It will include an assessment of reputational risks, such as corruption, and the activities of single-issue extremist or other pressure groups. Where your organisation is looking to establish itself in new markets around the world, we will provide you with an evaluation of the current cultural, social and religious issues affecting a particular country, as well as an assessment of its economic and political stability.

Security Surveys & Audits

Through a thorough survey or audit we will present a realistic and holistic analysis of your current security strengths and weaknesses, giving prioritised recommendations on realistic and best-practice mitigation measures. We provide advice on design, physical and procedural measures, personnel, technical systems and IT implications. We will review the handling of information, test IT defences and ensure that your communications systems are capable of withstanding the myriad threats and assaults to which they can be subjected on a daily basis.

Impact analysis

Having assessed the risks against the agreed threats to your organisation, we also carry out an impact analysis to determine what level of damage and disruption would be caused should any of the identified risks actually materialise.

Planning

Scott Owen Associates in-depth Planning covers all the elements required, from design, training and the provision of personnel, through to the installation of technical systems and the procurement of specialist equipment.

Security Planning

Following a risk assessment or security audit, we help you to plan appropriate security measures. A key feature of our approach is to achieve integration between personnel, technical elements and procedures, to ensure that your overall security strategy is robust and works when required.

Contingency Planning

Developing contingency plans to cover potential crises is now recognised as essential business practice and common sense. From terrorism and criminality, through political instability and strife to natural disasters, experience has shown time and again that organisations that establish clear and effective contingency and recovery plans not only survive but actually improve their market position when a crisis hits.

Plans seldom survive intact when tested in an emergency, especially in extremes and when susceptible to human error. Scott Owen Associates partners clients in delivering robust plans that are meticulous in their detail and broad in their vision. We help you to break down often difficult and complex problems and develop clear, easy-to-understand plans that will perform when you need them.

Building on assessment and analysis of the risks, our contingency plans are thoroughly tested to handle any crises. These may include: kidnap and ransom, emergency and medical evacuation, extortion, disaster recovery, and business continuity.

Where plans exist, Scott Owen Associates can review and audit them. Where none exists, Scott Owen will work with you to develop best-practice solutions.

In parallel with developing detailed, robust plans, Scott Owen will provide training and education to the personnel who will be required to implement and manage these plans during a crisis.

Testing and training

Once a clear plan has been established, it needs to be tested to ensure it will stand up to a potential threat and the rigours of demanding operational environments.

Thorough testing can highlight any unforeseen circumstances and allow additional measures to be put in place, if required. But circumstances change, and vital to any plan is regular re-evaluation testing. Scott Owen Associates can plan and manage your re-evaluation testing and training programmes, to ensure that your plans remain relevant and up-to-date and that your crisis management team are confident and competent in their roles.