In today’s rapidly evolving world of event security, protecting high-profile venues and large gatherings has never been more critical. From bustling concert arenas to high-stakes football games, both physical and digital security are increasingly intertwined, posing complex challenges for event organizers. To uncover the hidden risks and vulnerabilities that threaten the safety of these environments, our team conducted a series of undercover assessments—blending cybersecurity expertise with on-the-ground security roles.

In this article, we present three real-world case studies that offer a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on event security. From managing security at a world-renowned EDM concert venue to overseeing critical sections at major college football games, these experiences expose the gaps in both physical and cybersecurity protocols. By taking an “Undercover Boss” approach, we’ve identified key areas of improvement and outlined recommendations that can help organizations bolster their defenses in today’s threat landscape.

Join us as we dive into the inner workings of these high-risk environments and uncover the lessons learned from our firsthand assessments.

Case Study 1: Concert Venue Security – A “Pro-Drug Safe Place” Perspective

For this case, we infiltrated one of the top 5 concert venues in the USA and a globally recognized nightclub that ranks within the top 25 worldwide. The venue, known for its massive EDM (Electronic Dance Music) concerts, typically draws in crowds ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 people per event. With its reputation as a “pro-drug safe place,” security’s role extends beyond just maintaining order—there’s a heavy emphasis on ensuring the health and safety of guests who may be engaging in recreational drug use while enjoying the music.

Working as Executive Management Personnel Security (EMPS), we gained immediate access to backstage areas, staff-only zones, and even artist-specific areas, all on our very first day. With our position, we could observe firsthand how security protocols were managed in these highly sensitive environments, as well as how they handled crowd control, health-related emergencies, and potential risks involving the artists themselves.

Our involvement gave us a front-row seat to the inner workings of this concert venue’s operational security—everything from how security staff are briefed before shows, to how backstage access is managed and monitored. Despite the venue’s international reputation, we found several key vulnerabilities in both physical and digital security. Notably, backstage and artist areas were surprisingly easy to access without comprehensive verification processes. Furthermore, staff, including ourselves, were given full access with minimal background checks and little-to-no emphasis on cybersecurity training, creating a potential attack vector for social engineering.

This case highlights how venues of this scale, despite their sophistication, may overlook foundational security best practices. With so many high-profile artists and thousands of attendees relying on both physical and digital safety, an infiltrator could easily exploit these gaps. In our final assessment, we recommended stronger identity verification for staff and more robust cybersecurity training for all personnel who have access to sensitive areas.

Case Study 2: University of Texas Football Game – Security in the Midst of the Madness

As part of a major college football program, the University of Texas Longhorn football games are events that attract tens of thousands of fans. These game days are not only football spectacles but massive cultural events that include pre-game festivities where fans are in close proximity to players, mascots, and the UT marching band. During these events, we worked as part of the event staff, specifically tasked with conducting security walkthroughs of public gatherings and tailgate parties.

Our assignment placed us in charge of monitoring a particularly high-energy area: the fan party zone, where “Bobo the mascot” makes an appearance and the football team parades down the street before entering the stadium. Given the nature of this event, security screenings for fans were minimal, which opened the door to a host of security challenges. Crowds moved freely around players and team personnel, and only a few barriers separated the team from the public, creating significant exposure to risks such as unauthorized access, disruptions, or even physical harm.

Through our insider access, we identified critical security gaps, particularly in crowd control and public safety. With such minimal security checks and the close proximity of fans to athletes and team personnel, we saw how easy it would be for malicious individuals to breach these barriers, potentially gaining access to restricted areas or disrupting critical game-day activities.

Furthermore, the event’s reliance on gig workers, with minimal vetting, left open vulnerabilities that could be exploited by someone with malicious intent. Our recommendations focused on increasing security personnel in these high-traffic zones, tightening access control during the pre-game festivities, and improving coordination between event staff and security agencies to mitigate the risks posed by large, minimally monitored crowds.

Case Study 3: Texas A&M Football Game – Managing the Endzone Security Team

In another case study, we took on a supervisory role at a Texas A&M football game, overseeing a large endzone section. This section covered approximately 15 sections within the stadium, ranging from sections 300 to 400, and our responsibility included managing a team of 24 security guards stationed throughout the area. This task was part of a gig obtained through BEST Security Management, which hires event staff for large-scale events like Texas A&M football games, attended by over 100,000 fans.

This first-day assignment saw us positioned in a critical section of the stadium, responsible for both fan safety and ensuring no unauthorized access to the endzone area. Despite the large crowd and the complex security needs of the event, we noticed several weaknesses in the overall approach to securing this critical part of the stadium. First, the rapid hiring process meant that many of the guards under our supervision had little to no training in handling security threats or emergencies. This lack of preparedness became evident as we navigated crowd control, monitored for potential disturbances, and ensured compliance with stadium regulations.

Additionally, the process for coordinating with other sections of the stadium security staff was inefficient, leaving gaps in communication and response times, which could delay intervention during an incident. Despite being in charge of such a large and important section of the stadium, minimal background checks were conducted for our position and the security staff as a whole. This lack of thorough vetting is concerning, as it potentially opens the door for malicious individuals to infiltrate high-security areas of large-scale events like this one.

