in the time of an emergency to help us support our clients on a global basis.

All our providers are normally sourced by recommendation or previous history with our company or a member of our team.

We are always looking for companies that have good synergies with us to either look at working together or to form partnerships so that we can provide more services to our existing and new clients.

What are your favoured technologies / equipment / “tools” for operating in Complex Security Environments?
Good intelligence is our primary state of the art technology service and this is done through a combination of both automated word search software and also physical analytical manpower. The combination of both automated and physical we believe allows us to be able to provide confirmed and verified proactive and reactive information to our clients. We understand there is a necessity to provide an analytical view and solution to each news alert we provide being of paramount importance so that a client can make an informed decision as to what to do with that information.

What products / services do you consider to be deficient in your area of expertise?
We can never have enough service providers on our books that can support us around the world in the time of a crisis. We are constantly looking for people and also companies that we can work with for such projects.

Technologies in the form of apps, travel tracking equipment be it travel itinerary monitoring systems and or GPS are constantly improving and developing new platforms to operate from so we are constantly monitoring technologies as they develop to see how we can integrate these technologies to improve and enhance our current range of services.

Internet business networks, such as Aprodex, enable a 24/7 capability to reach new clients and solicit new opportunities. Building a corporate presence and reputation on line is becoming ever more important - and unavoidable. What corporate communications methods do you employ to reach your target audience and what strategies do you have to increase your on line presence?
At present this is something we have only just started to look into and have considered the use of social networking such at Twitter. There are problems associated with this in that one bad comment will negate no matter how many good ones you have received. To date we have relied heavily on our marketing team and educating people as to who and what we are and allowing them to view our website and also to trial our travel risk management website.

Comment / Ask Questions about any issues related to the Interview via our . Shaun is specifically interested to hear and share information regarding evacuations in the Middle East over the last year as everybody who has been conducting evacuations from Syria, Egypt, Bahrain etc has experienced some difficulties. It would be ideal to learn from the experiences of others.

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More Interviews on "Operating in Complex Security Environments"

If you wish to be featured in our "Operating in Complex Security Environments" Networking programme, send an email (Subject: SPOTLIGHT Interview) to info@aprodex.com to request the interview questionnaire.

A Spotlight on Complex Security Environments - Interviews with leading companies in the International Security and Risk Management Industry

SPOTLIGHT is a networking initiative focusing on personalities in the International Security and Risk Management industry, and the Companies they run.

Our aim is to gain insight into the developing International Security sector from the perspective of experts, whilst promoting their niche services to a wide audience.

We learn about your company: the services you provide to your clients, and the challenges you face in doing so. We publish interviews via Aprodex in Focus.

The interviews are also your opportunity to reach out to engage in discussion about niche subjects. We invite and encourage stakeholders and interested 3rd parties to pose questions on the interview pages to solicit responses from the experts under the SPOTLIGHT.


To read the Interviews please browse Aprodex in Focus

• Ted Jones, CEO of Northcott Global Solutions "The Arab Spring has shaken up the traditional Corporate Assistance Model"

• Paul C, Director, Xenubis Providing technology to combat global threats – Xenubis stays “Ahead of the curve”.

• Chris Holtom, Founder of the Mars Omega Partnership Ltd Building The Information Picture: Using Software To Determine Your Course Of Action In High Threat Environments

• Tim Crockett, CEO of Pioneer Consulting Group “Maintaining personnel and resources that are ‘ready to go’: Pioneer Consulting Group flourishes in post 9-11 Era”

• Carl David, Director, Principal Risk Solutions
  “An Ethical Approach To Risk Management Will Deliver The Best Results For Clients”

• John Twiss, Chief Operating Officer, IMSA Ltd Establishing credibility and legitimacy in the Martitme Security Industry: IMSA Ltd has been successful by keeping delivery simple.

Registration and Log In required for full access to the Interviews.

Companies who would like to be featured in our "Operating in Complex Security Environments" Networking programme, send an email (Subject: "SPOTLIGHT Interview") to info@aprodex.com to request the interview questionnaire.

Back in the International Security and Risk Management Arena!

Okay, so it has been a long time since we updated this blog, but we after some redesigning and restructuring of the website and the Network in general we are ready to begin posting again!

What have we been up to?

Well, we have continued to grow, which is great - on average, some 300 new Corporate and Individual registrations a month from all over the world, of varying experience and expertise.

In that time the site has undergone some extensive redevelopment to make the platforms we provide more user friendly and interactive.

Our focus has been on YOU, the International Security and Risk Management Specialist. We aim to help you:

• Build your Company Brand
• Mange your Corporate Reputation
• Enhance your on-line Presence
• Reach the International Security & Risk Management Marketplace
• Generate Sales

Information Services and Customised Content
The principal change has involved the creation of an Information Services function. With so much information floating around the ether on the many diverse subjects relating International Security, it is often difficult and time-consuming to visit the sites you need to gain the updates that are of interest and relevant to you.

