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In our latest Rapid Resilience Briefing, James Burr, discusses the surge in antisemitic violence in Europe.
Full transcript
[00:05.0]
Hello everyone. Thank you for joining. My name is James Burr and I’m the Senior Regional Analyst for Europe Caucuses and Central Asia. I want to give you a quick briefing on an ongoing security risk, rising antisemitic violence across Europe with a focus on the recent attack outside the synagogue to the north of Manchester in the UK.
[00:24.6]
On October 2 during Yom Kippur A car ramming and stabbing outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation killed two worshippers and injured several others. This was the most severe antisemitic attack in Europe so far this year, and authorities immediately labeled it an act of terrorism.
[00:42.9]
The timing on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar underscored the deliberate symbolic nature of the violence. But this isn’t an isolated event. Since the onset of the Gaza war in 2023, we’ve seen a surge in antisemitic violence, vandalism and intimidation across Europe.
[01:00.0]
And this trend has continued as we approach the second anniversary of that conflict erupting. In the UK alone, there are about 1,500 incidents recorded in just the first half of this year, an extremely high figure. France and Germany are also seeing similar patterns with attacks on synagogues, schools, Jewish leaders and cultural sites being reported this year.
[01:20.7]
Even smaller Jewish communities like those in Switzerland are being targeted. So why does this matter now? The Manchester attack highlights how antisemitic sentiments are manifested in acts of targeted violence. It also raises the risk of copycat incidents, particularly around Jewish holidays, or at high profile institutions.
[01:42.2]
Security services are responding with stronger patrols, but the overall threat environment remains elevated and geographically dispersed across much of Europe. For businesses or institutions directly impacted by these antisemitic attacks on their premises or in the vicinity, there are several implications.
[02:01.8]
Operations may be disrupted by lockdowns and road closures near attack sites. There are also knock on effects for supply chains, corporate travel security, insurance costs and even legal liability if firms fail to meet duty of care obligations.
[02:18.4]
Looking ahead, we assess with moderate to high confidence that antisemitic violence will stay elevated across Europe into 2026, with spikes during Jewish holidays and at moments of geopolitical tension. So what can organizations do? A few key resilience measures include upgrading site security, running vehicle ramming and active attacker drills, using real-time intelligence and alerting systems, and strengthening communication plans.
[02:47.5]
Partnerships with local law enforcement and geo security organizations are also critical, as are reviews of insurance and legal protections. In short, this is a sustained and regional trend that businesses and communities alike are encouraged to prepare for, not just an isolated crisis.
The frequency and complexity of critical events are reshaping corporate priorities and challenging organizational continuity. For Chief Security Officers, and others responsible for the safety and security, navigating this new era requires moving beyond traditional security postures to embrace a resilience-oriented framework.
Protect your global workforce with Everbridge Assist. This comprehensive service provides 24/7 medical, security, and travel assistance for any event impacting your employees’ well-being. Powered by integrated technology and a global support network, we ensure rapid, expert care to maintain safety and business continuity during any disruption or emergency.
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Corporate travel spending is projected to surpass $2 trillion globally by 2029. However, organizations are facing an increasingly complex threat landscape that presents risks to employee safety.
These threats include geopolitical instability, which can lead to sudden travel disruptions; cyber threats targeting sensitive corporate data; and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.
For organizations with duty of care obligations, building a comprehensive travel risk management (TRM) program isn’t just good practice; it’s essential for protecting employees and business continuity.
A travel risk management program provides systematic processes to identify, assess, and mitigate risks that could impact traveling employees. Today’s organizations must adapt their TRM programs and travel policies to keep up with evolving threats.
This guide provides a clear roadmap for developing your organization’s TRM program, covering risk assessment, policy development, technology integration, and implementation of best practices.
Understanding today’s travel risks
The modern risk landscape is multifaceted and constantly changing. To build an effective program, you must know the primary threats your travelers may face:
- Political instability: Civil unrest, protests, and sudden changes in government can create hazardous conditions.
- Health emergencies: Pandemics, regional outbreaks, and inadequate medical infrastructure pose significant health risks.
- Natural disasters: Events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires can disrupt travel and endanger employees.
- Cybersecurity threats: Travelers are often targeted through unsecured Wi-Fi networks, leading to data breaches and intellectual property theft. AI is also used to drive a variety of increasingly complex cyberattacks.
- Transportation disruptions: Airline strikes, infrastructure failures, and severe weather can leave employees stranded.
Inadequate travel risk management carries severe financial and reputational consequences. A single incident can lead to costly evacuations, medical expenses, lost productivity, and lasting damage to a brand’s reputation as a responsible employer.
