Considerations for the sector after a raised national terror threat

By CEO, Peter McDonald

Sadly, last week Australia’s general terrorism threat level was increased to ‘probable’. In laymen’s terms, this means that there is a greater than fifty per cent chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next twelve months.

I’m not one for sensationalism, so by no means do I want to exaggerate this change in status. But given Australian National Security advises that “The most likely location for a terrorist attack in Australia is a crowded place, in a major city” and a ‘crowded place’ may – as opposed to definitively or solely – be “specific events”, I think we’d be wise to consider ourselves forewarned.

So, what considerations does a raised terror threat bring for the event sector?

I expect that the workings of the mind of someone motivated to commit a terror act would be highly unfamiliar to most people. But such people co-exist with the rest of us, and their potential behaviour requires that we be more mindful of the implications of our own decisions.

Some of the following may seem superfluous thinking for some events, but it would be a brave person who categorically determined their event being “no-risk” of attack, given how foreign the terror mindset is to the majority of us.

I suggest industry businesses contemplate their security measures, risk assessment and planning processes, communication strategies, possible event modifications, insurances and liabilities, team training and drill plans, and approaches to PR and reputation management.

More security staff may be required, including possibly specialised teams trained in counterterrorism. It could be worthwhile undertaking bag searches or even though extreme, doing metal detector scans. Increased use of CCTV, drones, and other surveillance technologies to monitor the event space – hindsight intelligence the Butler, Pennsylvania Donald Trump Republican rally event organisers might wish they had had in advance – could prove a tell all. Even simple, more stringent control of entry and exit points, with potential restrictions on who can enter certain areas might be the difference between an incident-free event and tragedy.

Continuous monitoring of intelligence reports and threat assessments specific to the event, development or enhancement of emergency evacuation and lockdown procedures, and close collaboration with local law enforcement, emergency services, and possibly national security agencies could prove prudent.

As with every aspect of life, effective communication is crucial. Ensuring all attendees are informed about security procedures, potential risks, and what to do in an emergency, and an at-the-ready actionable plan for how to quickly and clearly communicate with attendees, media, and the public in the event of an incident is a must.

Possible modifications to think about include holding the event in a more secure or less exposed location, limiting registration numbers to make security management more feasible or, in the most extreme cases, postponing or cancelling it.

Reviewing insurance policies is always a smart thing to do, but even more so now. Ensure that your event policy covers acts of terrorism and includes potential cancellations or losses. Be astute to legal implications of security measures, attendee safety, and the event's overall risk profile.

Fortunate to live in this wonderful country as we are, has the team possibly become complacent to the potential of a terror act? All event staff may require refresher or additional training on how to handle terror-related incidents. Running drills or simulations to prepare for various threat scenarios could ultimately prove the difference between life and death.

Providing information and reassurance to attendees regarding the measures in place for their safety, and balancing security measures with the overall experience to avoid creating unnecessary fear or panic will be beneficial for most optimally managing your reputation.

Whilst a raised terror threat requires a comprehensive, proactive approach to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the event, we can’t forget that we’re responsible for delivering memorable experiences and maintaining a positive atmosphere. As an industry we’re adept in the trick of smoke and mirrors, but we need to be mindful of time and place and priority. We can’t live in fear and I’m not encouraging anyone to start doing that, but as the government is encouraging more vigilance for group gathering situations, for now at least, a little more awareness of reality over the magic might best serve the greater good in the longer term.

Any observed suspicious activity should be immediately reported to the National Security Hotline by calling 1800 123 400.