How to Increase Security at Corporate Events

In planning a corporate event, security can seem like an afterthought. However, it’s one of the most crucial components. Whether it’s a retreat, a private meeting among your management team, or a large conference, you must protect your guests during corporate events. A proper security strategy protects guests and is capable of handling any disruptors or distractions as they occur. 

First, understand the risks of holding a corporate event. An experienced security team can design response plans to various situations, from fires to other crises that could necessitate immediate, efficient action. If you hire the right security service, they should already have all hazards mapped out. They will be aware of what’s expected of them if an unexpected event occurs.

The longer a corporate event goes on, the greater the risk that a disruptor could infiltrate it. Fortunately, security teams should know what to look for. They will notice signs of someone who could be a threat is if someone’s staring at staff or a specific part of the venue. They will also know if someone unauthorized is hanging around the premises.

Here is more information about how to increase security at your corporate event:

1. Security Guards

Corporate event security does not work without security guards on the ground ready to act. The security guards reinforce access rules and help manage safety on the periphery of the festivities. You want trained professionals who have completed a security guard training course, since they are experienced and will exercise good judgment. No one is more important on your security team than the personnel you input at various stations across the event.

2. Non-Uniformed Personnel

While uniforms provide an important visual deterrent, in some situations, you may want less disruptive security. This is ideal if you are protecting a top-level executive but do not want it to be known. Non-uniformed personnel blend in with the crowd and are put in key locations so that should anything occur, they can act quickly on a suspect and minimize their impact.

3. Access Control

Access control is a necessity for any major corporate event. You do not want to invite disgruntled former employees, journalists, protestors, or someone looking to disrupt your corporate event. By having a guest list and an access control system, a security management team can safely handle unauthorized guests. They will also manage threats looking to get into the event externally.

4. Assign a Security Lead

Sometimes, information needs to get out quickly among personnel. To do this, you need one security member leading the team and facilitating the distribution of information. Have a team lead. Assign someone the responsibility of managing security and running some very complicated scenarios if an emergency occurs.

5. Video Surveillance

For larger events where you can’t have eyes on everything simultaneously, a team using video surveillance vastly expands their visibility. This may aid in keeping eyes on entrances and around the perimeter and general area of a venue. The locations that host corporate events may already have their video security setup. If so, you may discuss whether to use it.

6. Get to Know the Venue

Security is different for a hotel conference room than for a banquet hall or a summer outdoor event. Security should fully understand the dynamics of the room, be aware of the entrances and exits, and identify hazards before they grow into something more. Sometimes, you may want to change how things are set up in the room to maximize security. Speak to your security team about what a safe, efficient setup looks like for your corporate event.

7. Screen Staff

In many cases, disruptors gain access to corporate events through being hired in a staffing position. This is why you may want to vet your guest list and screen staff. For vendors and third-party suppliers, i.e. waiters and caterers, these are all potential openings for someone to intervene at a corporate event without bypassing usual security standards. Don’t let loopholes like this fly on by. Address them.

8. Understand Non-Human Threats

To maintain security, you also have to be aware of non-human threats. Weather. Wild animals. Local concerns. IT or cyber vulnerabilities. The bigger the event, the more that there is to contend with. As you grow your security team to increase safety at a corporate event, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about perimeter checks and security guards on the ground. Although those are extremely important, every venue and event is different and requires its custom security plan.

9. Be Aware of Publicity

You may want to publicize a corporate event. However, if it’s a private event, you don’t necessarily need to advertise it or make it known publicly that it’s happening. Unless it’s a major announcement or a product launch, minimizing the publicity of where, when, and who can potentially aid in not attracting attention from people looking to disrupt. Try to restrict publicity through email marketing to invited parties and little more stated in any public form offline or online.