Tips for Company Security

General Strategy

— Plan carefully for a long-term investment and conduct thorough due diligence before committing money and resources.

— Choose a strategic Russian partner whom you trust

— Get expert tax, accounting, legal and general business advice every step of the way.

— Conduct thorough background checks on local personnel before recruiting, even if you know them well.

— Keep a low profile. Publicity is not necessarily a good idea in Russia, and in some cases could lead to harassment, extortion or kidnapping. When advertising, do not provide too much information.

— Have a crisis management plan, and review it every six months.

Avoiding extortion

— Always discuss deals in an office (yours or theirs) or a public place.

— Arrange your office so that the conference room is near the front door. Keep a hidden dictaphone running to record all conversations with outsiders.

— Make sure you have proper security, with guards at the entrance and a registration and tag system. Have a camera and intercom at the entrance.

— Consult with a security firm on location, desireability of guards and security devices, and whom to call in an emergency.

— Check out agencies providing physical security  carefully, many are linked to organized crime.

— Never give your corporate seal or stationery to anyone. Keep documents in a safe place.

— Do not agree to pay extortionists, let your Russian security guards negotiate with them. If you have to deal with them alone, do not give an answer immediately but ask for a second meeting and then contact your security consultant or RUOP.

Avoiding kidnapping

— Be aware of anything out of the ordinary. This may allow potential victims to spot surveillance and allow time to escape.

— Avoid routines.

— Restrict sensitive information to those who need to know.

— Have a pre-arranged system for alerting the militia and your embassy if you are kidnapped.