Run, Hide and Fortify®: The keys to survival in an Active Shooter Incident

27 September in Corporate Security, Crisis Response, Travel Safety, Workplace Violence

John Farrar is our guest blogger this month with a three-part series that will cover topics such as how to respond and what to do in an Active Shooter Incident (Part One), Individual Preparation and Situational Awareness when situations arise (Part Two) and finally A Recommended approach for Business continuity planning to deal with potential threats to a company be it manmade or a natural disaster (Part Three). Introduction The concept of “Active Shootings” is rapidly going the same route as the concept of Terrorism with multiple...

Telephone Security – Why Less is More

27 September in Business Continuity Planning, Personal Safety

Imagine the criminal mind being as ingenious as the legitimate telemarketer attempting to sell you their product and/or services through telephone solicitation. If there is one thing I’ve learned during my 30 years as both an FBI Special Agent and security professional, it’s criminals are extremely creative in finding ways to steal and successfully commit other crimes through what appears to be legitimate means. Consider the telephone, whether hardline or Smartphone, it provides a convenient tool for others to easily obtain information about you and your...

Are Your Children Safe from Bullies?

27 September in Personal Safety, School Safety

Some authorities estimate that up to 30% of US students have been victims of bullying. Students who are victimized by bullying can be two to nine times more likely than other children to attempt suicide. Parents who are alert to the signs of bullying and who intervene quickly and aggressively may be doing more than protecting a child from hurt feelings - they may be saving his or her life. Here are 10 potential signs that your child may be the subject of bullying at school: 1....

Your Home is Your Refuge – 8 Tips for Home Security

27 September in Personal Safety

We all want to feel safe and secure in our homes, but even our most sacred place of refuge can be a target for criminals who either seek to steal from us or do harm. Residential security concerns are centered on a number of factors - deliveries, (scheduled and unscheduled) extended absences, travel pattern duplication, unawareness of surroundings, and telephone usage. Here are 8 tips to enhance your security at home: 1. Deliveries– Never accept strange deliveries or allow workers or delivery persons into your home without...

Shopping Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

27 September in Personal Safety

With the Holiday Season in full swing, spirits are high, mall parking lots are full, and the streets are congested with shoppers inching their way to retail stores to find that perfect gift. Even with the vast onset of online shoppers, there still exists those incredibly tenacious folks who love to brave the elements, the traffic, and the pushing and shoving that goes with the exhilaration of the holiday retail shopping experience. While shoppers focus on the season, big bargains and discounts - the criminal element...

Can Domestic Violence Impact Your Business?

27 September in Workplace Violence

Did you know that 21% of full-time employed adults report being the victim of domestic violence? Interestingly, 64% of those same adults has stated their work performance suffered as a result of domestic abuse. Our society has clearly shifted the paradigm through which we view the issue of domestic violence, and how we deal with this issue in the workplace. On March 8, 2013, President Obama signed into law the expanded version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWRA) of 1994.   Originally enacted in 1994,...