Security Expert Shares Tips for Female Business Travellers

Women traveling for business is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the travel industry – but research by the Global Business Travel Association showed that just 18% of corporate travel and business security policies address safety and security concerns specific to women. As a security expert and a leader in the business security industry, it’s vital to raise awareness of this industry and empower women with the knowledge to increase their safety while traveling for work.

Know the risks and be a hard target

As a female business traveler, the unfortunate reality is that you are at much higher risk than male counterparts – especially when traveling alone. Dangers include sexual harassment and sexual assault, kidnapping, destination-specific gender norms, muggings, and even gender-specific health risks. Security experts know that it’s important to be aware of these risks and actively take all the steps you can to manage risk effectively, including addressing concerns with their company, getting advice from a business security specialist, or taking steps to enhance personal safety.

Choosing a hotel room

One of the main concerns for female business travelers is the security of their hotel room. Business security experts recommend that you specify a room on the third floor or higher to prevent access from the outside, and to ensure that there are double locks on the internal doors. The hotel should also have 24-hour onsite security. Read up on the hotel options on online review boards to ensure you are aware of the location and security of the hotel, whether it’s foreign or domestic.

Research your destination

If you are unfamiliar with your destination, take some time to read up about it online, specifically focusing on safety and security in the area.  Security industry research advises that you get to know the local culture as it relates to women, hotspots for protest action and opportunistic crimes like muggings, no-go zones for tourists and safe modes of transportation.

Ensure your business provides registered, chauffeured ground transportation

Getting to and from business meetings and hotels is a challenge even in the best circumstances, but it carries additional risks for female business travelers, according to the security industry. Driving alone, late at night, through unfamiliar streets or to unfamiliar addresses is high-risk for personal security and should be avoided. Uber and other ride-sharing tech are incredibly useful and widespread throughout the world but still comes with security risks. If you do use these services, try to avoid traveling alone whenever possible and make sure that your driver and the car is the correct one according to the app.

Of course, as security experts know, there is only so much that female business travelers can do on their own to reduce these personal security risks – it is essential that companies and business security partners come together to develop effective policies to safeguard employees traveling for work purposes. There’s a lot more the security industry and private organizations can do. 

Video Security Systems for Safe, Smart Cities

Smart cities are the future of urban living in this advanced digital age. Using the Internet of Things and high-tech sensors and data analysis, cities are moving towards a time where detailed data can be collected and put to work enhancing the efficiency of the entire environment. So, how can advanced video security systems play a role in this new era of corporate security and home security? 

Reduction of crime and improved public safety 

Every city has areas where crime is a problem, whether it’s hijackings, drug dealing, robberies of homes and local businesses, muggings, prostitution or other violent crimes. High-quality video security systems have proven themselves incredibly effective in reducing crime as well as successfully prosecuting criminals when they’re applied as part of corporate security or home security system – and the same benefits can be applied in the case of smart cities. Much of this technology already exists and can be linked to solar powered systems to ensure that surveillance can occur without increasing pressure on the grid as well as in the event of a blackout. 

Support limited police manpower 

Whether a large city or small, there are frequently occasions where there just aren’t enough personnel to put into the field to properly police an urban area. Video security systems can help mitigate this challenge in a smart city environment in addition to supporting home security and corporate security. Strategically positioned video cameras can record data from multiple locations that are streamed directly to a single member of the police (or a team), resulting in police being able to do more work more efficiently. Another example is using video surveillance that includes additional tech to send automatic, real-time alerts to police, one example of which is gunshot detection. Drones may play a role here too, as police can send them to confirm a situation and record critical information or even tail a suspect while officers are on their way. 

Improved town planning and infrastructure 

Video security systems can also deliver huge volumes of data that are not security-related but that can help improve the lives of people within a smart city. By better understanding traffic flow, pedestrian flow and how people move around the city, better transportation strategies can be developed. Traffic bottlenecks and problems can be quickly detected, and the information passed on to people so that they can make use of alternative routes. Alerts can be sent out when a large event is occurring in the city such as a marathon, concert or cycling race so that citizens are aware of route closures and potential traffic. 

While video security systems offer a lot of benefits, it’s always important to consider the risks as well, especially those relating to privacy and the potential misuse of this technology. In implementing these solutions, an ethical and trustworthy specialist in corporate security and home security is essential. 

Security Systems – Keeping Employees Safe on the Job

When most people think of business security systems, they think of preventing theft, burglary, or arson – but the reality is that these systems are also in place to keep employees safe in the workplace. Here are some insights into this important aspect of business security, as a leading security specialist. 

Physical threats employees can face in the workplace

It’s important that employees feel safe and secure while at work in order to be able to focus on the job at hand. Unfortunately, physical threats can and do occur, including: 

• Actions by disgruntled employees, former employees or customers 
• Vandalism 
• Theft 
• Active shooters 
• Dangerous events such as fire, the release of toxic chemicals, physical hazards, etc. 

As a business owner, your priority is to keep your people safe and prevent any threats where possible – and that means evaluating your business for vulnerabilities and putting in place expert, rapid-response security systems.

From policy to business security systems – The steps you can take to a safe workplace

• Step One: Follow national and state regulations for safety and security in the workplace. These will include policies on providing safety training, maintenance for your premises and equipment, regulations for work sites, the development of emergency response plans and ensuring that adequate first aid kits and training are available.

• Step Two: Develop emergency procedures and train your staff. This involves the development of emergency procedures unique to your premises, your industry and the potential threat. Employees should then be trained on how to respond in the event of this threat occurring and leaders should be appointed to organize and coordinate staff. This is not a one-size-fits-all plan – the response plan for a fire is going to be very different from the response plan to a shooter, for example.

• Step Three: Get your staff involved. This is not about a corporate policy that is implemented without the input or involvement of all your staff – its success depends on each person getting involved and taking on a responsible role. This means holding safety meetings with your staff and security specialist, getting feedback from employees and allowing employees to report concerns, even anonymously.

• Step Four: Install custom business security systems. Each business and industry have their own unique security concerns, and it’s, therefore, critical to have a solution that’s based on a comprehensive audit by a security specialist. This will ensure that all vulnerabilities are identified and effectively managed, from permitter security and access points to video surveillance, motion sensors, panic buttons, fire detection, and emergency response systems. Security systems in an organization should work together seamlessly, from the security guards and patrols to the CCTV systems and controlled entry systems.

Businesses and their employees rely on having a safe and secure work environment. Ensure that your staff is properly protected at work so that they can focus on their productivity by having a comprehensive consultation with a proven business security specialist.