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Security Industry Trends: Breaking Down the Top 7 Fads

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EP Wired Desk
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Security Industry Trends
Source: projectlifemastery.com

The first step to setting security industry trends is knowing what they were in the previous year and how they’re evolving. So that’s where we’re going to start.

We can all probably agree that 2020 was a dumpster fire of a year, but some good things did come out of it. Countless companies realized that their cybersecurity systems were basically useless, and they started investing in high-quality gear and equipment. That particular combo will hopefully help you do your job better and easier in the future.

So let’s take a look at what some of the biggest security industry trends in 2020 were, and how things are looking for 2021.

What Happened in 2020?

2020 caught all of us pretty much by surprise, and most of the predictions made at the start of the year didn’t pan out. However, we did see a massive surge in cybersecurity interest, as well as data and privacy protection. Let’s break it all down now.

1. Attention to Cybersecurity

Only a decade ago, no one in the physical security industry would have said that cybersecurity is something to worry about. Back in the day, all the systems that were used on-premises didn’t connect to the internet.

But oh, how the times have changed. As almost everyone moved their work online in 2020, we’ve seen a huge spike in cyber attacks. Just now, people are realizing how many risks are lurking in the dark corners of the internet.

Some of the most common mishaps that people made, which resulted in cyberattacks, include:

In response to all the cyber attacks that happened in 2020, companies started beefing up their security systems. So far, there’s no single method that can ward off the treats, which is why it’s best to use a multi-layered approach.

Companies should improve their application, network, and device layering to make sure that they’re safe. Also, they need to bring in professionals in the field that’ll come up with a dynamic and effective cyber strategy.

2. More Comprehensive Security Systems

One of the biggest security industry trends that we’ve seen in 2020 has to do with using more sophisticated security systems. Nowadays, most clients want you to use a wide variety of different tools and skill sets to ensure their own or their company’s safety.

For the absolute best results, we saw EP professionals using alarm systems, CCTV monitoring, fire protection, and access control. Also, understanding how to properly analyze video footage, and knowing what to look for has always been and will always be a key factor.

3. Multi-Intelligence Cameras

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term that we see being thrown around quite often, but a lot of people don’t understand its exact use in security. That’s why we wanted to give some insight into this huge trend that has been emerging for a few years now.

You see, back in the day, you’d need multiple cameras that would record an entire property. Those cameras were only able to keep track of one thing, like license plates, for example.

However, with the advancement of technology and AI chips, one single camera can accomplish so much more. It can track, analyze, detect people and vehicles, which is beyond incredible. And since one camera can do the same job as half a dozen, it’ll be much cheaper overall.

4. Facial Recognition & Privacy Regulations

Facial recognition tools and technology can be an incredible asset when it comes to identifying threats. However, one of the biggest security trends this year has been regulating its use.

There’s a ton of concern that people could sell or buy photos taken by facial recognition programs. In fact, even the DHS confirmed that someone hacked into their program and leaked photos on the dark web.

That’s why a lot of countries are starting to ban facial recognition technology, and it’s going to be interesting to see how it all works out.

Security Industry Trends

What We Expect in 2021

Now that we’ve covered the biggest 2020 security industry trends, it’s time to see what the future holds. Of course, these are all just predictions based on current patterns, and nothing’s really set in stone.

1. Data Privacy Will Be a Huge Issue

Data privacy and protection isn’t really a new thing, but it’s really come into focus over the past few years. It all ties into what we’re just saying about cybersecurity, and restricting the use of facial recognition technology.

Basically, as long as remote work continues, which we predict it will, people all around the globe are at risk. Since everyone’s using their own home networks and has little to no security, scammers could easily get access to their data. That’s why we think that one of the biggest security trends in 2021 will be protecting data and privacy.

2. Artificial Intelligence Use Will Keep Soaring

One trend that’ll definitely keep getting bigger in the future (not just 2021) is the use of AI. As far as the security industry goes, we’re predicting that machine learning will be the next big thing.

Also, we believe that AI will keep pushing and improving cybersecurity, which is a win-win for everyone. In the not-so-distant future, AI will be able to predict and prevent possible attacks and threats.

3. Social Media Threats Will Increase

One thing to be on the lookout for in 2021 will be social media threats and attacks. Nowadays, almost every business in the world has some sort of online or social media presence. Again, since most are using public or home networks and have no protection, they have a huge target on their backs.

Honestly, scammers have never had it easier than they do now when it comes to exploiting. By simply replacing one or two links, they can get access to a person’s confidential info and data.

But the future isn’t as bleak as it seems just yet. We’re seeing a lot of progress when it comes to using blockchains for data protection.

Bottom Line

Security industry trends are changing literally every single day, but they’re getting easier to predict. With that said, if there’s one thing we learned from 2020, it’s that we never really know what the future holds. But by being on the lookout at all times, you can keep growing in the EP industry, and take your business to the next level.

For more tips, tricks, and insights into trends, subscribe to our newsletter, and always be in the know.

Journey Management: The Perfect Plan Explained

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EP Wired Desk
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Journey Management

Simply put, journey management frames a systemic and planned process for decreasing transportation-related risks in company operations. Where is this more relevant than executive protection, where industry specialists use vehicles as their primary mode for handling situations?

Unlike travel risk management, journey management is slightly different and comprises a more narrow set of concerns. Rather than centering on a wide variety of hazards and threats, journey management is somewhat more tangible.

