Securing the Crowd Part Two: Breaking Down the CISA Guide for Mitigating Dependency Disruptions

By David Strickland, COO of Kenton Brothers

This is part one of a three part series on CISA recommendations related to securing a crowd.
(Part One | Part Two | Part Three)

The CISA Guide for Mitigating Dependency Disruptions addresses something that venue security directors often overlook until it is too late: the critical infrastructure your venue depends on to operate safely. If the power grid fails, if a water main breaks, if cellular communications are disrupted; your security posture is immediately compromised, regardless of how many guards you have on the floor.

CISA identifies four lifeline sectors that stadiums and arenas depend on, and for each one provides a framework for understanding dependencies, assessing vulnerabilities, and building contingency plans.

Lifeline Sector 1: Energy

Power is the foundation of nearly every modern security system. Loss of power means loss of access control systems, loss of surveillance, loss of communications, loss of lighting; and immediate escalation of risk.

CISA recommends venues:

Map every security-critical system to its power source and identify single points of failure.
Ensure backup generator capacity covers all security and life-safety systems at minimum.
Test backup power systems regularly and under simulated load conditions.
Develop relationships with your utility provider and understand restoration timelines for your area.

KB TIP: Kenton Brothers assesses power resilience as part of every major security system installation. We ensure that access control, surveillance, intercoms, and communications systems are connected to appropriate backup power sources, and we document these dependencies clearly so your team knows exactly what to do when the grid goes down.

Lifeline Sector 2: Water and Wastewater Systems

Large crowd events place extraordinary demands on water and wastewater infrastructure. Beyond hygiene, water plays a direct role in fire suppression systems that protect patron safety.

Venues should:

Know the source and backup sources for your facility’s water supply.
Inspect and test fire suppression systems before every major event.
Have contingency plans for water service interruption, including alternative sanitation solutions.
Coordinate with local utility providers on planned maintenance windows to avoid event-day disruptions.

Lifeline Sector 3: Communications

Communications failures can be catastrophic during an active incident. CISA emphasizes that venues must treat communication infrastructure as a security system in itself.

Key priorities include:

Redundant communication pathways for security personnel; radio, cellular, and landline where possible.
Dedicated communication channels for coordination with law enforcement and emergency medical services.
Public address systems tested and confirmed operational before every event.
Digital signage systems capable of displaying emergency instructions throughout the venue.
Cellular coverage mapping to identify dead zones that could impair emergency response.

KB TIP: Kenton Brothers integrates intercommunication systems, mass notification platforms, and radio systems that create unified, redundant communication architectures for large venues. We engineer these systems to remain functional even when primary networks are degraded.

Lifeline Sector 4: Transportation

Large events generate transportation surges that can trap patrons inside a venue, prevent emergency vehicles from accessing the site, or create dangerous crowd compression at egress points.

CISA recommends:

Pre-event coordination with local traffic management and law enforcement on ingress and egress plans.
Clear emergency vehicle access routes that cannot be blocked by patron vehicles or transit disruptions.
Crowd flow modeling for all entry and exit points, including evacuation scenario planning.
Signage and staff positioning that facilitates orderly egress under normal and emergency conditions.

The CISA Framework in Action: Tips and Tricks for Security Personnel

For the security professionals on the front lines of venue safety, here is a distilled set of practical takeaways from the CISA guides that you can begin applying immediately.

Before the Event

Conduct a full walk-through of all access points, security checkpoints, and surveillance camera sightlines 48 hours before any major event.
Confirm that all access control systems, cameras, and intercoms are operational and connected to backup power.
Brief all security staff on the specific threat scenarios most relevant to the event type; sporting events, concerts, and political gatherings each carry different risk profiles.
Coordinate with local law enforcement to confirm communication channels and incident response protocols.
Verify that your public address system and digital signage can broadcast emergency instructions in all languages relevant to your expected audience.
Check counter-UAS monitoring capabilities if applicable to your venue classification.
Ensure patron screening lanes are staffed adequately and tested with the actual equipment being used that day.

During the Event

Maintain continuous communication between security command, floor staff, and law enforcement liaisons.
Use surveillance AI alerts as an intelligence feed, not a replacement for trained human observation.
Position behavioral recognition-trained staff at high-density gathering areas: entry queues, concourse chokepoints, and VIP areas.
Monitor all four lifeline systems in real-time; power, water, communications, and transportation egress conditions.
Conduct rolling radio checks at defined intervals to confirm all teams are responsive.
Know exactly who calls in the incident and through which channel if something goes wrong. Every staff member should know this.

After the Event

Conduct a structured after-action review with security leadership, event operations, and law enforcement partners.
Document any anomalies, near-misses, equipment failures, or communication gaps;these are your most valuable training data.
Update your Security Considerations Table based on lessons observed.
Test and recharge all backup power systems.
Submit a debrief report to your CISA Regional Security Advisor if applicable.

Continue reading Part Three.

Ready to Align Your Venue with the CISA Framework?

Contact Kenton Brothers Systems for Security for a comprehensive venue security assessment. Our team of certified professionals is ready to walk your facility, map your risks, and build a security roadmap that aligns with the latest CISA guidance and protects the people who matter most.

References

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Venue Guides for Security Enhancements and Mitigating Dependency Disruptions. December 2025 / January 2026. https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/venue-guides-security-enhancements-and-mitigating-dependency-disruptions
U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. ICYMI: Homeland Republicans Assess Security, Coordination Efforts for Upcoming Mass-Spectator Events. May 2025.
Domestic Preparedness. Big Events in 2026: Security Classifications. January 2026.