Security to go: a risk management toolkit for humanitarian aid agencies
A GISF guide for non-governmental organisations
A toolkit for staff who are not security specialists and need to set up basic safety and security systems in a new context or a sudden emergency. Modules are grouped into planning and preparedness, response, and support services. Topics include actor mapping, risk assessment, digital security, security plans, facility security, communications, travel safety, medical evacuation and private security providers. It contains a risk rating matrix, a security plan template, sample SOPs, checklists and a glossary.
Keywords
How to cite
James Davis, Lisa Reilly (2020). Security to go: a risk management toolkit for humanitarian aid agencies: A GISF guide for non-governmental organisations. Global Interagency Security Forum (GISF). https://gisf.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1330_GISF_Security-to-Go_download_Oct20.pdf
Related in the library
- 11.1C141
Holistic Security: A Strategy Manual for Human Rights Defenders
A strategy manual that helps human rights defenders plan for their security and well-being. It joins self-care, digital security and information security with traditional security management. The online version has 4 sections that form a cycle: Prepare, Explore, Strategise and Act. Chapters cover context and threat analysis, security plans, organisational security and protests. Exercises, further reading and a separate Trainers' Manual support group workshops.
Start hereClassicKey manual or guideFree - 11.1C142
Protection Manual for Human Rights Defenders
A manual from Protection International that gives human rights defenders knowledge and tools for security and protection. It sets out a method for defenders to assess their own risk and to define security rules and procedures that fit their situation. The content draws on more than 25 years of staff experience and has been tested in protection work and training workshops. Trainers use it to run security and protection courses.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 11.1C143
Workbook on Security: Practical Steps for Human Rights Defenders at Risk
A workbook that guides human rights defenders through writing a security plan for themselves and, where relevant, their organisation. Its 6 chapters cover introduction, assessing risk, analysing threats, wellbeing, creating security plans and context. 17 appendices give practical material on topics such as SWOT analysis, office and home security, detention and arrest, travel, computer and phone security, and surveillance. Defenders work through it alone or in groups.
ClassicTool or templateFree - 11.1C144
Good Practice Review 8: Humanitarian Security Risk Management
The 3rd edition of a widely used reference on security risk management for humanitarian organisations. Practitioner experts revised it over 3 years. Its 7 chapters cover foundations, ecosystems, organisational and operational elements, people, technology, and specific threats. The 2025 edition adds a person-centred approach, the security burden on national and local actors, partnership security, access and deconfliction, and digital risks such as disinformation and surveillance. Security managers use it to design policies and plans.
CurrentKey manual or guideFree - 6.3C081
Mental Health & Wellbeing
A themed resource page from GISF that treats staff wellbeing as part of an organisation's duty of care. It collects guides, toolkits, papers, articles and tip sheets on stress, burnout, resilience, traumatic stress, mindfulness, psychological first aid and mental health and psychosocial support for aid workers. Security and HR staff in humanitarian and development NGOs use it to find guidance and tools.
CurrentKey online resourceFree - 11.3C154
Risk Appetite Statements: A guide for NGOs
A guide that explains what a risk appetite statement is, why it is useful and how an NGO can develop one. It focuses on security risk and shows how security risk management fits into organisation-wide enterprise risk management. Chapters cover the strategic value of a statement, its role in governance and accountability, and practical steps for putting it in place. It is written for security practitioners, senior leaders and boards.
EmergingKey manual or guideFree
Related project ideas
Get expert help with risk, safety and safeguarding
Consulting and coaching projects built from 600+ real projects. Pick one, add your needs and hear from vetted consultants.
Safeguarding risk assessment & mitigation planning
“You know safeguarding risks exist in your programmes and operations, but you have never systematically identified them or worked out how they should be mitigated.”See project
Organisational safeguarding assessment
“You think your safeguarding is probably fine — but you have no external validation of that, and a funder or incident could prove otherwise.”See project
All 8 Safeguarding project ideas
Work with a consultant or coach
Nonprofit Builder members can browse vetted consultants and coaches who work on risk, safety and safeguarding, and invite them to a project.
Suggestion box
Something to fix or add here?
Know a better resource on this subject, found a broken link, or spotted a mistake in this record? Tell us.
About C145 Security to go: a risk management toolkit for humanitarian aid agencies
A person reads every message. A title, a link or a few words is enough.