Security at the Web Summit 2018

This case study examines security planning for mass events in Lisbon, Portugal.

• Protecting citizens in mass events, crowded places and public spaces.
• Promoting an adequate response to possible emergencies, to minimise the adverse effects of a serious accident or disaster.
• Promoting security at mass events and in public spaces.

In preparation for the event, a prior assessment of threats and risks was conducted, taking into account the size and high visibility of Web Summit 2018, the large number of participating countries and organisations involved (both public and private), and the public interest attributed to the event. The Security Intelligence Service (SIS), the entity responsible for assessing the degree of threat, classified the event as Grade 3 – Significant, and the police defined a detailed security plan accordingly.

An inspection of the technical galleries in the basement of Parque das Nações was carried out by police from the Explosive Device Inactivation and Security Centre (CIEXSS), to detect any explosive or incendiary devices in these areas ahead of the event. Following the searches and security checks at the venue, the police ensured continuous policing of the venue until the end of the event.

A delimited external security perimeter was created with access control for people and vehicles, so that only accredited people and authorised vehicles could reach the venue. An interior security perimeter delimited access and circulation routes, with a buffer zone between the outer and inner perimeters to manage the flow of participants. Police officers searched people and their belongings using metal detectors, X-ray machines and gantries, to prevent weapons, objects and prohibited substances from entering the venue. Strengthening border security or restoring border controls was not required.

Outside the event, an airspace ban prohibited low-flying aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) from the area where the event took place. A temporary no-go navigation area was also set up adjacent to Parque das Nações to prevent irregular entry by anyone wishing to access the event, regardless of their intentions.

• Public Security Police (PSP)
• National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC)
• National Aviation Authority (AAN)
• National Maritime Authority (AMN)
• National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM)
• National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC)
• Municipality of Lisbon
• Municipal Police
• Security Intelligence Service (SIS)
• ESEGUR
• STRONG
• PROSEGUR

Appropriate private security arrangements for the event were defined and validated by the authorities. At Web Summit 2018, three private security companies collaborated on the event’s security, each responsible for protecting infrastructure and controlling access in a specific area: ESEGUR at the Altice Arena premises, STRONG at the FIL premises, and PROSEGUR around the wider site.

An exercise called ‘TableTop’ was organised by the event’s promoter, with the participation of the PSP and all the entities involved in the event – the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC), INEM, the Lisbon City Council (CML), the Municipal Police, the PM, SIS, the RSB, FIL, Altice Arena, and representatives of the various private security companies. The exercise simulated various scenarios that could occur at the event, allowing each organisation or group to work through how it would respond and with what means.

This collaborative and participatory approach among the various entities involved in the security plan enabled dialogue on key issues, fostering joint and cooperative efforts to prevent, protect and improve security at mass events, in crowded and public spaces, and in risk management.

The event was a success, due in large part to a participatory approach that led to better coordination and cooperation among the entities involved.

The threat level assigned to the event by SIS (Level 3 – Significant) called for additional security measures to reinforce the security of the area and its facilities, contributing to the event taking place safely and without incident.

This ten-year renewal, agreed after two earlier editions held in Portugal, secures Web Summit’s place in the Portuguese capital until 2028.