In the December 2013/January 2014 issue of Homeland Security Today magazine, “No Vacancy – The daunting challenge of hotel security” discusses hotel security from the hotel’s perspective as well as that of those who might be lodging with the hotels.  The author, Timothy W. Coleman, reached out to Prevendra’s CEO for commentary and perspective on what individuals should think about, especially given the threat of terrorism is something which could occur at any locale.    The following snippet is drawn from the article.

Christopher Burgess, a veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency with more than three decades of service and recipient of the CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the highest level of career recognition explains, “While one will be hard pressed to individually determine whether a terrorist group targets a hotel, one can take some basic steps to be knowledgeable in advance. Critical information should be factored into your travel plans ahead of time.”

Burgess, now the CEO of Prevendra, a leading security-consulting firm, stresses the need for travelers to be cognizant of local conditions that may adversely impact the peripheral security environment of a hotel.

“Conduct a search for civil unrest, political disputes, or the like. Where are such events occurring or likely to take place in the city in which you are visiting? In many cities, the rabble rousing and crowd forming occurs in predictable and well-documented locales – choose a hotel that isn’t on this path. Travelers need to anticipate the potential threat before it appears, as and after the fact threat realization limits an individual’s options as well as their ability to identify the safest exit.”