Securing Stadiums: Challenges of Confined Space Security

James A. DeMeo, Founder & CEO of Unified Sports & Entertainment Security Consulting participates in Risk Roundup to discuss “Protecting Stadiums: Challenges of Confined Space Security”. Overview The tragedies unfolding across nations are a constant, yet painful reminder that the threat of terrorism remains alive and real. As weapons of mass destruction gets smaller, sharper and simpler, even a single individual can cause massive damage in cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS). This emergence of lone wolf threats in CGS presents numerous security challenges for soft targets like stadiums, malls, theaters, marketplaces and more. A determined enemy, be it a single individual or a group of people, will likely be able to penetrate any system, event, or infrastructure across CGS. As a result. the security professionals that are entrusted with the responsibility of effectively safeguarding confined spaces across nations are acknowledging the fact that a lorry crasher, a suicide bomber or a loner with a laptop, can also potentially cause mass collateral damage. Fighting crimes and terrorism in cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS) is getting complex. The potential impact cannot be overemphasized to any nation’s economy, its national security, and the critical infrastructure upon which nations depend on. The question then begs, how to deal with matters of security? What can we do to prevent disasters? It is therefore important to evaluate- * How best to safeguard any stadium or venues? * How effective is the event security today? * How has event security evolved over the years and how will it evolve further in light of the emerging technological advances? * What is the level of preparedness that is required for any large event, irrespective of whether it is in an open space or closed space? * What obstacles or challenges do sports venue or concert arena have to implementing certain safety and security solutions? * What should the security training for stadiums or events cover? * What effect does parking have in providing a safe environment at sporting events or any other kind of event? * What role can a parking professional (human or robot) have in providing a safe environment at events? * Do most event organizers follow a proactive security approach or reactive? * How does law enforcement evaluate the nature and probability of security threat? * Is there interagency cooperation for sport, concert or any other event security? * What criteria should be used to evaluate and select security service company? * How is security risk intelligence collected? * Do all the security personnel work together? * How to determine, how secure is any event? When the changing nature of security threats in cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS) are bringing new sets of challenges and complexities to individuals and entities across nations: its governments, industries, organization and academia (NGIOA); collective brainstorming is a necessity to have an objective evaluation of what is at threat and how can it be secured! For more please watch the Risk Roundup Webcast or hear Risk Roundup Podcast About the Guest James A. DeMeo, M.S. is the Founder, President & CEO of USESC-Unified Sports & Entertainment Security Consulting LLC. He has over 25 years Security, Law Enforcement and Consulting experience. He is regarded as a Subject Matter Expert in Event Security by several leading domestic and international publications. About the Host of Risk Roundup Jayshree Pandya (née Bhatt) is a visionary leader, who is working passionately with imagination,