Amnesty International is the world’s largest NGO advocating for human rights, with over 10 million members and supporters worldwide. Operating from more than 40 country offices and sending researchers to some of the most challenging and high-risk locations, from Northeast Syria and Iraq to Chad, the organisation faces complex operational security challenges.

Thomas de Lacoste, Deputy Director for Security at the International Secretariat, Amnesty International, oversees a global security team responsible for physical security, travel security, and operational safety across Amnesty’s global footprint.

While Amnesty International had a strong internal travel risk management programme, the organisation wanted independent verification that it was meeting and demonstrating industry best practice standards.

The aim was also to validate current practices and identify areas for improvement, ensuring staff travelling to high-risk locations receive first-class protection and support.

Why GSA Global

“We needed a provider we could trust to take the time to understand our work, the threats we face, and how we mitigate them, not just a one-size-fits-all approach” said Thomas de Lacoste, Deputy Director for Security.

After obtaining several quotes, Amnesty International chose GSA Global for three main reasons. Firstly, GSA had a proven understanding of NGO operations and came highly recommended by trusted industry contacts. Secondly, the pricing was competitive, an important factor for a charity operating under strict budget constraints and finally, from the first engagement, GSA provided clear timelines, expectations, and responsive communication, offering the flexibility to work at Amnesty’s pace and allowing for thorough preparation before the audit.

“Between our first conversation with GSA and the actual assessment, more than a year passed and that time was essential for us to prepare. GSA understood our culture, our pace, and didn’t pressure us. That flexibility was critical” stated Thomas.

The Approach

GSA worked closely with Amnesty over an agreed preparation phase. The team provided self-assessment tools and gap analysis resources, along with clear documentation outlining the audit process and expectations. The audit structure was tailored specifically to Amnesty’s needs and timescales, with a focus on the organisation’s unique operational realities.

This approach gave Amnesty the opportunity to prepare internally, involve relevant stakeholders, and ensure that the audit would deliver practical and actionable outcomes.

“The recommendations we received were practical for a charity and realistic for the work we do. They’re achievable steps that will genuinely improve our travel risk management programme” reported Thomas.

The Outcome

Externally, the audit findings are being used by Amnesty to demonstrate robust risk management practices to insurers, with the aim of negotiating reduced premiums. The results also offer donors tangible evidence of best practice when Amnesty applies for funding. In addition, the findings provide a clear way to explain and justify Amnesty’s risk assessment processes to partners and collaborators.

Internally, the audit provided a clear roadmap for improving the travel risk management programme, with recommendations that were practical and achievable for an NGO. The process further contributed to staff development by enhancing the skills of those engaged in travel risk management and for those involved from across the business it was informative and constructive.

“The audit raised awareness internally about travel risks and why we approach things the way we do. It helped people see the value of our processes and understand their own role in keeping travellers safe. Our success is because of everyone’s commitment to the process and understanding of risks and the importance of mitigating these appropriately” concluded Thomas.

Key Learnings

ISO 31030 offers a valuable benchmark for organisations operating in specialised sectors such as human rights advocacy. Tailored audits are more effective than generic checklists, particularly for NGOs working in high-risk regions. In addition, the process itself can be a powerful tool for staff engagement and professional development.

“We were in a good place before, but the audit has left us in an even stronger position. It’s improved how we work and given us a clear path to continue strengthening our programme” mentioned Thomas.

Looking Ahead

Amnesty International plans to integrate the audit’s recommendations into next year’s objectives, further enhancing its travel risk management framework. With the support of GSA, Amnesty has strengthened its ability to protect its people wherever their human rights work takes them.

Thomas commented on the audit experience, “GSA worked supportively but objectively with Amnesty, recognising that NGOs face different challenges to corporates. The process was thought-provoking, constructive, and strengthened our ability to manage travel risks effectively. We were already in a good place, but the audit has taken us to the next level and will really improve the way we do things, and this is what we wanted out of out of the process.”