Cutting The Risk.

SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS

It's a story that produces concern among many foreign business executives traveling in some areas of Latin America: On Feb. 25, 1999, three Americans were kidnapped from a U'wa tribal area about 200 miles from Bogota by armed men in civilian clothing, later suspected to be leftist rebels. The Americans, who had been on a mission aimed at helping preserve the group's native identity, were found dead several weeks later in a remote part of Venezuela.

Foreigners are often targeted because they can garner the highest ransoms. However, leftist guerrillas, paramilitary organizations, narcotics traffickers, urban gangs and individual criminals pose security threats in many areas of Latin America, the Caribbean and the world

A 1999 report, "Social Panorama of Latin America" by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), noted a mounting level of violence" in many Latin cities. There is a growing perception among the Latin American population that a problem exists (with) respect to public safety. This view has a factual basis, given the region's rising crime rates, but it has also been driven by the wide coverage that crime receives in the media."

In response, governments throughout the region are upgrading their police forces and increasing the use of surveillance and other techniques to combat robberies, assaults and homicides. Many Caribbean nations, for example, have taken measures to cut crimes against tourists -- the lifeblood of many island economies.

More important, it is vital for business travelers, government officials, wealthy families and successful companies to recognize potential dangers and take proactive steps to assure their personal safety.

Preventive checkups

To reduce risks posed by kidnappers, thieves and other criminals, security consulting firms provide "preventive checkups" for individuals and businesses. The goal is to identify trouble spots in advance and improve security at home, in the office or on the road. Faced with a higher level of security, criminals are more likely to seek an easier target.

For high-profile business and civic leaders, guards, bulletproof clothing and armored vehicles can provide an additional level of security. And if an executive or government official is kidnapped and held for ransom, specialized firms can assist with negotiations and the safe recovery of the individual.

Another area of concern for many businesses is the potential threat of sabotage, product contamination, industrial espionage or high-tech fraud, such as penetration of a company's data network or Internet site. Discontented workers, political organizations, disturbed individuals or computer hackers can damage a business' production line, steal corporate secrets or create a public relations nightmare.

Security firms with corporate clients in the region emphasize the importance of advance planning and prevention. Working together with a security consultant, a company's senior management team can assess potential problems and develop an effective crisis response strategy. One effective technique is to implement various simulation exercises:

* What would happen if a violent crime were to occur in the workplace?

* Are safeguards in place to prevent internal embezzlement or fraud?

* Could a hacker break into the company's customer database?

* What if the company's products caused an outbreak of food poisoning?

In this way, a company is better prepared to move quickly to take control of a crisis situation and minimize any damages. Then, after the crisis is over, the company can focus on the recovery process -- getting back to normal operations as quickly as possible.

Pinkerton provides prevention and rapid response services

When faced with a serious threat, Latin American businesses turn to Pinkerton's Business Risks International (BRI) division for effective crisis management services. "We deal with kidnappings, extortions, product contamination, evacuations, violence in the workplace, terrorism, and sabotage," says Dick McCormick, senior managing director, in Washington, D.C.

With offices in Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Miami and trained consultants in most major Latin cities, Pinkerton can respond quickly and effectively to crisis situations. But McCormick, who helped manage more than 100 kidnapping situations, says it is far better to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from occurring.

Pinkerton provides home and office security surveys and inspects frequently traveled routes, looking for trouble spots. The firm also provides training to drivers and instructs clients on surveillance and countersurvellance measures. "If you can recognize that you are under surveillance, you can take steps in advance to prevent a kidnapping," McCormick adds.

An integral part of BRI's operations is Pinkerton's Global Intelligence Services, which focuses on providing in-depth risk assessments and analysis of security threats around the world on a daily basis. "The information we receive through our intelligence service helps us to prevent problems," says McCormick. "But if all else fails, we have a highly effective response capability."

Pinkerton is a wholly owned subsidiary of Securitas AB of Stockholm, Sweden. The combined organization represents the largest security firm in the world with annual revenues exceeding US$4 billion and 140,000 employees in more than 32 countries. For more information, visit pinkertons.com on the Internet.

O'Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt: World-class protective security services

O'Gara-Hess & Eisenhardt is the world's largest and most respected vehicle armoring company, serving clients like the President of the United States and more than 60 other heads of state. In Latin America, O'Gara-Hess sold more than 900 armored vehicles and trained hundreds of clients in security driving and other issues in 1999, according to Ricardo Moreno, business development director in Latin America.

"Our exclusive technology and armor integration techniques position our firm to offer the best value through superior ballistic integrity, perfect fit and finish, and an affordable price," says Moreno.

To serve Latin executives, families and government officials faced with the threat of violence, O'Gara-Hess has plants in Sao Paulo, Mexico City and Bogota, as well as a business office in Miami. Latin America represents about 30 percent of worldwide sales for the Ohio-based company, which has more than 800 employees around the world.

One of the firm's subsidiaries, ITI International Training Inc., provides defensive driving training for individual customers and their drivers. Another affiliate, Kroll Associates, is dedicated to corporate security. With more than 60 offices worldwide, services provided by Kroll Associates include corporate investigations, forensic accounting, fraud detection, and Internet security.

"We are dedicated to meeting the security needs for Latin companies, individuals and government agencies," Moreno says. "O'Gara-Hess is a world leader in its markets."