American expats who are living or working abroad should ask if their organizations are participants in the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). Constituents of the Council have access to a variety of tools and information for keeping their employees safe. Members of organizations who are in the OSAC may apply online for their own user access to members-only information.
According to their website, the Overseas Security Advisory Council is, “Committed to providing the American private sector with customer service of the highest standard. Since OSAC is a joint venture with the private sector, we strive to maintain standards equal to or surpassing those provided by private industry. OSAC activities directly correspond to requests from the private sector.”
The purpose of the Council is:
- to provide an ongoing liaison to American entities abroad and increase cooperation between State Department security efforts and the Private Sector
- to allow for information exchanges between the State Department and the Private Sector that are both ongoing and timely regarding overseas security issues
- to educate members, disseminate materials for security planning and help implement security programs
- to recommend methods that will ensure the competitiveness of American businesses operating globally
The History of the American OSAC
In 1985, leaders from several American companies with employees working internationally met with the Secretary of State requesting governmental assistance and advice on security issues abroad. The resulting organization was comprised of experts from the governmental side and employers from the private sector.
The U.S. government provides technical experts while the private sector contributes experts on pertinent subjects. This sharing of information regarding security threats benefits both sides and provides private sector members with an opportunity for greater risk assessment and more advanced planning. Forums, tips and security tools useful in operations abroad are shared within the group. American businesses, educational institutions, faith-based and not-for-profit organizations with global activities are all members of this unique partnership.
Companies with Operations Abroad Are Eligible for Membership in the OSAC
Any not-for-profit, American-owned organization, or business which was incorporated in the U.S. that has operations abroad is eligible for membership in the OSAC. International businesses with subsidiaries or divisions based in the U.S.are not eligible if the parent company is not based in the United States.
As of June, 2010, in addition to many governmental entities, the following private sector organizations were some of the constituents of the OSAC:
Educational, Faith-based and Non-for-profit Organizations
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- Loyola Marymount University
- Pepperdine University
- Save the Children
Businesses
- Boeing Company
- ConocoPhillips
- Dow Corning
- FedEx Corporation
- Hyatt
- Levi Strauss & Co.
- Merck
- National Basketball Association
- New York Stock Exchange
- Procter & Gamble Company
- Raytheon Company
- Target Corporation
- United Airlines, Inc.
- United States Steel Corporation
- Verizon
- Visa International
- Walt Disney
Risk Factors Used in Security Risk Management
Security threat assessments for companies include the way individual risk is managed. Senior level leaders are not always the easiest targets, so the need for personal security is something every expat should understand. Depending on a variety of circumstances, the following risk factors should be evaluated and considered:
- nationality
- ethnicity
- residence location
- perceived level of affluence
- religion
- gender
- ease of apprehending target/victim
In addition, security risks may be higher for employees of the following types of organizations:
- military, para-military, or military contractors
- religious
- "rich" (any company that could afford to pay a high ransom)
In South America and Thailand, off the coasts of Africa and throughout the western world, security is a topic of concern for both organizations and individuals. People who work or study abroad are especially vulnerable. From high profile terrorists, pirates, drug organizations, and kidnappers to everyday thieves and pickpockets, average people are becoming targets. The U.S. State Department, in partnership with American businesses overseas provide answers to security issues for American expats.
Mistie Shaw - Writing for nearly half a century, Shaw's interests and education meander from music to the military, and from faith to fun.
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