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

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”