CASE: Large corporation operating in Ukraine
Client
The Client is a large highly diversified multinational corporation with activities globally. The mother company has +115.000 employees in total with app. 8.000 employees in this particular branch. There are offices in 33 countries, primarily in high-income Western and Asian democracies.
Problem
The client is a sponsor of a major international sports event which is being held in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting a war against separatist in Donbass, supported by Russia, who has also annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. The event might be used as leverage for political reasons and the company fears incidents; either terror, cyber-attacks, or disruptive violence which in this setting with logistical challenges, might be detrimental to company reputation.
Challenge
The client has invited 300 VIPs from around the world to participate in this highly profiled event for 3 days of sports, networking and partying. They will be distributed in 10 different settings across Kiev. The Corporate Security Department is short in terms of manpower, insight and experience. A UK based company is in charge of hospitality services and logistics for the client. This company is not unaccustomed to the logistical challenges or indeed the physical challenges of a major global sports events but feels ill equipped in dealing with the particular challenges of this setting.
Solution
Bischoff Advisory was asked to do a threat assessment, mitigation and contingency planning and to be in charge of operational security before, under and after the event. We deployed to Kiev several times to liaise with hosts, event- and hospitality organisers, to map and time events, movements, inspect venues, facilities, routes – even ships. We turned every stone, drilled Ukrainian staff, walked 15 miles every day, asked “What if” countless times, checked and rechecked everything. We returned 10 days before the event and had not only matters, but also contingencies firmly in hand. In addition to planning a full-scale evacuation of more than 400 persons, some of these were:
- What if Dynamo Kiev hardcore right-wing supporters attacks the Liverpool Red Army?
- What if the Stadium or the hospitality area is targeted by a terror attack?
- What if a cyber-attack paralyses the ATM’s and electronic payments?
- How do we communicate if mobile network and internet goes down?
- Pollution of water?
- Incidents involving VIPs in the rather rough nightlife in Kiev.
The song; “You’ll never walk alone” sung by supporters, now has a special meaning. You shall not.
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Contact
Bo Bischoff
+45 70 70 74 56
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