ASIS Malaysia and International SOS Showcase Best Practices in Travel Risk Management and Duty of Care

Last Thursday, 25 June 2026, the ASIS International Malaysia Chapter partnered with International SOS to deliver an engaging afternoon focused on one of today's most critical corporate security priorities—travel risk management and duty of care.

Hosted at the International SOS Assistance Centre in Kuala Lumpur, the exclusive event brought together security professionals, risk managers, and business leaders for an afternoon of networking, expert insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world's leading health and security assistance organizations supports clients during critical incidents.

The event commenced with casual networking session, providing attendees with the opportunity to reconnect with industry peers before being welcomed by Panniruky Perumal, CPP, Vice Chairman & Next Generation Chair, ASIS International Malaysia Chapter, who served as the event emcee and moderator.

Understanding International SOS and the Regional Risk Landscape

Wendy Chan, General Manager, H3S, Southeast Asia, welcomed participants to the International SOS office and introduced the organization's integrated approach to supporting organizations through medical, security, and travel risk challenges. Wendy also led the exclusive tour of the Assistance Centre, offering attendees a unique opportunity to observe how multidisciplinary teams coordinate responses to incidents affecting travelers and expatriates across the region.

The knowledge-sharing session continued with presentations by Matt Garda, Regional Security Director, Southeast Asia, and Dr. Chan Yanjun, Regional Medical Director, Southeast Asia. Together, they provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving travel risk landscape in Southeast Asia.

Their presentations highlighted how organizations today must prepare for a broad spectrum of risks that extend well beyond traditional security concerns. From geopolitical developments and civil unrest to climate-related disruptions, infectious diseases, cyber threats, and operational disruptions, the speakers emphasized that effective travel risk management requires the integration of both security and medical expertise.

Real-world case studies from the International SOS Assistance Centers further illustrated how timely intelligence, coordinated response, and effective communication enable organizations to support their travelling workforce during complex and rapidly evolving situations.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Assistance Centre

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the exclusive tour of the International SOS Assistance Centre. Participants were allowed to gain firsthand insight into the daily operations of the center and the coordination required to manage medical and security incidents around the clock.

The visit demonstrated the importance of collaboration between medical professionals, security specialists, and operational teams in delivering timely assistance to organizations and their employees wherever they are in the world.

Panel Discussion: Travel Risk Management in a Changing World

The event concluded with an engaging panel discussion titled "Travel Risk Management in a Changing World: Duty of Care for a Diverse Workforce."

Moderated by Panniruky Perumal, CPP, the distinguished panel featured:

• Matt Garda, Regional Security Director, Southeast Asia, International SOS

• Dr. Chan Yanjun, Regional Medical Director, Southeast Asia, International SOS

• Valerie Gan, Security & Safety Head for Shared Services Centre Southeast Asia, British American Tobacco

• Dr. Raji B. Nair, CPP, Country Manager Physical Security, Concentrix

The panel explored how organizations are adapting their travel risk programs to address an increasingly complex operating environment. Discussions covered the convergence of medical and security risks, the importance of proactive planning, leveraging intelligence to inform decision-making, and strengthening organizational resilience through effective duty of care programs.

Panelists also shared practical experiences from their respective organizations, highlighting the importance of cross-functional collaboration between corporate security, medical, human resources, and business leadership to protect employees travelling internationally.

Strengthening Professional Collaboration

The event exemplified the ASIS International Malaysia Chapter's commitment to providing members with practical, relevant, and thought-provoking learning opportunities while fostering collaboration with leading industry partners.

The Chapter extends its sincere appreciation to International SOS, particularly Wendy Chan, Matt Garda and Dr. Chan Yanjun, for graciously hosting the event and providing participants with exclusive access to the Assistance Centre. We also thank all speakers and panelists for generously sharing their expertise and experiences, and all attendees for contributing to the engaging discussions throughout the afternoon.

As the travel risk landscape continues to evolve, partnerships such as this reinforce the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in helping organizations enhance their resilience and fulfil their duty of care to employees operating around the world.

The ASIS International Malaysia Chapter looks forward to welcoming members to future events that continue to advance the security profession and promote excellence in risk management.