Hotel Security: Time for some security housekeeping
According to FIRST Security’s GM Strategic Accounts, Brian Switalla, as hotels emerge from COVID-19 and as tourists start to dip their toes into international waters, now is an opportune time for hotel operators to tick a few security boxes.
Less than two months ago, Al-Shabab militants stormed a hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, which led to a 30 hour siege and a firefight with local security forces. The militants took over the site using car bombs and automatic weapons. 21 people died in the attack, with 117 people injured, 15 critically.
Hotels and restaurants are frequent terrorist targets in Mogadishu, but thankfully New Zealand’s hotels are in a relatively benign setting in terms of the security threats they face. Since the onset of COVID-19, the most newsworthy threats faced by our hotels have been in relation to Managed Isolation and Quarantine absconders.
FIRST Security is proud to have played a key role in in the security of MIQ hotels prior to the phased winding down of MIQ earlier this year. The several hundred FIRST Security officers deployed to these hotels played an important role in keeping our communities safe during the most threatening phases of the pandemic.
But, as the world’s borders slowly open and people start to again think about travelling internationally, what are the security risks that you should be planning for and mitigating against?
Take stock of your security
The last couple of years have been a bit of a whirlwind. Faced with the unprecedented challenges thrown up by COVID, the hospitality operators have had to adapt quickly to the changing circumstances. The rush to more agile approaches to change and more flexible approaches to work have, however, introduced risks.
Having quickly onboarded new vendors, contractors, and point solutions to fill immediate needs, hotel operators have introduced a range of potential vulnerabilities into their organisations. Reviewing recent changes and conducting a vulnerability assessment is a worthwhile step to take in order to identify where the weaknesses are and put in place measures to strengthen them.
Hotels are ‘crowded places’
In 2020, New Zealand Police released Protecting Our Crowded Places from Attack: New Zealand’s Strategy. The strategy introduces a number of helpful guidelines and tools to assist owners and operators of crowded places reduce the chance of an attack occurring and lessen its consequences, and to better understand how to deter, detect, delay and respond to an attack.
A ‘crowded place’ is any location that large numbers of people access easily and predictably, such as schools, shopping centres, places of worship, entertainment venues, and hotels. These places can be particularly attractive to attackers because of their often-symbolic nature and because of the potential harm they can inflict.
Terrorist attacks aren’t generally what tourists to New Zealand are expecting, but at the same time we are never immune from it. The NZ Police’s crowded places strategy includes some very helpful self-assessment resources, and I recommend that you consider working through these or seeking professional security assistance to work through these with you.
The human touch
Along with CCTV, gates, doors, and alarm systems, security guards are among the myriad security measures available to hotels. Security staff are a valuable part of an overall security solution.
A key feature that sets security staff apart from other security measures is that they are human. As my colleague Steve Sullivan pointed out in a previous blog, this means that they can carry out any number of roles, “from patrolling to bag searches, VIP escorts to identity checks, CCTV monitoring to detecting behavioural red flags.” Their role can also extend to reception, concierge, and wayfinding services, and just generally making visitors feel safe and looked after.
Faced with an unfolding security incident or a sudden threat, a well trained and experienced security officer will make the right decisions quickly. Faced with a distressed patron, an experienced officer will know how to engage and diffuse. Visible and well turned out security personnel provide reassurance to guests and deterrence against crime and antisocial behaviours.
How we can help
How is your business preparing for the return of international tourism? With tourist numbers slowly set to increase, now is a good time to be reviewing your security and safety arrangements.
FIRST Security has an extensive track record of helping businesses to protect their staff, visitors, and property. If you’d like to discuss how to keep your people safe, feel free to get in touch with us.
