Case Studies

An Integrated Approach to Corporate Risk Management

Asked to conduct a security audit on a large mining operation in a country in Southeast Asia, one of our Directors undertook extensive research in to the company’s operating environment and conducted both a political risk analysis and a wider analysis of other possible root causes of potential conflict.

Whilst researching the hazards facing the company, he was able to identify a local terrorist organisation; significant levels of corruption within local, regency and state bodies; social and environmental representational threats to the company’s brand; and latent industrial relations issues that might threaten the sustainability of business operations. Detailed vulnerability and impact assessments showed that the client’s physical security posture was more orientated to loss control than to physical protection and that many of its key processes were vulnerable to some of the identified threats.

The company’s ability to deal with the pervasive local corruption and threats to its brand from officials and pressure groups alike was found to be good as were its social and environmental programmes. A review of existing preparedness and crisis management plans was conducted and a series of ‘acceptance,’ ‘deterrence,’ and ‘protection’ solutions designed to mitigate the threats were recommended to the client who was then able to make informed decisions on the appropriate controls measures necessary to safeguard their people, assets and operations.

Developing Contingency Plans

Following the events of 11th September 2001, one of the world’s largest IT companies with considerable numbers of expatriate staff and families working and living abroad, required an immediate validation of its theatre evacuation plans in several Middle Eastern countries. Asked to validate and update these plans where appropriate, a Director was able to work with the client in one of their Middle East offices to help formulate and write a detailed evacuation plan for over 200 members of staff and their families. Subsequently he was able to design and develop a corporate level template for all theatre evacuation plans and to use
the template to facilitate the preparation of plans in four other countries.

Developing and Implementing a Conflict Resolution Strategy

A bitter and protracted intra-state conflict between the government of a country in Southeast Asia and separatist insurgents fought in the jungles of a breakaway region of the archipelago had claimed thousands of lives and was continuing to cause substantial casualties and destroy livelihoods year on year. Moreover, the military crackdown was adversely affecting the ability of several oil and gas companies to continue their operations in the region. Working to international humanitarian principles, one of our Directors initiated all party dialogue with the field commanders and was able to negotiate directly with the rebel guerrillas and bring them to the negotiating table with government representatives. As a result of his successful mediation and the resulting dialogue between the two warring factions, a Ceasefire Agreement was signed between the guerrillas and the government providing time and space for an eventual Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that ended the war and ultimately provided the secure and stable operating environment the companies were seeking assuredness.

Implementation: Special Operations

Alba Consec’s operatives have considerable experience working in conjunction with high profile Inter-governmental Agencies assisting in the surveillance, confirmation, arrest and deportation of Persons Indicted for War Crimes (PIFWCS). In  addition to exceptional high standards of professional competence, all our staff are thoroughly briefed on the political as well as the socio-economic background of the countries in which they work.

Implementation: Close Protection and Training

Asked to provide training in Close Protection and Advanced Driving techniques to members of the Nigerian Police and Presidential Guard, Alba Consec personnel designed and delivered a bespoke training package in the South of England over a 5 year period, which trained personnel from 9 of the 36 Nigerian States. Currently the company has staff providing security advice to the Russian Luk Oil Company based in Southern Iraq.