In our final analysis, we emphasized the need for enhanced training programs for gig-based security hires, as well as more rigorous background checks for those placed in supervisory roles. We also suggested implementing better communication protocols to ensure faster coordination between sections, reducing the likelihood of major incidents going undetected or unresolved.

Cybersecurity assessments, findings, and recommendations based on the three case studies:

Cybersecurity Assessment 1: Concert Venue Security (EMPS)

Findings:

• Inadequate Access Controls: We observed that access to backstage areas, artist zones, and other staff-only sections was granted with minimal identity verification. Executive Management Personnel Security (EMPS) and other staff were able to bypass key security checkpoints, which could allow unauthorized individuals to access sensitive areas.
• Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness: Security personnel, including EMPS, were provided little-to-no training on digital security threats. Given that many staff members carry personal devices, this lack of cybersecurity awareness poses a risk for social engineering, phishing attacks, or malware infiltration.
• Weak Background Checks: Staff members, including EMPS, were hired with minimal vetting, creating the potential for insider threats. Individuals with malicious intent could easily gain access to high-profile artist areas or sensitive operational spaces.

Recommendations:

1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication for Staff Access: Introduce biometric or card-based access systems, paired with mobile verification, to ensure only authorized individuals can access restricted areas.
2. Cybersecurity Training for Security Personnel: Require all staff, including EMPS, to undergo cybersecurity training on topics such as phishing awareness, social engineering, and data protection to reduce the likelihood of cyber threats.
3. Conduct Comprehensive Background Checks: Strengthen the vetting process for all security personnel, especially those in executive management positions, to minimize insider threat risks.
4. Network Security Audits: Perform routine network audits to ensure secure access to digital systems used by security staff, artists, and venue management, limiting the attack surface for potential breaches.

Cybersecurity Assessment 2: University of Texas Football Game (Public Party Security)

Findings:

• Inadequate Pre-Event Screening: Fans were allowed to roam freely in the pre-game party zones with minimal security screening, presenting a risk of unauthorized access to team personnel or sensitive areas.
• Crowd Control Gaps: The loose security presence made it difficult to track the movement of potentially malicious individuals who could attempt to disrupt pre-game festivities or target key figures like the mascot or team members.
• Lack of Coordination Among Security Teams: Communication breakdowns between various sections of the event security staff left vulnerabilities, making it challenging to respond quickly to incidents and potential threats.

Recommendations:

1. Enhanced Screening Processes: Implement stricter pre-event security checks, such as bag searches or walk-through metal detectors, to prevent the entry of dangerous items or unauthorized personnel.
2. Security Presence Optimization: Position additional security personnel at high-traffic areas during pre-game festivities and enhance the use of CCTV to monitor crowd movements more effectively.
3. Improve Incident Response Coordination: Establish a unified communication system for all event security staff to facilitate rapid response and coordination in case of emergencies or suspicious activity.
4. Data Encryption for Event Management Systems: Ensure that all event planning and management systems, including those handling ticketing and fan information, utilize end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive data from potential cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity Assessment 3: Texas A&M Football Game (Endzone Security Team Supervision)

Findings:

• Undertrained Security Personnel: Many of the 24 security guards under our supervision lacked formal training in responding to digital threats or potential breaches within the stadium. Their focus was primarily on physical security, leaving a gap in the ability to detect or mitigate cybersecurity risks.
• Minimal Digital Security Monitoring: While managing a significant section of the stadium, there was a lack of digital monitoring tools, such as network traffic analysis, to track potential cyber threats from fans or insiders using unauthorized devices.
• Inconsistent Communication Protocols: The fragmented communication between security sections created delays in responding to incidents, leaving the stadium vulnerable to both physical and cyber risks.

Recommendations:

1. Train Security Personnel on Cyber Threats: Implement a cybersecurity training program for security staff to recognize potential cyber threats, such as unauthorized Wi-Fi hotspots or suspicious digital activity in the stadium.
2. Deploy Network Security Tools: Use network monitoring tools to detect rogue access points or any unusual network traffic during games. This is especially important in high-traffic areas where fans may connect to public Wi-Fi.
3. Implement Real-Time Communication Solutions: Introduce a centralized communication platform that connects all security personnel, event staff, and IT departments, allowing for quick incident reporting and collaboration between teams.
4. Digital Identity Verification for Staff: Ensure all staff, especially those managing critical areas like the endzones, are equipped with secure, digital identity verification tools to confirm their roles and limit unauthorized access.

General Recommendations Across All Case Studies:

1. Gig Worker Vetting: Whether it’s concert venues or sporting events, security staffing should involve a more thorough vetting process, including both physical and cybersecurity training. Background checks should be stringent, especially for those in supervisory or access control roles.
2. Comprehensive Security Audits: Conduct both physical and cybersecurity audits of all event venues to identify vulnerabilities. This includes evaluating access control systems, digital infrastructure, and the readiness of security personnel.
3. Integrated Physical and Cybersecurity Measures: Develop a strategy that blends physical and cybersecurity, such as training security guards to recognize not only physical threats but also potential cyber risks that can arise in high-traffic environments.
4. Incident Response Plans: Establish and regularly update incident response plans that address both physical security breaches and cyber incidents, ensuring security staff is prepared for both types of emergencies.

These findings and recommendations highlight how modern security practices must adapt to blend physical and cybersecurity strategies, especially in environments where large crowds and high-profile individuals are involved.