Event Sector CTBIE: New Identity for Security Working Group

The UK’s collaborative security forum for event and venue organisations has adopted a new identity, signalling a closer alignment with national counter-terrorism initiatives. The long-running MASA (multi association security awareness) cross-association working group, convened by the Association of Event Venues (AEV), will now operate under the name Event Sector Counter Terrorism Business Information Exchange (CTBIE) – a subgroup of the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), shortened to Event Sector CTBIE.

The rebranding formalises the group’s role within the wider NaCTSO framework and reflects its growing remit as a structured channel for information-sharing, preparedness and risk mitigation across the UK events ecosystem.

Background and industry context

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Security and counter-terrorism planning have become core components of event operations in the UK, particularly in the wake of high-profile incidents and evolving national guidance. Venues, organisers, suppliers and industry associations have been working more closely with police and security agencies to strengthen resilience, standardise procedures and coordinate responses to potential threats.

MASA was originally established to bring together multiple event-related associations and stakeholders to improve situational awareness, share intelligence-led guidance where appropriate and create consistent best practices around safety and security. Over time, its remit expanded beyond awareness-raising, becoming a practical forum for structured dialogue between industry representatives and specialist security advisors.

With regulatory expectations tightening and proposals such as the UK’s planned protective security legislation (often referred to as Martyn’s Law) on the horizon, the need for a robust, recognised mechanism for sector-wide collaboration has become more pronounced. The transition to Event Sector CTBIE is intended to embed that mechanism within NaCTSO’s established Business Information Exchange model.

Key developments and announcement

The Association of Event Venues has confirmed that the MASA working group will now be identified as the Event Sector CTBIE, formally described as a subgroup of the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office. The new title reflects its positioning as the dedicated Business Information Exchange for the wider event sector, rather than a standalone informal initiative.

While the underlying purpose of the group remains focused on security and information-sharing, the updated identity clarifies its scope in several ways:

Clearer remit: The wording emphasises counter-terrorism and business information exchange as central functions, rather than general security awareness.
Formalised link to NaCTSO: Explicit reference to NaCTSO in the name highlights the group’s role within a national structure designed to connect businesses with specialist counter-terrorism advice.
Sector-wide representation: Describing it as an “Event Sector” CTBIE positions the group as a focal point for venues, organisers, suppliers and associations across the live events landscape, rather than a forum limited to a single membership body.

The change also provides a more descriptive label for external stakeholders, including law enforcement, local authorities and venue clients, who may not have been familiar with the MASA acronym but are increasingly aware of the CTBIE framework across other industries.

Industry impact

For event professionals, the updated identity is more than a branding exercise; it underlines the sector’s maturing approach to integrated security management. By aligning with NaCTSO’s Business Information Exchange model, Event Sector CTBIE becomes part of a broader ecosystem in which critical security information can be disseminated quickly and consistently to relevant partners.

This has several potential implications for the events industry:

Enhanced information flow: A clearer structure for liaison with NaCTSO may support more efficient distribution of alerts, guidance and training opportunities tailored to event environments.
Consistent standards: With a recognised sector-specific CTBIE, stakeholders are better placed to collaborate on common frameworks for risk assessment, crowd management, access control and emergency planning.
Better representation in policy dialogue: A formally recognised group offers a coordinated voice when engaging with government and policing bodies on new legislation or national security strategies affecting events.
Improved cross-association cooperation: The group’s cross-association roots are retained, encouraging continued involvement from multiple trade bodies representing venues, organisers, suppliers and service providers.

For technology providers, the stronger formal links between the industry and NaCTSO may also shape future requirements around security systems, data sharing, access management and incident reporting—areas where digital tools are increasingly critical.

Why this matters for event professionals and technology providers

Event Sector CTBIE arrives at a time when operational resilience is under intense scrutiny. Venues and organisers are expected to demonstrate not only that they understand security risks, but also that they are actively participating in recognised structures for managing them.

For event organisers and venue operators, the group’s evolution offers:

A reference point for engaging with national counter-terrorism guidance specific to events.
Opportunities to align internal procedures with emerging best practices discussed within the CTBIE framework.
Support for training and awareness initiatives that reflect current threat assessments and operational expectations.

For event technology and security solution providers, the shift is equally relevant. As the sector aligns more closely with NaCTSO structures, technology partners may need to demonstrate how their tools support:

Integrated risk management and incident response workflows.
Secure, compliant sharing of relevant security information among authorised stakeholders.
Scalable solutions that can adapt to changing protective security requirements and potential new legislation.

Areas such as access control, credential management, CCTV and video analytics, communications platforms, digital twins and simulation tools, and event management software may all be influenced by the evolving expectations that flow through the Event Sector CTBIE forum.

In practice, the group’s structure can help ensure that discussions about security technology are grounded in operational needs and informed by current counter-terrorism thinking, allowing vendors and end-users to move in step rather than in isolation.

Conclusion

The renaming of the MASA cross-association working group to Event Sector CTBIE marks a formal step in the UK events industry’s collaboration with national counter-terrorism authorities. By establishing itself clearly as a subgroup within NaCTSO’s Business Information Exchange framework, the group provides a more visible and structured platform for sharing security-related information across venues, organisers and suppliers.

While the core functions of the group remain focused on awareness, preparedness and coordinated response, the new identity reinforces the expectation that security is a shared, strategic responsibility. For event professionals and the technology providers that support them, engaging with the work of Event Sector CTBIE is likely to become an increasingly important part of meeting both operational and regulatory expectations in the years ahead.