Sports Team – Security Threat Consideration

I spent two years in Pakistan as Country Security Risk Manager for one of the world’s largest oil and gas service provider based in Islamabad. One can never under value the significant learnings when conducting operations in a dynamic and hugely complex environment, considering the constant shifts in the security risk levels as a result of political decisions and security related incidences. This would at times affect the “Country Alert State” for clients followed by security advice.

Pakistan risk levels are assessed as High (-12.2 out of -25) on recent findings using a Country Security
Risk Assessment System where quantitative and qualitative data is crossed referenced by senior analysts and experienced global security consultants to ensure the threat and risk levels matched trends on the ground. It is important to measure all security elements (including political, terrorism, travel, operational and security risks) within the threat landscape so as to adjust the ratings accordingly. If no adjustments are made as a result of misinterpretation of those risks, then this gives rise to vulnerabilities for an organisation: and extremists and criminal elements become adept at spotting weaknesses within a security structure. These can invariably lead to fatalities, injuries and a loss of business caused by a sophisticated, well-funded, well-organised and sometimes complex attacks (using more than one item for the attack; ie improvised explosive devices (IED) combined with AK47’s and grenades etc).

When trying to improve security outcomes, it’s important to meet with the citizens and law enforcement of the local communities. They are a great source of free information if you apply a hearts and mind approach. They effectively become allies to your broader security cause. More often than not this is a usual first step for current and former Special Forces personnel and the Private Security world, but for individuals and companies, operating on their own, getting the locals on side is an often overlooked practice and it can lead to unfortunate consequences; either loss of life or some form of reputational damage. It is important to get the lay of the land early and trust your human instincts about the environment and people you deal with (what feels right and comfortable – developing and trusting your sixth sense). Occasionally this means engaging a local (preferably former Military officer, Non-Commissioned Officer and law enforcement Officer – referred to you by the state) that understand the environment and is able to interpret it in the way in which promotes safe operations.

Once you have established the country and area risk levels and rating, the next step, as in the case of a tour by the New Zealand Cricket Team, is to establish what additional support is required by the host nation and respective private security companies to achieve acceptable levels of control that match or exceed the organizational threshold and that is line with a security management plan or minimum standards. This is known as the risk-based approach, a common term in today’s modern security industry.

Not long ago I stood in an underground bunker, under a safe house controlled by the US Military and listened to the mission breakdown about the hunt for Bin Laden. The US conducted it without Pakistan consent or knowledge. This applied significant Political pressure on an already frail relationship, knowing full well that they needed each other to combat the growing influence of the Taliban, ISIS in the region who used Pakistan as a base to launch attacks against the western led Coalition in Afghanistan. The attack on Bin Laden, headed by a team of CIA agents, brought an anticipated response from ISI (Pakistan Secrete Intelligence Service). This led to ongoing suspicion of other foreign nations and begun to question if other countries had intelligence personnel operating within its borders. It would be fair to say that all foreigners are now treated with suspicion which presents new challenges for any security risk management companies. Anyone venturing into Pakistan such as sports teams or businesspeople need to bear that in mind because of these suspicions, reliance on government co-operation whilst seemingly enthusiastically given, might not always be as reliable as an independent body familiar with the local environment.

My suggestion is that if a Cricket match is to go ahead then it’s vitally important to conduct a comprehensive threat and risk assessment of the current political state of Pakistan, past and current shifts in the security operating environment. After establishing minimum security standards, request state support for the pre-match visits and also ensure this is in place during the tour. A cricket match would be hugely significant for the game internationally and for the country as whole (so a majority of the public would be on board), but it will come with its inherent challenges on the security front, particularly if extremists saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate to the west (not just NZ) that they can still create havoc as and when it wants. The Taliban have long memories and understand New Zealand’s role with the Coalition in Afghanistan some years ago and could use this as an opportunity for payback if a soft target presented itself.