uncertainty as these are constantly
moving parts. Combine that fact with
the high value and attractive goods on
offer (food, drink, cash, jewelry, etc.) or
the hotel brand name and international
clientele turns hotels from being lovely
places to visit to attractive targets for a
wide range of criminals.
Additionally, the posture of the hotel
itself can change from day to day
subject to the level of guests staying,
events that are taking place within it
or around it. A hotel hosting an APEC
summit with many world leaders or a
global CEO Forum with the business
elite attending will increase the profile
and threat. A hotel’s security plan must
have an almost unique level of flexibility
and adaptability to address the varied
levels of risk.
To counter this, all high-end hotels have
a trained management team that would
include a qualified and experienced
Hotel Security Manager. How they are
qualified and their experience varies
greatly as Security Managers come
from various backgrounds including
military, police, corporates or continued
service within the hotel industry.
One theme that runs through
everything is that their task remains a
daunting one - How to protect their
hotel to the degree needed but in a way
that does not interfere with the open,
friendly and welcoming nature that the
guests wish to receive.
As the world is constantly changing
so too do the dynamics of protecting
your hotel, your guests, and the various
events that are held there. Security
threats throughout the world are also
changing with the threat of terrorism,
in particular, reaching new levels.
High-End Hotels as a Target
It had been shown that attacking high-
end hotels with a diverse, international
and high-value customer base is one
way of ensuring that terrorists achieve
dramatic impact and the events get
broadcast far and wide. Last year alone
attacks on luxury hotels, and high-
78 ILHA
end resorts in Kabul, Burkina Faso,
Turkey, Mogadishu, the Ivory Coast
and Egypt killed and injured hundreds;
not to mention the financial toll it
took on the facilities and companies
concerned. While some of these areas
are flashpoints in chaotic parts of the
world others were thought to be safe,
stable locations.
personal protection, high-value
goods, and procedural matters.
Add into the threat matrix the day to
day and constant security concerns
of theft, fraud, criminal trespass, local
dissent, cyber-crime, and kidnapping. It
quickly becomes clear that the security
posture of the hotel and the security
decisions made by the management are
critical to the success and reputation of
the entire hotel or resort location. Private security companies maintain
an updated database of risk and threat
relevant to their client’s operations
and locations. This local and in-depth
knowledge is made available to any new
hotel security manager who may have
recently been moved into a role in a
new country or location thus helping
him to understand the environment
fully. Applying this knowledge and
flexible approach to the challenges of a
hotel environment, in conjunction with
the hotel security team, can often lead
to innovative and real-world solutions
to both the constant threats and new
issues faced by hotels today.
A Viable Solution Final Considerations
In recent years there has been an
increasing trend in hotel security
operations to seek outside security
experts. These operations are often
closed and secretive due to the rare
combinations of high-end guests,
considerable wealth, and intimate details.
This all adds up to the potential for
salacious gossip and crime. Consulting
with qualified, discreet, and experienced
security professionals outside the hotel
environment is a solution that many
in-house hotel security managers find a
valuable solution. Luxury hotels have a unique set of
security challenges. VIP guests want
to feel an inherent safety once they
walk in, but individuals target luxury
hotels specifically because of this same
clientele.
In doing so, hotel security managers are
availing themselves of a different skill
set and an alternative perspective to
security. Trained security professionals
are adept at conducting threat, risk and
vulnerability assessments in a broad
range of situations including corporate
business, residential sites, infrastructure
projects, construction sites, sensitive
and high-value locations.
Just some of the areas that a private
security company might be consulted
on would include:
•
•
•
•
•
Surveillance
Access control
Cyber-security
Manpower operations
Physical security which includes
The first line of defense against
security challenges should always be
experts within the hotel environment.
However, it should also be recognized
that consulting an outside security
expert who possesses a different yet
compatible skill set, and knowledge
base will lead to benefits including
greater operational security within an
environment that appears smooth, calm
and welcoming at all times.
About the author
As Regional Operations Manager at The ASA
Group, Keith Whittle has been entrusted by a
wide range of discerning clientele, including
members of Royalty, Forbes Top 10 listed
companies, A-list celebrities, and high net
worth individuals. Keith takes a hands-on
approach to all security requirements -
ensuring that careful planning, attention to
detail, and precise execution is the foundation
of every project. For more information please
visit www.asag.aero, or [email protected]