The Future of Event Security: Intelligence, Integration, and Impact

By Tim Hanes, Vice President, DHS

High-stakes operations: the security imperative  

National Special Security Events (NSSEs) like the World Cup and Olympics represent more than international spectacle; they are national security priorities where operational success is measured in public safety, efficiency, and international perception. Millions of participants and spectators will converge on venues, creating concentrated hubs of activity that demand flawless coordination across government, private sector, and foreign partners to ensure participant safety.  

The 2026 World Cup takes place over 39 days across 16 sites, a logistical feat so vast that FIFA’s President compared it to “hosting 80 major sports events.” The Olympics and Paralympics will be an even greater test, beginning with a torch relay through all 50 states and continuing with 16 days of Olympic and 12 days of Paralympic competition¹. These upcoming events place the United States squarely in the international spotlight. They are demonstrations of our ability to lead, collaborate, and execute complex operations on a world stage. Preparations are already underway, highlighting the need for close alignment between numerous agencies and private sector partners, synchronization across jurisdictions, and the management of real-time data and decisions in order to stay ahead of risks on the ground, in the sky, and across networks.

How we plan, secure, and manage these events will reflect our national capability, resilience, and global reputation. While attention centers on the upcoming NSSEs, hundreds of other large-scale events across the country will demand similar coordination and vigilance.

Complex risks, persistent threats

The risk environment for mega events, and for many large-scale events below NSSE designation, continue to grow in complexity. Operational challenges manifest in tangible ways: synchronizing security across multiple venues and transport networks, sharing intelligence among local, federal, and private partners, and responding rapidly to emerging threats in crowded, high-profile environments.  

The stakes could not be higher, gaps in coordination or response can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. 

Persistent risks range from violent extremism and lone-wolf attacks to coordinated multi-location attacks, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and technology-enabled disruptions such as swatting or denial-of-service incidents. These risks threaten not only public safety but also public confidence; the ability for people to participate in and enjoy these events knowing they are protected. A recent example of this came in the form of a massive hidden telecommunications network discovered near the UN General Assembly in New York City, which could have disrupted emergency services and communications. The threat was detected and dismantled through the exceptional efforts of the U.S. Secret Service and coordinating partners. In a world where the 2024 Paris Olympics had 10 times more cyber-attacks than the 2022 Tokyo Olympics, the cybersecurity risk will be persistent, complex, and elevated.  

Transforming operations through technology  

At NSSEs, where millions gather and threats can emerge without warning, technology is no longer a support function; it is a necessity.

At NSSEs, where millions gather and threats can emerge without warning, technology is no longer a support function; it is a necessity. From the first days of planning to the final moments of an event, digital tools can help teams identify risks early, coordinate resources, and protect the public with precision.

During planning and preparation, simulation and visualization technologies—such as digital twins, virtual reality, and augmented reality exercises—enable agencies to model event layouts, test evacuation routes, and optimize crowd movement before anyone arrives. Scenario modeling further allow teams to allocate resources effectively and design crowd management strategies that help reduce risk. Consolidating intelligence from multiple sources and deconflicting data across agencies can help planners have a unified picture. Advanced analytics can leverage this integrated data to assess vulnerabilities, allocate personnel, and design layered security perimeters that account for both physical and cyber threats. Employing modular, scalable architectures will allow these plans to evolve as new venues, partners, and technologies are added.

As events move into execution, integrated and interoperable systems can create a unified operational picture across command centers, transportation hubs, and venue security teams. Consolidating data across agencies strengthens situational awareness and enables rapid, informed decision-making. Smart sensors, AI-enabled video analytics, and automated credentialing systems can streamline check-ins, detect anomalies, and help agencies manage access points efficiently while maintaining a positive guest experience. Real-time dashboards allow joint operations centers to monitor crowd density, traffic flow, aircraft activity, and potential disruptions, ensuring agencies can anticipate incidents and adjust in real time.

If an incident occurs, predictive analytics and real-time monitoring tools allow agencies to stay ahead of the emerging risks and respond quickly, reducing operational impact and protecting public safety. Interoperable communication platforms ensure first responders, medical teams, and security personnel can share updates seamlessly. AI-assisted incident mapping and post-event forensics accelerate recovery, enabling lessons learned to feed back into future planning.

Operational success, however, often hinges on the basics: strong partnerships, clear communication, scenario planning, and a well-established chain of command. Technology and layered defenses are essential, but even the most sophisticated tools are only as effective as these fundamentals.

These fundamentals are formalized through an Incident Command System (ICS), a mature framework for NSSEs that may be less established in jurisdictions that do not regularly host such events. Through the ICS, federal, state, and local agencies—along with private sector partners, venue operators, transportation authorities, and emergency services, synchronize operational plans, coordinate resources, and manage logistics across multiple venues and timelines.

As planning teams work through hundreds or thousands of scenarios, clarity from the tactical level to the commanding officer is essential. Without it, even advanced technologies cannot fully mitigate risk, maintain situational awareness, or ensure mission success.

Preparing for Tomorrow: scalable, intelligent operations  

The future of mega-event security depends on interoperable, intelligence-driven systems capable of scaling to any mission size. Investing in flexible, mission-aligned tools, such as modular command systems, AI-driven analytics, and interoperable communications, can enable resilient operations across multiple jurisdictions, help strengthen public safety and trust, and support building enduring capabilities that extend well beyond a single event.  

By aligning planning, communication, execution, and response with these technologies, agencies can modernize readiness, enhance coordination, and respond rapidly to emerging risks.  

To turn this vision into reality, event teams can take several practical steps:

• Align operational needs to the Incident Command Structure (ICS), ensuring technology, processes, and workflows integrate seamlessly within the established chain of command.
• Conduct readiness assessments to identify technology and interoperability gaps across partners.
• Establish data-sharing frameworks and governance models that promote both security and transparency.
• Pilot simulation and visualization tools to test coordination, communication, and response workflows well in advance of major events.
• Embed operational expertise early in the design and deployment of new systems to ensure technology aligns with mission needs from day one.

These events are more than logistical challenges, they are moments that test our nation’s ability to safeguard, unify, and perform on the global stage. How we prepare will demonstrate not just operational excellence, but our collective commitment to resilience, innovation, and public trust. Success will depend on foresight, collaboration, and the ability to act as one—federal, state, local, and private partners moving in sync to protect what matters most. The work begins now.

LMI stands ready to help lead that effort—building on years of partnership with DHS to support special event preparedness on the ground. We bring decades of operational planning, risk analysis, and technology integration expertise to help DHS and its partners strengthen readiness, enhance coordination, and ensure the safety of every mission. Together, we can help the nation rise to this defining moment and set the standard for secure, connected operations on the world stage. 

¹  https://homeland.house.gov/2025/09/17/the-stakes-of-this-mission-could-not-be-higher-special-events-task-force-hears-from-fifa-la28-on-security-preparations-for-world-cup-olympics/