After a string of death threats from a former employee, Tom Cruise’s bodyguard team has grown considerably. Leading to the event, some media outlets asserted that the A-list actor’s crew fired a stunt producer. In turn, this led to fears of “further reprisals” for the safety of Tom Cruise and his director Christopher McQuarrie.
While working on their Mission: Impossible 8, the two cinematographic giants collaborated with the now-former stunt producer to find filming locations for scenes. However, things went sideways when the disgruntled employee’s plans weren’t put into action.
Due to his high status, Tom Cruise understandably has a few bodyguards who follow him around in his private and business undertakings. And they have done so for many years. Yet, this scenario calls for an increase in his heavies due to an elevated level of exposure.
Apart from threats, the former employee has begun litigation toward Cruise, McQuarrie, and Paramount Studios. Equally important, the ex-stunt producer accused the A-list actor and his collaborators of financing their work via Russian oligarch funding. In fact, connoisseurs claim that an FBI investigation is likely underway into Paramount over the accusations.
The insider threat shouldn’t ever be underestimated as it always has a high impact. Having inside information about the personal and professional life of highly profiled individuals is a powerful instrument for manipulation, blackmailing, reputational damage and physical assault.
Therefore, it should be identified in the risk and threat assessments and have control measures and contingencies in place.
This event again emphasizes the importance of paying attention to disgruntled (former) employees. In fact, these individuals can wreak havoc on the work and private lives of the wealthy and prominent.
Fortunately, in this case, the threat actor didn’t get a chance to inflict injury or otherwise harm his target. Luckily, Tom Cruise’s bodyguard team was in place to prevent that from happening. Along similar lines, one media source said that while “it’s all turned very nasty… those involved in the films are confident everything is totally fine, he’s just an angry ex-staff member.”
However, there have been countless instances of disgruntled employees who did manage to get their way. To that effect, what do you think the rich and famous need to do to make themselves less prone to such adversity?
Putting together an executive protection proposal is necessary when soliciting contracting partners. Especially during the first days of starting a new EP business. Or, if you’re starting a venture as a solo practitioner. At any rate, the use of a good request for proposal is unavoidable if you want to reach a high level of transparency between competing bidders.
Many organizations have purchasing policies and procedures in place. These companies have already established personalized guidelines and templates regarding Request For Proposals (RFP).
Still, very few companies have a good deal of experience in outsourcing specialist partner services like executive protection. The issue is a lack of blueprints available covering the strategy essentials one needs to include in the document.
And the reason for this is simple. Those involved in corporate strategy know little about executive protection, and vice versa. In fact, when it comes to regulations and requirements within the CP industry, many things happen without a strategy.
Now, given the executive protection program’s close-up-and-personal visibility with top execs, this may be problematic.
So here we are, sharing a planning process and document outline that will help plan EP programs for corporate clients.
Organisations looking to procure protective security provisions will likely have very little understanding of the profession. Frequently, we witness a procurement department making security-related decisions.
This is why it is important for companies to engage with a protective security consultant to aid them in building an appropriate RFP, and ensure organisations are engaging with appropriate vendors that actually provide these services.
Significant amounts of due diligence are required, with a thorough understanding of the local market and vendors within the market who can provide such services.
This is a very specialised area, with many companies claiming to offer such services, very few factually and actually do.
Issuing executive protection proposal documents is constructive when trying to connect with vendors, consultants, partners, or organizations. More so, it helps to structure the process of selecting a vendor for subcontracting purposes, i.e., the outsourcing of security services.
RFP are standard practice in the corporate industry when requesting purchases and services.
But we must ask why should an EP company construct an RFP or this document of solicitation.
Well, because all parties involved in either providing or retaining services must have their expectations explicitly expressed in the contract. Implementing an executive protection proposal clarifies the decision criteria needed to apply in choosing your EP partners.
It also enables one to ask the right questions to make an informed decision. After all, when you’re asking a vendor to help support a specific project or need, it’s pertinent to take the time to outline the ways they will contribute to solving company problems.
For the most part, this helps clear up any confusions that may pop up down the track. Next, everyone knows what their roles and responsibilities are concerning the contract.
Let’s Talk About Benefits
Executive protection companies and solo practitioners often engage in substantial planning to protect individuals and their families. The role of a close protection officer can overlap with other similar responsibilities, depending on the circumstances.
For this reason, the types of protective services the individual or company wants to contract must be as transparent as possible. And yes, in many instances, contract transparency is a given. But without it, fears of misuse are apt to flourish, and conflict among stakeholders will be magnified.
In the case of a corporation, executive protection proposals do not need to address all aspects of the program in-house. Rather, they often outsource vendors to provide specialized services. For example, numerous organizations benefit from the services of an EP company during travel and assignments with an increased threat level that demands expert protection.
Furthermore, the outsourcing of an executive protection team helps to augment the knowledge, skills, and training of the in-house security team on an as-needed basis. As such, determining if contract policies and management are in order is absolutely necessary.
Note: Most of the purchasing decisions made by the security department will not figure prominently on the principal’s or CEO’s radar, but it will be for the people who provide CP protection.
How it Happens?
Realistically, it can be difficult or impossible for corporations with no experience in executive protection to know exactly what they need. A well-planned strategy or proposal should detail how individuals will be searched, shortlisted, and evaluated.
So, let’s outline a tried and tested way to structure an executive protection proposal (or a request for proposal).
From the get-go, it’s vital to make clear just what kind of protective services the company or individual wants to contract. So, start by getting some general background information from all vendors. Ask tough questions: Are they profitable? Are they growing? Can they be counted on in a year’s time now?
Top Tip: Try to move beyond all the marketing talk and get a good sense of what makes the vendor tick.
