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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
Counter-terror expert Steve Swain has devised security plans for trooping the colour and state visits for numerous dignitaries, not least the US president.
Formerly head of the Police International Counter Terrorist Unit (PICTU), he is now a security and counter-terror specialist for resilience consultancy CBRNE Ltd.
Swain, also previously chief superintendent for the Metropolitan Police, will be offering safety and security advice for overseas travel at IFSEC International 2016 (21-23 June, ExCeL London).
We asked Steve for a few tips on how to stay safe when travelling abroad – though you can get a much more in-depth picture during his presentation in IFSEC’s Tavcom Training Theatre on 22 June between 13:10-13:40.
Watch the video interview or read the transcript below.
“If you’re going abroad, given the type of world we live in nowadays it’s worth taking some basic precautions so that if something does happen, you’re better prepared.
“The first thing I would do when going abroad would be to check in on the Foreign Office website to look at my destinations and what advice they were giving out, what might happen, what are the dangers and what basic precautions I should think about taking.
“Then if you think about precautions when going abroad, the first thing I would think about is checking into a hotel overseas. Try and get yourself in a room at the back of the hotel, because we know from the evidence that attacks tend to come in through the front entrance.
“So if you’re at the back, your chance of getting caught up are reduced.
“Don’t get above the second or third floor. If you need to escape you have less distance to travel to get out.
“Once you have checked into your hotel room, then go and have a look at where the emergency exits are. Don’t use the elevator if something happens because the elevator often takes you down to the reception area, where these incidents start, so that’s an area of high risk.
“Another thing you could think about when travelling abroad is about when you’re moving around outside your hotel. Does your route take you past any high risk location?
If you think it does, then think about an alternative route. There have been one or two instances where people have walked past areas of high risk such as a prominent embassy.”
‘Safety advice for overseas travel’ by Steve Swain will take place in the Tavcom Training Theatre at IFSEC International 2016 (ExCeL London) on 22 June between 13:10-13:40.
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Security Advice for Travellers from a Counter-Terror SpecialistSteve Swain, who has devised security plans for a US Presidential visit, discusses security advice for overseas travel in this video interview.
Adam Bannister
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
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