Why security programs should include employee travel

Travel is a reality of modern business. Whether it is for a trade show, quarterly conference, or business development, it is a part of operating a business. When going on a business trip, everyone knows how to book a flight, check into a hotel, and get a rental car. However, most businesses are neglecting one of the most essential parts of planning any trip: accounting for risk. All domestic and international travel inherently carries risk. Around 80 percent of businesses have reported having to change travel plans due to unforeseen security-related incidents. In an SOS survey, more than half of the 1,200 security professionals surveyed believed travel threats will increase over the coming decade.

What is a Travel Risk Assessment?

How can you and your business properly account for risk? A travel risk assessment is the best way to proactively prepare for the risks and threats of travel. During an assessment, a security professional will holistically examine your entire travel planning process. The professional will identify risks unique to both the destination and your specific business objectives. Once the entire threat landscape is mapped, the professional will provide your business with a detailed report of the risks posed to travelers. In addition to the report, you will receive tailored strategies and resources to ensure that travelers can stay out of danger and proactively respond to unsafe situations.

A travel risk assessment may seem like overkill for a lot of businesses, but that could not be further from the truth. Dangerous situations can arise anywhere, even in destinations that are traditionally believed to be safe. The city of Hong Kong is a hub of international trade and business. Billions of dollars are trade flow in and out of Hong Kong every year and many international companies have offices there. It is a popular destination for business travelers and one that is traditionally considered to be low-risk.

Political unrest in Hong Kong has temporarily made it an unsafe destination. Many did not see this coming and many were not prepared to react until events were already in motion. During the protests, the entire transit system was shut down, bringing the city to a standstill. Even those who wished to leave could not, as all flights in and out of Hong Kong were grounded for days. Protests are typically unplanned and spring up seemingly at random. Clashes between protestors and police have turned deadly. An unprepared traveler could find themselves stranded and unable to safely move around the city. Even worse, they may not even be able to leave the city at all.

Why is a Travel Security Risk Assessment so Important?

An assessment won’t predict when something will happen, but it will certainly plan for it.  An assessment conducted prior to the travel above would have detailed exact response from employees caught in this situation.  More importantly an  assessment would have identified the risks and threats associated with all threats and helped mitigate unsafe situations. A cancelled or adjusted trip is a small price to pay for the safety of you and your employees.

Even as security professionals predict that travel will get riskier, many companies still lack strategies to mitigate travel-related risks. Seventy-nine percent of companies leave travel security up to the individual traveler, who is unlikely to be qualified to assess risk. This is where a third-party security consulting firms like Freedom Consulting, LLC can come in. Freedom Consulting, LLC leverages its experience in security services and secure travels all over the world in order to make your business travels safer.