It’s also a good idea to lay out the decision criteria in clusters, weighing each according to relative importance. Case in point, price will inevitably be one of the most scrutinized of all the criteria because you get what you pay for. And, unfortunately, the costs of a failed EP program can be much greater than purely financial.
But here are some common guidelines worth considering:
Quality control: Use of quality assurance programs.
Environmental: Certifications used to ensure compliance.
Non-discrimination: How is diversity reflected in the protective team?
Executive protection is an investment that will be scrutinized in many ways. That’s why the points below should be paid particular attention to when assessing how vendors organize the bare bones of their services.
Operational planning,
Staffing and training,
Contingency/response plans,
Expense reporting, and
Personnel evaluation.
Final Words
An executive protection proposal is ultimately an exchange of value and the solicitation of a secure and transparent partnership. Now, depending on the complexity of the scope of work, the RFP process could take anywhere from weeks to several months.
Anyone who wants to be taken seriously needs to make evident an understanding of the client’s issues and produce a strategy that dictates tactics. One where making and defending the decisions on outsourcing, insourcing, or how to embed key executive protection positions are pertinent.
And, the application of rigorous decision criteria in choosing an EP partner that will enable them to ask the right questions to make informed decisions.
Lastly, trust is what it all comes down to. Trust in both the security plan and in the partnering team to ensure the success of the business, not hinder it.
Do you count yourself lucky for evading that uncomfortable situation with the principal’s fans? How often do you genuinely enjoy a monotonous security assignment during uneventful days? Well, we can say that most people in the industry want to have more — not fewer — of those!
For the first bundle of real-life scenarios, we sat down with security manager Matthew Porcelli. As our long-time contributor, he was so kind to share three short stories with the EP Wired community!
1: Safeguarding the Brand
When I was a security operations manager at Newark Liberty International Airport, we had an oil minister with their aircraft that we would protect overnight. It was in a place called the hardstand. That’s where the plane more or less goes to sleep, but a whole process goes into it.
Executive protection is not just about the individual. It’s the brand they represent. It’s their investment. Obviously, the highest investment somebody can make is in their people. Especially when protecting a multi-million dollar aircraft that can be used as an air-to-ground missile. Now, this is a unique security assignment.
United 93 took off from Newark Liberty International Airport on 9/11, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. When I started working as a security operations manager in 2014, I had about 20 security agents. We used to search aircrafts, conducted pat-downs, and used metal detectors for the crew, engineers, and catering representatives coming on to service the outbound flights.
But people don’t realize when these planes are “asleep,” you must put up seals on the aircraft. So for everything that can be accessible from the ground, you have to put a seal on it and make sure nobody tampers with it. So we had a security agent there overnight — and I’ve done that before as well.
While we were guarding the oil minister’s private aircraft, the take-off was delayed because he didn’t have eggs for his morning omelet. So the whole operation stopped until somebody went out and got him six eggs. The hold-up affected the air traffic.
There is a concept known as protection in depth or the concentric circles of protection. So, for our example, the oil minister has their own executive protection team from Saudi Arabia, and it’s really about a mindset.
United 93 took off from Newark Liberty International Airport. The gate on Terminal A has a flag, and I would have to train security agents on how to drive on the tarmac to respond to terminals and aircraft that were coming in, and whatnot. But I’ve always substantiated with the following:
I’ve told them this aircraft could be used as an air-to-ground missile, and this is somebody’s brand, somebody’s “baby,” so to speak.
The gate United 93 took off, but I would also remind people by pointing east to where the World Trade Center was. I would say: This is why we do all this training because it only takes a split second.
For this reason, it’s essential that the executive protection agent knows that the security assignment is not just mindless standing, doing this, and trying to look strong and tough. Instead, it’s basically taking a passive mindset and changing it into a “what are the ramifications if our circle or layer of security fails.”
If something happens to a brand, the recovery process is astronomical.
2: A Stint of Carelessness
I was assigned to a detail for a US senator. The security provider I was working for wanted a team of six to seven executive protection agents with the chief security officer to help secure the egress and whatnot.
Now, what does a politician usually do? They want votes, to shake hands with people. I don’t know who instigated it, but the senator started taking selfies with people. It’s a catch-22 because, at the exact moment, you are taking selfies with the principal.
Remember, these are private security officers. But really, how do you tell your principal? When you are trying to make everything run smoothly, and they want to deviate from the plan and start taking selfies.
For the senator, that was great because it likely looks good. But what if those pictures end up on social media? Further, if people would know exactly where he was, where he was going, and the car he was in?
People don’t think about it now, but the elevated exposure on social media could have weakened the circles of protection.
3: On Having Seconds
There was a corporate governance meeting at a hotel with a big organization. There were a lot of, let’s just say, angry individuals in attendance. So, I had a staff of 10 and had them strategically placed around the hotel. But then the organizers moved the room.
We already had an advance team there, but we had to reconfigure everything with the actual staff, which were two civilian security managers with the Department of Defense. So we basically had to adapt to the new environment. For example, communications needed to be re-established and set up properly. And it was Chatham House; it was a government contract.
The principal at the time was the CEO. And he was moved from one room to another room on the other side of the hotel.
After everything was set up, we were at our posts, and they provided food for us. We had a guy on our team, a sweet guy. I will never forget he called over the radio and said: “Andrew to Matt. Are we allowed to have seconds?” I was like: “Please don’t broadcast that.”
Takeaways
It’s one thing to have a group of executive protection agents who are former law enforcement and former military on a security assignment. You try to do that with people who are more or less doing it for a job, and you could get this result. We overcame the communication issues because once this principal was moved, not only did I have to reconfigure my security team, exits, and patrols, but we also adapted.
