Mission: Impossible - Physical Security Lessons from the Movies
Mission: Impossible is a great movie franchise that features the Impossible Missions Force (IMF) as they undertake dangerous and complicated missions to save the world. The movies are filled with action, suspense, and intrigue, and offer a wealth of insights into physical security measures and risk management. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at some of the physical security lessons we can learn from the movies, albeit in a slightly tongue-in-cheek way.
Lesson 1: Don't Skimp on Access Controls. In Mission: Impossible, the IMF agents use a range of access control measures to gain entry to secure locations. From retina scans to voice recognition, the agents use the latest technology to bypass security measures and gain access to their targets. However, they also understand the importance of physical access controls, such as locks, alarms, and guards. In the first Mission: Impossible movie, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) breaks into CIA headquarters by bypassing electronic access controls, but he also uses physical access controls, such as lock picks, to gain entry to secure areas. The lesson here is clear: don't skimp on access controls. Use a combination of electronic and physical access controls to create layers of security that are difficult to bypass. And if all else fails, just hire Tom Cruise – he seems to be able to bypass any security measure known to man.
Lesson 2: Be Prepared for the Unexpected. One of the hallmarks of the Mission: Impossible movies is the unexpected. Whether it's a sudden attack by enemy agents or an unexpected security breach, the IMF agents are always prepared for the worst. In Mission: Impossible III, Ethan Hunt is caught off guard when his fiancé is taken hostage, but he quickly recovers and uses his training to rescue her. The lesson here is that you can never be too prepared for the unexpected. Train your security personnel to be alert and ready to respond to any situation that may arise. And if you really want to be prepared, stock up on energy drinks and candy bars – you never know when you might need that extra boost of sugar to keep you going.
Lesson 3: Use Technology to Your Advantage. In Mission: Impossible, the IMF agents use a range of high-tech gadgets and equipment to help them complete their missions. From miniature cameras to hacking tools, the agents are always equipped with the latest technology. In Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Ethan Hunt uses a pair of gloves that allow him to climb a skyscraper with ease. The lesson here is that technology can be a powerful tool in physical security, but it's important to use it wisely. Make sure your security personnel are trained on the latest technology and use it to enhance, rather than replace, traditional physical security measures. And if you want to impress your colleagues, carry around a briefcase with a secret compartment full of gadgets – just don't accidentally hit the wrong button and release a knockout gas bomb.
Lesson 4: Keep Your Cool Under Pressure. Finally, one of the most important lessons we can learn from Mission: Impossible is the importance of keeping your cool under pressure. In the movies, the IMF agents are constantly under pressure, facing impossible odds and dangerous situations. However, they never lose their cool, always maintaining a calm and professional demeanour. The lesson here is that when it comes to physical security, staying calm under pressure can be the difference between success and failure. Train your security personnel to remain calm and focused, even in the most stressful situations. And if you're feeling particularly stressed, just take a deep breath and imagine that you're Tom Cruise on the set of a Mission: Impossible movie, calmly saving the world one security breach at a time.
There we have it - Mission: Impossible offers a wealth of physical security lessons that can be applied to real-world scenarios! From access controls to technology to keeping your cool under pressure, there's much we can learn from the IMF agents. But perhaps the most important lesson of all is to never give up. The IMF agents never give up on their mission, no matter how impossible it may seem. In the same way, we should never give up on securing our physical assets, no matter how difficult the task may seem.
So, the next time you watch a Mission: Impossible movie, take note of the physical security measures and risk management strategies employed by the IMF agents. And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, try implementing some of these lessons in your own physical security practices – just be sure to leave the explosive gum at home.
Don’t let your Physical Security become an Impossible Mission… just (Tom) Cruise over to the phone or email to send us a message (hopefully one that won’t self-destruct)!