To jump this hurdle we have organised the Aprodex Network so that information from across the spectrum can be posted and dissemniated through ONE portal. Content aggrogated and then tagged with the Indexed subjects that are relavent, and this in turn generates email digests to Members who have subscribed to receive information about those specific subjects.

Think of it like this - instead of subscribing to, say, 5 monthly publications, all containing content that is not always relevant, you can subscribe to just ONE publication, and choose the subject matter that interests you. You dont have to go looking for it - it comes to you as and when it is posted. How easy is that?!

We have 6 core Services linked to our information Services Network:

• Job Vacancies
• Forum Comments
• Aprodex in Focus blog for Commentary, Opinion and Analysis
• News Items
• Business Leads
• Featured Services and Events

Members can now select any combination of the above, and then any combination of subjects from across the International Security and Risk Management Sector (via our comprehensive Index), in order to be kept up to date with developments and opportunities in their sphere of interest.

Interactive News Desk
The second improvement we have made is to enable registered Members to link their expertise to global security events as they happen, detailing how they can provide solutions to the reported scenarios. This provides you with the ability to demonstrate where your services can assist, and creates a growing awareness of your corporate brand.

Job Vacancies and SKILLSearch
We have reinstated the ability to upload job vacancies - but removed any associated advertising costs! That's right - all your job vacancies can now be advertised for free. Our SKILLSearch function links those vacancies through our Information Services so that we can target Network Members who have annoted on theri Profiles the desired skill sets you are looking for.

Operating in Complex Security Environments
We have also begun a Networking / BD initiative on the theme of "Operating in Complex Security Environments". Our SPOTLIGHT interviews aim to learn about your company, what you do, the challenges you face, and your opinions on the developing sector. The interactive Network enables stakeholders and 3rd parties to pose questions, and gain further insight into capabilities and potential collaboration.

We hope you like our new improved site - let us know, if not!

We'll continue to post developments and hope to work with you to:

a. Build and promote YOUR Brand
b. Help you source relevant, credible expertise for your operations in high risk, complex security environments

The Aprodex Team

Testing the effectiveness of your security team. The Silver Fox – on-site security audit for contract and in-house security teams.

The Security Watchdog run a widely recognised programme of independent on-site penetration audits which are designed to test the effectiveness of security defences and the state of alertness of security teams and officers. This programme is actually sponsored by the SIA and more than fulfils the requirement of ACS companies to test their security operations on site as part of the workbook.

The programme is equally suited to in-house teams as well as those companies that operate a mixture of self-delivered security and sub-contract relationships. The audit programme can be adapted to test different sites in different ways dependent on the nature of the site and assignment instructions.

• It genuinely tests the efficiency of your security defences on a regular basis.
• Our independence underpins the integrity of the audit process.
• Duty Officers in your security team remain alert and focused at all times
• You are able to identify the potential weaknesses in the security operation and remedy them immediately.
• It forms part of your organisation’s wider audit remit for insurance and corporate governance purposes.
• It shows senior management that you are being proactive – rather than reactive – and that you have taken every measure to safeguard the company’s premises.
• The Silver Fox Audit programme is a cost effective means of testing your front line security
• Successful participation in the Silver Fox Award Scheme gives your security team well deserved public recognition for their on-going diligence

Please contact Ewan Tweedie for more information: ewant@securitywatchdog.org.uk

Integrating your defence related functions - a 21st century vision

Corporate defence in the 21st century requires a more eminent role in corporate strategy. It requires a higher priority and profile within the organisation, and a more progressive and proactive approach. It requires a broader stakeholder focus, and a far more comprehensive brief. It requires a strategic re-alignment of defence related activities using both a topdown and bottom-up approach. Ultimately what is needed is a synthesised holistic solution in this area.

So how does an organisation go about addressing all of these issues? All organisations are faced with numerous potential hazards. Examples of these include litigation, fraud, compliance breaches, crime, espionage and natural disasters, to name but a few. These hazards represent not only short term financial risk but knock on reputation risk, not to mention the human implications and costs.

Ultimately all risk has a financial implication, be it on share price or otherwise. These hazards can typically be the result of deficiencies in an organisation’s corporate defence program, whereby these deficiencies were either intentionally or unintentionally exploited. Every organisation is faced with its own unique set of risks, threats and vulnerabilities and this will vary depending on corporate culture of the organisation, the business sector it operates in, and its geographic location etc. As a result, each organisation in turn will take its own unique steps to defend against these potential hazards.

Risk Management’s Role In Corporate Defense

What Does Corporate Defense Mean in Your Organization?

Although the term corporate defense may be somewhat intuitively understood, its precise meaning can vary from individual to individual, and as a result its priority (both from organization to organization, and indeed within an organization) can also vary. Its precise definition can therefore vary depending on the circumstances in which it is applied. Examples of activities which use this term include areas such as legal, security, resilience, compliance, audit and, of course, risk management. Each of these activities shares the common high level objective of attempting to defend the organization, and could be said to represent different lines of defense.