But the thing is you have some people who have never used a radio. It may sound trivial, but it’s challenging. In private security, all you need is a security officer license and minimal training. It’s up to me as the manager to get on their level. No disrespect intended.
The biggest challenge was not only adapting to the different venues on the other side of the hotel with separate exits. It was also trying to motivate and make sure that my security officers knew what was going on and the severity of what was happening during the security assignment.
In the latest edition of real-life scenarios in executive protection, we bring you a worthwhile read on last-minute kidnap prevention, but not how you think of it!
Ivan Ivanovich, an EP expert from Mexico, talks about hostile surveillance, how noticing tiny details makes all the difference, and why early phase recognition is the secret ingredient.
Ivan Ivanovich, Worldwide Security Options
Several years ago, an influential executive contacted us because his daughter had a strange incident. He wanted to hear our opinion about it. First, he started his story like this: “Every Tuesday at 2 pm…”
Naturally, we were on high alert, as every situation related to times and places of routine can be a sign of potentially hostile activities.
So regularly, on Tuesdays around 2 pm, his daughter visits his house. She arrives and honks the horn. The butler opens the garage, and she gets in. But that day, at the moment of her arrival, a big SUV moving at high speed suddenly stopped next to her with an intense noise of brakes screeching.
And that was all. No one gets out of the vehicle. The SUV remains still. Her reaction was to get her car up on the sidewalk and escape.
At that moment, we knew this was the “dry run” — the final phase in hostile preparation. In that phase, the criminals make the conclusive test, the rehearsal. They perform the initial part of the attack but don’t complete it.
A Small White Sedan: Kidnap Prevention
The main aim is to see the victim’s reactions so they can prepare all the necessary logistics and refine their plan. They also condition the victim to act in a specific way. In risky situations, we tend to repeat past actions that were successful for us. So, this is a weird kind of training for the victim to be kidnapped.
Also, they can use a “dry run” to choose between different options for the attack so they can confirm or discard some of them. After performing a “dry run,” they generally wait for a couple of weeks or even months. Meanwhile, the victim forgets the apparently benign incident and returns to a routine. Then they attack with all necessary resources and actions to frustrate previously seen victims’ reactions.
It is essential to point out that this phase of preparation for the attack is not used by criminals every time. Whether they will use it can depend on many factors according to their needs and specific situations. That is why it is imperative to be able to identify this phase and act immediately.
We knew the attack on our new client was imminent, so we had to act quickly. Therefore, we immediately started with counter-surveillance (together with other measures that we will not discuss in this article).
We identified all the vehicles around the client’s frequently visited places, and all were OK. That is, except for a small white sedan, ubiquitous in the area, that had a police jacket hanging around the driver’s seat. Each neighbor had a different assumption about that vehicle — and not a single one was true.
Then we checked the vehicle’s plates, and it was involved in two investigation processes for kidnapping. We immediately contacted Mexico City authorities, and they acted quickly and professionally. As a result, the criminal group was identified and disbanded. This is the end of our kidnap prevention account… except there is more!
The Story Behind the Story
It all started with a handsome spinning instructor working in a high-class sports club. He was gathering information from the affluent ladies who were flirting with him, passing that information to the rest of the criminal group, who then
The members of the criminal band later confessed that during the observation of our client, they were able to identify the movements and routine of another person who was living on that street. So, after performing the first kidnapping, they already had their next victim ready.
Luckily, neither of these crimes happened, thanks to our team’s and the police’s coordinated action. Also, the fact that the criminals were negligent or just ignorant and used the compromised vehicle for hostile surveillance made things much easier for us.
At the beginning of this article, many readers might have thought that this text would be about shooting and vehicle crushing, as the title refers to last-moment kidnap prevention.
But the moment of reaction is not the last — this is already too late. The only way of performing effective executive protection is to cut the attack off in the process of preparation. The rest is gambling with our lives and the lives of the protectees.
In 2014, while speaking with someone at an event, they laughed and asked: Why would anyone need close protection in New Zealand?
New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific have often been viewed as an island paradise. Don’t get me wrong, it is. We have endless beaches and long hot days in the summer, and we are spoiled with busy ski fields and snow-capped mountain getaways in winter.
But there are always two sides to an environment. Sadly, New Zealand is also home to one of the highest numbers of motorbike gang memberships per capita. In April 2022, patched and prospect gang members on the National Gang List numbered 7,722. That may not seem like a lot to other countries, but to put it into perspective, New Zealand only has 13,000 police staff.
Recently we have seen a growth in gun violence, and retail crime has exploded with multiple large ram raids a week on different ranges of stores.
Surging Crime and Booming Tech Sector
New Zealand and the Pacific struggle with crime and gangs. We are also home to world-leading entrepreneurs. In fact, New Zealand has always been known for its lamb, wine, and fresh produce it supplies the world. Yet, now we are known for Rocket Lab, a billion-dollar film industry, growth in technology and innovation.
We have a growing super yacht and boating industry. All these industries are creating and attracting high-net-worth families and individuals. The Spinoff released an article last month showing that almost half (45%) of New Zealand homes are valued at NZD1 million or more as the country sees a rise in middle-class millionaires.
The other noticeable change post-Covid is the rise of conspiracy theorists. The New Zealand and Australia region saw large anti-government demonstrations in all major cities during the Covid lockdowns and the growth of anti-vax groups who aligned themselves with other anti-government groups.
Who Needs Close Protection in New Zealand and the Pacific?
I see a growing need for CEOs, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth families, media personalities and politicians to have an increased use for security manager services or close protection in New Zealand. Recorded incidents of violent behaviour have increased, and there seems to be increased aggression from conspiracy groups.
