| Once in country, review the security and access of | | | | place of business, it has to be a joint effort by all staff |
| the buildings that are being utilized as your place of | | | | members. Security measures and policies should be |
| business. The security review should be based on the | | | | implemented with proper actions to take in the event |
| location, type of business, employee access, culture | | | | of an emergency. Upgrade the overall security |
| and potential threats. Knowledge of your assigned | | | | program by taking a few sensible precautions. |
| place of business is a must for security precautions | | | | Stage 1 |
| and anti-kidnapping actions. Check the security of the | | | | Review and update the current office security |
| area, and find out who is responsible for security within | | | | procedures. Include a physical security plan and a |
| your work environment and whether or not security is | | | | kidnap prevention plan. |
| visible. Look to see if there is a single point of access | | | | Stage 2 |
| to the building or if there are multiple unguarded or | | | | Conduct a threat assessment of the office to identify |
| unlocked access points. | | | | physical security areas of concern and security policies |
| In a perfect world your place of business would have | | | | and procedures that may need to be established or |
| security arrangements consisting of layered and | | | | reorganized. |
| complementary security systems sufficient to deter | | | | 1. Positive control over access to the building |
| and detect potential kidnappers. This would include tall | | | | 2. Visitor access control procedures |
| perimeter fences, high employee and visitor access | | | | 3. Gate guards who act as the first line of defense |
| controls, the use of intruder alarm systems, | | | | inspecting persons, their property and vehicles at entry |
| closed-circuit video monitoring and random guard | | | | and exit points of the building |
| patrols throughout the building. However, after the initial | | | | 4. Recognize the warning signs of a kidnap situation. |
| check you will most likely find the existing | | | | 5. Proactive measures to prevent a kidnap situation |
| arrangements to be wanting. Try to make the best of | | | | from occurring. Guards that are posted outside the |
| your predicament. Take control of what you can | | | | building should be trained to observe the departure of |
| control, and improve it the best you can. | | | | employees and note and report any attempt at |
| If you are issued a portable radio, make sure you | | | | surveillance. |
| know how it works and how to keep it operational. | | | | Stage 3 |
| Know the list of call signs at your place of business. | | | | Have a conference that should be attended by all |
| Obtain contact and emergency numbers and | | | | staff members to implement the new security policies |
| addresses, and keep the list current. Keep a cellular | | | | and procedures. This should include written policy that |
| telephone at hand when you're at your place of | | | | covers general physical security and staff protection. |
| business. Emergency contact numbers should include | | | | Stage 4 |
| those of the: | | | | Implement the new security policies and measures as |
| Embassy | | | | standard operating procedures for all staff members |
| Security personnel | | | | to follow. |
| Local police | | | | Parking |
| Comprehensive medical and ambulance. | | | | Senior executives warrant their own parking spots that |
| Developing good relationships with security can go a | | | | are typically very close to their offices, which draws |
| long way towards keeping you safe from kidnapping | | | | attention to themselves and their importance. |
| while at your in-country place of business. Ensure that | | | | Therefore, you should not use a designated parking |
| security personnel identify any strangers who are | | | | space. You should park in an unmarked parking space |
| loitering within your in-country place of business. Also, | | | | and rotate where you park your vehicle. |
| instruct security to request identification from service | | | | Business Profile |
| or utility workers. | | | | Be as anonymous as possible and maintain a low |
| Do not allow visitors to be alone within your in-country | | | | business profile. Do not appear in the community |
| place of business. Do not allow unauthorized personnel | | | | pages, business journals or expatriate newsletters. |
| access to these critical areas of the building. Be sure | | | | Don't let your name be listed in business registers, |
| security provides an escort at all times. Be aware of | | | | associations, chambers of commerce or embassy |
| your surroundings, and report anything out of the | | | | function literature. Do not make statements to the |
| ordinary to authorities. Be educated and aware of the | | | | press, stay out of newspapers, and do not appear on |
| potential threat. | | | | television. Keep safe out there and God Speed. |
| In order to have an effective security program at your | | | | |