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Member Insights:

The Importance of Having A

(Comms) Plan!

By Andy Clark ASyI

No matter how many people I talk to, no one had ever disagreed with
me that communications form a vital part of any successful operation. The answer is simple: progress. In the past two decades, much
I’m not just talking about security operations here, but any operation. progress has been made in the area of mobile communications, that
There’s a reason that communications are always one of the first things we just take it for granted that when we want to contact someone, we
a military unit gets up and running because without it those controlling can. Unless we’re in an extremely remote or rural location, and even
the operation are deaf, dumb and blind and in those circumstances, it then it’s not that often you find somewhere that you can’t even make a
would quickly deteriorate into chaos. phone call, even if you can’t get online.

It’s an anomaly then, that so little importance seems to be attached So progress has made us blaze about the need for a comms plan, or
to ‘comms’ both during planning and training. Having a competent training in how to communicate effectively and efficiently. No need
‘signaller’ on the team, who is well trained and well versed in multiple right, anyone can use a phone!
forms of communication has to be an advantage right? Think back to
the military example I gave earlier, the signaller forms a vital part in But one day this apathy will unravel into a whole world of pain.
any unit whether on the frontline or back in the Ops Room. But most Hopefully, it might just lead to an embarrassing moment when the gate
security-related courses I have ever come across only pay lip-service to isn’t open when the Boss’ car approaches, but it could be much more
the importance of communications if it is even mentioned at all. serious.

And since I’ve also brought up the subject of Ops Rooms, let’s talk So let’s cover some of the areas that should be addressed when
about those as well. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve walked considering comms planning.
into what has been referred to as an Ops Room and had to try to keep
my ‘poker face’ intact! First, as I already said, make someone responsible. Nominate your
comms guy and task them with drawing up a comms plan, both
We can’t change the way people think and react overnight, but let’s strategically and tactically.
start to sew some seeds that might just take root and start to grow!
We all know the saying “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance” What needs to go into a comms plan I hear you ask. In the first
and I’m sure it’s applied regularly by many. But what do we need to instance, you need to consider why you need to communicate. What’s
think about from a comms perspective? the reason you ask because this will inform later choices.

First and foremost, someone (your signaller) needs to have In its broadest sense, we communicate to pass information to
responsibility for comms and for the comms plan. Too often it is left to individuals or to groups, to allow decisions to be made and
individuals, and that is when things can go wrong. facilitate the smooth flow of an operation. But there might be other
contributing factors. Maybe the reason is to spread misinformation
Be honest, when was the last time you included comms as a specific if, for example, you know or suspect that you are being eavesdropped
action in any general planning or SAP activity? If you did, well done, and you want to mislead your adversary. You need to figure out you
have a gold star, but I’d say you are in the minority. But why is that? why first.
Why isn’t it taken more seriously?
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