EventPRO

The ICSS unveils its SSI Model as a basis for major sporting event security, safety and integrity management

 2012-10-23, SOCCEREX African Forum, Durban, South Africa

The SOCCEREX African Forum was recently held in Durban. The event seeks to bring together the leading decision makers in African football together with their counterparts and businesses from around the world for two days of unrivalled learning, networking and business opportunities.

The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) was a sponsor of the event and also presented a Security, Safety and Integrity (SSI) Model^TM, which may well be the first of its kind to act as an industry standard for planning and managing the SSI aspects of major sporting events.

With every major sporting event – from a FIFA World Cup to a Summer Olympics – each host nation tends to re-invent the wheel to determine their security strategy for their particular sporting event as well as the concept- and operational plans to execute it.

Whether a nation is in the bidding phase or has been awarded a major sporting event, the ICSS constantly hears the questions; “What reference documents are available?” and “Where do we start?”  The ICSS has taken these questions seriously and developed such a model.

The most common ‘reference documents’ that one might find are individual security plans (conceptual, operational or both) from some previous event.  Due to the absence of a “base line” security planning model, it would however not be clear whether all security plans had been obtained, if they are integrated, possess quality content and cover the entire life cycle of the major sporting event.

It is quite clear that security planning for major sporting events can still be flawed in this modern day and age even with all the expertise and technology available to us.  Take the recent 2012 London Olympics as an example.  Although the British have pulled off an amazing feat, they experienced their fair share of challenges, the most exasperating and most publicised one being the poor delivery of private security services for the Games.

There is no ’one size fits all’ to arranging security for major events, but there are however basic principles that must be understood and managed effectively.  These basic principles are as follows:

 •One must understand the various dimensions that comprise the life cycle of a major sporting event, and where one is positioned in that life cycle at any given point in time
 •One must understand what the requirements are for each dimension of the life cycle
 •Consult, track, monitor, report and communicate with key stakeholders
 •Timing is everything

In order to improve security planning for major sporting events it seems there is a need for a reliable ‘reference document’.  A ‘reference document’ that exhibits the following characteristics:

 •Provides the industry with a STANDARD to base its security plans on
 •Is FLEXIBLE to accommodate unique dynamics
 •Ensures CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
 •Ensures a DYNAMIC and ROBUST model
 •OPTIMISES security plans and operations
•Whilst MINIMISING re-work & security costs
 •Ensuring LEGACY for the Host Nation in general and the respective Sport Sector specifically

In its aspiration to ascribe to the above characteristics the ICSS has developed such a ‘reference document’.  A ‘reference document’ that is based on harvesting the most vital knowledge and lessons learnt from previous major sporting events – both tacit and explicit, extracted by means of research and consultation of major sport event experts.  This has led to the development of the ICSS Security, Safety & Integrity (SSI) Model^TM.

The SSI Model^TM serves as a master guide for the security planning of major sporting events. It consists of an SSI Framework that covers all eight dimensions of an event life cycle and an SSI Concept that addresses the entire suite of security functions that have to be managed during the Preparation- and Operations Phases to ensure a holistic and integrated security plan.

This brings us to the other question one hears so often; “Where do we start?”

The SSI Model^TM Framework covers all eight dimensions of a major sporting event life cycle, whether one is planning to bid for a major sporting event or has already been awarded the hosting rights.  The eight dimensions are briefly as follows:

1.        Due Diligence

Action: This is where it all ‘starts’.  It basically entails researching of all relevant contracts, sport regulations, legislation and event history, vetting of staff and service providers, as well as an in-depth risk analysis based on National-, Regional- and International risks , integrated between the bid / organizing committee and the government. 

Outcome: Discovery and awareness of the opportunities and threats

2.      Strategy

Action: This entails the development of an SSI strategy for the event, an SSI concept indicating WHAT SSI services will be provided, any legislation that may be required to be developed pro-actively in support of the event and specifically to indicate any security service exclusions.

Outcome: A clear Direction for providing SSI services. 

 3.        Planning

Action: This entails the structuring of the organizing committee’s security department and specifically the Joint Security Coordinating Committee with all relevant stakeholders, development of support services plans, concept plans (WHAT will be provided) for each of the SSI services required, as well as the eventual operational plans (HOW the SSI services will be provided), development of the organizing committee’s own internal SSI policies, procedures and services, development of an SSI Communications Strategy, as well as the SSI budget.  It is also vital at this early stage to ensure an accurate SSI needs analysis to base tenders and contracts on as well as to compile a Testing Plan and a Legacy Plan.

Outcome: A robust Design for quality SSI services.

 4.      Implementation

Action: The core aspects to be managed successfully in this dimension are Staffing, Procurement and Contracting, Construction (permanent physical facilities and temporary overlay), Signage, Running Orders and Training.

Outcome: A smooth Deployment.

 5.      Testing

Action: This is a critical dimension that requires the organising committee to test its readiness to host the event.  The core aspects of this dimension include the early development of a Testing Plan, early finalization of all Agreements with test venues, Communication of the Testing Plan, Budgeting, Preparation of the Team, Testing Logistics, Deployment Plan, Debriefing and Revision of plans, policies, procedures & training in preparation of the main event.

Outcome: Valuable Diagnostics.

6.     Execution

Action: This is the moment of truth. The core aspects to be covered in this dimension are the Hand-Over of Facilities, Deployment of Personnel and Equipment, SSI Operations Management and the Main Operations Centre (MOC).

Outcome: Successful Delivery.

7.      Close Out

Action: After every event the organising committee attempts to close down its operations as soon as possible. 
Outcome: A smooth Departure.

8.      Legacy

Action: Each event offers government security forces, the sport code involved and the sport facilities involved in hosting the event the opportunity to equip themselves with the most recent technology, equipment, training and experience to plough into the SSI services of future events or general public security and safety.  This is why it is imperative to pro-actively approve a Legacy Plan that ensures this can happen in a sustainable manner. 

Outcome: Future Development. 

In order to ensure that the SSI Model^TM conforms to the requirements of being dynamic, flexible and robust, the major sporting event life cycle has to be professionally project managed.   The application of research and expert knowledge by the ICSS on a continuous basis ensures that the model is continuously improved and remains relevant.

As far as the SSI Model^TM Concept is concerned, it covers all the SSI Operations required for any major sporting event.  The key SSI Operations are as follows:

•Inter-agency Security 

•Venue Security and Safety (including Fan Zones)

•Security Technology 

•Cyber Security 

•Close Protection 

•Logistics Security 

•Hotel Security 

•Transit Security 

•Sport Integrity 

•Ticketing Security 

•Accreditation 

•Government Security and Safety

The core knowledge required to inform the above aspects, ensure that they are addressed comprehensively and integrated effectively resides in the expertise of the right people, as well as recording cumulative knowledge in an accessible knowledge portal.  This is one of the core strengths of the ICSS.

In an attempt to minimise the risk of unnecessary mistakes, wasted time and fruitless expenditure the ICSS is able to offer the SSI Model^TM as a baseline from which bidding- and host nations, sporting bodies and sport venues alike can start to track, monitor and compare their sport security, safety and integrity planning.

The SSI Model^TM is ultimately a common sense model that can help major sporting event security experts ensure that SSI plans are developed and managed effectively, and the ICSS hopes that this model will assist in making common sense a common practice for all major sporting events in the future!