International SOS

The Pacific region experiences tropical cyclones from November to April each year. Cyclones, even those that do not make landfall, are disruptive weather events prompting severe wind, storm surges, flooding and landslides. In this podcast our Aid and Development, Medical and Security experts discuss the impact of this year’s Pacific tropical cyclone season with approximately ten cyclones expected...

Women can face many risks while travelling. Here, women who work for International SOS share their own experiences to highlight some of the situations they have faced. We hope their stories, along with advice to mitigate the highlighted risks, can help others prepare for travel and provide insight for their supporting colleagues. (NOTE: This podcast contains themes that some individuals may find d...

As campaigning in the US election heads into the home straight, International SOS’ Chief Security Analyst - West, Mike Rogers, and Lead Security Analyst - North America and the Caribbean, Tim McShane, discuss the effects of misinformation and disinformation on the information and security environment. Meanwhile, Security Advisor Kelly Johnstone tells us about how election-related violence could po...

A team from International SOS has travelled to Florida to assess the situation after parts of the state were hit by Hurricane Milton. International SOS Security Manager Assistance Ben Peifer went to Tampa (Florida) and spoke about the damage the hurricane has caused.  

Voters in the US are due to go to the polls in less than a month, on 5 November, to elect their next president. This final portion of the election cycle holds considerable opportunity for escalation. International SOS’ Chief Security Analyst - West, Mike Rogers, and Lead Security Analyst - North America and the Caribbean, Tim McShane, discuss how the threats, triggers, and recommended actions can...

International SOS is helping clients in Lebanon with information, advice and assistance to leave the country amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah. We have also been closely monitoring the situation in the wider Middle East as tensions escalate across the region. Our security and medical experts explain how International SOS can support organisations and keep thei...

What are the impacts on business travellers of Iceland's volcanic activity? A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula has now erupted six times since December 2023. International SOS’ Senior Security Specialist Charly Anderson recently travelled to Iceland’s capital Reykjavik as part of an in-country assessment to better understand the operational environment. She offers advice about volcanic and other...

International SOS is closely monitoring regional developments amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah. Lead Security Analysts Polina Vynogradova and Tarun Nijjer offer our assessment of the fast-moving situation and give advice on how International SOS can help people in the region.

International SOS is sending ever more alerts relating to extreme weather risk to clients. Flooding, heat waves, wildfires and droughts are all increasing in intensity and can have knock-on effects on food insecurity, water scarcity, social unrest and conflict. In this podcast our Security and Medical experts discuss how International SOS helps organisations by providing information, analysis, and...

With just weeks to go before the US presidential election on 5 November, the threat environment in the country is fluid and evolving. In the first episode of International SOS’ new podcast series, Chief Security Analyst – West, Mike Rogers and Lead Security Analyst – North America and the Caribbean, Tim McShane set the stage by discussing the current security landscape. They also delve into driver...

International SOS recently carried out in-country assessments in three Balkan countries. Senior Security Specialist Edwin Spraggs travelled to Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia and offers advice for business travellers planning to visit the region and tips about how to prepare.

There has been a significant increase in Oropouche infections reported in the Americas and the Caribbean. More than 7,000 cases have been reported since late 2023, with fatalities and birth defects documented for the first time. International SOS’ public health coordinator Keely Dennis tells us more about the virus. She says with no vaccine available, the only way to prevent getting the infection...

Increasing mpox infections in Congo (DRC) have made the outbreak of the virus the largest ever in the country. Infections have been detected throughout Congo, including the capital Kinshasa. Mpox has also been detected in at least four other African countries. International SOS' Global Medical Director for Information and Analysis, Dr Irene Lai and Lead Security Analyst for Central Africa, Tarun N...

We recently conducted a trip to Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state, to assess the in-country security situation, accommodation options and provider capability. Security Manager for Assistance, Benedikt Zimmermann visited the city, where we rate the travel risks as EXTREME. He also addresses the recent countrywide anti-government protests and offers an assessment of the p...

International SOS has amended its Risk Ratings for several areas in Mexico, following a recent review of the country's security environment. Our information and analysis teams consider a wide variety of factors when making their assessments, including data from various sources and on-the-ground visits. International SOS’ Lead Security Analyst for Mexico and Central America, Raul Iglesias and Secur...

The World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to an increasing number of mpox infections which have now been detected across parts of central and east Africa. Mpox is a potentially severe viral disease that is transmitted through close contact with a sick person or contaminated objects and surfaces. International SOS’ Global Health Advisor for Cl...

As unrest spreads across cities and towns in England and Northern Ireland, nearly 6,000 officers have now been mobilised as the police prepare for further possible riots. International SOS' Lead Security Analyst Baani Gambhir and Senior Security Specialist Charly Anderson have been monitoring the disorder and offer an outlook for the coming days.

International SOS is closely monitoring developments amid escalating tensions between Israel, Hamas and Hizbullah. Our security experts comment on recent key updates, offer insight about how the situation may unfold and give advice on how International SOS is able to help people in the region.

With a series of anti-government protests expected to take place in Nigeria in August, International SOS recommends that travellers proceed with caution. The security forces will be deployed to protect government buildings and critical infrastructure. Our Lead Security Analyst for West Africa, Kirna Kataria, says the government could use tough measures, including tear gas and live ammunition, in r...

A team from International SOS recently conducted an in-country assessment in Lebanon to assess secure accommodation and evacuation routes. This was done amid concerns that persisting tensions between Israel and Hizbullah pose a heightened risk of an escalation. International SOS currently recommends deferring all travel to Lebanon and evacuating all workforce from the country. Security Specialist,...

Disruption was reported at airports, banks, media organisations and other businesses worldwide following a widespread IT outage on 19 July. Healthcare, transport and payment systems were also affected. The outage has been linked to a software update from a cybersecurity firm. International SOS' Security and Medical experts have been monitoring the situation and offer this update.

International SOS recently conducted an in-country assessment of Ghana’s operating and security environment. The country is suffering from widespread power cuts and economic pressures that could impact protest activity. Lead Security Analyst Baani Gambhir, who carried out the assessment, offers advice for business travellers planning to visit Ghana on how they can adequately prepare. She also talk...

Travel to Jamaica can resume with precautions after Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure in southern areas. The hurricane is the earliest category five Atlantic hurricane for around 100 years and expert projections forecast as many as 25 named storms, 13 hurricanes and seven major hurricanes this season. International SOS’ Chief Security Analyst - West, Mike Roger...

An unprecedented rise in bomb threats over recent months has raised concerns regarding their origins, intent and timing. Threats have been issued against targets such as schools in the capital, New Delhi and Ahmedabad, and airports across the country, leading to mass evacuations and flight disruption. Senior Security Specialist Mikhil Rialch examines the incidence of threats in the context of Indi...

A team from International SOS recently conducted a trip to the Republic of Congo to assess the security situation, vet accommodation options and confirm security providers' capabilities. Our Security Manager Michel Isidore visited the cities of Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie and Kayes and offers these insights and recommendations for business travellers.