Is your corporate event lined up in the upcoming months? Are you hosting the event? Voilà, that's a matter of utmost pride for yourself. But, with such great power comes great responsibility. 

Yes, as a corporate event host, your job is to make sure that your guests are safe throughout the event. You'll want to consider this aspect as the last component of the planning process but never do that. You're probably planning the event on a limited budget, and viewing it, in the end, gives it the minor portion of the budget- much less than it deserves. 

The chances for a security threat are there every time prominent people get together. And, that's the reason security needs to top the event preparation list. The potential for harm is always great if you don't take protection seriously. 

But, what should you do to prepare yourself for the disaster? Well, here are tips to help you get going:

• Assess the Security Risks:

Different events have different needs when it comes to security. For instance, the politician's campaign speech is most likely to have a higher risk than a ten-year birthday party, and your corporate event holds no exception. 

So, the very first thing you should determine is the type of risk you're exposed to. Here are some things that you must consider:

1. Who is addressing the event? Are they under threat from any individual or a group?

2. Who are all attending the event? Do they attract any controversy?

3. What is the event context? Does the topic invite any security problems?

4. Who is all speaking, performing, or exhibiting at a particular event? Are there possibilities of attracting agitators, or do they present any unique risks?

5. Are there chances for protests and counter-protests?

6. Will there be the presence of the media?

7. Will your event take place indoors or outdoors? Check if there are any security vulnerabilities. For instance, an indoor venue has more minor escape routes than an outdoor space as it is harder to secure. 

8. Can non-human elements like floods or wild animals pose a threat to the location? 

Now that you're aware of how security holds vitalness for an event, it's never too late not to take protection seriously. Just answer these questions to help you determine the volume and types of threats you'll be dealing with. 

• Keep the Security Measures Visible:

One of the most important goals of security in an event is not to respond to threats. Instead, it is to prevent threats from occurring in the first place. And, if somebody like a potential agitator sees security measures, he may want to drop the idea of harm.  If someone sees that they have to walk through metal detectors, they will be deterred from doing bad things.

Thereby, exposing your security team rather than putting them undercover is always a good idea. It does more good than harm. And why not? The agitators may perceive the concept of an unprotected event, and here's where the trouble begins. 

In one case, an event organizer put metal detectors at the event entrance but hid them with floral décor. And, the result was that a large number of people tried to enter with weapons. However, uncovering metal detectors the subsequent day made fewer people enter the event with unauthorized items. 

The event security experts suggest clarifying the prerequisites to make your attendees feel safe. Guests will know all about security measures to protect their well-being. Also, they'll know where to go in times of emergency. 

• Establish Security Checkpoints:

One of the best ways of raising people's protection from ever-increasing security threats is to set up checkpoints. All the event attendees must pass through the checkpoints to get inside. By doing so, the agitators will have to confront the security personnel much before they're capable of causing any damage.

For example, place the registration desk in the facility's lobby and not outside the auditorium's doorway. At the entry to the event, you can hand out customized event wristbands that show who is a guest, and what areas they have access to, perhaps using color-coding. Then, these can be checked at security points to ensure only the correct people are being let through. This way, when an uninvited guest paves a path to enter the event, he'll be stopped much before he reaches the crowd. 

• Cross-check Registration Information with IDs:

Event invitations are sent for only authorized people to pave their path through the entry gate. And, that's where it is vital to collect information in advance, right when people accept invitations or register for the event. 

Ensure collecting multiple data points for enhanced event security so that it is hard for an imposter to assume somebody else's identity. You can also request each guest to send their identity copy well ahead of time so that people can compare the same with their ID at the gate. Believe when the experts say that it is one of the most convenient ways of confirming identities. 

Consider checking people's belongings to ensure top-notch security. This saying holds vitality even when your event doesn't require registration. Magnetometers or hand-held metal detector wands may work the best for you. 

And, if none of these things matches your budget, ensure doing a bag check. 

• Always Keep Private Occasion Private:

If you're looking to keep your event private, never make a public announcement. Never talk about it on your website, press releases, newsletters, and social media. You're certainly very proud of the upcoming event, but know that public awareness only adds to the security risk. 

For instance, your corporate event is meant only for employees. So, there's certainly no need to make everyone aware. And, this also negates the chances for agitators to disrupt the event because they don't know about it in the first place. 

It can be worth hiring security guards for higher-risk events, to keep out anyone who isn't invited. This can prevent unwanted gatecrashers from causing a commotion. If it's likely that agitators will be armed, common for very controversial topics, then you should consider looking at security that is also armed, with anything from tasers to a more deadly weapon and reliable gun magazine. This should only be kept for events with a vocal opposition.

• Take into Account the Cyber Threats Also:

All security risks aren't physical. As an event planner, you may want to take steps to protect the guests' identities, devices, and data. It is always wise to protect your Wi-Fi service. Although this may not be feasible for more significant events, it will surely safeguard by keeping unauthorized parties off the network. 

Share passwords in a manner in which only the guests will be able to access. For instance, you can share these in registration materials or through your event app. 

Next, have an IT person run the security measures to ensure that malicious parties sneak data off your guests' devices. If you have a Wi-Fi network in your event venue, ensure reviewing the cybersecurity steps. 

By doing so, you'll ensure that the devices are logged into a network, which other devices cannot access on the web. 

The Bottom Line- Keys for Negating the Security Risks

Eliminating all event security risks isn't possible. But, you can indeed reduce the likelihood of their happening. Yes, you can minimize the chance of harming the guests and discourage agitators from causing trouble. 

Want to rock the upcoming corporate event? Well, apt preparation and vigilance are the keys. You can also reach out to a professional event security service if you suspect potential threats and wish to save yourself from the risks of a safe event for your guests.