MINING

Key Elements: Operational Risk – Terrorism – Physical Security – Travel Risk – Employee Safety 

This client is a highly successful Australian mining company with interests throughout Australia and overseas. Following extensive explorations in Africa, they identified multiple sites for Greenfield operations in a country where there were concerns about political stability, security of assets and the safety of management and employees. Riskgroup undertook a detailed political risk assessment of the country and the specific site operations as a precursor to development of a strategic plan for security of assets, people and places. With mining operations now successfully launched, Riskgroup has continued to provide support to the company including close personal protection of traveling executives in high-risk locations, ongoing intelligence monitoring and expert advice regarding the physical security of mining operations. Riskgroup has also undertaken detailed assessments of gold other mining operations throughout Australia, often driven by due diligence requirements as part of mergers and acquisitions or insurers requirements.

Riskgroup has advised many corporations involved in gold mining and other resources around Australia.

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

 Key Elements: Employee Safety – Training – Physical Security – Armed Robbery Mitigation

 Background

A major operator in the hospitality industry, this client had a large portfolio of more than 40 hotels throughout Australia and had plans to sell the assets to an interested party. The buyer had identified some concerns about their exposure to a range of potential operational risks including issues of security services, physical security, occupational health and safety, regulatory compliance and liquor licensing.

Riskgroup developed an audit tool and undertook a detailed risk assessment of all hotels, focusing on physical security, security systems design, occupational health and safety, incident management, regulatory compliance, systems, policies and procedures. We prepared detailed reports, plans and a framework for a new integrated risk management system that was implemented as a means of addressing the buyers concerns. The recommendations and framework formed a critical part of the due diligence completed prior to successful sale of the company assets.

Riskgroup has considerable expertise in the management of hotel security, particularly security and crowd control services where the potential public liability exposure is significant. Our principal consultants are regularly engaged to provide expert advice in superior courts and we have been engaged in many public safety programs for local and state government agencies.

RETAIL

Shopping Centres – Safety and Security – Public Liability - Physical Security – Counter Terrorism

This client is one of the largest property groups in Australia with a quality portfolio of assets across the major markets and sectors valued in excess of four billion dollars. Riskgroup has been providing risk management advice to the company for many years with a focus on developing an enterprise-wide framework. Our many projects for this client have included development of national standards for security services contractors, technical support systems, investigations, emergency management, background checking, policies and procedures. Our involvement has also included the training of hundreds of outsourced security staff and management across the portfolio.

In recent years we have provided advice on counter terrorism controls including hostile vehicle mitigation, target hardening and responses to active shooters.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Key Elements: Safety and Security – Physical Security – Systems Design and Implementation

Riskgroup has undertaken complete risk assessments for many clients in the education sector including several universities and private schools with multiple campuses in both urban and regional areas. These reviews have focused on the personal safety and security of students and staff and the physical security of buildings as well as corporate governance and compliance. Schools present a complex environment for security risk management and we have been highly successful in helping school communities to better understand and manage their exposure. Some of this important work has resulted in us being engaged to design new technology support systems, undertake the procurement process and project manage extensive systems implementation.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Key Elements: Risk Assessment – Policy and Procedure – Training – Close Personal Protection

Riskgroup has assisted many companies and not for profit organisations in developing safety and security plans for international travel to high-risk locations. Terrorism is an enduring threat throughout the world in addition to a wide-range of other threats such as crime, natural disaster, civil strife and pandemic. Terrorist attacks against Australian and Western interests underscore the ongoing threat to Australians with business interests overseas so it is important that companies adopt a risk-based approach to protect staff.

Riskgroup can help you to prepare detailed operational risk assessments and develop effective management strategies to mitigate travel risk.

INTERNATIONAL PORT SECURITY

Key Elements: Counter Terrorism – Physical Security – CPTED – Training

This client is an international consulting group that specializes in security consulting in high-risk locations including Africa and the Middle East. Their focus is on the oil and gas industry and major port
operations for government and the private sector. Riskgroup provided security management expertise in port security projects that included risk assessments of international ports and training of government, military and police personnel in emergency response and security strategies, with a focus on counter terrorism and border security.

We have considerable experience in this space in developing programs to comply with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) obligations for International Ship and Port Security (ISPS).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Key Elements: Public safety – CPTED – Physical Security – Hostile vehicles – Armed Robbery – Cash in Transit

Riskgroup was engaged by one of the largest municipalities in Australia to conduct a detailed review of the risks to public safety in the central business district of a large capital city following a series of violent crimes, including retail ram raids, daylight armed robberies of high value retailers, attacks on armoured cars and after-hours burglary of retail stores in several precincts. Riskgroup conducted site inspections, interviews, workshops and investigations and made wide-ranging risk control recommendations that contributed to an effective reduction in local violent crime.

