The Dangers of Protests and How to Safeguard Your Business

Businesses face increased risks during times of public disorder, leading to potential disruptions in operations, damaged property, and employee safety concerns. Civil unrest and protests can happen swiftly in almost any location, and while businesses themselves may not be the main target, they can become a rallying point for those engaging in both demonstrations and counter protests.

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Moreover, businesses can suffer collateral damage; in particular, malicious actors can use unorganized and chaotic situations to target businesses they view as vulnerable.

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Being aware of the hazards associated with civil unrest and protests and having actionable plans in place are key to minimizing risks faced during these episodes. 

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Identifying Trends That Precede Riots, Violence, and Counter Protests

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While protests can take many forms, some are more likely to escalate from civil unrest to violence. Unorganized protests – those that lack coherent goals and structures – make it easier for disruptors to infiltrate and take advantage of an already tense situation.

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Conversely, protests that have civility and non-violence at their center will typically be organized and publicized by community leaders, and can be verified through official communications channels and social media pages.

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Protestors that believe they have faced discrimination by officials or law enforcement are more likely to undertake violent and unorganized action because they feel their efforts have been ineffectual. Counter protests—frequently tied to civil unrest that is overtly political or partisan—have the ability to raise tensions and increase the likelihood of violence. 

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When business owners identify these patterns early and understand the factors that heighten risk, they can proactively protect their people, property, and operations before unrest escalates. 

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Intelligence Awareness

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Situational awareness is paramount to protecting a business, and it hinges on the sources and connections a business utilizes. However, situational awareness tends to be present and reactive, while more forward-looking intelligence gathering and analysis can offer the necessary time for businesses to get ahead of potential protests and apply safety and security measures.

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Basic intelligence gathering steps include:

• monitoring social media posts
• news stories
• government or law enforcement updates
• liaising with local law enforcement and federal agencies.

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As protests approach or commence, businesses can watch for instigators or counter protests, deviations from planned routes or activities, and increased police presence and actions - all of which can be early warning signs that a protest may turn violent.

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Intelligence gathering often falls to security functions within an enterprise; however, the more individuals a business has looking for potential violence, the more likely it is to be spotted. Fostering an environment of communication between security, management, and employees is crucial.

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If employees discover indications that an event may be occurring soon, whether through their own social media activity or reading local news, providing a clear and established communication pathway for escalation increases the ability to collect and interpret all available intelligence.

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The Bottom Line

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In the digital age, threats are discovered across a plethora of different sources and channels, and intelligence awareness is the most crucial first step in securing a business and its assets during a time of violent unrest.

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Red5 works to aid organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats with expert-led intelligence. Our advanced security platform aggregates, analyzes, and prioritizes data from open source, dark web chatter, and proprietary feeds, giving actionable insights when they matter most. 

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In a world where unrest can escalate in minutes, we help you make informed decisions faster, protect your people, and safeguard your operations with confidence. 

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