Many people associated with or who run these conspiracy groups are easily fixated on people, government staff or private companies. Fixated persons can be extremely dangerous. Many countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, have special police units that work alongside mental health organisations to investigate, risk assess and offer help to people of concern.
Because CEOs, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth families and politicians live very public lives, often appearing on local TV or having a large social media following, they are easy targets for fixated persons or concerning groups/individuals who want to target them.
Many well-known people have been victims of stalkers. Luckily, most don’t end in violence. Still, there are numerous examples where they can turn fatal.
In the book “Public Figures, Private Lives,” the authors discuss three main reasons for people to have enhanced protection. They are:
Risk mitigation,
Lifestyle, and
Privacy.
Each high-net person, CEO etc., should have an annual risk, threat, and vulnerability assessment (RTVA). This should be carried out internally on an ongoing basis as concerns/incidents or persons of interest come to light. It is also essential to have an independent RTVA completed that looks at the situation from an external view and can identify different threats or concerns.
Can It Happen Here?
The simple answer is yes. Sadly, the lesson from Japan in the recent assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is that it can happen anywhere. No matter how safe you think a country is. If you look at the offender in that scenario, his character, beliefs and fixation, there would be hundreds of people living in New Zealand and Australia with the same or similar personalities and beliefs.
If we study the environment here in New Zealand and Australia, we can identify the following concerning behaviours:
We have people who have strong beliefs in conspiracy theories,
Have a large group of people with mental health concerns,
Looking at all the above points and behaviours within our environment, we can say that it’s a case of when not if. For example, New Zealand and Australia have both been victims of mass shootings and acts of terrorism. Both countries had individuals who attempted to harm members of the royal family, and politicians in both countries have been attacked or had objects thrown at them.
Many companies and individuals are starting to invest in close protection in New Zealand and the region. More families are looking into property managers with a security background. Also, those who can afford it hire close protection or executive protection specialists.
There is still a large sense of belief in New Zealand of “it would never happen here” or “She’ll be alright.” Sadly, this is why many companies don’t look into executive protection or manage the security of their CEO/directors/talent very well. It is a dangerous mindset to ignore the environment we live in and the people with whom we share this space.
In Conclusion
My advice to anyone living in New Zealand or Australia: If you are well-known, are a CEO of a company, a celebrity, or a popular social media or media personality, you should be engaging with someone around your personal security.
There are different levels of security, which can be costly to have, but there are options in the market. If you don’t have a budget for close protection, you could get an RTVA completed or an intel report on what and who is looking at your online profile. I always recommend people with any concerns engage with the police. They may not be able to provide the support you need, but it is crucial to have any problems with individuals recorded and monitored by police.
The next discussion is the quality of close protection you choose and how you choose what is right for you or your organisation. But that is an entirely new topic!
If you’re in this industry, your site advance game should be strong. Proper application of the advance model identifies you as a professional. Thus, knowledge of how to conduct an advance is often one of the top questions managers ask when considering you for employment. Of course, you can be a high-speed, low-drag teched-out operating animal, but if your advance game sucks, there is a good chance your visit will too.
Jumping out of an LAV with your personalized AR platform, Viktos gloves, and Merrell boots may look tacticool on a security company’s website and brochure. Still, it has almost zero to do with executive protection in the real world. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good training day, but training should focus heavily on reducing threats in addition to reacting to them.
In my public/private sector experience, I’ve learned that few things are predictable in protective services. Having a solid advance will significantly reduce those “Oh Shit” moments everyone has and should expect to have. In corporate EP, I have become accustomed to greatly reduced resources, logistical support, and, most importantly, the workforce.
When developing a trip or in-town protective advance, I now replace resources with creative solutions in mitigating risk factors rather than throwing bodies and equipment at it.
The Value Add
Corporate America operates on the principle of “value add.” Hence, few business managers see value in personal security until the enemy is at the gate.
Our zero-fail mission stresses our ability to provide the protective coverage we need with the never-ending reduction in resources we sometimes manage.
ALL protection is based on the threat. If nothing bad ever happens, the question always arises, “Why do we need protection?” When something bad does happen, there is always the armchair response, “Why did this happen?”
For everyone in the EP career field, we manage a delicate balance between overzealous coverage and ineffective coverage. We have all worked the dot formation at one point in our careers, and we all would prefer not to if given the resources and money.
Despite limited assets, there are some universal truths that EP agents can use in the development of adequate security planning for complete 360-degree coverage of your protectee.
First Things First
There is an upward career progression for most professional security services in the development of agents as they elevate in experience and eventually become supervisors. At the bottom of that mountain, and usually fresh out of training, is a firsthand experience conducting a small site advance.
You can use the fundamental principles of a site advance for almost every protective engagement you will find yourself in as an EP agent. Site advance principles and planning can be applied universally at:
Private residential spaces,
Hotels,
Offices,
Airports/FBOs, and
Temporary visit locations.
The skills to use in site planning are also directly relatable to other security segments, including counter-surveillance skills and physical personal protection.
Every site requires a fundamental knowledge of basic security steps and the application of tested solutions to close the loop on security shortcomings.
Correct, each location presents unique challenges. Yet, you can apply the primary site advance principles universally to identify security weaknesses in the plan you will develop for the protection of your protectee.
Incorporating a good site advance with a solid transportation advance will get you through many of the problems you can anticipate during a visit. Other advance work fills in the gaps, but that is for another time.
Planning and Preparation
So, you have an upcoming event with your high-net-worth client or CEO. Also, you have the opportunity to complete a protective advance for the visit or venue. Where do you start? The advance process begins as soon as you receive notification of the assignment from C-suite staff or, in some cases, the protectee themselves.
