Egypt has appointed the UK-based Control Risks Company to assess and enhance security in its airports, Egyptian tourism minister Hisham Zaazou announced Tuesday. Control Risks is a global risk and strategic consulting firm specialising in political, security and integrity risk. Operating from 36 offices, the company's primary services include anti-corruption audits, consultancy and training, eDiscovery, political risk analysis and a broad range of security and crisis management support. A ministerial committee tasked with selecting a security company has approved the application of the British company and rejected that of a U.S. one. The committee is formed of Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, Civil Aviation Minister Hossam Kamal and Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou. Control Risks shall evaluate security and safety procedures, training and equipment at the airports and submit recommendations to exceed international standards. It shall also be tasked with assisting security bodies to apply the recommendations and periodically evaluate procedures at airports. On October 31st, a Russian plane crashed over Sinai Peninsula after taking off from Sharm el-Sheikh Airport, killing all 224 people on board. Britain and Russia halted flights to Egypt's Sinai following the October crash, for which ISIS-affiliate Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claimed responsibility. While Egypt has stated that investigations have not revealed a "terrorist act" thus far, Russia has said it believes that a terrorist act is the reason that led to the tragedy. Egypt's airports have come under intensified scrutiny since then amid international concerns over the safety of planes departing from the country. Government officials met on 10 December with leading international security and risk advisory companies to hear their proposals on covering security procedures at airports, and then proceed accordingly after reviewing costs and capabilities.
