[BCM] [MBS] [E3] [RAR] [T1] List of Threats

[Business Impact Analysis] [List of Threats]

Bann_BCM_RAR_List of Threats

List of Threats for MBS

Introduction

[BCM] [GEN] [E3] [RAR] [T1] List of Threats

In this section, we identify and categorise threats that could adversely affect Marina Bay Sands (MBS), both at the country level (Singapore) and at the organizational level (MBS’s operations, property, staff, and supply chains).

These threats are drawn using the RAR framework (Risk / Threat / Analysis / Review) and aligned with the BCMpedia taxonomy for Denial of Access, Unavailability of People, Disruption of Supply Chain, and Equipment/IT-related Disruption.

The purpose is to produce a comprehensive threat inventory for MBS to feed into subsequent risk analysis, impact assessment, and business continuity planning.

Only threats that are relevant in the Singapore/Southeast Asian context (country level) or plausible for a large integrated resort-hotel-casino complex like MBS (organizational level) are included.

Threats Table for MBS

Category of Threats	Types of Threats	Description of Threats	Country Level (Singapore / regional)	Organisation Level (MBS)
Denial of Access – Natural Disaster	Flood / Flash Flood	Heavy rainfall, storm drainage overflow, flash flooding, blocking roads/access	Singapore is low-lying; heavy monsoon rains can cause flooding in some areas, affecting transport and utilities	Flooding of entrances, basement levels, carparks, service access roads, and interruption of guest / staff ingress
	Earthquake / Tremors	Seismic activity causing structural or ground-shaking effects	Singapore has low seismic risk, but regional earthquakes (Indonesia) may have minor tremors	Structural damage, disruption to guest areas, staff safety, and building vibrations
	Storm / High Winds / Tropical Cyclone	Severe wind events, storms, typhoons in the region	Singapore is rarely directly hit by major typhoons, but regional storms may generate wind & rain surges	Damage to façade, windows, external areas (rooftop, gardens), shade structures, canopies, risk to guests outdoors
	Lightning	Lightning strikes during storms	Common in tropical climates	Damage to external fittings, power surges, risk to external lighting systems
	Heat Wave	Extended periods of very high temperature	An increase in tropical climates due to climate change	Stress on HVAC systems, guest discomfort, increased cooling demand, and possible equipment overheating
	Fire – Wild / Urban	Fire outbreak from nearby areas or internal building	Urban environment with dense built structures; fire risk is always present	Fire in internal spaces (hotel rooms, F&B, back-of-house), smoke spread, evacuation, damage to property
	Drought / Water Shortage	Prolonged low rainfall is affecting water supplies	As an island, Singapore depends on external water imports and reservoirs	Water scarcity leads to constraints on hotel operations (pools, landscaping, cooling, guest services)
Denial of Access – Man-made Disaster	Terrorism / Bomb Threat / Explosion	Malicious acts intended to harm, destroy, or disrupt	As a globally known landmark, Singapore is a potential target for terrorism	Bomb threats at hotel/casino/convention centre, perimeter infiltration, damaging infrastructure
	Power Outage / Utility Failure	Loss of electrical supply, water supply, and gas	At the national grid level or local distribution failure	Sudden blackout in hotel, casino, convention, retail; lift systems down, security systems malfunction
	Civil Unrest / Riots / Demonstrations	Public disorder is blocking access	Singapore typically has a strong public order, but could face protests, regional spillovers	Access roads blocked, guest safety, closure of certain public areas, and reputational damage
	Road / Transport Disruption	Blocked roads, traffic closures, and a public transit strike	National transport disruptions (MRT, expressways)	Guests and staff unable to reach MBS, deliveries delayed, events cancelled
	Security Breach / Vandalism	Trespass, sabotage, malicious damage	Could be local criminal acts or coordinated attacks	Damage to property, perimeter fences, intrusion into restricted zones, defacement, theft
Unavailability of People	Infectious Disease / Pandemic	Spread of disease among staff, guests, or the public	Country-level outbreaks (e.g. COVID-19, SARS, dengue)	Staff absenteeism, guest cancellations, reduced occupancy, closure of facilities
	Labour Dispute / Strike	Industrial action from staff or subcontractors	Labour unrest in hospitality/services sector	Service disruption (restaurants, housekeeping, concierge), impact on guest experience
	Workplace Safety Incident / Accident	On-site injuries, fatalities	National regulations require safe work environments	Incident in hotel/casino / back-of-house leading to shutdown of zones, reputational risk, and legal claims
	Loss of Key Appointment Holders	Departure, incapacity, resignation of senior executives	At the national corporate level, executive changes	Loss of key leadership during a crisis may delay decision-making, and continuity gaps
	Workplace Violence / Security Incident	Assaults among staff, guests, and intruders inside the premises	Singapore has relatively low crime, but risks exist in densely populated venues	Guest altercations, staff assaults, security escalations, negative PR
Disruption to the Supply Chain	Loss of Specialized Vendor / Supplier	Failure or exit of vendors delivering key goods/services	Suppliers in Singapore or the region may fail, consolidate, or default	Loss of food & beverage suppliers, linen suppliers, cleaning supplies, spa supplies, and IT vendors
	Regulatory / Legal Violation by Supplier	Supplier fails regulatory compliance, causing an interruption	National or regional regulators may sanction vendors	A key supplier was banned/closed, forcing MBS to find an alternate at short notice
	Default of Key Debtors / Financial Insolvency	A supplier or partner becomes insolvent	Economic downturn in Singapore / Asia	Suppliers unable to deliver, contract voiding, and cash flow stress for MBS
	Transport / Logistics Disruption (Accident, Port Delay)	Accident or congestion at the port, airport, or road, logistics delay	Singapore is a major trade hub; congestion, customs delays are possible	Delays in importing goods (luxury items, perishables, machinery), interruptions to replenishment
Equipment and IT-Related Disruption	IT Failure (Hardware / Software)	Server crash, application bug, corruption	National IT services disruption, regional cloud vendor outage	PMS (property management system), booking systems, POS, guest services, and back-end operations down
	Network Failure / Telecom Outage	Loss of internet, WAN, and telecommunication lines	National backbone outages, ISP failure	Guest Wi-Fi down, internal systems disconnected, communications breakdown
	IT Sabotage / Cyberattack / Malware / Ransomware	Deliberate malicious attack infecting systems	Singapore is a regional cyber hub and target	Data breach, service disruption (casino systems, payment, guest data), ransomware lockout
	Facilities & Equipment Failure	HVAC, lifts, escalators, UPS, generators, plumbing, and fire-suppression systems failure	National power events or local equipment aging	Air-conditioning breakdown, lift/escalator down, chilled water plants fail, generators fail to start
	Telecommunications Failure (Phone Lines)	Loss of voice lines, landlines	Telecom provider outages	Internal/external calls fail (guest calls, emergency calls, booking lines)

Summing Up ...

This threat inventory for Marina Bay Sands provides a foundational baseline of potential adverse events across multiple categories: natural and man-made denial of access, human resource unavailability, supply chain disruption, and equipment/IT failures.

At the country level, Singapore enjoys political stability, strong infrastructure, and robust regulatory frameworks, which mitigate many threats. However, climate change, regional geophysical events, cyber threats, and global pandemics remain relevant.

At the organisation level, MBS faces additional exposures specific to its scale, mixed-use nature (hotel, casino, retail, convention), reliance on high service levels, critical infrastructure systems, and supply dependencies.

More Information About Business Continuity Management Courses

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