The SAFETY Act: how to limit liability exposure 

Large-scale venues already operate at a high standard, but today security leaders are being asked to do more than prevent incidents; they’re being asked to prove control.  

That shift is being driven by increasing public scrutiny, legal accountability, and financial exposure. It’s no longer enough to have processes in place to deliver safe operations; it’s about demonstrating control and being able to prove that those processes are effective, consistent, and defensible. 

Stadiums and major events must have control over who’s onsite, what they have access to, and whether those decisions can be justified under public and federal scrutiny.  

This is where the DHS SAFETY Act becomes central. It provides a framework that defines how security effectiveness is evaluated and how the right partners can help. 

Liability exposure: The accountability shift in venue security 

The challenges of operating stadiums or major events mean managing risk at a scale. The DHS SAFETY Act introduces a structured federal framework for how security is evaluated, not just focusing on prevention, but also on recognized, demonstrable effectiveness. 

By aligning with its standards and principles, organizations gain liability protections, reducing exposure to both financial and reputational damage under the growing scrutiny from regulators, insurers, and the public. 

The SAFETY Act: 3 key benefits 

1. Legal exposure: strengthening your legal position 

Stadiums can now significantly reduce their liability exposure to a more defined and structured framework. 

• Liability tied to approved technologies and required insurance levels
• A more structured legal framework for qualifying claims 
• SAFETY Act approval moves claims to federal court 
• Punitive damages are barred 
• Non-economic damages are limited. 
• Claims may be dismissed entirely 

2. Risk posture: a stronger, defensible risk position 

Being able to prove stronger governance and defensible decision-making by implementing and deploying: 

• Recognized technologies that meet DHS-evaluated standards 
• Appropriate measures that clearly demonstrate reasonable and structured decision-making 

3. Insurance and financial advantages: reducing exposure 

Greater clarity around insurance and exposure can often lead to premium reductions because it drastically limits the potential liability exposure of the venue by: 

• Defining insurance requirements aligned to risk 
• Improving insurability and coverage certainty 
• Reducing uncertainty in how exposure is assessed in worst-case scenarios 

The SAFETY Act doesn’t remove risk, but it does help define how it is understood, measured, and defended. 

A new standard: How credentialing can help reduce liability  

Every day, teams are making access decisions across workforce entry, contractor access, restricted zones, and changing permissions. These are not administrative decisions. They can directly impact safety, compliance, and ultimately liability. 

From access management to demonstrable control 

Many venues already have strong processes in place, but in a post-incident or audit scenario, organizations are judged on what they can demonstrate they had in place. 

Credentialing technology is no longer about issuing passes; it’s now viewed by the DHS as part of core security and counter-terrorism infrastructure…if it meets the standards defined within the SAFETY Act framework.  

Credentialing enables organizations to: 

• Maintain a single, unified identity record 
• Apply structured, role-based access controls 
• Provide real-time visibility across operations 
• Enable instant response and revocation 
• Create auditable records of every access decision 

Golden Record: Accredit Solutions defining the standard 

Governing identity and access as a controlled, auditable system 

Accredit Solutions has been independently reviewed and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the SAFETY Act for credentialing technology. It’s designated for high-risk environments and can materially reduce post-incident legal exposure. 

Replace fragmented data with a single, verified identity (“Golden Record”) that underpins all access decisions. One source of truth that underpins every stage of the operation.  

As a recognized security technology and one that meets the standards defined within the SAFETY Act framework, it sets a benchmark for what effective, defensible credentialing looks like.  

SAFETY Act-led approach: Improve security, compliance, and reduce risk 

What this means for your organization 

Working with a SAFETY Act-designated and certified credentialing platform means: 

• Your access control is part of a recognized risk framework 
• Your decisions are structured, consistent, and auditable 
• Your organisation can demonstrate control under scrutiny 

Leadership is in a more defensible position in the event of an investigation 

It’s not replacing what already works; it’s helping strengthen it, so it stands up to the level of scrutiny modern venues face. 

If you’re looking to strengthen: 

• Your risk posture 
• Your liability position 
• Your ability to demonstrate control 

Accredit Solutions provides the structure, visibility, and control required to deliver this.  

Contact us for more information or book a demo to see how this applies to your operations in practice.