CASE STUDY: Event Security

Global Guardian is dedicated to safeguarding employees and their families from political, environmental, and bad actor threats across the globe. In a recent mission for a corporate client in the media industry Global Guardian’s team was able to demonstrate how keen awareness, preparedness, and professionalism can prevent the unexpected from turning an exceptional event into chaos.

Background

LOCATION: Washington, D.C. 

SERVICES: Event Security

Global Guardian was entrusted with managing security for the client at a high-profile event space, necessitated by the presence of high-profile speakers, the potential for large crowds, and the significance of the occasion.

On behalf of the client, our team aimed to ensure the safety and security of all attendees, including notable individuals, during a significant speaking event. With the event's prominence and the attendance of VIPs, heightened security precautions were essential to mitigate risks and maintain order throughout the proceedings, even in the face of unexpected circumstances.

Mission and Response

The event featured a session with a high-profile speaker, drawing attention from various stakeholders and media outlets. Given the high-profile nature of the event and the presence of important officials, stringent security measures were necessary to safeguard participants and maintain order throughout the proceedings.

Global Guardian’s meticulous planning and coordination were instrumental in ensuring the success of the security measures. The ground team was already familiar with the building and surroundings at the heart of the mission, but they arrived early to discuss and develop comprehensive strategies to address potential threats specific to this event. The team conducted a full walkthrough, heard the concerns of the event personnel, and provided recommendations to mitigate expected issues.

As part of planning for the event, Global Guardian’s social media monitoring and intelligence gathering helped the team learn that an activist group was likely to appear and try to interrupt the proceedings. The team prepared accordingly for this group's potential arrival.

This planning paid off: During the event, the screening team encountered a group of 10 individuals entering the atrium, appearing younger and dressed casually compared to other attendees. While conducting routine bag checks and metal detecting wand scans, the team noticed suspicious behavior from one individual, including a wire protruding from their pocket. Further investigation revealed RF transmitters concealed within the clothing of multiple individuals. According to intelligence, this group would attempt to broadcast their actions from within the building, but security threats could not be ruled out.

Upon the discovery of the RF transmitters, the group attempted to rush past the registration desk towards the conference room where a high-profile guest was speaking. The screening team swiftly closed access to registration, preventing unauthorized entry and containing the incident.

Meanwhile, security agents stationed on the second floor were alerted to the situation and moved to secure the doors leading to the atrium. Despite attempts by the protesters to breach the doors, security agents successfully prevented their access, maintaining control of the situation.

WHY Global Guardian

An event of this magnitude necessitated comprehensive security measures to safeguard high-profile attendees, deter unauthorized access, detect and address potential threats, manage crowd behavior effectively, and ensure rapid emergency response capabilities. These measures are essential for maintaining the safety, integrity, and successful execution of the event amidst potential risks and challenges.

Global Guardian is uniquely positioned to serve in this capacity, thanks to just some of its unparalleled capabilities, including:

• A full suite of security services: Global Guardian offers a full range of security services, both domestically and overseas. These services include personnel tracking, emergency response, security and transportation support, intelligence and due diligence medical support, emergency and custom aviation, cyber security, and video surveillance monitoring.
• Special Operations division that delivers: Global Guardian's dedicated Special Ops team specializes in complex missions and operations, especially security and medical support at large-scale events. This team, which manages missions on-site and is able to react in real-time, is known for being outcome-oriented — they will do anything to find a solution for the client. 
• World-class operations center: Global Guardian's 24-hour Operations Center identifies, monitors, and responds to threats and emergencies with on-the-ground teams in over 130 countries. We can tailor our responses and interactions with your employees based on your requirements and standard operating procedures.
• Professional, vetted, and tested teams: Our local security teams are carefully vetted to assure integrity, capabilities, and compliance with all applicable international and local laws and regulations. Our due diligence process is the most extensive in the industry and includes strict insurance and employee screening requirements, initial and ongoing operational readiness and capability testing, extensive sustainment training, bilingual speakers and 24-hour operational capabilities.