Hopefully, this notification isn’t on the day of the event, and you have at least a few days to complete the minimum necessary protective advance measures. Still, realistic expectations of your EP team’s capabilities should have already been communicated to avoid last-minute calls. While an off-the-record (OTR) movement has its advantages, this should not be the operational norm.
As stated earlier, ALL protection is threat-based. Prior to any protective visit, today’s EP agents have significant resources to assist them in developing a “threat picture” for both their protectee and the visit location.
Protective intelligence in the private sector has increased significantly in recent years. EP teams now utilize technology companies that integrate real-time social media posts and online data with artificial intelligence verification platforms to isolate negative intelligence issues and threats within seconds.
Added geo-synchronized personal cellular notification apps provide on-the-ground critical decision-making information that may make the difference between avoiding a problem and being surrounded by one.
Other free resources that all EP agents should review for threat intelligence information — in addition to contract services like Dataminr and SamDesk — include:
Suppose you complete your protective intelligence information for a visit, personal trip logistics, and ground logistics/contracted transportation services are arranged. In this case, an EP agent will travel to the intended destination and begin the onsite advance planning.
The time needed for the advance depends greatly on the complexity and threat picture for the location. Still, your agency also has a fiscal piece for acceptable travel durations. I have done advances in my career that last ten days and operated on 4-5 hours of sleep to get them done, and advances that I knocked out in two days casually.
Once you’re in an EP position, you will better understand what is acceptable and your group’s expectations regarding the time needed for advances. Depending on your training and experience, most EP agents have a sequence they follow personally when completing their advance. However, there are two generally accepted theories for how to conduct site advances.
Inside–Out
You complete your advance working from the path of your protectee at the site and work outward to the furthermost realistic threat area. This model focuses initially on the movements of the protectee internally and then radiates outwards through the levels of security, and physical barriers that are currently in place or you will put in place after your advance.
Whether it’s bad luck or circumstance, I have grown accustomed to last-minute schedule changes that significantly alter the internal movements of my protectee at sites. For this reason, you cannot simply know the “path” of the protectee. Instead, you must know the entire area thoroughly.
Review the environment above, below, and 360 degrees around all movements by your protectee at all venues. There are numerous examples of why your advance should include the spaces above and below your protectee, but none better than the 1984 Brighton Hotel bombing targeting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA).
Knowing site details entirely separates a professional EP agent from a bodyguard who simply follows their protectee wherever they go. Professional EP agents should never be surprised if last-minute changes take you off your planned movements.
If you know the site entirely, your protective advance will provide continuity and coverage during spurious changes. When an emergency occurs, a professional EP agent will remain calm and execute their plan regardless of changes. In fact, they are completely informed on the site and all security resources and features available.
Outside–In
I personally work off this model when planning site visits. If you are familiar with the concentric ring model for site advance or Defense in Depth, you would begin at the outermost ring — the first security feature and/or third ring built into your site advance model — and work inward.
The outermost ring on most site security models is typically staffed with a mixture of police and security postings with physical security features. It is only intended for Yes/No entry into a venue or event.
YES, you can enter this door, or NO, you can’t enter here with alternative instructions. At small sites with limited resources, the outermost ring often does not exist. However, beginning your advance at that point allows you to identify gaps in existing site security resources and the available time to place mitigating physical security measures in place to circumvent unauthorized access (time and distance).
To use the last example, if you don’t have an officer or security person on an exterior door to say “No,” have the ability to lock or secure the door. Working outside your site or venue and inward also places you in a position to observe your site as a potential attacker would.
Placing yourself in the viewpoint of a potential attacker prompts you to consider
What is the best ingress/egress,
What security measures are known/visible as a deterrent (cameras, bollards, fencing, turnstiles, posted security),
Is there an entry requirement for the building and the observable security measures an attacker would have to overcome to achieve their goal.
Every time you find a weak point in the security for a site, have a plan to reconcile it with an added security feature or a change in EP coverage of your protectee.
Outside–In: Elevated Safety
This becomes exceedingly difficult for small corporate details with limited resources and no outside support.
If you have the opportunity to bring your protectee to a larger event as a guest with outside managed security for the group, your advance process remains the same. Again, familiarize yourself with the planning that has been done for the event and if you discover gaps in security coverage, bring it to the attention of the security manager for the event you are attending.
Most managers in this industry welcome critical information that elevates the safety and security of their events. And especially if the professional presents it positively and helpfully. As you move through the concentric rings of security (outer, middle, and inner), develop security and access barriers and solutions to address each gap in security you observe.
When you’re working the “Dot” formation, building relationships with outside partners is critical in developing your overall security plan. You may not have 32 sworn officers and a fully staffed EP team for coverage. Still, the creative synergy of available workforce and resources may make the difference during an actual attack.
Next Steps
With your primary site advance complete, you will move on to other site advances at the airport, hotel (remain-over-night, RON), or other sites. Scheduling your site advance will always be a factor in your planning, and the sequence and order of your individual advances may change based on the availability of staff, building engineers, and outside security teams.
As stated earlier, each site will have unique characteristics, but applying a 360-degree advance model to each venue will ultimately benefit your security plan. Upon completion of your advance, communicate the plan to the working members of your EP Team and complete continual communications with your protectee’s staff to keep everyone current on schedule changes and updates.
In some EP environments, documentation of your plan may be required for teams and supervisors. The industry sometimes refers to this as Arts and Crafts.
If your plan must be sent or disseminated, ensure it is secure and controlled.
Limit physical documentation to only those that absolutely need it.
Stress the sensitivity of personal control and eventual destruction of all physical documentation of your advance planning.
