Security and our image

It is important to look at the environment of the organisation to see how its organisational image is perceived and whether it corresponds to the image the organisation seeks to convey. It is also important to find out how others per- ceive the protection and security of the organisation. This should be done from the following points of view:

- from the point of view of the people with whom we work: counterparts beneficiaries,

- colleagues and similar organisations

- financing institutions and sponsors (some may be more receptive than others)

- authorities with which we are in relation

- other actors who might be potential aggressor

- ...

It is also important to ascertain what level of security cooperation there is with other organisations or networks, with counterparts, with people with whom we work, etc.

Here are two non-exhaustive lists of useful thematic questions:

I - Organisational image and impact of the organisation work. How can we assess it?

- How do we learn about our organisational image?

- How to explain it to others?

- What is the purpose of the organisation?

- What are our activities?

- How do our activities affect armed actors or others?

- What capacities or power do we have to keep our work space open?

- What do we do to keep it open?

- How do we think our potential aggressor perceives us?

- Are we perceived as an organisation that handles well its work-related protection and security issues?

- Is there anybody who singles out our work or our handling of it from a security standpoint? Why? How can we tell?

II - Organisational image and impact of the organisation work. How are we perceived?

Try to answer the following questions about us from the point of view of the ‘enquiring’ party of your: (repeat the exercise for as many parties as you deem necessary: “they’ is you and “we” is the enquiring party)

- Who are they?

- What do they expect?

- What is their work?

- How do they hinder our work? What are the limits to our work?

- What can we do? How can we protect ourselves?

- How can we obtain what we want?

Once you have assessed the perception of others you need to see how you could change your image if it does not suit you. Not all perceptions can be changed, of course. But it helps to be aware of them has they may have an impact on your security and protection.