International SOS focuses on emerging security challenges as lockdown eases

James Bird, security director for intelligence and operations at International SOS, commented: “Up to 75% of our security cases have been COVID-19 situation-related in recent months, with total cases rising to double the amount we would normally expect to see each month. Locations previously considered low security risk are now experiencing new emerging risks. Many countries will also find that the pandemic environment exacerbates underlying or pre-existing security concerns. These are notably associated with economic inequality and political polarisation, which will fuel second-order security consequences.”

Bird added: “It’s clear that security teams will play a critical role when transitioning to a ‘new normal’ workplace as lockdown measures in many nations start to be relaxed. Visibility of the new security status in the current environment will be vital for the return to safe and sustainable operations.”

The three emerging security challenges are as follows:

Social unrest and petty crime

The severe worldwide economic downturn as a result of large-scale and prolonged restrictions on mobility, disruption to production and supply chains and the closure of businesses will lead to a rise in social unrest and petty crime in certain locations

Anti-Government sentiment

This will be driven by perceived poor governmental responses to the pandemic as well as high unemployment levels, potentially prompting unrest or challenges to leadership, and particularly so in those locations with polarised societies or those with major political oppositions

Xenophobia

An increase in nationalistic trends has already been accompanied by a rise in xenophobia in some locations, targeted at those who are falsely seen as spreading the virus or having privileged access to medicine and food supplies.

Exacerbated underlying or pre-existing security risks include:

*Political violence, including terrorism, insurgency, politically-motivated unrest and war

*Social unrest, including sectarian, communal and ethnic violence

*Violent and petty crime

*The effectiveness of the security and law enforcement services

International SOS is providing insight into the key security components needed to improve workforce resilience. For more information click here