In most organizations, electronic documentation for protective advances is kept in a shared electronic archive for access by all team members. In addition, the historical nature of an EP library supports continuity of operations between existing and future visits and assists planning by limiting the time needed in the research phase of an advance.
Future Development in New Standardization and Training
The personal security and EP career field will continue to evolve in response to increased threats and developing technology. Thus, having a foundation in the basic advance model principles will help you establish a keystone for yourself and your organization into the future.
Standards in Executive Protection currently in development under the governance of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) by the Board of Executive Protection Professionals (EP2) provide a positive outlook for the future of the EP industry in standardization, future training, and EP certification.
This new ANSI standard will promote advance planning in the overall protective planning you complete as an EP agent. Also, it will provide specific guidance on key aspects of the protective advance model.
Understanding the need for advance site planning is the first step in enhancing your EP operational security. It minimizes unknown threats through detailed planning.
As the world continues down an uncertain path, the demand for executive protection and private security is rising. In addition, recent events have raised the bar of what is now expected by EP clientele. In fact, having more to offer your clients than just a gun has now become the “gold standard” for EP agents and companies alike.
Industry leaders thoroughly understand their clientele’s overall health status and have found creative ways to mitigate such factors. Many companies employ medical tacticians to provide the best product for their clients. Thus, they stack the odds of prehospital survivability in their clients’ favor who have trauma or medical emergencies.
Dynamic Posture
Medical threats are credible threats, and planning, preparing, and training for these types of scenarios must be a core objective and mission statement for every security entity.
However, the days of hiring a detail consisting of strictly “muscle” are starting to dwindle, and the industry is shifting to a more dynamic and capable posture. Companies with initiatives focused on maximizing their medical and tactical capabilities will become the leaders in the security industry, keep up, or get phased out.
In the wake of COVID-19, emergency medical services and hospitals are feeling the aftermath of the pandemic. Unfortunately, many health care professionals burned out due to poor working conditions, causing EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and physicians to rethink their careers. With the surplus of healthcare professionals looking for a change, now is an excellent time to balance your muscle with medicine.
Just like the good old EP saying, “If you need to pull your gun, you have failed.” Medical emergencies are no different. “If you wish you had a medic, you have failed.” Time is tissue, and with increasing delays in EMS response times, early treatment intervention by medically competent EP agents has never been more critical.
Filling the Gaps
Many companies focus their training and rehearsals solely on “traditional” hard skills like marksmanship, evasive driving, and martial arts, often overlooking medicine. Advanced medical training and response are becoming the NEW HARD SKILL in the executive protection and security industry. Organizations must honestly assess their institution’s medical capabilities and make improvements based on the gaps in the care they find.
With the mass exodus of medical practitioners leaving the traditional hospital and EMS settings, many health care professionals capable of learning executive protection are looking for atypical ways to re-engage in medicine.
The Culture Shift
Security companies hiring experienced medical practitioners will benefit from the ability to “cross-train” within the organization, immediately increasing capabilities. Having highly trained and medically proficient EP agents is invaluable and will be a worthwhile investment when it matters most.
Training costs and the development of medical EP agents will be minimal compared to the costs associated with ill-preparedness for medical emergencies that lead to a preventable bad outcome.
We can all agree that the cohesion of security and medicine will ensure that you have maximized your preparedness, which will set your company apart. However, stressing the importance of integrating medical personnel and training into traditional security and EP work requires a culture shift in this ever-evolving industry.
Medics are like seatbelts: Most times you drive, you won’t need them, but when you do, you are happy you have them — and they can save your life. So be the difference, not the problem.
A recent attack on a state leader’s car comes amid allegations of a possible Putin assassination attempt, potential Kremlin insiders claim. The President’s limousine drove away to safety with the state leader unharmed by the whole ordeal.
The incident occurred with the war in Ukraine raging on. In fact, the motorcade blast may have revealed compromising information regarding the 69-year-old’s movements.
Unconfirmed sources reveal that the Russian President’s decoy motorcade was struck traveling back to his place of residence. The limo was hit on its left front wheel, leading to a loud bang, followed by heavy smoke.
And yet, the General SVR Telegram channel is claiming that there have been multiple arrests of security service officials, including the head of the president’s bodyguard service. More serious still – especially if exposed true – is the vanishing of several other bodyguards.
At this time, it’s not possible to verify the extraordinary claim.
Everything I’m reading claims this assassination attempt is unverified and announced through an unverified Telegram site.
With the war in Ukraine going badly, it could be a way to generate support for Putin. Some reports suggest it could be an inside operation designed to flush out moles inside Putin’s security service.
According to General SVR, traveling back to the state leader’s official residence, the use of a five armored car escort was imminent amid deep security fears. Putin’s decoy or “backup” motorcade is third in the lineup.
A few miles out from their destination, an ambulance maneuvers into the lane, blocking the first vehicle. Due to this sudden obstacle, the second escort had to drive around without stopping, insiders claim.
It was during the second vehicle’s detour of the obstacle that the alleged attack on Putin’s limo happened. Whether a simple accident or a planned diversion, the sudden blockage of the ambulance and the second driver’s decision to suddenly overtake them, left the third decoy car exposed.
It’s well understood that the protective strategies that go into safeguarding the President are complex and highly secretive. That means only a narrow circle of people knows the details surrounding the movement of the president, all of them from within the security service.
And yes, sometimes, as hard as you may try, certain unanticipated events leave you underprepared. Begging the question: Was the attack on Putin’s car simply a miscalculated error due to an unforeseen event? Or, is it a possible Putin assassination attempt, and are subtle cracks from within the President’s inner circle beginning to appear?
Zelensky in Car Crash
In other news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was involved in a car crash. While returning from the Kharkiv region, a passenger vehicle collided with Zelensky’s motorcade. Ukraine’s leader was there visiting troops in the recaptured city of Izium.
