Aviation Security Risk and Crisis Management

Aviation security continues to be an area of global concern. Crises and emergencies can quickly develop in an aviation setting, irrespective of the cause, and require trained leaders to respond quickly and effectively -otherwise, a situation that is manageable can quickly spiral out of control, causing international disruption, reputational harm and financial costs. Considering this scenario, the ICAO Global Risk Context Statement provides a high-level description of the security risk in aviation worldwide. The statement offers guidance to help Member States in taking a risk-based approach to maintain and extend their civil aviation security programmes.

This course considers the practical application of the Risk Context Statement at the regional, country and airport levels. It examines how risk-based approaches to all aspects of security (including terrorism) can reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen countermeasures. It examines best-practice methods, and international standards, for managing any crisis that may arise directly or indirectly from the realisation of such risks, including the sensitive handling of people most directly affected.

Ultimately, this training brings effective techniques for supervisor and managers, who need to manage risk and prepare for crises and emergencies in aviation security. The training delivers leaders who can prepare for, respond to, and recover from aviation incidents and crises in a timely and coordinated manner.

The course has the following aims and objectives

• To provide a detailed examination of the requirements of the ICAO global Risk Context Statement, and the security activities that Member States are required to take to improve and sustain their aviation security programmes;
• To examine the international concepts of security risk management, the methods used to identify and prioritise risks, and the types of countermeasures available;
• To explain the principles of planning for, responding to, and recovering from a sudden, unexpected and large-scale aviation emergency or crisis;
• To clarify the meanings of key terms and definitions used in the field of security planning, risk and crisis management, and the need for a common language;
• To enable learners to apply the techniques used for security planning and crisis management in their aviation workplace.

At the end of this course, learners will have a better knowledge and understanding of the risks and threats facing the aviation sector, and be able to prepare and respond more effectively. They should have the general concepts and principles of:

• evaluating the current trends and emerging threats faced by the civil aviation industry and create solutions;
• producing a security risk assessment methodology for practical application in the aviation workplace;
• explaining the components of an ‘all-hazards’ approach to crisis and emergency response planning;
• identifying areas of vulnerability within an aviation organisation using risk assessment techniques to develop effective countermeasures;
• writing a crisis management and business continuity plan;
• activating a crisis management plan for simulated emergencies and events;
• formulating a business continuity plan and integrate it with operational planning, response and recovery;
• constructing an effective media and communications strategy for responding to crises and incidents; and
• evaluating the impact of human factors during crises and major incidents, and specify countermeasures.

Supervisory or managerial experience in an aviation sector role is desirable.

Participants are kindly requested to bring a laptop to the course to access course material which will only be provided in electronic format.