Preparing For The World's Largest Sporting Event

  • By Cindy Horbrook
  • Oct 13, 2010

Risks such as crime, infrastructure failures, supply chain disruptions and fire were all major considerations when it came to preparing for the world’s largest sporting event earlier this year.

Contrary to popular belief, it was the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, not the Olympics, that holds the title of world’s largest sporting event, according to Marc Siegel of ASIS International and Johan DuPloy, senior partner of the Temi Group.

On Tuesday at ASIS in Dallas, Siegel and DuPloy presented a session on the massive security and continuity challenges the Tsogo Sun Group, the largest hotel chain in Africa, faced and how the group successfully implemented the ANSI/ASIS Organizational Resilience Standard at their properties. The standard combined security and business continuity planning, creating a cost-effective approach.

Implementation of the standard involved planning, risk assessment, implementation and operation, checking and corrective action and management review. Most important, speakers said, was getting the commitment of top management. Other keys to success were inclusion (top up and bottom down), awareness/training, tailoring to the realities at each site, phased approach, setting realistic goals and recognition of compliance.

Implementing the standard provided a clear shift to prevention, and it paid off.

With a total attendance of 3.1 million fans, 290 crimes were reported in the 10 World Cup stadiums and 704 crimes reported within 1.5 kilometers of the stadiums.

DuPloy and Siegel said this was an excellent outcome as statistics show at least 50 people are murdered in South Africa every day.

“It’s amazing how much crime dropped during the World Cup,” they said.

Other issues successfully tackled by planners were cost-effectively managing risk, invisibly manage risk, assuring guest security, safety and comfort and overcoming hurdles from FIFA, the airlines, foreign press, tackling perceptions of Africa and South Africa and dealing with a loss from the South African World Cup team, Bafana Bafana.

About the Author

Cindy Horbrook is content development editor for Security Products magazine.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.