| Today, more than ever, hotel security has grown to | | | | that the entity can make. |
| encompass more than just emergency and | | | | Most hotels have a security manager or chief of |
| evacuation plans, a stern visit to a rowdy room, or a | | | | hotel security operations who is responsible for a |
| security guard at the hotel's entrance. Like all other | | | | crew of security guards. Today's managers and their |
| large facilities in a post 9/11 world, hotels must | | | | teams must be professionally trained and educated |
| protect themselves and their guests against terrorists | | | | regarding modern threats that face the hotel security |
| looking for a high-throughput environment that would | | | | industry. In addition to knowing how to properly |
| draw media and public attention in the case that an | | | | monitor security technologies such as CCTV, |
| event transpires there. | | | | access-control and other integrated hotel security |
| The connotations of contemporary threats translate | | | | systems, today's hotel security [ managers and |
| into several crucial aspects regarding hotel security. | | | | officers must be trained in identifying suspicious |
| First, the risk assessment is no longer an option for | | | | behaviors, interpreting body language and |
| hotels, but rather a necessary tool. Secondly, the | | | | cris-response intervention. |
| security manager and his or her team must be | | | | Thirdly, many countries or states have collective |
| professionally trained and qualified to deal with | | | | hotel associations that provide a supportive |
| today's contemporary hotel security threats. Third, | | | | community network for local hotels. Some examples |
| hotels benefit from joining an industry organization | | | | include the IH&RA ( International Hotel & |
| whereby they can be kept abreast of measures that | | | | Restaurant Association ), the AH&LA (American |
| their competitors are taking in terms of hotel | | | | Hotel and Lodging Association), the EHMA (European |
| security. Finally, hotels must have an orderly system | | | | Hotel Managers Association) and the IHA (Israeli Hotel |
| in place whereby they are periodically updated about | | | | Association). These fraternal organizations are the |
| the local and/or national security warning level by | | | | ideal platform for hotels to gain support in regards to |
| law-enforcement bodies. | | | | how their counterparts are providing services to their |
| In the case that a hotel is not mandated to undergo | | | | clients. |
| a hotel security risk assessment by local or national | | | | Finally, hotels must have an orderly system in place |
| authorities, it must take this responsibility upon itself. | | | | whereby they are periodically updated about the local |
| That is, a professional risk assessment will help a | | | | and/or national security warning level by |
| hotel identify its assets, the potential threats to | | | | law-enforcement bodies. Many national and/or local |
| those assets, and the magnitude of losses in the | | | | law enforcement bodies make this aspect of hotel |
| event that the threat manifests. Finally, and perhaps | | | | security a requirement. That is, the hotels in a given |
| most importantly, a risk assessment will draw | | | | area must be willing to have a consistent flow of |
| conclusions and provide workable recommendations | | | | dialogue between police or state security forces, and |
| and countermeasures to be implemented by the | | | | themselves. Through updates, and even set |
| hotel management. Although a professional risk | | | | standards, these hotels will be better equipped to |
| assessment prevents a formidable investment for | | | | provide the best to their guests. |
| the hotel itself, it is the most imperative investment | | | | |