Leading security firm plans Oman operations

Business Tuesday 23/May/2017 17:01 PM
By: Times News Service
Leading security firm plans Oman operations

Muscat: Le Beck, which has a presence in some of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is planning to begin operation in the Sultanate in coming months, a top-level official said.
In an interview with the Times of Oman, Anthony Tesar, chief executive officer of Le Beck International security and risk management consultancy, highlighted the company’s future plans and its intended operations in Oman to enhance the already high standard of security prevalent in the country.
“Oman is a relatively secure country compared to its neighbouring states. The government policies and law enforcement in place is excellent. However, companies should never become too complacent, they need to stay alert of potential risks and be prepared to keep them at bay in the long-run. Locally-based companies must make sure to maintain and continuously upgrade their security standards. This is the reason we want to come into Oman, to help companies stay prepared,” Tesar, who is a former bomb disposal officer in the British army and a former United Nations’ weapons instructor, said.
“We have extensive knowledge of this region which is considered one of the most volatile due to its ever-changing socio-political climate. It is this local acumen we want to bring to companies in Oman and give our clients the peace of mind so they can concentrate on their core business.”
Le Beck operates out of its headquarters in Bahrain and has two stand-alone offices in Saudi Arabia. The company specialises in providing comprehensive security and risk management solutions tailored to suit individual client needs and objectives, and which take into consideration current affairs and industry conditions. Le Beck provides clients with expert analysis of the most recent security-related events impacting the region and globally, and advises on further steps to mitigate possible risks involved. After the US elections last year, the company released a research paper on each of Trump’s cabinet advisers and the potential impact it can have on relations with the GCC. It also sends daily security alerts to its client database detailing important situations unfolding around the globe that may impact the Middle East.
Apart from threats stemming from extremist groups, Le Beck specialises in staff training and IT infrastructure and physical security that allows for an early detection of criminal activities that include cyber attacks and physical crimes.
“The Middle East is always on high alert due to the geopolitical scenarios. We are expecting these risks to cascade through borders into other countries as they have previously done. What we do is to assess and prepare private institutions with the necessary security tools and frameworks to be able to anticipate and mitigate these risks so that their most valuable assets- business, people and brand reputation remain safe,” he said
Financial institutions and oil and gas infrastructure have often been hit by crippling cyber attacks that directly impact the economy. According to Tesar, if the appropriate security mechanisms put in place, from IT systems to employee practices and knowledge, are fortified, it minimises the chances for criminal activities.
“We notice that the most violent crimes take a good deal of planning. This is where we have to discourage criminals. At Le Beck, we make sure that our defence systems are so strong that they can never be a target for criminals and they instead are forced to look at other places for their activities,” he explained.
“We have to think like the people we are trying to block. The most violent crimes are usually pre-planned and this is where we have the opportunity to discourage criminals. We make sure that the security systems we put in place are strong enough to deter criminal activity from the start so our clients will not be easy targets.”
Le Beck started operating in the region in 2004 following the terrorist attacks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where it now has two stand-alone offices.
In Bahrain, during the Arab Spring, Le Beck helped organisations save millions of dollars by convincing them to stay in the country instead of relocating, and provided them with the necessary security advisory and support.
A new security mobile application is expected to be launched by Le Beck in June this year. The App will provide subscribers, whether corporates or individuals, with real-time information and valuable analysis of security situations occurring across all countries in the MENA region, in an effort to promote safety awareness and preparedness.