As the media reports, the Ukrainian leader did not sustain serious injuries. However, no mention was made of other injuries he may have received. Following the immediate first aid treatment Zelensky’s medical team employed, the ambulance arrived to escort the driver of the second vehicle, presidential spokesman, Sergii Nikiforov states.
Nikiforov further revealed that the circumstances of the accident are under investigation by the authorities.
If you are somebody looking to provide clients with exceptional security services and want to know how to start an executive protection business, keep reading.
For one thing, the opportunities to start an EP business have never been greater as demand grows for corporate leaders and high-profile individuals who seek protection.
The executive protection and private security industry are among the most sought after in the developed world. Particularly when looking at this past decade. The private security industry in Europe had an estimated turnover of 46 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. In fact, the leading three contract security service companies alone generated a combined revenue of approximately USD18 billion.
The broadening of the industry, coupled with a reduction in police numbers and a world that is becoming more dangerous, accounts for the steady growth over the past few years that shows no signs of slowing down. And this creates huge opportunities for EP agencies.
So, if you have been considering to start an executive protection business, or you are just giving it a thought right now, then this article is for you. Below we discuss the ins and outs of setting up an EP company.
I would say that anyone wanting to start a security business needs to work on a global scale and work equally hard at building their own team AND their partner network. Having other executive protection companies you can rely on in different markets is a key to success.
Honestly, the executive protection agency business isn’t child’s play. It is a highly sensitive sector that leaves no room for errors. Private security agencies are responsible for ensuring the safety of individuals entrusted to their protection. For this reason, you must ask yourself the question of whether or not you can handle the pressures of the business.
And a brand-new executive protection business will have no established network to rely on. Unfortunately, few clients are willing to trust their security to a new or inexperienced business owner. Yet, individuals with military, detective, or police enforcement background experience have a distinct edge.
As such, building your reputation in one niche is more likely to lead to growth across other disciplines. Likewise, connections to every stakeholder will have to be created and nurtured. It’s vital to build strong bridges of mutual understanding with:
Existing EP companies that could hire you as their subcontractor,
Accountants,
Marketing experts, and
Solicitors.
Building a rapport with industry specialists and future clients needs to be a top priority. As your reputation grows with the new experiences gained, many doors of opportunity will open.
Strategy for Success
Setting up a secure and efficient new business is a significant investment. One that calls for you to know how much money is needed to launch the business and the monthly, quarterly, or yearly turnover needed to make a profit.
Startup costs for a security business are high because of additional expenses such as the required licenses, the cost of criminal background checks on employees, liability insurance, or marketing services. This is where a thorough business plan comes in handy.
It’s important to determine your bodyguard business start-up cost well in advance. Many reports show the average costs anywhere from USD10,000 to 60,000. This depends on the costs of:
And so, a business plan will help outline expenditures, and even educate lenders on the security business during the lending process. Remember that launching a new start-up mainly suits those who are prepared to invest a lot of time and energy into realizing their plan.
Alternatively, you may have the capital to take over an established business. Acquiring a built private security company has the advantages of readymade premises, an established client base, and potentially a secure reputation with loyal employees.
Whichever route you choose, it will be no walk in the park. Be prepared for that as the modern business environment is ruthless.
Rules and Regulations
Rules, regulations, and requirements to open an executive protection company vary from country to country and even from state to state. Firstly, it’s beneficial to contact the state licensing board to confirm state requirements for security licensure.
The majority of states in America require applicants to meet minimum standards and to obtain a license as a private investigator or private security guard. What’s more, a criminal background check is necessary as applicants can have no convictions of perjury or violence on their records to obtain a concealed and exposed weapon permit.
When it comes to Europe and the UK, many private security firms and individual contractors are regulated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA licensure ensures that those working within the industry are fit to perform this role.
Similarly, if you seek to outsource contractors, they should be accepted into the Approved Contractor Scheme. Accreditation with ACS demonstrates a commitment to customer service and all compulsory licensing. After all, to be accepted into the ACS, you must prove you meet certain standards.
Next, once the capital is secure and the necessary licenses are acquired, you are ready to hire.
Hiring Personnel
Let’s face it, the continued success of any business largely depends on the quality of its employees. Recruitment is a significant cost outlay. It’s vital to hire the right professionals to work with you – whether as:
Administrative staff,
Field agents, or even,
Independent contractors.
Furthermore, hiring the right employee is no easy task. A person cannot simply don a suit and start guarding very important people. EP agents are often ex-military, law enforcement, or security agents, with extensive skills in combat, defensive driving, etc. Indeed, all frontline security staff must have the relevant qualifications and licenses dependent on the region.
Last but not least, instilling a thorough vetting process at the start will save you any hassles down the line. The process should include running background checks on all potential staff to ascertain a clean background.
Conclusion
The demand for personal security is more important than ever before. New threats seem to surface daily. So, understanding how a company runs allows you to take advantage of this ongoing threat and have your services become a much-needed commodity.
At the end of the day, launching a new business will require a degree of time and financial investment. And a great deal of patience, understandability, and a passion for providing exceptional security solutions to keep you going during tough times.
But, once you break it down into simple and more manageable tasks, the process becomes less daunting. And, with our guide above you’re well on your way to knowing just how to start an executive protection business.
Get started today and turn that passion for executive protection into a thriving business.
An increasing number of ordinary people who are worried for their safety want to learn the most effective ways to protect themselves. Many come across executive protection as the new buzzphrase. But what is executive protection? Is it here to stay as a profession — and what are its future prospects?
