The nub of decision making

The dilemmas and challenges facing crisis decision makers are well known but there is a relative scarcity of guidance about the practicalities of converting information and analysis into decisions - the nub of decision making. This paper aims to address that gap, enabling organisations to be more confident in their ability to make timely and optimal decisions in a crisis.

2023-03-16T15:22:00+00:00March 16, 2023|News & Views|

What makes crisis leadership different?

Leadership - in any setting, whether in the board room, operating theatre or the cockpit of an airliner - is a subject of constant interest that is widely researched. It is generally recognised that crisis leadership can be extremely demanding, and that a crisis can ruin the reputation of leaders who were otherwise regarded as successful. Crises can, conversely, make the reputation of leaders who demonstrate their mettle ‘under fire’.

2023-03-16T15:09:02+00:00March 16, 2023|News & Views|

The new ISO standard for crisis management: does it add value?

As many practitioners in the security and resilience space will be aware, the International Standards Organisation (ISO) has issued a new standard for Crisis Management, ISO 22361:2022, with the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) approving it on 14 October 2022 and the British Standard being published on 30 November 2022. The British and European standards are identical to the original ISO version and supersede the previous crisis management standards PD CEN/TS 17091:2018 and BS 11200:2014 which are now both withdrawn. The European standard has been published in English, French and German and the deadline for national standards bodies to publish an identical text or to endorse EN ISO 22361:2022 is May 2023. For those who don’t yet have a copy, the ISO standard can be purchased from a national standards body which has published its own version or direct from the ISO online store.

2023-03-16T14:59:12+00:00March 16, 2023|News & Views|

Private security contracting in the humanitarian sector time to take responsibility

When contracting with private security providers, the practices of the humanitarian sector are largely unknown. Risks are present but they are often not considered in the contracting process. Contracting PSPs may create serious concerns in terms of adhesion to humanitarian principles, leading to risks for the security, reputation, and acceptance of humanitarian organisations. This policy brief identifies why humanitarian actors should fully acknowledge these risks, and work towards more responsible private security contracting which respects humanitarian principles and does not breach any applicable duty of care. Click below to read the brief.

2021-10-25T17:49:05+01:00October 25, 2021|News & Views|

Aid agency security is a disaster waiting to happen

Recent events in Mozambique and Central African Republic have put mercenaries back in the spotlight, as the blurring of roles between regular armed forces and military contractors adds to the risks for civilians. A less dramatic but also growing phenomenon is the use of private security companies by aid agencies. The companies that provide night guards and X-ray scanners may not seem as problematic as military-style operators such as Blackwater or Wagner, but they present a package of human rights and reputational risks that is all too often underestimated.

2021-05-21T13:53:56+01:00May 21, 2021|News & Views|