NCS4
Established in 2006, The University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) is the world's leading academic research institution focused on addressing sports venue and event risks and threats. The NCS⁴ is partially underwritten by grants from the DHS and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its mission centers around three key pillars -- Training, Research, and Outreach.
The NCS⁴'s national and international training programs focus on risk management, incident management, emergency response, evacuation and protective measures, crowd management, and crisis communications. In addition, professional development certifications are available for all staff levels and educational degree and certificate programs are provided through the USM's nationally recognized College of Business and Economic Development.
The research and educational mission of NCS⁴ is accomplished by working in close partnership with industry professionals, researchers and academics, and national and international government agencies. The NCS⁴ is home to the National Sports Security Laboratory where the world's leading research experts in sports and entertainment safety and security pursue a greater understanding of current and future challenges.
The NCS⁴ also offers industry engagement opportunities through its annual conference and forum events. These events provide an excellent arena to network with peers and share best practices and lessons learned to effectively address evolving security challenges.