ISEC commenced providing security services to hotels in Sydney CBD in April 2020 for the monitored isolation of return overseas travellers as part of the NSW Government’s plan to control the spread of COVID-19. The project was dynamic in nature, with guard numbers and requirements constantly changing. In the first week of April 2020, ISEC deployed roughly 60 personnel, which quickly scaled up to approximately 100 in the second week, 140 in the third week, and 180 by the fourth week. By the fourth month of the project, ISEC deployed around 500 personnel across multiple hotels in Sydney CBD.
The project demanded a quick turnaround, with ISEC at times required to provide an additional 20-40 personnel for sites within a short time frame of less than 4 hours. ISEC met these requests 100% of the time. As the project progressed, the NSW Government scaled down the number of security providers allocated to different hotels, with ISEC and three other providers remaining due to their performance capabilities, reflecting the trust given to them by the government.
The project was subject to high levels of scrutiny, with the NSW Government regularly auditing ISEC’s team on performance, presentation, and compliance through multiple agencies, including the Public Works Advisory and Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate, as well as external auditors. ISEC continually met and exceeded the expectations of the client and was recognised as one of the top performers.
ISEC’s team regularly met with multiple departments, including NSW Police, NSW Health, Public Works Advisory, and hotel management, demonstrating their ability to scale up numbers over a short period and provide 24-hour support to their clients. ISEC also outperformed much larger security providers, as evidenced by the company obtaining more hotels as the project progressed.
Operation Coronavirus 2020 was a high-profile project that supported ISEC’s ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment, given its media presence and public transparency. The project showcased ISEC’s ability to cope with and excel in demanding situations.
The Star Sydney is a premier entertainment destination featuring two gaming floors, multiple bars and restaurants, two hotels, a world-renowned nightclub, the 2000-seat Sydney Lyric Theatre, and the Star Events Centre. The Events Centre is a versatile venue that hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, speaking tours, conferences, exhibitions, corporate functions and meetings, gala dinners, and charity events.
Given the high profile nature of The Star, service delivery must be of the highest standards, and ISEC provides a comprehensive security operation that includes 24-hour asset protection for car parks, retail, hotels, and precinct patrols. In addition to protective security, event security, and crowd control, ISEC provides traffic controllers and RSA Marshalls. Furthermore, ISEC offers ad hoc services that can be requested at short notice to address special situations or fill gaps in security coverage.
The Hordern Pavilion is a high-profile convention, exhibition and entertainment centre and a Sydney icon. With a capacity of 5500, the Hordern Pavilion hosts 80+ events annually including concerts, exhibitions and trade shows, theme parties, dance parties, and gala dinners. Since we commenced providing security services to Playbill Venues, the operator of the Hordern Pavilion, in 2010, ISEC has secured well over 800 events at this venue.
ISEC offers a range of specialist security and event personnel for the multi-faceted services it provides at Hordern Pavilion. Aside from static security and crowd control, ISEC also provides mosh-pit barrier crews, ticketing staff, RSA Marshalls, covert security, and close personal protection operatives.
ISEC has a proven track record of securing high-profile events at Hordern Pavilion, including the Mardi Gras After Party, Dally M Awards, MasterChef Live, and concerts by A$AP Rocky, Khalid, Billie Eilish, Smashing Pumpkins, and Good Charlotte. The company has also provided mosh-pit barrier crews for regular events such as Parkway Drive and Megadeath and close personal protection operatives for international performers such as George Michael, Keisha, and Kylie Minogue.
ISEC has worked closely with the NSW Police to assist Playbill in the development, implementation, and consistent application of its structured and stringent security and liquor licensing policies and procedures.
“ISEC have provided crowd management services for Playbill Venues at the Hordern Pavilion and Royal Hall of Industries for more than a decade. As venues that host extremely diverse event types and audiences, their customer service and managing of complex customer matters has proven to be an asset to our business.”
Anthony Dunsford, General Manager – Playbill Venues
Since 2011, ISEC has been providing security services to Merivale venues, demonstrating our ability to provide well-trained personnel and excellent service delivery. As a result of our proven track record, in 2017, we were selected as Merivale’s preferred security service provider for the Ivy precinct.
The Ivy precinct is a versatile facility that comprises some of Sydney’s top restaurants, venues, and event spaces. As Merivale’s flagship establishment, it features unique event areas such as the Ivy Ballroom, Ivy Sunroom, and Ivy Penthouse, as well as high-end restaurants like Felix and Uccello. Additionally, the Ivy precinct hosts regular events such as RnB Fridays, Ministry of Sound, and Marco Polo Pool Club, along with other large events that feature national and international headline acts.
“ISEC has been Merivale’s preferred supplier of security services for close to a decade. Throughout the years Tony and his team have provided an exceptional level of service. Their dedication, hard work and commitment to our customers has been an integral factor towards our successful working relationship.”
David Clifton, Group General Manager (Venues) – Merivale
The North Byron Parklands hosts Australia’s largest music festival, Splendour in the Grass (SITG), which attracts over 40,000 attendees on event days and accommodates more than 18,000 campers. Renowned international acts such as Coldplay, Kanye West, Outkast, and The Strokes, as well as Australian artists like Powderfinger, perform at the festival.
ISEC has been the security and security risk management service provider for SITG since 2010. ISEC is responsible for securing the entire 550-acre site for the duration of the 14-day festival, including bump in and bump out days. On the three peak event days, ISEC deploys more than 290 security personnel, including security officers, supervisors, managers, and control room operators.
Given the festival’s size and complexity, it involves a diverse range of stakeholders, including event managers and promoters, NSW Police, Rural Fire Service, and Ambulance NSW. ISEC’s ability to provide a large number of well-trained personnel, work cohesively with multiple parties, and deliver excellent service consistently have earned us the reputation of being SITG’s long-term and preferred security partner.
“ISEC has provided outstanding security services for over 10 years. Whether managing concerts or multiple stage festivals with unique programming challenges, the events industry requires a team of world-class professional and that is what ISEC is renowned for.”
Denis Sheahan, Event Manager – Splendour In The Grass