For the time being let us consider corporate defense as representing an organization’s program for self defense or self-protection. By program of self defense we are of course referring to the structures, measures, mechanisms and processes in place within an organization that are aimed at defending the interests of all of its stakeholders. Stakeholders refer to all parties with a vested interest in the organization; this includes not only the traditional stakeholders such as the shareholders, but must include clients, business partners and of course the regulators. Equally importantly, however, is the organization’s line management, and in particular the staff of the organization, a stakeholder very often neglected. Managing corporate defense is therefore an extremely responsible station, as it involves the responsibility for adequately defending the interests of all of the stakeholders of an organization, both in terms of monetary and human implications.

Read Full Report by the Society of Actuaries

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War-gaming and Red-teaming - Alternate Approaches to Threat Assessment

In defence planning, threat assessment is a multi-dimensional process, which includes both passive and interactive approaches to understanding how a particular threat group is likely to evolve.

One tried and successful approach begins with the process of “Red Teaming”. In Red Teaming, an especially skilled team of intelligence staff builds its own plans to assail a piece of critical infrastructure, a military objective or a vital asset. The team executes the full military planning process, basing their plans upon information that is likely to be available to the enemy, and the resources to which the threat group is likely to have access.

Critical to the success of the team is the depth of its knowledge of the tactics, techniques and procedures used by the enemy. They must “be” the aggressor, by understanding intimately how and when he will deploy his forces to achieve his mission. Such a process results in the development of a series of “Threat Courses of Action”, a number of which will be fleshed out to provide fully developed threat profiles. Once both the Red and Blue teams have developed their strategies, the battle is then “war-gamed”. The exercise allows both sides the ability to project how they will act and react as the battle unfolds.

Using the natural competitive spirit between the planning teams, the activity provides a sense of the worst and most likely case options for the development of threat. Such approaches are certainly not failure proof but they do offer a more reliable approach to developing a realistic threat profile.

Such an approach can also work in a corporate environment, for both man-made and natural threats. The parallels are clear in the case of deliberate or man-made threat. Less clear perhaps but just as relevant can be the application of the technique to analyzing threats from natural disasters, accidents or infrastructure and utility failures.

Suitably qualified disaster specialists are assembled to build a sequence of the event using. They build a realistic picture of the onset of the disaster and are able to describe the impacts on the broader environment as well as on the specific critical assets of the business.

Once the threat assessment is complete, the prioritization of assets completed in the Business Impact Analysis is reviewed and compared to the courses of action developed through the threat assessment. Adjustment to the BIA and the prioritization of assets is likely to occur as it becomes apparent that the exploitation of particular threat profiles changes the significance if the assets. Once complete, a vulnerability assessment assists in defining the risk posed by particular events.

Personal Travel Security

Security of personel oversees is now a big issue in the corporate boardroom, but with the usual cry that "security is everyone's concern", individuals should also take responsibilty for their own security, and not leave everything to the employer. Here are some basic tips:

Prior to departure:
Do some research. Familiarize yourself with your destination by speaking to a representative at that country’s local consulate and to people who have been there. Check the travel advisories of the U.S. Department of State and British Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Make a plan. Make sure your company has a written emergency plan so employees, managers, risk consultants, and security agencies are on the same page if anything happens. The International Association of Professional Security Consultants and ASIS International have lists of security consultants. Companies such as Control Risks provide training in crisis management via simulated kidnapping scenarios and DVDs, which some companies include on their employee intranets.

Go shopping. Invest in a jammer for the hotel door (some include an alarm); a passport and cash holder you can wear under your clothes; and a cheap decoy wallet containing a few dollars and some expired credit cards for fooling muggers. Mace offers both pros and cons, so make sure you learn how to use it correctly.

See a doctor: Visit a travel specialist as soon as you get your assignment, as some immunizations have side effects or require a series of shots over time. Purchase global health insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage. Pack a medicine kit for colds, infections, cuts, and gastrointestinal distress. Keep all medications in their original packaging.

After arriving:
Be unpredictable. Vary your daily route, so possible attackers won’t know when you’ll be in a particular place. Have meals in different locations and in well-trafficked areas. Avoid deserted parking lots. When leaving from a garage, don’t open the main door until the car doors are locked and the engine is running.

Create a mobile fortress. Register with the local consulate. Stay at a reputable business hotel or, if that’s a potential target, an exclusive hotel or bed-and-breakfast in a populated, upscale area. If you have to travel around, ask your company to provide a driver trained in defensive techniques, or even an armed guard. Take only licensed taxis called by the hotel. Carry a mobile phone programmed with numbers for local police and embassies.

Blend in. Don’t display signs of wealth or outsider status. Wear low-key clothing; don’t bring fancy luggage or use your business cards as ID tags. Be quiet and respectful and avoid local publicity. Memorize essential foreign words and phrases. Abstain from excessive drinking and other judgment-impairing activities.

Don’t be reckless. If you do get kidnapped or illegally detained, be as respectful and cooperative as possible. If you’re fluent in the local language, don’t let on; eavesdropping is a good way to learn important information.