<![CDATA[[SecurityRatty] tag: sexton]]>

<![CDATA[[SecurityRatty] tag: sexton]]> http://securityratty.com/tag/sexton Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:13:00 +0000 iRatty Engine http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[Stampede Death at Wal-Mart]]> http://securityratty.com/article/a5436ad4dbabae1cfd63a3bda7bfbafd http://securityratty.com/article/a5436ad4dbabae1cfd63a3bda7bfbafd
The Police are said to be reviewing tapes to see if they can identify who was responsible for trampling the poor man to death. What will that achieve? Obviously it was not done on purpose. The findings are bound to result in an "accidental death" determination.

Getting back to; who is responsible? I think that is quite clear. Wal-Mart has to accept responsibility. UNLESS...they really did hire an outside security company and the employees of that company did such a poor job organizing that mob of "door busters", that they lost control of the situation.

One thing is a given. The family of the employee who lost his life is bound to bring a civil law suit against Wal-Mart. If I were them, the first thing I would look to find out would be who(if anyone)was providing security on Thanksgiving night outside of the front door?

Unfortunately, many clients do not take the function of security very seriously and they delegate the responsibility to those with no security training or experience. We have consulted for clients at arenas and found that ordinary ushers will be given a fluorescent vest or jacket with "SECURITY" written on the back and asked to provide security. This is a libility claim waiting to be filed.

If Wal-Mart did in fact outsource their security to an outside company, was the company allowed to provide an adequate number of officers to ensure that shoppers lined up in an orderly fashion? One security officer to a couple of hundred people is another liability suit waiting to be filed.

Next, they should be looking at the training that the security officers (Wal-Mart better hope that shelve stockers were not given the task)receieved. Because it was Thanksgiving night, there is the possibility that the company couldn't get anybody else to work and used untrained and inexperienced personnel. If that turns out to be the case, hopefully the company was legal and had adequate insurance coverage.

Whatever happens regarding a civil law suit, one thing will remain unchanged. A man lost his life in an incident that should have been prevented. It is obvious that not everything was done to ensure the safety of the shoppers who traditonally lined up to get the best bargains when the store opened on "Black Friday".

Whether it was Wal-Mart or the security company who may have been hired to prevent this very incident from happening - somebody failed to do their job. Whichever one it was, they should step up to the plate and apologize to the grieving family for letting them down.]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:12:00 +0000 provide provide security security security company wal-mart company security officers wal-mart employee death Stampede Death at Wal-Mart <![CDATA[Chairman Tata Surprised by Tricky Terrorists]]> http://securityratty.com/article/7b4520b092d5aedad18be187c5cd3069 http://securityratty.com/article/7b4520b092d5aedad18be187c5cd3069
The sad part of this unfolding story is the feeling one gets that the terrible loss of life at the hotel may have been prevented or at least mitigated had proper security measures been implemented and if the security that had been in place prior to the attack had not been removed.

One eye witness who stayed at the hotel a week before the terrorist assault spoke about metal detectors and baggage being checked. The same witness then went on to say that those security measures had been removed within the last week, allowing people to enter without being checked.

The most surprising news to surface must be the Chairman's comments regarding the terrible event. Unbelievably, he actually said; "They knew what they were doing and they did not go through the front. All of our arrangements were on the front entrance".

Who is Tata's security advisor, a kitchen worker? Actually, he might have been better off if that were the case since the terrorists entered the hotel through the rear kitchen door. ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL CHAIRMEN AND CEO's; Terrorists are Tricky. That is their job. They are watching your businesses and will do the opposite to what you expect.

In the case of the TAJ HOTEL, you made it easy for them. Did nobody in Mumbai ever stop to think that a bad person can go through the back door? It is one thing for a cafe in a pedestrian area to be attacked as anyone can walk right by or walk through the front and open fire, but how can a major landmark that attracts Western vistors drop their security measures AFTER they have received terrorist alert warnings that the hotel may be the target of terrorsit attacks?

I don't know if it was the case with the Taj Hotel, but cutting corners where security is concerned is common place in corporate culture. Security is often seen as a necessary evil and usually the first department to experience budgetary cutbacks. It is very difficult to convince some clients that nothing happening is really a good thing and that by cutting out security may open the door to evil.

