Exploring a New Approach to the Business Continuity Management Training Practices by Singapore Hotels to Manage the Terrorist Threat

Abstract

Singapore is vulnerable to terrorist threats. This reality was reinforced by terrorist attacks in South East Asia in recent years. Attacks on soft targets by self-radicalized “lone-wolves” add a new dimension as these are difficult to prevent. Hotels are most vulnerable as they remain accessible to the general public. The Singapore Government has involved the private sector to help counter terror threats. Private sector companies should therefore adopt Business Continuity Management (BCM) systems and train their staff to take on this role. This paper reviews the current BCM and training practices of Singapore hotels. The findings reveal that most hotels have BCM systems and virtually all security staff and crisis team members undergo anti-terrorism training. However, many BCM systems are not based on industry standards and the majority of hotel employees are not trained. Computer simulation games could be a step to address some of these issues.