Businesses should protect themselves from risk during G20, advises RSA

TORONTO, June 2 /CNW/ - As the City of Toronto prepares itself for the upcoming G20 Summit, RSA, a leading home, auto and business insurer is reminding companies located in the downtown core to take necessary precautions to protect themselves against possible disruptions and building damage.

From June 25 to June 27, world leaders will gather at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre but businesses in the area should anticipate disruptions a couple of weeks earlier with the construction of a large security fence around several blocks in the downtown core.

"Due to the sheer volume of people expected and anticipated protest demonstrations it's very likely there will be interruptions to businesses in the area," said Mike Wallace, Vice President Risk Reinsurance & Underwriting at RSA. "Companies need to take the proper precautions and preparations now to mitigate any potential risk to their businesses during the G20 Summit."

RSA recommends that businesses take the following actions:

    
    1.  Review and update your business continuity plans, have your incident
        management procedures in place and be prepared to monitor the
        situation at all times (through police bulletins, news outlets and
        social media)

    2.  Communicate with staff, be transparent and have a hotline in place in
        case the office needs to close

    3.  Minimize unnecessary meetings during the week of the 21st, limit
        external visitors or staff visiting the core

    4.  Hold a fire drill a few weeks before the G20 Summit. Have additional
        security guards on duty to prevent unauthorized entry back into the
        building following the drill.

    5.  Increase the security around your company's access control system -
        some extreme protest tactics include disrupting business activities
        by stealing or damaging computers or electronic files.

    6.  To secure your building from unauthorized entry, remind employees to
        keep keys or access cards hidden from view when outside the office.
        If your key or access card goes missing, report your property
        management or security team immediately

    7.  Have additional security guards on duty - spending more time
        monitoring the building's perimeter. Buildings with lots of glass, or
        light coloured exterior walls are more vulnerable to vandalism and
        graffiti

    8.  Remove anything from the exterior of your building that can be thrown
        or set on fire such as garbage cans, bicycle racks or paving stones

    9.  Ensure all exterior lights are working and keep the building well lit
        inside during the nights of June 25, 26 and 27

    10. For information on steps you can take to keep your business secure
        from risk, contact your insurance broker
    

For more information visit the RSA website at www.rsagroup.ca

    
    About RSA
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RSA Canada includes Roins Financial Services Limited, Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, Quebec Assurance Company, Johnson Inc., Western Assurance Company, Ascentus Insurance Ltd., Canadian Northern Shield Insurance Company and is part of RSA Insurance Group plc. RSA Canada employs approximately 3,200 people and is represented by a large network of brokers across the country. In 2009, the Canadian Group wrote $1.9bn in direct premiums with assets exceeding $5.5 billion. Internationally, RSA Insurance Group plc employs about 21,000 people and has the capability to write business in 130 countries and in 2009 its net written premiums were (pnds stlg)6.7bn.

RSA is a trade name of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada.

For further information: Cathy Mitchell, Consultant, APEX Public Relations, [email protected], [phone] ext. 236