This appears to have been the case with the Taj. There is no doubt that the terrorists had conducted hundreds of hours of surveillance in and around Mumbai. Was it a coincidence that the attack occurred the week after security measures had been removed? What might have been the result if security had remained tight (if you could call watching the front entrance and disregarding the back as "tight security")? Maybe the terrorists would have held back another month or two...maybe in that time they would have been detected...

One thing is for certain, places like the Taj Hotel have to get serious about security. Mr. Tata's claim that; "If I look at what we had...it could not have stopped what took place", must be replaced by more progressive, proactive thinking. If the Tata Group had spent an adequate amount of funding on ensuring that a strict security policy was in force - if only for the period in question - then they might not now be facing a 5 Billion Rupee reconstruction bill. Who knows how high the civil suits against the Taj will run when compensation and punitive costs are calculated.

Kudos though to Chairman Tata for at least recognizing that the Indian authorities may not be able to handle the situation on their own. "These attacks underscore the need for Law Enforcement to seek outside expertise for training, equipment and strategic operations", he said.

We agree Mr. Tata. We also hope that you will recognize the need for the Tata Group to seek similar outside expertise to assist you with your security planning and training.]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:29:00 +0000 security measures proper security measures tata security security advisor chairman tata chairman rata tata taj taj hotel Chairman Tata Surprised by Tricky Terrorists <![CDATA[Mayhem in Mumbai]]> http://securityratty.com/article/b7902ee86f589ca527ebb734d591a745 http://securityratty.com/article/b7902ee86f589ca527ebb734d591a745
The latest figures suggest that at least 100 people have been killed and as many as 900 injured. Radio and television reporters are saying that it has all the hallmarks of an Al-Qaeda attack. Locations included a railway station, a cinema, the Taj Hotel, and another very popular restaurant.

It appears as if the terrorists singled out Westerners as they are reported to have taken British and American tourists hostages and brought them up to the 18th floor of the hotel. This evening the hotel is on fire and the fate of the hostages is still unknown.

The good news for some, is that they were able to escape form the hotel in the confusion. It appears that the terrorists could have numbered dozens of heavily armed men. This is definitely not a random attack but a well planned and executed operation aimed at causing mass casualties amnd hitting India's financial markets in much the same way as Wall Street was attacked on 9/11.

We do not hear that much about India's terrorist problems in the West but I was made aware of it when I was invited to India to speak on Security matters this time last year. I have since that time made clients and potenital clients aware of the security situation.

There has been much outsourcing to India and many U.S. businesses are sending personnel over there as a result. Those who can afford to have their own professional security protectors should consider that option very carefully. It could very well turn out being more of a necessity than a luxury in these dangerous times.]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:48:00 +0000 india potenital clients aware taj hotel hotel clients hostages mass casualties amnd american tourists hostages aware Mayhem in Mumbai <![CDATA[Celebrity's Bodyguard Caught on Camera]]> http://securityratty.com/article/81cffb6766a5b98cf121e07a6e081430 http://securityratty.com/article/81cffb6766a5b98cf121e07a6e081430
This recent grapple caught on video was aired on the Fox News show in the "Kelly's Court" segment. Megyn Kelly acted as the judge while two other lawyers debated whether the photographer had a chance of winning a civil suit

The celebrity, John Meyer, appeared to be exiting a restaurant with a friend when a photographer tried to take a picture. Although the clip was relatively short, it appeared as if Mr. Meyer's E.P. agent went over the top in trying to block the photogapher from taking the picture.

From a professional E.P. point of view, the matter could have been handled with much decorum and expertise. Mr. Meyer should have been closely escorted to his vehicle and placed inside out of harm's way. Since there only appeared to be one E.P. agent (who also doubled up as driver), when he went charging at the photographer, he left his Principal unprotected.

For some reason, many of the people employed to protect celebrities seem more preoccupied with making sure that pictures are not taken rather than ensuring the safety of their Principal. What makes it all the more ironic, is the fact that these celebrities are usually out in the public eye and therefore can not realistically expect total privacy.

If you are a Personal Protection Specialist and you find yourself in this position, remember two things. Firstly, always remember your duty to protect your Principal. If you are doing it alone, who will be looking after them when you are rolling around the floor with a photographer?

