RPS consultant gives thought on security for Baku, Azerbaijan

RPS has just come back from running personal security awareness training in Baku in Azerbaijan. RPS sent two consultants, one of whom had not been there before. Here our consultant gives some ideas on how they planned their trip there and other ideas which you may find as useful advice.

Prior to your trip

A visa is required for entry into Azerbaijan. You need a letter of invitation and various documentation which is online. You will also need to provide a UK type passport photo.

It’s always a good idea to conduct some research before you leave for a new location and Azerbaijan is no exception; security concerns and also cultural issues. By understanding the culture we can integrate quicker and avoid causing offence, which sometimes possibly places ourselves in danger.

Speak to people who have been there before and look into some open source Internet sites for extra information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had some useful security info; steer clear of the Azerbaijan and Armenian border area as there is a dispute issue, it also warned of a general terrorism threat. It is a good idea to register your stay with the FCO too; they can offer consulate assistance in Azerbaijan.

Information security

Information Security (IS) poses a threat in Azerbaijan. There have been many instances of hacking, phishing and other technological attacks aimed at stealing personal and financial details from Internet users. Only use the Internet if you trust the server; when you’re sat in a hotel lobby or airport lounge check that the wireless you are about to log into is the one provided by the hotel or airport.

It is common practice for criminals operate a server disguised as belonging to a hotel or cafe, even offering fantastic broadband speeds. Once you are using their server, any information you send or receive will be stored by them and can be used to steal identities, banking details and other personal information. Also be aware of visiting Internet sites that could cause offence in the country you are visiting.

The Azerbaijan government may be monitoring the websites you are visiting so be mindful there could be harsh penalties if you are investigating issues that are sensitive. Other agencies may have access to the server you are using and could look to embarrass you or your company by exposing your Internet browsing history or publishing private emails.

Other open source research prior to travel included trip advisor and lonely planet. They had some cultural tit-bits as well as general comments on specific areas; although Azerbaijan is secular and ex soviet block, some parts of the country are Muslim and the wearing of shorts and open neck t-shirts in certain areas of Baku may get some stares, particularly in the old city.  Outside of Baku, the Zaqatala region is very conservative and the Wahhabism form of Islam is practiced.

Transportation and communication

The airport is new, very modern in design and has excellent facilities.

Have a backup plan if your transport from the airport does not turn up. Do some research on a travel assistance firm or be ready to phone your hotel to pick you up. it is worth remembering you will need a phone that works as soon as you touch down and have the telephone number already stored on the phone.

UK simcards work in Baku, the network that you can roam through is Bactell.The official taxis in Baku look like the London cabs, often black and tall. The average fare is around one US dollar per mile.

The roads between the Airport and the centre of Baku are in excellent condition but the traffic gets heavy in rush hours and road rage incidents are common. The roads in general in and around Baku are in good condition and it was refreshing to see that the driver wouldn’t pull away from the airport until we had our seatbelts on, clearly trained by RPS!

Driving in Baku

In Baku the locals told us that traffic accidents were a key concern. The driving leaves a lot to be desired. Until recently a driving licence could be purchased without the need to pass a test. We were told that this practice has now ceased and driving tests are mandatory.

However, during our two-week stay in Baku we witnessed a lot of erratic driving and would advise caution when near a road. Try not to cross a busy road at all if possible, there are many pedestrian underpasses that can help you achieve this. Also, still look both ways when crossing; even though it may be a one-way street, the traffic rules are not always adhered to.

Hotels in Baku

There are many hotels in Baku and the Hilton, which is a five star modern hotel situated in the heart of the city, is used by international oil and gas corporations for meetings and seminars.  NATO also runs seminars there too, which saw the hotels security considerably increase.

It is worth considering the implications of sharing a hotel when an organization such as NATO is hosting a conference. You could find that you are caught up in an attack or demonstration and perhaps being targeted by mistake.

Ask the hotel before you book; what conferences are being planned? who will be the hosts and attendees? It may be prudent to change hotels or move travel dates if you think there may an issue.

Don't assume that all the safety measures such as fire exits and stairs in a hotel are in working order. It is good practice to check these safety measures for yourself. Knowing where the exits are, how to get to the stairs (we wouldn’t use an elevator in an emergency) and being sure there are no obstacles that could get in your way are essential. Our RPS consultant always walks the stairs when he first arrives at a hotel to ensure they are not blocked as they are often used as storage areas.

Contingency planning

Think about a ‘What if’ contingency planning as having options when things don’t go according to plan is critical to maintaining your safety.

Azerbaijan provides a good example of why it is vital to have medical insurance as state run health care facilities are poor. There are private clinics and the oil and gas sector will certainly use these but many people opt to visit Turkey or Iran to get medical assistance rather than risk the poorly ran state system.

General thoughts on Baku

Outside of work there is a lot to do in Baku and walking around it is instantly clear that the city is enjoying a period of growth. Large international hotels, boutique shops, nice cafes and top of the range cars are common. Landmarks such as the flaming towers and the 2012 Eurovision stadium proudly dominate the city skyline as does one of the worlds largest flags.

There is a huge amount of construction going on and this is in part due to the upcoming Olympics due to be held next year. In a country with such hedonistic displays of wealth there may be an underclass that feels that they are not benefiting fairly, this may be many of the long-term residents but could also include service workers brought in from abroad.

You may be targeted if you are seen as being a part of an organisation that is not re-investing wealth back into the country. A low profile approach should be adopted and, if possible, travel with a trusted local person who knows the area and understands the cultural do’s and don’ts.

If you are there on business take look at your profile; do you wear clothing or carry a bag with a company logo on it? Do you have an access pass on a length of ribbon that has a company logo on it? Baku is a reasonably safe city and despite a few children begging RPS did not see much that would have made them feel ill at ease at any time.

RPS trained a large number of people associated with the oil industry during its two week trip to Baku. Personal Security Awareness Training (PSAT) is vital to your coporate duty of care. Contact us at [email protected] for any travel concerns or for more information on Azerbaijan or PSAT courses.

Photos: RPS