Active Assailant Technology: Building an ecosystem of prevention and response

Authored by Morgan Shrubb, Head of War, Terrorism and Political Violence Insurance, Americas

On July 30, 2023, the grim tally of mass shootings in the U.S. hit 421, surpassing the 417 incidents recorded in all of 2019. This staggering statistic averages out to roughly two mass shootings per day, resulting in 465 deaths and 1,777 injuries within the first seven months of 2023 alone. According to the Associated Press, so far, in 2024, 3,053 people have died in mass killings.

These tragic events have indiscriminately targeted nearly every conceivable location or public space. From businesses to apartment complexes, retail shops to concert venues, schools to religious institutions, grocery stores to hospitals, and even doctor’s offices – nowhere seems immune from the threat of mass shootings.

As legislative efforts at both federal and state levels to address gun violence appear to have stalled, the private sector has stepped in to fill the void. AXA XL, in collaboration with a network of preferred partner solutions, has developed a comprehensive, three-pronged approach aimed at supporting risk management strategies to prevent and mitigate the effects of active assailant events. This initiative extends worldwide, catering not only to U.S. but also Canadian-domiciled clients.

This innovative approach provides organizations with support before, during, and after such incidents. The main goal is to reduce response times, provide timely and accurate information, ensure safety for potential victims using bullet proof safety rooms, AI detection of weapons, and facilitating faster and more complete recovery post-event. Our dedicated innovation team continues to work diligently to furnish our clients with the necessary technological solutions and service providers to better prepare them for the unthinkable.

Preventing disaster through technology

In our efforts to enhance our Active Assailant offering, we engaged the expertise of our AXA XL Ecosystem and Innovation Americas team to develop a comprehensive product exceeding mere financial coverage. Our emphasis was on three vital areas: pre-event protection and prevention, real-time protection, detection, and alert services, and post-event recovery for both businesses and individuals.

Pre-event prevention strategies

The primary goal for every client is to prevent tragedy altogether. However, conventional insurance products typically offer limited risk management practices, focusing instead on business interruption payouts to compensate for revenue loss due to business closures prompted by threats.

To address this gap, our team of terrorism and active assailant experts partnered with S-RM, a leading global security firm, to provide clients with top-tier prevention measures. When an insured entity receives a direct threat of an active assailant event, our Security Consultancy Service Provider collaborates with local law enforcement agencies to mitigate risks, provide relevant security advice, and monitor social media threats and the dark web when necessary or requested.

In cases where additional security measures are recommended, our enhanced offering covers the associated costs in the hopes of preventing an incident from occurring. Additionally, S-RM conducts thorough reviews of crisis management and response plans, offering guidance on improvements, conducting training exercises, and devising action plans tailored to various scenarios involving an active shooter presence.

The main goal is to reduce response times, provide timely and accurate information, ensure safety for potential victims using bullet proof safety rooms, AI detection of weapons, and facilitating faster and more complete recovery post-event.

Real-time response and readiness

Even with the best-laid plans, the presence of an active shooter can disrupt any response strategy. To address this challenge, technology and safety and crisis management solutions have been developed to provide law enforcement and potential victims with the advantage.

One of our Ecosystem partners, KT Solutions, has devised the Rapid Access Safe Room, a versatile system that converts a room into a secure, bulletproof space at a moment's notice. Similarly, our Ecosystem partner, Gabriel, offers Smart Shield – a combination of gunshot detection and panic button technology worn on the body to swiftly alert authorities.

Post-event recovery

Regardless of the scale of an active assailant event, the process of recovery is paramount. While most insurance coverage offers financial restitution, AXA XL has partnered with MBL Global to provide access to a vast network of trained counsellors and therapists nationwide.

MBL Global offers comprehensive mental health support to victims and their families, ensuring rapid access to professional care following any covered incident. This includes personalized counselling services delivered by qualified mental health professionals, tailored to the unique needs of each individual or community affected.

By matching counsellors to communities and offering multilingual support, MBL Global aims to expedite the recovery process and restore a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of such traumatic events.

Partners in prevention and recovery

The deployment of these tools and technologies represents a proactive approach to mitigating the incidence and impact of mass shootings. Through collaborative efforts with innovative vendors, AXA XL strives to empower organizations to prepare for and respond effectively to the threat of active assailants.

With a steadfast commitment to providing comprehensive protection, AXA XL remains dedicated to equipping clients with the necessary tools and resources to safeguard lives and livelihoods in the face of such unthinkable tragedies. Until legislative action can stem the tide of mass shootings, we will continue to pursue robust mitigation strategies and forge partnerships with cutting-edge technology providers to ensure preparedness in the event of an active shooter incident.