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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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S

safeguarding

The responsibility of organisations to make sure their staff, operations, and programmes do no harm to children and adults at risk and do not expose them to abuse or exploitation. This term covers physical, emotional, and sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse by staff and associated personnel, as well as safeguarding risks caused by programme design and implementation. Many organisations now also use this term to cover harm caused to staff in the workplace.
Related terms: abuse of power , do no harm
Source: Safeguarding definitions and reporting mechanisms for UK NGOs, Bond
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safeguarding policy

A document outlining the standard of behaviour expected of the organisation’s staff and representatives, and which specifically prohibits sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. The policy should reflect where possible the organisation’s values and how these are intended to create safe, equitable and inclusive organisations. The policy should be victim/survivor-focused (i.e., the victim/survivor’s wishes, safety, and well-being remain a priority in all matters and procedures).
Related terms: abuse , safeguarding
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Saving Lives Together (SLT)

An initiative created to strengthen security collaboration between the UN Security Management System (UNSMS), INGOs and other international organisations. The SLT framework for improving UN-NGO security collaboration in humanitarian operations includes: Establishing security coordination arrangements and forums; sharing relevant security information; cooperating on security training; cooperating on operational and logistics arrangements, where feasible; identifying resource requirements for enhancing security coordination between the UN, INGOs and IOs, and advocate for funding; and consulting on common ground rules for humanitarian action.
Source: NGO Security Collaboration Guide, GISF
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scenario-based planning

Developing predictive scenarios (often focussed on best-case, worst-case, and most likely), in order to assess how operational conditions and risks may be impacted, and to anticipate any changes to current practices that need to be made in preparation for these scenarios.
Related terms: contingency plan , crisis management exercise (CME)
Source: Security Risk Management Toolkit: Assessments, GISF
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security audit

An internal or external evidence-based review which assesses the effectiveness of the security risk management framework in enabling the delivery of the organisation’s objectives, its implementation, and whether the organisation is meeting its duty of care responsibilities to staff. There are two types of security risk management audits: organisational audits that review the security risk management arrangements across the whole organisation; country/location audits that review the security risk management approach and systems in a specific country or area.
Source: Security Risk Management: a basic guide for smaller NGOs, GISF
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security collaboration

Organisations acting together to address common concerns regarding security and access, share information on incidents and risks within the operating environment, and strengthen their collective capacity to minimise risks to their staff, assets, programmes, and reputation.
Related terms: Saving Lives Together (SLT)
Source: NGO Security Collaboration Guide, GISF
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security incident information management

The collection, reporting, recording, analysis, sharing and use of information (including data) linked to a security incident with the overarching aim of obtaining unhindered access for the delivery of aid by improving organisational security risk management.
Related terms: incident , information security
Source: Security Incident Information Management (SIIM) Handbook, GISF
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security risk assessment

A process through which organisations identify the different security and safety threats that could affect their staff, assets, programmes, and reputation, and analyses them according to their likelihood and impact to determine the degree of risk involved.
Source: Partnerships and Security Risk Management: a joint action guide for local and international aid organisations, GISF
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security strategy

An organisation’s approach to managing security depending on the operating environment and the risks that exist within that location. Within security risk management, security strategies are often associated with acceptance, protection and/or deterrence strategies.
Related terms: acceptance strategy , deterrence strategy , protection strategy
Source: Security Risk Management: a basic guide for smaller NGOs, GISF
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sensitive information

Information which, if compromised through alteration, corruption, loss, misuse, or unauthorised disclosure, could cause serious harm to the organisation owning it, its staff, assets, programmes, reputation, partners, and communities. The use and storage of sensitive information should be covered by a policy on information management and may be the subject of legislation.
Related terms: data destruction , personal data
Source: Managing the Message: Communication and media management in a security crisis, GISF
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sexual exploitation

Any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, unequal power, or trust, for sexual purposes. Includes profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. This is managed through safeguarding standards and practice that prevents Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH), or Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
Related terms: sexual abuse
Source: United Nations Glossary on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
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sexual harassment

A continuum of unacceptable and unwelcome behaviours and practices of a sexual nature that may include, but are not limited to, sexual suggestions or demands, requests for sexual favours and sexual, verbal, or physical conduct or gestures, that are or might reasonably be perceived as offensive or humiliating. Sexual harassment is commonly associated with the workplace but extends to include any unacceptable behaviour towards affected populations in any context.
Related terms: sexual abuse , sexual assault , sexual exploitation
Source: United Nations Glossary on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
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sexual violence

Any kind of sexual activity or act that is unwanted or happens without consent. Sexual violence takes many forms, including rape, sexual slavery and/or trafficking, forced pregnancy, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and/or abuse, and forced abortion, sharing of inappropriate images or videos.
Related terms: rape , sexual abuse , sexual assault
Source: Security Incident Information Management (SIIM) Handbook, GISF
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shooting

An incident involving the discharge of firearms or other weapons, posing a threat to the safety and security of individuals and property (also referred to as gunfire).
Related terms: armed activity
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site security

Strategies and measures implemented to protect a specific location or facility from threats such as unauthorised access, vandalism, theft, and other breaches. This usually focusses on all locations where an organisation has a significant presence, including where staff regularly visit or work (e.g. guesthouses, office).
Related terms: physical security
Source: NGO Security Toolbox, GISF
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standard operating procedures (SOPs)

A set of step-by-step instructions compiled to assist staff in undertaking routine operations or dealing with situations in order to prevent incidents, and how to respond should problems arise. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are an essential component of security plans.
Related terms: contingency plan , protocols , security plan
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stress

An emotional, cognitive, physical, or behavioural reaction to everyday pressures. Prolonged or sudden intense exposure to stress factors can result in exhaustion (‘burnout’) or traumatic stress.
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