5 steps to building your travel risk management program
Effective TRM programs require structured frameworks that integrate across multiple organizational functions and align with global best practices, such as the ISO 31030:2021 standard for travel risk management. This standard provides a comprehensive framework for managing travel-related risks and ensuring employee safety.
Here are the steps to create a program:
1. Policies and procedures
Establish comprehensive policies guided by ISO 31030:2021 to define pre-travel approval processes, destination risk classifications, and mandatory security protocols. These policies should specify when travel requires additional approvals, the security measures needed for different risk levels, and how employees should respond to emerging threats.
2. Pre-travel briefings and training
Implement pre-travel briefings and mandatory training programs to ensure employees are aware of destination-specific risks and understand how to access support resources. Reinforce employee awareness of relevant travel policies, communication protocols, and resources available before, during, and after travel.
TRM program socialization and adoption is vital. ISO 31030 emphasizes the importance of effective communication and training to promote compliance.
3. Roles and responsibilities
Define clear roles and responsibilities across departments, including security, human resources, internal communications, travel management, and legal teams. Following ISO 31030 guidelines, each function should have clearly outlined duties for both routine operations, training, and emergency situations. Corporate travelers have a responsibility to be aware of their organization’s program, the available resources, and what is expected of them.
4. Duty of care obligations
Address duty of care obligations by establishing documentation procedures, incident reporting protocols, and legal compliance frameworks in line with ISO 31030:2021 standards. For example, the standard supports integrating due diligence into risk management systems and maintaining public reporting on traveler welfare, for example, compliance with regulations like the EU’s corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD).
5. Evaluate your program
Successful TRM programs require ongoing evaluation and refinement based on incident data, employee feedback, and changing risk environments.
Track key performance indicators including incident response times, traveler compliance rates, policy utilization metrics, and cost per incident. Use these metrics as the baseline for measuring your program’s effectiveness and ROI.
Ask key questions to evaluate your program, such as: Can you locate all traveling employees within 15 minutes? Do you have pre-established evacuation procedures for each destination? Are employees trained on communication protocols during emergencies? Have you tested your incident response procedures and technologies through tabletop exercises?
By leveraging the ISO 31030:2021 framework, organizations can create robust, globally recognized TRM programs that prioritize traveler safety while meeting duty of care requirements.
Enhancing business traveler safety with technology
Manual processes are no longer sufficient for managing the complexities of modern business travel. Comprehensive TRM platforms automate and centralize critical safety functions, providing a significant return on investment.
Everbridge Travel Protector™ is a comprehensive travel risk management solution designed to ensure the safety and well-being of traveling and remote employees. Key features and benefits include:
- 360° Threat awareness: Provides real-time risk intelligence, pre-trip advisories, and alerts for travelers, including those in high-risk areas or with critical travel plans.
- Location awareness & alerts: Tracks travelers via mobile app check-ins, travel reservations, and advanced search capabilities, enabling quick identification of those at risk.
- Traveler safety App: Offers a mobile app with travel risk intelligence, emergency contact options, and educational resources to minimize risks.
- 24/7 Medical & security assistance: Access to multilingual support for medical and security emergencies, ensuring rapid response during crises.
- Integration with Critical Event Management (CEM): Part of Everbridge’s CEM platform, it unifies travel data, automated alerts, and dynamic location tracking for seamless risk management.
- Compliance with ISO 31030: Helps organizations meet international travel risk management standards, enhancing duty-of-care obligations.
Everbridge Travel Protector is ideal for organizations prioritizing employee safety and operational resilience in a hybrid workforce.
See how Burns & McDonnell uses Everbridge to improve global employee safety by managing weather emergencies, safeguarding travelers, and protecting operations.
Not sure how to assess travel risk management solutions? Download our free eBook to simplify your decision with 20+ key questions and must-have features for safer, smarter business travel.
Strengthening organizational resilience through strategic investment
Building an effective travel risk management program requires systematic attention to risk assessment, policy development, technology integration, and continuous improvement. Organizations that invest in comprehensive TRM capabilities protect their employees while maintaining competitive advantages in global markets.
The rapidly evolving threat landscape, particularly the increase in cyber-attacks and new regulatory requirements, makes robust TRM programs essential for organizational resilience.
Companies that implement effective programs reduce incident frequency, minimize disruption costs, and demonstrate their commitment to employee safety and regulatory compliance.
Ready to see how Everbridge can transform your TRM program? Take a personalized tour of our comprehensive solution and discover how leading organizations protect their travelers while maintaining operational excellence.
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