Security management

The objective of OMV’s security activities is to protect the OMV Group’s personnel, assets, information, operations, value, and reputation against any intentional or malicious threats. A still-unstable geopolitical environment in 2019, combined with enduring regional conflicts resulted in an ongoing emphasis by the Security experts on OMV’s assets located in the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to the challenges of operating securely in Yemen, Tunisia, and Libya, the enduring threat of terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere has remained significant. Political extremism, organized crime, and asymmetric cyberthreats ensure that the Security team continues to maintain a robust yet flexible security strategy to enable OMV to continue operating in such dynamic environments.

The philosophy of using information and protective intelligence as a preventive security instrument remains a fundamental principle of our strategy. It affords the ability to anticipate or instantly respond to a broad spectrum of geopolitical events, regional conflicts, or isolated incidents. Effective interaction with government agencies also augments this approach with the reliable corroboration of facts.

OMV’s unique Security Risk Assessment Platform provides real-time oversight of OMV asset risk exposure levels and can be quickly readjusted in response to geopolitical or security events.

The Integrated Travel Security Platform incorporates all OMV ventures and individual travelers, and is used to monitor all international and domestic business travel for security-related events. Mitigation procedures and evacuation contingencies are adapted or activated depending on known or emerging threats.

OMV also utilizes a comprehensive range of security regulations, plans, procedures, measures, and systems as part of a Security Management Standard. This document utilizes IOGP best practice guidelines and other industry best practice (ASIS and UK Security Institute) to enable OMV to more effectively detect, deter, protect, prevent, record, and investigate threats.

All of the above platforms and components form a unique, agile, and proven Security Management System that is regularly reviewed, changed, or enhanced as the situation requires.

 In 2019, the Security team at Corporate level continued to deliver operational support to OMV ventures. In addition, in high-risk countries, we have dedicated Country Security Managers and Asset Protection Experts on site to add additional expertise. As the business continues to evolve in the Middle East and Africa region, this will remain an enduring commitment for 2020.

OMV’s human rights policies and actions remain crucial in terms of security. Effective community engagement at a local level is a powerful security mitigation measure in regions experiencing conflict or instability. In high-risk countries, OMV’s local security and community engagement strategies are tightly integrated, promoting effective policies, mutual respect, and transparency with all local stakeholders. They, in turn, have directly contributed to OMV’s stable and secure operating environment in 2019. This cooperation encourages a precautionary approach in early detection and resolution of local grievances.

Our employees responsible for security management constitute part of the target group in the scope of the strategic target of conducting training in human rights. (For more details, see Human rights training.)