Many of us when we travel abroad as individuals may be smart enough to think in advance about the possibility of a medical emergency. For those of us who live in the United States, and are used to a private insurance system it may be relatively easy to conceptualize the need for insurance. However, many people may or may not be aware that some aspects of their private medical insurance will not work, or will not be covered when they are abroad. [Read more…] about International Medical Assistance for Travellers: Insurance May Not be Enough!
Employee Travel Security
The smartphone has become an indispensable tool for modern daily life, and its importance is magnified in the context of overseas travel for employees or executives should not be discounted. Whatever you need to do, “there’s an app for that.” Except when there isn’t, as when an employee is overseas, and her cell phone dies or gets broken and yet she needs it for important medical or travel security information. Whether she is in Germany, the UK, Iran, or China, it really doesn’t matter. That iPhone or Android device is her lifeline to the home office, and reassurance about her own travel security abroad.
Why so?
Our phones can serve as translation devices, can help with figuring out monetary transactions and proper exchange rates, can function as a flashlight; the list goes on and on. And of course the phone can also work in it’s basic capacity as a communication device–you can always phone home! On account of this, everyone should consider the issue smart phone travel security beyond avoiding pick-pockets. There is a fly in the ointment: the phone turns into a mere paperweight if it runs out of battery charge. Given how important this tool can be in keeping you on track and functioning while traveling, it is imperative that you a good backup plan for keeping the phone alive.
Beyond simple things like running virus scans to prevent hackers, and making sure one has fresh batteries, there is the issue of the ‘there there.’ When she calls out, does anyone answer? With time differences and cultural differences, the last thing you want is an employee to face an emergency abroad and find ‘no one home’ when he or she needs help.
Smart Phone Travel Security Means Getting Live Updates
Smart phone travel security involves having a backup plan for staying charged up. What if your charging block overloads or shorts out due to power-grid fluctuations (not uncommon outside 1st-world countries)? What if the power just goes down and shows no sign of coming back up (not uncommon in 3rd-world countries)?
This basic level smart phone travel security can be handled with some clever 3rd-party tools. Solar-powered chargers can trickle-charge your phone. A good option most times, but this can be slow, and of course sometimes the sun just does not shine (at night for instance!).
Another option is a hand-cranked charger. The only limitation on your battery life then is how vigorously you can turn the handle (hint: it’s not that hard to keep it charged).
Beyond the ‘simple’ problems, there is the problem of just being aware of what is going on in the country. And the problem or challenge of reaching out for help as for instance during an employee medical emergency in Syria or Iran, and needing to find on-the-ground assistance. That’s where we come in.
One of the most important class of apps you be locked out of if your battery died would be those from IMG GlobalSecur. These provide updates on security issues realtime. Think about it this way: If the power is down, that’s precisely when you’d most want to know what is going on?
To see how our software can help you, to reach out to us and have one of our friendly staff conduct an employee overseas monitoring audit and demo the available software.
New York, NY – March 22, 2016. IMG GlobalSecur, a top firm in the international business travel security consulting space, has issued a travel advisory bulletin on the recent Brussels attack and bombings. With estimates of at least thirty one killed and nearly two hundred injured in the Brussels attacks, the company’s IMG GlobalSecur system is issuing alerts focused on the needs and vulnerabilities of business travelers in Belgium. In addition, the alerts are valuable to companies with employees overseas in Europe.
“The tragic attacks that have unfolded in Brussels, Belgium, are yet another unfortunate reality of the threats posed universally to all as well as to business travelers,” explained Chris Hagon, CEO of IMG GlobalSecur. “Our business travel advisory in light of the Brussels attacks and bombing is a first step towards advising clients and the business traveling public as to common sense actions to take in this heightened security environment.”
To read the full business travel advisory on the Brussels attacks and bombings, click here. Persons interested in the firm’s no cost Daily Intelligence Briefing should visit the home page at https://www.globalsecur.com/ and scroll down to the sign-up form. The daily briefing is a round-up of threats around the world, with an eye to the needs of employees, executives, and other business travelers.
Persons with more specific needs should reach out to one of the firm’s business travel security consultants as events and information are subject to change without notice.
Highlights of Business Travel Advisory vis-a-vis the Brussels Attacks
With the situation unfolding in real-time, the advisory provides common sense steps that business travelers, employers, and employees should be taking. Among them are the following. First, travel security managers should immediately check in with their employees in Belgium to determine their status and location. Employees on the ground, of course, should also check in immediately if they have not done so. Second, anyone traveling into or out of Belgium should expect significant travel delays. Third, travelers already in Belgium and the Zaventem municipality should await further instructions from the Belgian authorities. Finally, those in the impacted areas should closely follow local news reports.
About the Incident Management Group (IMG)
Incident Management Group is a leading international security consulting firm. Corporate or business organizations concerned about their need for robust travel security solutions can reach out to the IMG Group for assistance. The company’s experts provide services such as executive, employee, VIP, and expatriate travel security, workplace safety, duty of care management, risk and threat assessments, workplace violence prevention, crisis management planning, and more.
Web. http://www.theimg.com
Tel. (954) 458-5500
IMG GlobalSecur provides alerts to our subscribers on events and potential threats worldwide. Today, unfortunately, the world awoke to an unfolding political crisis in Belgium, following deadly terrorist attacks at the airport and on public transportation. The following is an excerpt from our Global Monitoring Alert for 22 March 2016 / 0700 UTC:
- On 22 March 2016 at approximately 0800 local time (0700 UTC), two explosions took place in the departure hall of Brussels Zaventem International Airport (E
BBR/BRU), reportedly near the American Airlines check-in counters. Preliminary reports state that at least one person was killed and dozens of others were injured in the explosions; some reports state that as many as 12 people were killed. Operations at EBBR have been severely disrupted; all outgoing flights have been canceled and all incoming flights are being diverted from the facility. Unconfirmed reports state that firefighters have discovered undetonated explosive devices at EBBR. The airport is being evacuated and the surrounding areas have been locked down. There are also emerging reports of an explosion at the Maalbeek metro station, which is located near European Union facilities in Brussels. Authorities are reportedly shutting down the metro system in response to that incident, although the cause of the apparent blast and its immediate effects remain unclear.
For up-to-date public news coverage, please visit – Google News | Yahoo News. On an on-going basis, companies with employees posted abroad are encouraged to reach out to us to learn about the services provided. The unfortunate events unfolding in Belgium are yet another reminder of the security threats posed to innocent civilians in a turbulent world.
Recommendations after Brussels Attack for International Business Travel (Employee / Executive Travel)
- Travel security managers should make contact with their employees in Brussels to determine their status and location.
- Those with plans to travel through Brussels airport should anticipate cancellations or significant delays.
- Travelers should avoid the Zaventem municipality and areas surrounding the airport to the extent possible. If travelers are currently in the affected area, they should locate a secure area and remain there until authorities provide further instructions.
- Those in the impacted area should closely monitor local news reports.
In a business journal you may read statistics about “global travel” rising or falling. A trade publication for the airline, ocean cruise or hospitality industries might speak of “overseas travel.” The U.S. State Department couches its press releases in phrases like “international travel.” [Read more…] about Employee Travel Safety Needs Remain the Same No Matter the Description