Cross Border Security

FTA urges all members and cross border commuters to register with the U.S. State Dept. program at https://www.osac.gov/Registration/index.cfm?display=userForm - OSAC, Overseas Security AdvisoryCouncil, (Global Security News & Reports)

February 24, 2009 -- The FTA website is under expansion, to allow members access to Alerts and Safety updates regarding Cross Border Travel and Security. We appreciate that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided the following Security Tips for those working and traveling in Cd. Juarez Mexico.

Personal Security Tips

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings – Take notice of what is going on around you.

   1. Never talk on your cell phone while driving.
   2. Know what is ″normal″ for your area.
   3. Of the 7 – steps for a terrorist attack (including kidnapping). 4 of the steps require surveillance.

2. Don′t just get into your car. Walk around it and check if anything has been added or attached. Check out the inside of the vehicle. Don′t leave your car parked on the street if you can help it. Never leave your car unlocked.

3. Vary your routine

   1. Leave for work/home at different times of the day.
   2. Vary your route to and from home.
   3. Drive different cars if available.
   4. Some days, just work from home – test your companies telecommuting plan for pan flu.
   5. Don′t advertise your schedule.

4. Perform background checks on your personal staff at home – housekeeper, driver; annually. Understand their background and needs – a way to you and your family may be through your staff.

5. Do you have an emergency contact number as one of your speed dial numbers? Does your wife or children have one on their phone? Does your wife know your duress code word and you hers?

6. Have you reviewed your home, identifying inner security rings? Once pass the front or back doors, do intruders have access to your entire house? Take this concept to work. Once pass your receptionist desk, does an intruder have access to your most important assets? This is a lesson learned from the Mumbai attacks. Review your security from your perimeter to your bedroom. Where can you hold out for help?

7. Your car is a weapon. If blocked by another vehicle, you can react and run over your attackers and/or hit their car. The speed necessary to knock a vehicle out of the way is only 7-15 miles per hour – hitting the car at the front or rear axles.

8. Become paranoid about the safety of your family and yourself. Just because you are paranoid it doesn′t mean that someone isn′t out there to get you.

9. Train your staff, both at home and at work, to not give out information just because someone asks. Social engineering is one of the easiest ways to gain critical information about you, your business, and your schedule.

10. Institute a security awareness program for all of your employees and your family. It gives you the biggest bang for your buck and adds eyes and ears for surveillance detection. Make sure your employees understand its ALWAYS OK to report something that ″just doesn′t look right″