CRISIS MANAGEMENT - THE NEED - THE CORPORATE RESPONSE (FROM CARNAHAN CONFERENCE ON CRIME COUNTERMEASURES PROCEEDINGS, MAY 16-18, 1979, BY JOHN S JACKSON - SEE NCJ-62284)

• NCJ Number: 62298
• Author(s): R J GALLAGHER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Ores Publications
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE NEED FOR AN ORGANIZED CORPORATE RESPONSE TO TERRORISM AND FOR A CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN IS STRESSED.

Abstract

AN INCREASING THREAT TO BUSINESS EXECUTIVES IS HOSTAGE-TAKING. SECURITY EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT COMPANIES SHOULD FORMULATE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR ATTACKS BY TERRORISTS, PSYCHOPATHS, AND CRIMINALS. THREE LINES OF DEFENSE ARE INFORMATION COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS, PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDING EXECUTIVE AND FACILITY PROTECTION TO REDUCE THE RISK OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RESPONSE SYSTEM TO MANAGE A TERRORIST INCIDENT IF IT OCCURS. RISK ASSESSMENT BY INDUSTRY SHOULD INCLUDE POLITICAL ANALYSIS AT EACH FOREIGN LOCATION WHERE COMPANIES HAVE FACILITIES OR OPERATIONS CONSISTING OF ANALYSIS OF DOMESTIC INSTABILITY IN THE COUNTRY, FOREIGN CONFLICT, POLITICAL CLIMATE (TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, PRINCIPAL POLITICAL PARTIES, POWER BASES, AND PERCEPTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT BY ITS PEOPLE), AND ECONOMIC CLIMATE. PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS SHOULD FOCUS ON DEVELOPING AWARENESS, PARTICULARLY ON THE PART OF KEY OFFICIALS, PERSONAL SECURITY, COMMUNICATION, HOSTAGE SURVIVAL, BOMB THREAT AND INCIDENT TRAINING, PROTECTION OF FAMILIES, TRAVEL CONTROL, DRIVER TRAINING AND BODYGUARDS, EMPLOYEE INFORMATION, AND PHYSICAL SECURITY FOR COMPANY PLANTS AND OTHER FACILITIES. THE ONLY VIABLE RESPONSE TO COERCIVE THREATS OF TERRORISTS IS AN ORGANIZED RESPONSE WITH POLICY, RESOURCE, COMMUNICATION, ANALYSIS, AND DECISIONMAKING COMPONENTS. THIS RESPONSE CAN BE PROVIDED BY A MULITDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF HIGH-LEVEL EXECUTIVES WHOSE AIM IS TO MINIMIZE THE LOSS OF CORPORATE ASSETS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS. EIGHT STEPS ARE GENERALLY INVOLVED: A CRISIS READINESS SURVEY; CHARTER OR MANDATE FROM TOP MANAGEMENT TO CREATE A CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM; INTRODUCTION OF THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM; INDIVIDUAL PREPARATION; SIMULATION OF A REALISTIC CRISIS; EVALUATION OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM OPERATIONS AND CAPABILITIES; FOLLOWUP TRAINING; AND ONGOING THREAT ASSESSMENT. EXAMPLES OF TERRORIST ACTS ARE CITED, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (DEP)