In the wake of this week’s terrorist attacks in Brussels, travel security specialist Anvil’s head of political risk and analysis Joe Frederick gives his tips on how to keep travellers safe
For international companies and their travellers, this week’s attacks illustrate the terror risks against soft targets.
Travelling employees can take the following recommendations to mitigate the impact that such a threat poses:
- Stay well-informed of the security environment and the threats, both current and future, and maintain heightened awareness
- Monitor local media or use an intelligence alert service to keep apprised of any regional and local developments that may impact travel and operations
- Maintain high levels of situational awareness and stay away from all suspicious objects, vehicles and persons. Report these to the respective authorities
- When travelling, do not leave luggage unattended
- Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you frequent. Plan in advance how to get out of a building, subway, congested public area or traffic
- Establish and practice communication protocols with your crisis management team and operational hosts
- Contact numbers for the appropriate embassy or consulate should be carried, and in the event of an incident, travellers should check-in both work and with the appropriate government
- During off-duty periods, employees are advised to maintain the same level of situational awareness and risk mitigation protocols
- Heed the advice and directives of police officers and other security personnel