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Global Interagency Security Forum

Formerly EISF
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Glossary English

The Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF) developed this Glossary to facilitate a common understanding of terms frequently used in security risk management.

The terms and definitions have been drawn from a range of trusted resources, including GISF’s own publications. They have also been informed by a working group of GISF members.

The GISF Glossary is available in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic. The site has been designed to enable easy navigation between terms in each language, supporting more consistent and accurate communication across language barriers.

The GISF Glossary is reviewed and updated regularly, to reflect new terms and changing definitions within the security risk management sector. If you have a term you would like to add to the Glossary or a suggested amendment, please contact us through our feedback form.

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H

harassment

An act of continued unwanted actions, directed at a person, which causes distress or discomfort. This can include sexual harassment, bullying, racial harassment, and other forms of discriminatory behaviour.
Related terms: abuse
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hate speech

All forms of expression (text, images, audio, video) that spread, incite, promote, or justify hatred and violence based on intolerance, usually against identity traits (gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.). Hate speech can contain a mix of misinformation, disinformation, and rumours that are exploited by the perpetrators.
Related terms: disinformation , malinformation , misinformation
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hazard

A process, phenomenon (natural), or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, property damage, social, and economic disruption, or environmental degradation. Hazards can include natural disasters, environmental degradation, fires, and road traffic collisions.
Source: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
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hibernation

Temporarily having staff remain at the office, home, or other safe locations to avoid an emerging threat, or until conditions improve (also referred to as sheltering in place). Hibernation could be a preparatory phase to the relocation or evacuation of staff or although it could also be used when the situation is expected to stabilise within a short period.
Related terms: suspension
Source: Security & Safety Training Pack, GISF
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holding statement

An initial statement released to the media once a critical incident has occurred or has been picked up by the media, to avoid speculation and distortion of facts. A holding statement acknowledges the situation but makes no comments about how you intend to respond or the actions you will take.
Source: Managing the Message: Communication and media management in a security crisis, GISF
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hostage-taker(s)

An individual or group that abducts or holds captive individuals until their demands are met. Alternative terms include kidnappers and abductors. The term ‘hostage-taker’ is a common term used in all types of abduction and kidnapping situations, even if the terminology is not strictly correct.
Source: Abduction and Kidnap Risk Management Guide, GISF
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hostile environment awareness training (HEAT)

A scenario-based personal security training designed for staff working in high-risk environments (also referred to as hostile environment and first-aid training, HEFAT). HEAT or HEFAT are common terms used to describe a wide range of simulation-based security training, however different training providers may use different titles.
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humanitarian negotiation

The interaction between humanitarian organisations and their counterparts to establish and maintain their presence in crisis environments (e.g., conflicts, disasters, migration flows, epidemics), ensuring humanitarian access to people in need, and facilitating the delivery of assistance and the implementation of protection activities. To achieve this, organisations must negotiate and build trust at different levels and may involve both state and non-state actors. Negotiation occurs at a higher level, involving heads of a state, ministers, army generals, governors, but also at a lower level, with soldiers at a checkpoint, leaders of local militias, town elders, religious leaders, heads of families, and even the very people organisations are trying to support.
Related terms: humanitarian access
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humanitarian tele-communication

The use of communications technologies for the purposes of saving lives, alleviating suffering, and protecting the dignity of crisis-affected populations. This includes technical capacity building, information collection and dissemination, preparedness activities, and/or data analysis.
Source: Communications Technology and Humanitarian Delivery: Challenges and opportunities for security risk management, GISF
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