The International Cricket Council (ICC) is a global federation, comprised of 105 nations, that is responsible for the coordination, governance and promotion of the game of cricket worldwide. The functions of the ICC and scope of its remit routinely bring the organisation into contact with complex security issues and geopolitical sensitivities, often presenting challenges both in ensuring the safety of its staff and in protecting the international image of the sport. Instability in South Asian politics, especially between the major cricketing nations of India and Pakistan, is one of the numerous challenges facing the ICC.
IAS - International Cricket Council (ICC)
background
The ICC is dedicated to promoting the integrity of the sport, deploying personnel across the world year-round as part of anti-corruption, anti-doping and anti-racism programmes, as well as to explore development opportunities.
As the ICC seeks to promote cricket worldwide, including in developing countries, the ICC faced event management issues owing to host country organisational capacity, inadequate financial resources and unstable national politics.
Outcome
Since 2009 the ICC has been able to make better informed around the governance and integrity of the sport as well as to meeting the duty of care obligations it owes to its staff. Key outcomes have included:
- Four major global tournaments secured: G4S in-depth risk assessments have contributed to major global tournaments proceeding without delay.
- 100% Terrorist incident management response supported: G4S provided analysis and forecasting in the aftermath of 100% of high-profile terrorist attacks in ICC locations that have informed risk posture
- Executive protection tasks: G4S has conducted EP tasks for ICC executives travelling to higher risk locations, based on appropriate recommendations given by the dedicated analyst. These visits may otherwise have been delayed or cancelled
Key outputs have included:
- Incident management response:When coordinated suicide bombings struck Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday 2019, the ICC had assets in the country with potential exposure to attacks. G4S responded to the ICC’s need to gain an understanding of the situation on the ground by compiling an initial situation report within hours of the attacks. G4S provided the ICC with regular updates over the subsequent hours and days, analysing the evolving security situation and providing reliable and actionable intelligence that the organisation used to ensure the safety of their affected assets.
- Driving decision-making: In 2019, the ICC requested a security assessment and advice around the proposed travel plans of an ICC development officer involving an African country. In light of G4S’ assessment, the ICC adjusted the proposed itinerary and requested close protection support for its staff while in the country, which G4S arranged. From the risk assessment to the provision of services, the ICC was able to ensure the safety of its staff and responsibly promote their interests in the country by relying on the knowledge, dedication and global services of G4S.
- Strengthening the ICC’s leadership: In 2017, the ICC requested an independent security assessment of Indian security provisions for the Pakistani cricket team for the T20 World Cup in India. The event took place during a time of heightened tension during which Pakistan refused to take part due to security concerns. The assessment was produced within 12 hours and distributed to the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards and governments. The report persuaded the Pakistan government to allow the team to participate in the event, avoiding large-scale financial and reputational losses.
“We take matters relating to safety and security very
seriously. In this background, we are pleased to extend our independent risk
assessment services arrangement with G4S for another three years. We are
confident that G4S will continue to provide best security advice, which, in
turn, will help us make correct decisions. We also hope G4S will play a key
role in the development of our security risk management program.”
“We have worked with G4S Risk Consulting] since 2009,
receiving bespoke reports focused on our countries of operations and interests
in sports-related security. This reporting keeps us abreast of situations and
incidents that may impact the security and business continuity of our
operations and staff. [G4S Risk Consulting] has adapted […] to fit our changing
security needs. This responsiveness, high-quality analysis and strong
understanding of our company’s needs has helped [G4S Risk Consulting become] an
integral part of our organisational risk management practices and is an important
component of our process to determine the security needs of our personnel and
events.”
Services delivered
We provide impartial advice to the ICC, allowing them to maintain strong relationships with national sporting boards and governments and navigate complex geopolitical developments while making decisions that will ensure players’ and staff’s safety.
Key services provided to the ICC include:
- Bespoke security risk assessments
- Daily monitoring reports
- Ad-hoc security support
- Journey management
- Executive protection
- 24/7/365 incident management response support
Method
A dedicated analyst produces bespoke reports on political and security threats that could impact the ICC. We have also developed a tailored assessment methodology for the ICC that ensures consistency and rigour in approach and delivery.
- Key to this solution is a close working relationship with key stakeholders so that we can better anticipate concerns and provide proactive analysis and advice. G4S IAS deliver the following:
- Bespoke daily monitoring reports provide insights and advice to the ICC on key incidents worldwide with a potential to impact the organisation at an operational and strategic level.
- Bespoke security risk assessments covering ICC tournaments, Test, One-Day and T20 matches around the world provide key insights on risks at and around stadia ahead of key matches. The tailored methodology underpins the risk assessment and enhances its integrity and reliability, allowing key ICC stakeholders to confidently take security-driven decisions.
- Ad-hoc support proactively assists the ICC with planning(such as travel security briefs) and decision-making processes (such as immediate response to incidents) while remaining on-call 24/7/365 to provide reactive support in cases where the ICC’s personnel/interests are directly and immediately at stake (for instance, in response to terror attacks, including the Sri Lanka bombings and Christchurch mosque attacks).
- Our solution also extends to physical support, where we have conducted journey management and executive protection for key stakeholders in several countries, following appropriate mitigation advice.
Download our IAS Capability Brochure for more details.