Human Factors in
Security, Business Continuity & Emergency Management
As a governmental entity, the U.S. Department of Homeland security is large and complex, with more than 240,000 employees working across 22 different incorporated agencies. The field of homeland security is also broad and multifaceted, focusing on a range of topics, including terrorism prevention, cybersecurity, human trafficking, disasters, and resilience. Just as all of the critical infrastructures vital to the United States are dependent on one specific sector--electricity, all homeland security agencies, and areas have one commonality-- people.
In both the public and private sectors, humans play a role in all aspects of security, including the functions of deterrence, detection, response, and recovery, for both administrators and recipients of security and emergency management procedures. For example, work in the behavioral sciences has direct implications for helping to prevent violence and terrorism, in the community, on campus, and in work settings, as well as for dealing with the effects of such incidents when they occur. Understanding the human response to complex emergencies, like CBRN situations, or cyber-threats, is critical to managing all phases of the emergency management lifecycle.
Behavioral Science Applications LLC (BSA) applies the methods and doctrines of the behavioral sciences to the problems of homeland and private security, business continuity, and emergency management. The ability to form accurate behavioral assumptions can give an organization's leaders a critical tactical and strategic advantage in managing a variety of operational risks. An understanding of crisis-related behavior can inform actions that organizations can take in order to more effectively achieve the desired outcome. In other cases, an understanding of human behavior can simply lead to a more complete explanation for why people react in certain ways in disasters, emergencies, and violent incidents. Failure to adequately address human behavior in crisis response can lead to plans and procedures that are inappropriate, ineffective, and potentially dangerous.
BSA's multi-disciplinary team helps our clients with analyses and insights into human behavior to facilitate effective crisis-related plans, policies, procedures, and exercises. By applying a multidisciplinary social science approach to understanding the diversity and complexity of human behavior, BSA can help optimize your organization's preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.
Pandmeic-specific Programs
As the world struggles to turn a corner on the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are championing the new normal, but the omicron variant has become a significant obstacle to returning some sense of normalcy. People are disoriented from the whiplash of schools and businesses opening and closing, again and again. Even when the omicron surge subsides, it’s likely that the new normal will seem more new, and less normal, than many
will be comfortable with. New-anything may not seem at all inviting after nearly two years of new everything.
The lingering effects of isolation, health anxieties, and pandemic fatigue can easily follow people back into
the re-imagined school and work environment, impacting physical and mental wellness. Reopening
society will not be like flipping a switch—it will be a process rather than an event. There are still many
unknowns and uncertainty will continue. This 90-minute virtual "What's Next?" training explores the ongoing and emerging behavioral challenges of the pandemic, including
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Pandemic fatigue and habituation to chronic stress
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Lingering concerns about health risks associated with in-person contact
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Residual emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, grief, and traumatic stress
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Social awkwardness in navigating relationships
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Adjustment issues related to new routines, including once again commuting to work or school
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Ongoing difficulties with concentration and attention
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Vague, generalized nervousness and unease
Just in Time Training
One of our most popular and important programs, “Behavior and Communications in Public Health Emergencies” is now available as a 90-minute webinar. This program provides managers at all levels with critical information about the unique ways in which pandemics and other health emergencies impact people’s willingness and ability to work. It is essential that leaders operate with accurate behavioral assumptions about what people are most likely to do and not do during public health crises. The program addresses key concepts in impact and intervention, as well as important strategies to help keep their workforce and communities calm, focused, and engaged.
To learn more about our Homeland Security Human Factors programs and services, including pandemic-specific offerings, please contact us at +1.973.602.7222 or by email to info@behavioralscienceapps.com.
