Crisis Management

Crisis management is one element of a functional system of total security management. BA ENTERPRISES focuses particular attention on this key aspect of security, as crises often occur without warning and can be a question of "to be or not to be".

Crises pose fundamental challenges to states, economic organizations, institutions and individuals. An appropriate response to the crisis is only possible if appropriate professional steps have been taken in preparation for every eventuality. The very survival and future of the organization in question may depend on the outcome of the crisis, i.e. whether or not it is overcome.

Crises can come in all kinds of guises. Terrorist attacks, bomb threats, kidnapping, extortion, sabotage, fire, natural disasters, accidents, technical breakdowns etc. – they all demand a different approach and must be tackled in different ways. What they all have in common, how-ever, is the need for a functional system of crisis management to be in place which will allow action to be taken immediately and the crisis situation successfully mastered.

Typical elements of a crisis include the need to take important decisions on the basis of reliable analyses, the presence of an acute threat, an increase in the level of general uncertainty, the need for action to be taken quickly, and the significance of the outcome as regards the future.

The focus must be on crisis prevention and early detection so that a timely response is possible and appropriate countermeasures can be taken. A perfect system of crisis management presupposes that all the necessary personnel and material resources are already provided for before a crisis occurs. What is more, a fundamental prerequisite for successfully dealing with a crisis is that responsibilities and roles are clearly defined, named and practised.

The analysis of the crisis situation, the provision of information, the command structure, the internal and external communication and the monitoring of all action taken have a crucial bearing on the success of the operation and, therefore, on the survival and future of the organization in question.

Crisis management not only has to be planned, implemented, communicated and controlled, however a fully functional system of crisis management can only be achieved by continuously practising all key processes and procedures.

If the worst comes to the worst, people must not only have a precise knowledge of their own duties and responsibilities, but must also know those of their colleagues to ensure that the crisis does not escalate into a disaster.