MedAire blog

Insight, Preparedness and Assistance together create the appropriate security mind-set required to proactively prepare for – and mitigate – risks.  

All organisations should implement a comprehensive and methodical risk assessment process to identify, analyse and evaluate security risks appropriate to their specific operations and business requirements. 

In the aviation space this includes landside, airside, in-flight, and post-flight operations, movements, and activities. Macro- and micro-level forces that could influence the threat environment should also be assessed. 

The array of scenarios is infinite, but developing deep understanding through Insight, organisations can begin to anticipate possible scenarios and plan appropriately. 

Furthermore, organisations must have suitable operating models to implement, manage and oversee safe and secure operations at both the strategic and the operational levels. 

Security planning is a critical component of Insight. Understanding how the organisation will manage risk on a day-to-day basis and in the event of an incident or emergency is crucial. 

Planning should define the structure of the security management system, how this is governed and implemented, monitored and reviewed, and how those responsible for the implementation are trained and supported. 

Planning must also include standard operating procedures for each security-related activity and function, and appropriate reporting structures and response mechanisms in the event of an incident. 

Lines of communications, both within and external to an organisation, should be clear and well defined to manage risks effectively and efficiently; and as part of a continual cycle of review and improvement. 

Prior to an incident or event occurring, emergency response and recovery planning and training are also essential. This ensures the organisation understands what is required in a time of crisis, by whom, and with what resources to minimise the impact of an event and move the organisation towards recovery with minimal disruption, financial cost and reputational damage. 

Where airport operators are looking to expand and upgrade existing facilities and infrastructure, it is critical that the architects, planners and developers understand the security risks associated with the project.  

Operational requirements must be defined and scoped for the security measures and controls being considered.  These attributes and elements of large-scale and complex projects must be integrated from the start rather than added later as a costly retrospective activity. 

Design planning should consider landside and airside operations holistically, rather than as two separate initiatives, to ensure that new vulnerabilities are not inadvertently created and existing vulnerabilities are not magnified, thereby increasing the level of risk. Insight also includes new market risk assessments. 

“INSIGHT: A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE RISKS ORGANISATIONS FACE, WHILE ACCOUNTING FOR THE NUANCE AND ADAPTABILITY REQUIRED IN A WORLD OF IMPERFECT INFORMATION.” MEDAIRE AND CONTROL RISKS 

Organisations entering new markets must conduct analysis to better understand the unknowns and complexities pertaining to an unfamiliar operating environment. 

New markets mean the potential for new suppliers and business relationships.  

Due diligence is required to ensure that potential business partners and/or suppliers do not introduce new threats or amplify existing vulnerabilities. Any of those risks must also be assessed against an organisation’s risk threshold.  

Finally, Insight is inextricably linked to fully developed situational awareness to the extent that flight operations are concerned. This should include assessments of regional and local-level conflicts, which may restrict airspace or geopolitical and financial developments which could have implications on aviation and business activities.  

Incorporating Insight as part of aviation situational awareness creates yet another layer of safety and security during routine and non-standard operations. 

Learn more about Insight and the holistic approach to aviation security.