Secondly, remember that you can be sued civilly - and do not take that literally, there is nothing civil about it. You may or may not be prosecuted criminally, but if you lose a civil suit, it could mean that you'll be spending the rest of your working life paying that photographer who is claiming neck injuires and all kinds of trauma.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it is hardly worth ruining your career and life.]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:14:00 +0000 civil photographer civil suit kelly megyn kelly acted celebrities protect celebrities meyer john meyer Celebrity's Bodyguard Caught on Camera <![CDATA[What would you do if you knew the Air Marshal on your plane was smuggling Drugs?]]> http://securityratty.com/article/6902b40b209c72e9190f6544d2968f20 http://securityratty.com/article/6902b40b209c72e9190f6544d2968f20
The ex-Air Marshal who was convicted of smuggling drugs apparently used his position to work with a drug dealer to carry cocaine and drug money with him on flights around the country. He was caught on tape telling an informant that he was "the man with the Golden Badge".

We should remember though, that with a current force of between 3,000 - 4,000 (exact numbers are confidential), there are bound to be a few bad apples in the bunch - that is the way in every profession.

What makes it much more alarming when we talk about Air Marshals gone bad is the fact that at 30,000 feet in the air - their authority is absolute. The last thing a passenger in a plane needs to be concerned about is the very person on the plane whose job it is to protect the passengers.

The Marshal's decision making skills should be beyond reproach. If their judgement is clouded over however, due to experimenting with the cocaine they are smuggling, the consequences could prove fatal.

Perhaps the fact that prior to 2001, the Air Marshal service had an annual budget of $4.4 million and 33 agents which exploded to $786 million and between 3,000 to 4,000 agents today might have something to do with undesirables falling through the cracks.

Not that rapid hiring needs are an excuse for allowing criminal behavior to go unnoticed. The office of Inspector General or Internal Affairs needs to get actively involved and properly supervise the agency so that rogue Marshals are not allowed to remain in the service.]]> Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:34:00 +0000 air air marshals federal air marshals marshal air marshal service service drugs ex-air marshal plane What would you do if you knew the Air Marshal on your plane was smuggling Drugs? <![CDATA[Do you know who your employees are?]]> http://securityratty.com/article/912fccde5dd0e4681c49ad021e6f3b01 http://securityratty.com/article/912fccde5dd0e4681c49ad021e6f3b01
The Financial Times in London ran an article which illustrates the risks posed by disgruntled IT professionals. According to a recent survey, 88% of redundant IT administrators claimed they would steal valuable and sensitive information from their company if they were ever fired.

A real-life example of this is the systems administrator with the Dept. of Technology who earlier this year created a password which locked officials out of the network because he feared he was losing his job.

While it is very difficult to know if an employee is thinking this way, proper background checking and screening would likely discover if they ever did anything like this to a previous employer.

When a termination is imminent, employers should close all of the employee's accounts and recover devices such as Blackberries, laptops, elctronic key cards and I.D. When we are called in to assist with terminations, we always advise emloyers and supervisors of the need to do this.

Surprisingly, many employers are not in a rush to get back laptops and other devices as they fear "upsetting" the termianted employee. If this is the case, turn over the responsibility to a professional outsourced security consultant who can take care of these duties and the company does not have to worry about being right in the "middle" of the process.]]> Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:18:00 +0000 devices elctronic key cards recover devices employee risks posed recent survey proper background previous employer systems administrator Do you know who your employees are? <![CDATA[They didn't go away you know....]]> http://securityratty.com/article/265b22f7a3a1ac42a1aa3d3c8f7bd79d http://securityratty.com/article/265b22f7a3a1ac42a1aa3d3c8f7bd79d
It really is fairly easy for the average citizen to push these thoughts out of their mind, but we should always keep it somewhere in our minds - close enough to recall it when necessary.

Bill Clinton was "tested" early in his Presidency as was the U.K.'s new Prime Minister - Gordon Brown. In PM Brown's case it came 72 hours after the Election in Britain. How long may we wait to see something here..or overseas, but definitely aimed at inflciting U.S. casualties?

