Authors: Morgan Stevens & John Richter
Why is enhanced preparedness essential for executive travel amidst a shifting geopolitical climate?
As global fault lines shift, C-suite executives and other notable individuals must contend with new risks. At Crisis24 Private Strategic Group, we find it essential to address why the current geopolitical climate necessitates enhanced preparedness for those who command significant influence and wealth. There are blind spots that you might not be aware of when you travel or attend a large-scale event, which is why it’s crucial to take a broader look at your risk profile to build an effective journey management plan.
Why is there an increased need for proactive journey management?
The geopolitical environment today resembles a tinderbox, with conflicts and uncertainties arising from numerous regions, including Ukraine, the Middle East, and China. The rapidly shifting landscape can potentially trigger unforeseen consequences that ripple outwards, affecting travel safety and security.
Consider the recent U.S. elections. The anticipation of immediate upheaval may not have materialized, but the long-term geopolitical repercussions continue to unfold. It has created a complex web of uncertainty. This unpredictability fosters a pervasive anxiety among clients, who may not even know what specific threats to prepare for.
The recent incidents in Amsterdam serve as a stark reminder of how rapidly situations can escalate. Organized crime and opportunistic behaviors, emboldened by under-resourced law enforcement, created an unforeseen threat for many.
For our clients, online chatter about protests and the consideration of a sporting match between two contentious teams would have been enough to trigger a warning to stay out of that area. In the past, you might not have considered the need for a journey management plan while travelling to London or New York, but today, you should – even if it’s just having a contingency plan in place to exit the city quickly. The world’s most prominent individuals often find themselves targets due to their visibility and the perception of inherent value they carry. As such, vigilance is always warranted.
How should we broaden our sense of preparedness?
As the risk landscape evolves from predictable threats to a multifaceted array of dangers to navigate, it demands an enhanced sense of preparedness. Traditional security measures should be intertwined with advanced threat monitoring, cyber awareness, and comprehensive pre-planning.
For example, there’s an increased rise in digital threats. Rising anxiety around travel that we’re seeing among our clients is not merely about potential physical harm but also encompasses digital vulnerabilities. You must consider your digital footprint to ensure that you’re not exposing sensitive information, which can also lead to severe repercussions. An executive who opens their laptop on a hotel Wi-Fi network opens their information up to the country where they’re traveling or to groups operating therein.
The Three Pillars of Effective Journey Management
To address these complex challenges, we have developed a journey management strategy rooted in three essential pillars: proactive intelligence and monitoring, personalized itinerary planning, and cyber awareness.
Proactive Intelligence & Monitoring
Understanding and evaluating real-time threats is the cornerstone of any journey management plan. It involves monitoring online chatter, local events, and specific threats to provide actionable intelligence. It should consider not only what’s happening on the ground in a specific location, but also how events fit into the larger geopolitical landscape.
Personalized Itinerary Planning
Tailoring travel plans to the individual's profile is critical. This includes assessing the traveler's role, personal preferences, security posture, and potential vulnerabilities. Whether you are an executive attending a high stakes meeting in Singapore, a family on a private vacation, or a woman traveling alone, our strategy ensures that every aspect of your trip is meticulously planned to mitigate risks. We consider factors such as the local crime rate, political instability, and healthcare infrastructure. We also ensure that we have contingency plans in place for any eventuality.
Cyber Awareness
Finally, protecting digital assets and maintaining privacy is paramount. Our approach includes securing digital transactions, using encrypted communications, and educating clients on maintaining a low digital footprint. For instance, how you post to social media can open you up to vulnerabilities. Do we need to be reminded of Kim Kardashian’s Paris robbery?
Last week’s events are a reminder of the need for proactive preparedness as you travel. Travel risks can feel unknown because of the shifting risk environment. This is not going away, but a comprehensive journey management plan that addresses both physical and digital threats helps you continue with your activities unimpeded. By focusing on proactive intelligence personalized itinerary planning, and cyber awareness, Crisis24 Private Strategic Group ensures that our clients can travel with confidence, knowing that their wellbeing is in expert hands.
