The NCS4 Publishes Industry Report on Professional Sports Venue Security Issues, Emerging Threats, and Technology Solutions

Thu,
07/28/2022 - 11:29am | By: NCS4 Staff

The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has published results from its Venue
Security Director Survey in an Industry Report.

The sporting world faces unique challenges when returning to play following a global
pandemic, and many leagues, teams, and venues are exploring ways to maintain or improve
their security operations. The purpose of this survey is to explore professional sports
venue security issues, emerging threats, and technology solutions. Information gleaned
from this study will assist venue directors in policy development, increase awareness
of technology solutions, identify resource needs, and address training gaps to help
protect human, physical, and cyber assets.

“This publication provides insights on sport security operational and management trends
as well as emerging threats and technology utilization,” said Dr. Stacey A. Hall,
NCS⁴ Executive Director and Professor of Sport Management. “We are pleased with the research
output and hope practitioners, academics, and technology solution providers find value
in the results.”

The project was approved by USM’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), which reviews
academic research involving human subjects to ensure that it follows federal and university
requirements. The online survey was administered to venue security directors hosting
professional sports teams from Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National
Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League.
Venue demographics, staffing and training, fan behavior, technology utilization, patron
screening, cybersecurity, and drone mitigation were areas of focus.

Industry recommendations and resources are also provided in the report.

“We are excited to share the results of NCS⁴’s venue security director survey and hope this report provides useful information
and resources to venue security directors,” said Dr. Joslyn Zale, NCS⁴ Senior Research Associate.

The NCS⁴ produces research reports, industry whitepapers, and hosts a research seminar series
to inform industry professionals and academics on current sport security issues, solutions,
and best practices.

To view the report, visit https://ncs4.usm.edu/research/industry-reports/.

About NCS⁴:

Established in 2006, the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security
(NCS⁴) is the nation's only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports
safety and security. The NCS⁴ is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS⁴ mission focuses on three key pillars – Training and Education, Research, and Outreach. For more information about NCS⁴, call 601.266.6183 or visit ncs4.usm.edu.

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