The best way to start answering these questions is to look at the number of private security companies worldwide. Here are some approximate data we found for 2022:
12,000 in the United States,
45,000 in the European Union,
2,000 in Israel,
5,000 in Australia,
15,000 in India,
16,000 in Latin America,
9,000 in South Africa, and many more.
Although these digits also include guarding firms and lower-level bodyguarding companies, many are becoming increasingly aware of the holy trinity of bespoke protective services: analyze, plan, and prepare!
What Is Executive Protection: The Core Principles
Unlike other private security companies, EP is exceedingly focused on:
analyzing the situation on the ground to establish threats,
preparing for what to do if those threats materialize.
So, when we ask what is executive protection, this is the answer people should be getting. But many are also interested in where this multi-billion-dollar industry is headed and what principals can expect from it in the near future.
For this occasion, we invited some of the most prominent security leaders from Australia and Israel to talk more about where they see the industry in the near and far future and what it will bring to its clients, including:
Businesspeople and CEOs,
Celebrities and entertainers,
Government officials and diplomats,
Ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals and families,
Media and film crews, and so forth.
Without further ado, let’s hear it from the experts!
Troy Claydon, Panoptic Solutions
Throughout Covid, we found ourselves busy solely with a select clientele who could travel. However, as we have moved into the post-Covid or “PC era,” we have seen an increase in enquiries and service requests by new and existing clients who didn’t have the luxury to travel during that period.
Further, it has become apparent that Covid lockdowns and decreased travel impacted many EP and security companies to the point that they no longer trade. This, in turn, places a demand on those companies still operating.
Given this demand, EP providers and companies must be one step ahead in their recruitment efforts. Doing so ensures they are well placed to provide appropriately trained personnel/agents/operatives (or whichever title you wish to go by). This may mean either offering EP training or partnering with leaders already in this space.
Leaders such as PFC Safeguards in Las Vegas, whom we partner with, are just one of only a handful of companies offering top training services, as well as RONIN out of South Africa for those outside of the USA. Now is the time for practitioners to hand out CVs to companies as there is a greater demand for services.
In Good Shape
As for where I see the industry evolving over the next short to mid-term, I feel that some aspects of the security industry have a challenging time ahead of them, but that executive protection/close protection is in good shape.
More companies and family offices are aware of the benefits EP companies offer and are more aware that there are companies outside of the US or UK that offer EP services to the standard they would expect from a provider within their own country.
Practitioners will be better equipped than they have ever been before. This is because there are so many resources these days:
Numerous training academies through blogs and podcasts. In fact, even we fired off a few podcasts a few years ago (Wheels Up for those wishing to listen).
There is a plethora of educational platforms and training establishments that will ensure that the individual EP practitioner will be well placed to carry the industry forward. Technology such as reporting apps and mapping programs will continue to evolve and play a part in the industry, but nothing will ever replace the individual practitioner on the ground.
Daniel Weil, SCS – Security Crisis Solutions
Executive protection is a fascinating field that continues to change and evolve. As EP companies and managers, we need to recognize these changes and always be one step ahead of them.
Whether through advanced training or adapting to new technologies, we must constantly learn and improve our capabilities to maintain our effectiveness and marketability. In this article on what is executive protection and what it can become, I’d like to briefly mention a couple of changes that I believe will affect the industry in the near future.
Technology
EP, in its original form, is purely physical. Over the years, however, it has evolved dramatically. Today’s understanding that prevention is the primary key has forever changed the traditional approach.
Nowadays, with the prevalence of smart technology, the use of smart vehicles will become unavoidable. However, this will expose principals to new technological threats such as vehicle hacking by attackers. As EP companies, we must illustrate these new risks to our clients/vehicle vendors and search for appropriate countermeasures.
Acquisitions
As we can see, the big players in the market have already bought out many of the smaller EP companies and added them to their growing portfolios. This will eventually create a lack of boutique companies that are capable of providing a more personalized experience for their clients. It might also cause the big companies to increase prices for the end clients and reduce the amount of profit for subcontracted companies.
Another factor is that these companies can offer higher salaries in order to attract and hire more industry leaders and professionals. This has the potential to cause a lack of workforce for smaller companies.
There is no real solution to this besides maintaining a happy team and holding on until this gap creates a demand for a more personalized service which is where the boutique companies genuinely shine.
Covert Security
I believe the number of covert details will continue to grow and take over a large part of traditional EP work, especially from the corporate sector. From my experience, many corporate executives don’t feel comfortable with someone physically guarding them.
They don’t want to look special in the eyes of their colleagues, and many aren’t used to having someone constantly with them. Therefore, I believe EP companies should also expand their abilities to provide covert options to their clients.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article answered your questions about what is executive protection and where it’s headed. The billions of dollars that flow into financing protective services are a clear sign of the security market’s potential in the coming years.
If you take away anything from these experts, here are a few nuggets of gold:
Executive protection is all about planning and preventing emergencies, not merely reacting to attacks and intrusions,
Travel risk management is an integral part of most EP programs, even before Covid disrupted world travel,
More companies and family offices are aware of the benefits EP companies offer than ever before,
Executive protection agents are trained, vetted, and experienced individuals with knowledge in conducting threat assessments and preventive measures,
Practitioners in this industry must focus more on de-escalation techniques than brute force or reacting with firearms in an incident,
Considerations pertaining to smart vehicles will sky-rocket, as will the demand for solutions to vehicle hacking by attackers,
Prominent market players in EP are buying out smaller companies, hindering future personalized client experience,
Covert operations will likely increase in scope in the coming years, especially in the corporate sector.
Finally, no one can conclusively answer the question of what is executive protection. The reason is that it isn’t a single thing or expertise. Instead, it’s constantly changing and absorbing the best from other industries. Doing so makes it a core service for the world’s wealthy and prominent.
