Securing the papal conclave, one of the world’s most high-profile and logistically demanding events, is a critical undertaking in today’s complex global threat landscape.
Similar to the recent funeral for Pope Francis, security planning and implementation of this magnitude requires a proactive, multilayered and meticulous technology-driven approach. For systems integrators, these events present both a challenge and an opportunity to design a comprehensive and redundant security strategy that works successfully under intense public scrutiny.
Threat and risk assessments are critical in planning to provide security for major special events. Evaluating events based on factors such as size, known threats, symbolic importance, location, media attention, and VIP attendance can help determine threat levels and guide appropriate security measures.
Effective assessments involve identifying potential threats (e.g., crime, terrorism, natural disasters, cyberattacks); analyzing their likelihood and impact; and estimating costs for prevention. Key risks must also be identified such as harm to people, property damage, financial losses, legal liability and reputational harm.
Planning Begins with Assessing the Risk
Before a single camera is installed or a line of computer code is written, successful event security starts with intelligence gathering and comprehensive risk assessment. What’s the event’s profile? Who are the attendees? What are the likely and unlikely threats — terrorism, cyberattacks, civil unrest, insider threats? What is the level of vulnerability of the controls and areas of critical infrastructure, such as power and telecommunications?
Systems integrators should begin by working closely with event organizers, emergency management, local law enforcement, and federal agencies to define the event’s threat landscape and identify security gaps that must be addressed.
The next step is to conduct a vulnerability assessment, examining the venue layout, surrounding infrastructure, perimeter and entry and exit points. At this stage, collaboration is critical to aligning technology with the operational needs such as emergency responders, private security, venue management and public safety agencies.
When planning and managing major special events, security providers should:
- Prepare for both extreme and routine incidents, from terrorism and natural disasters to common disturbances like fights or public intoxication.
- Balance strong security measures with the need for events to remain open, enjoyable, and profitable.
- Establish temporary but effective management structures and communication systems specific to the event.
- Maintain regular law enforcement across the broader location, not just at the event itself.
- Coordinate early with local and federal agencies, to create awareness and potential support for nationally significant events.
Build a Layered Event Security Framework
Once the risks are identified, the focus shifts to designing the security framework. The most effective strategies are based on a strategic, layered approach:
- Perimeter Security for access control and crowd management. This can includes vehicle barriers, fencing, access control for gates, and license plate recognition. Drones may also be deployed for perimeter patrol and crowd monitoring.
- Access Control and Credentialing for regulating who enters and exits as well as providing security for restricted zones. May includes biometric verification, RFID wristbands, smart badges, and turnstile systems. It’s important to that these technologies are interoperable and scalable.
- Surveillance and Monitoring for real-time situational awareness. Can includes high-definition IP cameras with PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) capabilities, AI-powered analytics (such as facial recognition or behavioral detection), and unified video management.
- Cybersecurity to Protect sensitive data such as press credentials, VIP access, and payment systems. This includes firewalls, endpoint protection, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring to harden against cyber threats. Systems integrators must bridge information technology and operational technology to confirm cybersecurity is embedded across all systems.
- Incident Response and Emergency Communication to facilitate rapid response by first responders during emergencies. Includes real-time command centers, mass notification systems, and communication tools.
Choose the Right Technologies—and Integrate Them Seamlessly
The key to effective event security is not just choosing the best tools, but ensuring they work together as a cohesive ecosystem. Systems integrators must prioritize situational awareness and threat management intelligence, command center operations, mass communication systems and fan engagement technology.
Open-architecture platforms are often the best path forward. They allow third-party devices and software to connect via standard protocols, making it easier to add or upgrade systems without overhauling the entire infrastructure.
To achieve fast, reliable coordination in fluid environments, command centers (both temporary and permanent) can serve as the central nervous system for event operations. These solutions combine video surveillance, incident tracking, and communication tools in one rapidly deployable platform. Their ability to integrate data streams from multiple sources enhances decision-making and enables a more agile security posture.
Pre-Event Security Testing and Simulation
Every system integrator knows the danger of last-minute deployment. For high-profile events, testing should be thorough and begin well in advance. Full-system walkthroughs, penetration testing, and network load testing help confirm everything performs under stress.
It’s also vital to simulate real-world scenarios — active shooters, lost children, fire evacuation or VIP emergencies — and rehearse coordinated responses with all stakeholders. Many integrators now offer digital twin simulations to model event sites and security behaviors, giving planners a risk-free environment to refine tactics.
When deploying mobile or modular security platforms, pre-event testing should confirm interoperability with fixed infrastructure and mobile devices. Confirming that command centers can ingest live data from drones, sensors, access points, and law enforcement feeds is critical to building a truly unified system.
During the Event: Live Monitoring and Adaptive Management
Event day is the ultimate test. Integrators should confirm real-time monitoring through a centralized security operations center (SOC). All sensors, video feeds and access logs should be live and accessible by authorized personnel. Any alerts should trigger automated workflows — e.g. dispatching a nearby security team or locking down a sector.
Cloud-based management systems with mobile access can give field teams situational updates and support command coordination. This is especially important for sprawling events across multiple venues or cities.
A proactive posture is essential: cyber defense systems should monitor for intrusion attempts, while AI video analytics can detect unattended bags or aggressive behavior. Adaptability is critical and plans may need to evolve quickly in response to weather, crowd surges or unforeseen incidents.
Post-Event Analysis and Continuous Improvement
After the crowds clear and the event concludes, the work isn’t over. Systems integrators play a vital role in the post-event debrief, where comprehensive analysis is essential.
All data — ranging from command center and surveillance video as well as access logs to system alerts and communications — should be archived and evaluated. Sharing these findings with all stakeholders is essential for identifying successes, failures, and areas for improvement for planning future events. This not only demonstrates ROI but also builds trust for future projects.
When securing large high-profile events, strive for flawless execution, keeping in mind that every step is critical to success. Systems integrators must combine technical expertise with strategic foresight, ensuring that disparate systems work together in a unified security strategy. The most effective security strategies operate seamlessly in the background, while being executed flawlessly in plain sight.
Ultimately, a successful event security deployment does more than help prevent threats; it delivers peace of mind, a great attendee experience and seamless coordination among many partners working behind the scenes to help mitigate and manage risks.
Because every event is unique, with its own challenges and dynamics, effective security must be tailored to fit the distinct nature of each situation.
Ty Richmond is the president of event services for Allied Universal.