Similarly, we have advised a state government department in identifying risks and developing strategies for a major urban renewal project, working with many state and local government stakeholders in a diverse and emerging inner suburb, with significant public safety and security challenges.

CASH IN TRANSIT INDUSTRY

Key Elements: Risk Assessment - Business Planning – Policy and Procedures – Cash in transit

This client was a start up business aiming to establish a new private network of Automatic Teller Machines throughout Australia. Riskgroup undertook a detailed risk assessment of the proposed business model and developed a strategic framework for the proposed cash in transit operations. Riskgroup contributed significantly to the structure of the new business model and the enterprise was successfully launched and sold soon after to a major banking multinational.

POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Key Elements: Computer aided dispatch – Operating policy and procedures – Mission critical systems

Risk Group advised the US Multinational Intergraph Corporation in the design, implementation and management of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) management systems for police, fire and ambulance services throughout Australia and New Zealand. This included migration of these mission critical services from entirely paper-based methods to fully computerised systems. Contract values exceeded $300M and we spent five years in changing the face of public safety systems in Australia.

Risk Group continues to advise police services on emerging technologies including the use of sophisticated software for social media monitoring and investigations.

BACKGROUND CHECKING

Key Elements: Police Checks – Policy Framework – Risk Management

Good risk management underpins good business and effective screening techniques are essential as a frontline strategy. PoliceCheck contributes to hiring and management decisions that ensure you end up with the right person in the right job with the right skills. An often overlooked but significant contribution to risk is the employees themselves. Many companies fail to undertake even the most basic of pre-employment screening as a first line of defence to internal theft and fraud. A recent Australian study disclosed that up to 82% of identified theft and frauds were committed by employees, almost a third of which were by management. Identity theft is also recognised as a real threat to many businesses and the chances of a job applicant lying about who they are, what they have done, where they have worked and what qualifications they hold, are very high indeed. So, background checking is a fundamental first line of defence that we have provided for more than 15 years.

For more on this important aspect of your employment process, see our specialised services at www.policecheck.com.au where you can access our secure online services.

LITIGATION SUPPORT

Key Elements: Personal injury litigation support – Safe systems of work

Riskgroup has provided expert investigation and advice in many cases involving armed robbery, serious assault, sexual assault, unlawful arrest and negligence of police officers in the execution of their duties for example. We were retained to provide expert advice and investigation of a series of armed robberies that were the subject of the NSW Commission of Inquiry into the Cash in Transit industry. Our evidence contributed to numerous recommendations by the Judge chairing the inquiry resulting in sweeping changes to the industry.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Key Elements: Technical Counter Surveillance Measures – Corporate Crime Investigations

Riskgroup provides reliable and discreet services for Technical Counter Surveillance audits of major corporates and many government departments, using state of the art equipment and highly trained personnel. Our investigations for major corporates have included complex frauds, thefts, secret commissions and conspiracies.

URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS

Key Elements: Safety and Security – Risk Management Planning – Training - CPTED

The GPT Group is one of the largest diversified property trusts in Australia and owner and manager of the recently completed Rouse Hill Town Centre in Sydney’s Northwest. The complex is a landmark flagship asset comprising retail, commercial and residential space in a unique town-centre model that had clear objectives in terms of safety and security of residents and patrons.

Riskgroup was engaged to provide expert advice during the design and build phase, focusing on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles as a means of designing out opportunities for crime. We worked with the management team, architects, planners, designers and builders and provided ongoing advice during the build and post-build phases. Once operational, we continued to provide advice to the management team and security contractors.

Rouse Hill is a unique urban centre providing a safe, secure and sustainable lifestyle in this growth area of Sydney.

The Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development in Melbourne has engaged Riskgroup to provide similar advice in the urban renewal of the major transport hub in Footscray, known as the McNab avenue precinct. This project has involved work with many stakeholders, including local and state government departments, police and the local community to understand key risks and assist in development of relevant safety and security strategies.

MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Key Elements: Risk Framework – Physical Security – Background Checks – Regulatory Compliance

This multi-national client is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of prescription medications in the world, including various controlled substances with a very high illicit street value. Riskgroup was engaged to undertake a detailed review of the physical security of multiple manufacturing sites, including security systems, policies and procedures. Our review included wide-ranging recommendations for changes to the design, operation and maintenance of CCTV, access control and intruder detection systems and compliance with strict obligations of the industry regulator.