Threat level raised to Omega Status (plan for the worst)

Issue 8 2021 Security Services & Risk Management

The private security industry is the largest force in the world, bigger than any police, military unit or navy that is active 24/7. The security industry has been in a constant state of monitoring the threat and on August the 1st 2021 certain things rolled out that confirmed information which set the time clock for using specific second stage research that ended on the 12th of November.

On the 20th of November 2021, the recent biological threat security investigation now dictates that Omega Status must be enforced based on the monitoring of the viral pattern formation taking into consideration the human disorder, besides other crime related to the threat. Within two days of the status being called for, a variant was identified in South Africa and within hours some countries banned flight travel to and from South Africa. This is even before the World Health Organisation named the variant, which is now named Omicron.

It is the security industry that is implementing the health protocols on the ground. They take the temperatures of people, manage the movement of people and are the ones the populous criticise. They do more because there is crime related to the threat. The practitioners on the ground not only have to find new crime, evolving copycat crime, increased habitual crime, besides handling violent and aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, the practitioners have to protect their companies and sites.

Juan Kirsten, director general of ISIO (International Security Industry Organisation) says, “The Alpha is the leader of the pack and the Omega is the last born. We have experienced this Alpha beast that is changing at a moment’s notice in its way of movement and devouring everything in its path. The world is now at a time where the fundamental information gives conclusion to now plan for the worst because we have no idea of when and how the last born will behave.”

Security success depends on the level of situational awareness of the people on the ground and their reaction speed (Kirsten, J.: 2018). Authentic situational awareness dictates that the security industry or any practitioner can never afford to be in a state of denial or bias towards any threat. When the industry calls for Omega Threat Status, the members know this is the highest form of threat alert and must be taken seriously.

There are two objectives to consider, namely:

The profit protection of security industry practitioners as well as their clients.

• Limiting the level of collateral damage of the active mutating bio-threat and its tailing threats.

Professional practitioners in this field are realistic and relevant. They consciously accept without bias the fact that the threat in theatre is here to stay and that they need to live with it, but the threat can easily turn nasty based on sound logical thought because of the pattern formation.

Tony Botes, administrator of Security Association of South Africa says, “Security practitioners besides all stakeholders must realise the importance of the security sector as it is now officially on the ground and front line for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear warfare (CBRN). All must know the security protocols and crime related to the threat as to avoid collateral of not only the pandemic, but also by citizens for example, anarchy, which will cause even more chaos.”

Chairman, Kunwar Vikram Singh, of India’s Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) states, “Security and safety professionals are still undermining the bio security threats and not responding the way they should. They are responsible for millions of people. Political leadership and bureaucrats must realise the gravity of the new security challenges and act fast. Protocols already available by the security industry must be followed by law.”

Find out more at https://www.human-investigation-management.com/cbts-certified-for-biological-threat-security/




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