Redefining Security

How our circumstances shape us, and why a crowd management strategy is more important than ever

In the fall of 2020, sports fans began making their way back to stands for the first time since COVID-19 forced mass shutdowns. For many, this signaled a return to normalcy and a promising outlook for a struggling industry. Teams and venue owners had to act swiftly to determine how to safely reopen once local officials gave the go-ahead—all the while balancing public pressure and ever-changing guidance from states and localities.

Now, industry leaders are taking stock and asking themselves what the future of sports security looks like—not only as it relates to COVID, but as it relates to the fan experience and expectations, other security threats, the role of technology and training staff.

REDEFINING PHYSICAL SECURITY IN THE COVID ERA

Sports complex security has traditionally focused on physical security. However, over the last year and a half, we’ve seen sports venues and crowd management partners evolve to guard against more elusive public health threats.

In response to pandemic-related risks, crowd management strategists have implemented additional protocols to prevent overcrowding, keep attendees socially-distanced, and monitor and COVID-19 symptoms. Many venues have adapted by adding signage to remind fans to wear their masks and social distance, tapping security staff to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing, conducting temperature checks, creating section blocks to keep strangers from co-mingling and expanding the number of entry points to reduce crowding.

As more people get vaccinated, security experts anticipate that temperature checks and strict social distancing guidelines will be eased in deference to public health guidance. However, the comfort level of fans and workers will also impact when and how these protocols are relaxed. After more than a year of being told to stay away from people, it will likely take fans some time to feel comfortable sitting next to strangers again.

Some venues have designated vaccinated and non-vaccinated seating. That way, there’s a level of risk awareness and vaccinated individuals can feel more comfortable co-mingling or removing their masks to enjoy concessions. Whether or not venues will require proof of vaccination for attendees later down the line remains to be seen, although it’s clear that vaccines will play a major role as more venues increase capacity and see the return of more fans.

A number of venues have also introduced mobile concessions apps to limit long lines and crowding at concessions stands. The flip side is that these apps can create confusion for fans who are less tech-savvy. Most likely, as we continue to ‘return to normal,’ these apps will likely become optional.

CHANGING THE GAME FOR GOOD

While some of these pandemic-related measures will gradually be phased out, others are here to stay.

Though fewer fans have been attending, most venues have still required the same amount of staff to oversee ticketing and security, keeping all access points open to spread attendees out as much as possible. Because of this, speed of entry has stayed the same or even picked up at some venues.

However, as more arenas and stadiums move back to full capacity, there will be less space to accommodate everyone and security personnel will need to find creative ways to keep people moving through in a timely manner and maintain a more personalized experience.

Public health as a subset of security is also here to stay. Fans and workers have become more conscious of their own health and the symptoms of those around them. As a result, enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols are likely to continue.

TAPPING TECHNOLOGY TO PRIORITIZE SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

How we approach security today is largely shaped by past security crises. Just as the COVID-19 pandemic will impact venue security and crowd management for years to come, other tragic events continue to define the work we do and how we do it.

For example, the 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the way we think about security in every area of life. Because sporting events are mass gatherings, they are considered high-target spots. Security significantly increased at games after 9/11 and, for a time, people were tolerant – and even welcoming - of the extended wait period and lines to get into stadiums and arenas.

However, as time goes on, public patience and understanding wane. Now the challenge has become how to maintain highimpact security strategies while optimizing the fan experience. In just the last five years, sports security personnel and crowd management experts have begun to evaluate technology and procedures for greater speed and efficiency.

As a result, there continues to be increasing investment in updated technologies to make routine procedures such as bag checks and body scans move faster—and avoid mistakes such as detection of car keys or cell phones that require a second scan and personnel attention, inevitably holding up the process for other attendees.

This article originally appeared in the July / August 2021 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies: Uniting Human Risk Management and Security Awareness Training

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

  • Report: 1 in 3 Easily Exploitable Vulnerabilities Found on Cloud Assets

    CyCognito recently released new research highlighting critical security vulnerabilities across cloud-hosted assets, revealing that one in three easily exploitable vulnerabilities or misconfigurations are found on cloud assets. As organizations increasingly shift to multi-cloud strategies, the findings underscore significant security gaps that could provide attackers with potential footholds into networks. Read Now

  • Built for Today, Ready for Tomorrow

    Selecting the right VMS is critical for any organization that depends on video surveillance to ensure safety, security and operational efficiency. While many organizations focus on immediate needs such as budget and deployment size, let us review some of the long-term considerations that can significantly impact a VMS's utility and flexibility. Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.