Bottom line - we should always remian alert and open to the idea that something could happen and we can not afford to drop our guard and think "they have gone". Terrorists have great amounts of patience. They conduct surveillance right under the noses of their intended victims. As the old saying goes; "we have to be successful every single time - they only have to be lucky once".]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:02:00 +0000 brown gordon brown president elect obama single time conduct surveillance bill clinton remian alert terrorists presidential race They didn't go away you know.... <![CDATA[What is the best way to find a P.I.?]]> http://securityratty.com/article/bb16c0a3d53b183cada5d6e7ad1483d5 http://securityratty.com/article/bb16c0a3d53b183cada5d6e7ad1483d5 PInow.com Investigation news gave some useful pointers in their editorial yesterday.

I decided to write about this after seeing a request on a local listserve. I wrote and advised the person that it would be difficult to judge the quality of the investigator by such a general posting. To my amazement, the reply came back; "I know...some time I just post the job, close my eyes and hope for the best".

Hope for the best? Surely nobody would say such a thing to their client when they are getting that retainer. I can understand "hoping" for the weekend to be dry if you are having a picnic, or "hoping" that your football team wins the game on Sunday...but "hoping" an investigator does a decent job?

One of the better and more professional way to find a reputable investigator or investigaive agency, is to contact a local State association such as PIAVA (www.piava.org), or an international association such as the Council of International Investigators (www.cii2.org). Members of these associations have not only been carefully vetted, but they are held accountable since their professional reputations are riding on every assignment.

Good investigators can help your attorny win that child custody case, save the company from a false suit by an unethical employee claiming a make believe injury, help you find the fraudster that ran off with the company's clients or funds and many other useful tasks. A bad one can take your money and give you next to nothing in return.

Please make sure you only ever hire the good ones.]]> Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:32:00 +0000 investigator reputable investigator decent job international association local listserve local association professional football team wins What is the best way to find a P.I.? <![CDATA[Sleep more and live longer]]> http://securityratty.com/article/9f762fb9b67dbcb8db8c308caea29d19 http://securityratty.com/article/9f762fb9b67dbcb8db8c308caea29d19
It seems that two Swedish doctors conducted a sleep study between 1987 and 2006. Their findings have been published in the New England School of Medicine's records.

They discovered that 5% more heart attacks were recorded the Monday after clocks go forward. At the same time, there were less heart attacks documented on the Monday following the weekend period when clocks go backward.

The findings indicate the importance of getting a good night's rest. When the clocks are set forward an hour, people lose an hour of sleep. That was the time when more heart attacks were found to have occurred.

In the field of security, it is not always possible to get enough rest. Many times it is necessary to work a 12 hour shift and then drive home afterwards. If this is the case, the officer/agent should make sure that he/she gets adequate rest when they are off duty.

Unfortunately, there are other elements that add to a less than healthy lifestyle such as; drinking a lot of coffee, not eating balanced meals, lack of exercise, etc. Armed with the knowledge that sleep is so vital to our health, it is more important now than ever to ensure that we are taking proper care of ourselves.]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:16:00 +0000 heart attacks hour hour shift forward rest set forward clocks drive home monday Sleep more and live longer <![CDATA[Many employees will be terminated in '09]]> http://securityratty.com/article/2d864d1198683b11d979046fc5272af3 http://securityratty.com/article/2d864d1198683b11d979046fc5272af3
I was watching CNN yesterday and was quite surprised to learn that 25% of all U.S. employers are planning to lay-off employees in the New Year. That is a lot of workers who will be out of work in the coming months.

Companies like American Express are not even waiting until the New Year. They announced today that they are laying-off 7,000 employees - 10% of their workforce. Executive Protection companies like ours will be in high demand in the coming months (and maybe years)due to fears of workplace violence. We are already planning on adding additional training classes just to meet demands from clients for corporate bodyguards to protect their managers.

Our E.P. training class in Los Angeles next month will go into workplace violence in greater detail than ever before. Fortunately, not everyone will react violently to getting laid off. For those who will need to find a new job or even change careers, Rachel Zupek from Careerbuilders.com has written a very useful article on how carefully planned networking can increase your chances of finding that next position.]]> Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:13:00 +0000 employees workplace violence executive protection companies companies lay-off employees change careers american express react violently months Many employees will be terminated in '09