THE NATIONAL CENTERFOR SPECTATOR SPORTS
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Established in 2006, the National Center for Spectator
Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) is the nation’s only
academic center devoted to the study and practice ofspectator sports safety and security.

TRAINING AND EDUCATIONThe NCS4 is located in the
Trent Lott National Centerat The University ofSouthern Mississippi (USM),
a top-tier (R1) Carnegie
classified institution for itsvery high research activity.
The Center is partially
funded by grants from theDepartment of Homeland
Security (DHS) and theFederal Emergency
Management Agency(FEMA). The NCS4’sstrategic priorities are
guided by a National
Advisory Board and industry
Advisory Committees.

The NCS4 offers national and international training and certification
programs.

A partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) National
Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (NERRTC), funded through FEMA,
promotes in-person courses for multi-agency teams preparing for sports and special
events. Courses focus on risk management, incident management, evacuation andprotective measures, crisis communications, and crowd management.
The Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) designation sets practitioners apartfrom other professionals. The certification is awarded to individuals who meetexperience and education criteria and pass an exam relevant to sports safety andsecurity management. Earning a CSSP validates knowledge in critical domain areas anddemonstrates a commitment to professional development.
NCS4 Learn provides eLearning professional development opportunities for front-linestaff, supervisors, and organizational leaders. Organizations can enroll and monitor
their teams in asynchronous and customizable learning experiences. The course catalog
includes the following:
Crowd Manager Fundamentals – prepares venue staff to support crowd
management needs and assist occupants.
Venue Staff Training – provides a foundational understanding of safety andsecurity principles for frontline venue and event staff with role-specific add-ons(i.e. guest services, parking management, concessions, ticket-takers).

Our Mission
We support the sports andentertainment industries
through innovative research,training, and outreachprograms. Our mission isrealized by working closelywith diverse organizations
and subject matter experts
to better understand thethreat environment, identify
vulnerabilities, communicate
risk-mitigation techniques,and close capability gaps.

Senior Leader Course: Sports and Entertainment Security – outlines security
leadership fundamentals in business management, emergency management,planning considerations, legal and regulatory guidance, crowd management, andsecurity procedures. This course is also recommended as a preparatory course for
the CSSP examination.
A webinar series covers current topics for educational and technology solution
awareness.
The USM’s nationally recognized College of Business and Economic Development
offers academic degree and certificate programs in sports security management.

RESEARCH
The NCS4 applied research goals are accomplished through partnerships
with industry professionals and academic programs.

Our Vision
We will be a leading partnerwith government, private
sector, and sports andentertainment organizations
to create and deliver criticalresources for enhancing
safety and security.

The NCS4 staff, research affiliates, and colleagues nationally and internationally publish
peer-reviewed articles and white papers and conduct workshops and conference
presentations.
Industry research reports are published on national surveys focused on spectator
perceptions of safety and security and venue security directors’ operational issues,
emerging threats, and technology solutions.
A research seminar series shares interdisciplinary research on sports safety and security
topics with outcomes applicable to practitioners and academic stakeholders.

OUTREACH AND RESOURCES
The NCS4 collaborates with professional associations, government
agencies, academic entities, and the private sector to develop and delivercritical resources and networking opportunities, such as the following:
An annual conference and exhibition attracts over 500 professionals, including
exhibitors and sponsor companies representing all facets of the sport security
industry.

SCAN HERE OR VISITOUR WEBSITE TO
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Industry forums are hosted for professional, entertainment, collegiate, high school,and marathon and endurance safety and security stakeholders.
Best practices, guidelines, and considerations are published in collaboration withindustry professionals, working groups, and government agencies, i.e., the DHS
Cybersecurity and Industry Security Agency (CISA).
The NCS4-sponsored Gameday Security Magazine and biweekly newsletters keep
members abreast of industry trends, solutions, and available resources.
NCS4 Connect is the membership platform for individual, corporate, andfaculty/student members, permitting access to additional resources and industry
contacts.

NCS4.USM.EDU

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENTThe NCS4 strives to optimize the relationship between people, processes, and technologies throughcollaboration with industry and Technology Alliance partners. The ultimate goal is to connect the operational
community with solutions capable of solving problems and increasing efficiencies.
The Sports and Entertainment Technology Alliance is a consortium of individuals and organizations committed to spectator safety
and security excellence through innovation. Members are connected with venues across the U.S. and worldwide and share insights
on existing and emerging technologies. Solution-providers are afforded opportunities to build industry relationships and engage
practitioners.
The Operational Exercise program allows experts to observe and report on a product’s stated capabilities (provided by the solution
provider) in an operational or simulated environment.
The Product Review program enables solution providers to interface with industry stakeholders to solicit feedback from target
markets and potential customers related to their particular technology.

The National Center for Spectator Sports
Safety and Security
The University of Southern Mississippi

NCS4.USM.EDU
EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY