Cayuga recognizes the critical need for the hospitality industry to better prepare itself for the growing threat of global terrorism. In response to this need, a group of leading Israeli security experts from the TIX Group is offering their services and expertise through Cayuga.
TIX stands for 'The Israel Experience' in Homeland Security.
The aim of modern day terrorism is to disrupt and undermine our daily way of life by indiscriminately attacking 'soft targets' around the world, which include of course, travel and tourism sites. Examples include hotels whether part of large or small chains, resorts, the gaming industry, small boutiques and others.
Over the past several years, terrorists have struck at close to 70 hotels in 20 countries around the world. Major hospitality names such as Marriott, Ritz Carlton, and other chains have been attacked in Bali, Jakarta, Mombasa, Mumbai and Taba (Egypt) not to mention scores of other unsuccessful and foiled attempts.
In the US, a recurring question has been asked since the tragic events of 9/11 – Where will terrorists strike next?
How long will it be before attacks occur in the US as well other western countries?
As high-profile targets for future attacks, this pattern will continue to threaten the global hospitality industry. Western-based hotel brands symbolize the free world and modern lifestyles that accompany it. As sites for large and unsuspecting groups where potential victims congregate, easy access makes hotels extremely vulnerable. In addition, popular hotel brand names from the US and other leading economies, whether the locations are in the US or abroad, are extremely vulnerable to attack. The ultimate economic consequences from attacks are disastrous, amplified by sensationalized media coverage.
The hospitality industry faces a dilemma; how much of an investment must be made to upgrade security systems without converting hotels and resorts into protected fortresses?
The TIX Group has extensive professional experience, incorporating security approaches while allowing for maximum freedom of movement in open, inviting public spaces. In conjunction with this practice, existing security plans are upgraded and integrated into a comprehensive program with cost effective results.
With today’s terrorism threat on the increase, there seems to be an unlimited number of terrorists willing to volunteer for carrying out attacks including suicide bombings. This, coupled with the availability of state-of-the-art technologies, should send a clear message to the hospitality industry: now is the time to increase in-house levels of expertise and knowledge required for improved security planning.
Maintaining a free, yet open and secure environment is a key requirement for any hospitality industry security plan. An attack on any location can have widespread damaging consequences for the industry as a whole. This collective vulnerability is the prime reason the TIX Group strongly believes that, to reduce risk, management must integrate improved security measures into day-to-day operations.
TIX expertise is based on years of successfully proven experience that demonstrates how improved security systems and programs can be implemented cost-effectively utilizing existing budgets without major investments.
Our approach is based on models applied to individual properties and hospitality groups, whether they include a handful of locations or large international chains. TIX pays attention to each individual site’s security needs keeping costs within that site’s budgetary framework.
TIX concepts are based on several stages:
- Threat assessment
- Security survey
- Master security design
- Priorities
- Economic constraints
- Work plan
- Implementation
In addition to standard security plans, TIX has addressed economic damages that would be inflicted on the entire industry following a terror attack. While there is no such thing as a foolproof security plan, TIX has developed the TIX Emergency Contingency Plan (TIX ECP), a cost effective program that limits and mitigates the resulting economic effects, direct or indirect, of a successful terrorist attack on any hospitality institution.
Since the hospitality industry is vulnerable to negative public reaction after a terrorist event, an integral part of the TIX ECP includes an emergency PR campaign. This contingency campaign would be activated immediately after a terrorist attack to reassure the public, promote the new immediate security steps to be taken, and mitigate negative effects of the attack.
The TIX Group can provide security and strategic consulting services to all management levels within the lodging industry.
The TIX GROUP consists of former high-ranking security officials with hands-on experience in Israel’s fight against terrorism, sharing their experience and knowledge:
Commisioner (ret.) Assaf Heffetz, former Commissioner of the Israeli National police (1994-98) and world renowned security expert. Assaf headed the risk assessment committee for the 2004 Summer Olympics and consults to governments and corporations worldwide.
David Rubin, former hotel management professional, former Israel Economic Minister to North America and former / current director of several Israeli corporations including Dan Hotels, the largest hotel chain in Israel, and Israel Military Industries. He also served as Chairman of Sun D’or, the wholly owned charter subsidiary of EL AL Airlines. David is a graduate of The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in Systems Engineering and has an M.Sc. from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.
Dov Shiloah has almost 30 years experience working in the Israeli Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) in a variety of positions in Israel and abroad. Dov’s responsibilities included multi-national security and intelligence issues at various levels. He is a graduate of The Hebrew University in Middle East and political science, holds an M.A. in international affairs from Columbia University and an M.A. in political science from Haifa University.
Shimon Efrati served for over 25 years in the Israeli Secret Intelligence Service in various field and command positions in Israel and abroad. Within his service he spent six years as the head of a training division which dealt with security methodology and policies as well as determining security standards and implementing them in protected sites in Israel and abroad.
Gad Aviner, formerly Director General of the Ministry of Police, had 20 years of experience with Israeli military intelligence, from which he retired as a Colonel. Gad is a graduate of The Hebrew University in Middle Eastern and political studies and is currently a consultant to an international business intelligence group, and sits on the boards of several companies.
James Braver, US Director. Jim has been involved in promoting US-Israel cooperation for 15 years and has been involved in various organizations and businesses as well as having lived in Israel for three years. He is responsible for coordinating all TIX activities in the US. Jim was also responsible for facilitating and organizing the launching of the TIX Group’s School Security Program in California. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts.
