The ASIS Communications team recently posted in ASIS Connects asking members for insights on how to manage possible civil unrest surrounding the U.S. elections. See their responses below:
“Plans should account for any type of unrest, no matter the cause. We are not planning for specific US election unrest. Our programs are focused on protecting our most valuable assets. That includes our buildings, machines/equipment, intellectual property, brand, etc., but our most valuable are our people. Our strategy is to provide resources (policies, training, informational documents, and tools) to our employees to ensure their awareness of the potential threats and the recommended best response actions to those threats, hopefully avoiding the threat all together in the beginning but if they find themselves caught up in a potentially dangerous situation, how to extricate themselves as quickly as possible and what actions to take after. Our desire is to keep things as simple as possible, so employees don't have to think too much during a specific incident. They can just react fast and instinctively, because avoidance and quick thinking in the moment is key to staying safe.” - Frazier Thompson, CPP, CSO Center Member
“Our organization has been planning for potential impacts for over a year. As an NGO operating in a politically sensitive environment, we recognize that political discussions and discourse are critical aspects of our work. In preparation, we have updated our emergency and facility security plans to ensure the safety of our offices. We have enhanced security measures and provided both in-person and virtual training for staff on important topics, including office security procedures, situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, and incident response. Additionally, we have improved our incident reporting procedures, established an employee mass communication system, and formed crisis response management team to ensure prompt and effective action during emergencies. We are also collaborating with our leadership to design contingency plans that will allow us to maintain our service delivery in the event of civil unrest.” - Todd Bonds CPP
Steve Lisle shared his key takeaways from a recent discussion between senior security executives:
“1. Establish Clear Policies: Organizations should implement or remind employees of policies that allow for disciplinary action against confrontational or aggressive behavior, possibly incorporating this into a broader code of conduct.
2.Proactive Employee Training: Regular training sessions are essential for preparing employees to recognize potential threats and navigate politically sensitive conversations effectively.
3.Crisis Management Tabletop Exercises: Conducting tabletop exercises helps organizations simulate various scenarios to refine their response strategies and enhance preparedness.
- Proactively Arrange for Security: Securing personnel in advance minimizes last-minute costs and ensures the right type of security professionals are available to handle potentially stressful situations.
- Utilize Monitoring Tools: Tools like Microsoft's Communication Compliance can track keywords and conversations across communication platforms, helping organizations stay ahead of potential disruptions.
- Rerun Background Checks: Regularly updating background checks on employees can help organizations identify any new risks leading up to significant events like elections.
- Guide Leadership Communication: It is important to assist senior leaders in making informed comments on political issues to prevent damaging statements and maintain a positive corporate image.”
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