Persian Gulf and Red Sea security situation

Control Risks supported a client during escalating Middle East conflict by delivering rapid, board-level insight into geopolitical, macroeconomic, supply chain and security impacts.

Strategic risk shortlist

The engagement combined an immediate executive briefing with a structured conflict impact assessment, developing multiple escalation scenarios and associated assumptions across global markets, Africa and Iran. 

Scenario findings were translated into a prioritised strategic risk shortlist, highlighting the most material risks facing the client over the next 9–12 months. Control Risks provided practical mitigation recommendations spanning strategic resilience, physical and digital security, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing monitoring, aligned to the client’s operational realities and leadership priorities.

Evidence-based decision-making

Findings were embedded directly into decision-making through a dedicated board presentation, equipping senior leadership with a clear, evidence-based framework to manage uncertainty, support external reporting, and make informed strategic choices during a period of heightened geopolitical volatility.

Control Risks supported a consumer electronics company to strengthen crisis management and operational resilience across EPC project sites in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia amid escalating Iran-linked security risks.

A structured framework

A scenario-driven framework was developed to assess credible escalation pathways and their implications for people, assets and project continuity. A Level 4 compatible "Stay in Place" model enabled the client to maintain critical operations under deteriorating security conditions, clearly defining decision triggers, essential personnel requirements, legal and ethical considerations, and integration with evacuation options. 

Detailed site-specific threat, evacuation, and protection plans were delivered for four major project locations, addressing evacuation routes, partial drawdowns, protective infrastructure, and actionable response procedures. The engagement was delivered through six structured workstreams, supported by real-time advisory input and situational awareness from Control Risks’ Global Risk Operations Centre.

A globally defensible posture

The result was a practical, defensible crisis posture aligned with global EPC best practice and regional realities.

Control Risks supported an energy firm through a rapid, independent "fresh eyes" assessment of its crisis management, business continuity and evacuation arrangements amid rising Gulf region escalation risks linked to Iran. 

Stress-testing frameworks  

The engagement focused on whether existing frameworks were realistic, executable and resilient under severe but plausible crisis scenarios. Crisis frameworks were stress-tested to identify gaps, failed assumptions, and vulnerabilities that could impede effective response. Employee and dependent evacuation plans were assessed across air, land, and maritime routes, including activation triggers, safe havens, and alignment with government, regulatory, and aviation constraints. 

Strengthened leadership confidence

The client received clear, prioritised outputs comprising an immediate "quick wins" briefing, a detailed written assessment and an executive summary evaluating overall preparedness. Delivered at pace under a flexible time and materials model, the engagement strengthened the client’s readiness, leadership confidence and ability to act decisively during rapid regional escalation.

An international oil company (IOC) required 24/7 technical surveillance for critical infrastructure in Iraq. The client needed a resilient, scalable operating model to protect critical energy assets in a high-risk environment, while retaining governance, assurance and strategic oversight.

Surveillance aligned with industry best practices 

Control Risks designed and delivered a contractor-led technical surveillance operating model, balancing client ownership of standards with full execution responsibility. The model defined governance, staffing, assurance, and reporting, enabling uninterrupted 24/7 surveillance aligned with regulatory, contractual, and security requirements.

Control Risks successfully delivered continuous, reliable technical surveillance operations supporting critical infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A resilient staffing and rotation model ensured uninterrupted 24/7 coverage, while structured handovers preserved operational continuity and consistency.

Clear allocation of ownership and responsibility enabled the client to maintain full control over security standards, procedures, and assurance frameworks, while benefiting from Control Risks’ specialist expertise and execution capability. Regular reporting, rapid escalation mechanisms, and close coordination with the client ensured transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

The inclusion of a robust assurance and continuous improvement framework, supported by drills, simulations, and live exercises, validated system effectiveness and strengthened operational readiness in line with evolving threat conditions. Ongoing engagement with technical vendors ensured surveillance capabilities remained current and effective.

Scalable, robust operations 

The operating model proved both scalable and transferable, offering a credible blueprint for wider deployment across complex IOC operating environments, including South Iraq. The client achieved enhanced asset protection, strengthened governance, and confidence that security operations were both operationally robust and strategically aligned.