Check Out the NCS⁴ Best Practices Online!
You asked for it, and we answered…The NCS⁴ is excited to announce that our industry safety and security best practices are now available in an online format. Search for and find best practices at your fingertips – on gameday, in a meeting, wherever you need them.
The NCS⁴ recognizes the need to help protect people, infrastructure, and information by sharing safety and security best practices. General best practices applicable to all types of venues and events are presented with the capability to navigate to industry-specific best practices, including professional sports and entertainment events, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, and marathon and endurance events.
The NCS⁴ Launches New Website
The NCS⁴ recently launched a new website with the primary purpose of creating a site that could be managed and updated in-house by NCS⁴ staff. The improved website integrates straightforward navigation and a streamlined approach with regard to content. The site consists of a custom theme and custom plug-ins built by NCS⁴ web developer Andrew Hood.
The website also includes a new home for Connect, NCS⁴'s membership platform, which is currently undergoing additional improvements. If you are a current member of Connect, and need assistance getting set up on the new platform, please contact Sara Priebe at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858. If you are not a member, and would like to learn more, please visit our Join page.
Thanks to all NCS⁴ staff for their part in making the new website a reality, with special thanks going to Andrew Hood, web developer, for the custom theme, custom plug-ins, and more, and Jonathan Stanford, Graduate Assistant, for making endless content revisions and updates.
We are so excited for you to see what we've done! Check out the new website by clicking the button below.
Agenda Announced for Upcoming Marathon and Endurance Events Forum
AN EVENT FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING CRITICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING MARATHONS AND ENDURANCE EVENTS
The Marathon and Endurance Events Safety and Security Forum is fast approaching! Make your plans now to join us. The full agenda is now available online. Visit the event website to view the agenda, register now, and book your hotel. The hotel room block ends Sunday, November 6, so book early for the best rate.
THANKS TO OUR SOLUTION PARTNERS!
Companies that provide products or services to the sports safety and security industry may only attend the Forum as Solution Partners. For information about becoming a Solution Partner for this event, please contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.
Make Plans Now to Join Us for the 2023 Intercollegiate Athletics Forum
AN EVENT FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING CRITICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
The NCS⁴ will host the 2023 National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum on January 17-18, 2023, in College Station, TX. The objective of the Forum is to address key safety and security challenges facing intercollegiate athletic programs and to share best practices for continuous improvement.
Collegiate athletic programs and venues attract a large number of athletes and spectators, making safety and security a top priority for venue operators, public safety officials, and local communities. Discussing current issues and exploring solutions in a forum environment will help colleges and universities, athletic conferences, and associations enhance safety and security plans and operations.
WHO WILL BE THERE: Athletic administrators and staff from NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions, athletic conference administrators, football bowl administrators, NCAA representatives, campus law enforcement, local and state law enforcement, facility managers, government officials, emergency managers, fire/HAZMAT, emergency medical services, city planners, governing bodies, sports commissions, and invited Solution Partners.
HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE FORUM
We have very limited space for this event, and registration is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. For additional information or to register, please visit the event website by clicking the button below:
THANKS TO OUR SOLUTION PARTNERS!
Companies that provide products or services to the sports safety and security industry may only attend the Forum as Solution Partners. For information about becoming a Solution Partner for this event, please contact Sara Priebe, NCS⁴ Event and Membership Manager, at sara.priebe@usm.edu or 601-266-6858.
NCS⁴ GA Assists With Chicago Marathon
Enzo Ferreira, NCS⁴ Graduate Assistant, recently participated in event staffing for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Ferreira assisted the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Forward Command teams with analyzing and sharing the alert status for the Chicago 5K and marathon. The EAS team worked closely with other law enforcement entities to monitor and secure the streets before, during, and after the events. Ferreira helped with crowd management after the Abbot Chicago 5K participants finished the race. Additionally, Ferreira worked the medical volunteer check-in on marathon race day. Thanks to Mike Nishi and Chicago Event Management for this incredible opportunity!
Where Are They Now? Updates on Past GAs
Ryan Kavanaugh, a former Graduate Assistant for the NCS⁴, recently graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's degree in Sport Management. Kavanaugh now holds a position as Assistant Branch Manager for Landmark Event Staffing Services, Inc., out of their Portland, Oregon office. Congratulations, Ryan!
NOAA Lightning Safety Plan: Venue Manager Feedback Requested
The National Weather Service is updating the NOAA’s Lightning Safety Toolkits and is soliciting input to make the toolkits more user-friendly and adaptable to a venue manager’s needs when weather threatens. If you are willing to provide feedback, please review the Lightning Safety Toolkit and share your suggestions via email here before October 27.
ICYMI: The NCS⁴ Publishes Industry Report on Professional Sports Venue Security Issues, Emerging Threats, and Technology Solutions
The sporting world faces unique challenges when returning to play following a global pandemic, and many leagues, teams, and venues are exploring ways to maintain or improve their security operations. The purpose of this survey is to explore professional sports venue security issues, emerging threats, and technology solutions. Information gleaned from this study will assist venue directors in policy development, increase awareness of technology solutions, identify resource needs, and address training gaps to help protect human, physical, and cyber assets. Click the link below to view the report.
ICYMI: Stadium Spotlight: Connected Devices and Integrated Security Considerations Available
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released Stadium Spotlight: Connected Devices and Integrated Security Considerations in collaboration with the NCS⁴. The product provides stadium owner operators and security professionals with a snapshot of the connected stadium environment, key vulnerabilities and consequences, and recommended enterprise- and asset-level risk mitigations, and points stakeholders to relevant CISA and NCS⁴ tools and resources.
This product presents resources and recommendations that stadiums can leverage to better secure their connected assets and augment their overall security and resilience. To access the product, click the button below.
In addition to reviewing the Stadium Spotlight: Connected Devices and Integrated Security Considerations, CISA also encourages critical infrastructure executives and senior leaders to review our “Shields Up” webpage at www.cisa.gov/shields-up. Also, organizations should share information on incidents and unusual activity to CISA 24/7 Operations Center at report@cisa.gov or (888) 282-0870 and/or to the FBI via your local FBI field office or the FBI’s 24/7 CyWatch at (855) 292-3937 or CyWatch@fbi.gov.
Upcoming Event
2023 Annual Conference Dates Announced
The 14th annual National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will take place June 27-29, 2023, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The gathering of top safety and security professionals across multiple disciplines provides a versatile and intimate environment dedicated to innovative technologies, products, services and educational programming. Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us! Full conference details will be released later this year.
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