As a rule of thumb, this process focuses more on driver failures and vehicle malfunctions than anything else. All that while serving under a company.

By this, we mean that cars and similar transportation types are critical in protecting principals from harm. It goes without saying that vehicles make up the perfect hiding place in some emergencies. Dealing with crowds may be one of them.

The Use of Vehicles

Executive protection agents are better off with them than left with their bare hands. Moreover, any principal should be thrilled to have a team well-versed in this domain. Still, that’s not all there is to this topic.

As a decisive factor of safety in the workplace, journey management saves billions of US dollars yearly worldwide. Contrary to this, crashes cost employers around USD 9.25 billion annually, according to the National Safety Council.

If you are a company head and/or a user of EP services, consider that journey management is vital to your vibrant company culture. And we don’t mean you have to think about it every day as you do about having a faultless vending machine down the hallway.

Instead, we propose that you analyze your drivers as much as any other aspect of your business travels. After all, humans are to blame for 70-93% of all motor vehicle crashes, according to a 2017 study.

For all these reasons, you should know that the people driving your vehicles are your greatest safety feature. However, they can be either a threat or an advantage. It all depends on who you hire and what type of plan you got in store. And that’s why you are here ― to learn more about crafting an impregnable journey management plan.

The Perfect Journey Management Plan

Plans are what sets successful people apart from those who just wander aimlessly. The same applies to this department. Creating a solid journey management plan means that you should eliminate unnecessary risks and reduce driving distances.

If your executive protection team knows what they are doing, they will shield you accordingly. First of all, they will get the best driver for you and explore the following key factors:

  • Roadway and its surroundings,
  • Vehicle and its functionality,
  • Environment and its predictability.

It sounds manageable because it is. Any seasoned EP agent will advise you to go through these areas when considering a headache-free trip. We know that being an executive can be similar to working in a coal mine, minus the coal.

The stress, the anxiety, the unproductive relationships, all of this is emotionally and physically draining. You don’t need to be concerned about your journey details too. That should be the duty of your executive protection team.

As for the driver who you entrusted with your life, bear in mind that they need to get enough sleep before driving. Plus, an important thing to consider is that drivers must understand the specific weather conditions and vehicle maintenance basics.

It might not sound like much, but checking these boxes is a life-saver. Sometimes literally.

Journey Management

The Worst Hazards

Enjoying a pleasant, comfortable drive through the city or countryside is of immense value. However, some things can get in the way of you relishing a moment outside or working through a business trip.

And what are these threats compromising your private and professional life on wheels? We are glad you asked!

You or your EP team should work together to mitigate the following foxy risks:

  • Poor road conditions,
  • Driver inexperience,
  • Driver fatigue,
  • Distracted driving behavior and risky behavior of other drivers,
  • Unfavorable climate conditions,
  • Communication failure.

If you are working with experienced EP agents, they will handle all of this for you. We even went so far as to pick out the top 10 executive protection companies for your consideration. You are welcome.

If all of this resonates with you, you need a journey management plan. You just do. Moving around, traveling, using vehicles regularly ― all these are signals. Trust us on this. We know what we are talking about. Just get it done and thank us later.

Journey Management Planning Steps

The old saying goes: the safest journey is the one not taken.

Yet, CEOs and other executives need to travel often. And it’s not up for discussion. So, what can be done, and what should you do to make it as pain-free as possible?

Firstly, let your EP team handle the bigger picture and all the details. Secondly, have them go through the list we prepared right here:

  • Determine the travel path,
  • Ensure secure and constant communication with team members and client,
  • Lay out detailed maps for rest periods and places,
  • Consider the journey’s timing and road busyness,
  • Find out if there are black spots,
  • Check route options,
  • Analyze high-risk locations,
  • Hydrate with non-caffeine drinks or at least something not too sugary.

Furthermore, here is a Daily Vehicle Check article that sets out the most critical vehicle safety aspects. And if you wish to up your game to the highest level, make sure to read The Most Useful Executive Protection Tools.

There you will also find out how to know if your EP agents are using the tools they should be using. That surely will help you with that hiring process.

Wrapping up

Careful planning will significantly increase your prospects of arriving safely. It doesn’t take a lot to implement a journey management plan, but not having it is notoriously costly. Failing to plan is planning to fail. There is a reason why this maxim has stayed with us for so long. It’s always spot on.

Once you plan your trip, it will increase your odds of trouble-free travel by 98.56 percent. We may have made this number up. But what we didn’t invent is the essential need for you and your executive protection team to urgently develop a journey management plan.

Security Guard vs. Security Officer: What is the Difference

By
EP Wired Desk
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Security Guard vs Security Officer

A security guard vs. security officer — what even is the difference? Isn’t it all just the same thing? After all, they both sound really similar, so they probably perform the exact same tasks and duties. Right? The short answer is — no, absolutely not.

If you’re putting together a team or training hard to get into security, you need to understand all the subtle differences between the two professions.

So without further ado, let’s jump right into it.

Who Is a Security Guard?

Security guards are people who patrol the premises and literally stand guard. They are usually stationed in one area, and they’re supposed to report any sort of suspicious activity or movement.

Guards will send all of that important information to either their clients, companies or their supervisors. Also, guards are the ones who will be assigned to areas that are deemed as vulnerable.

Essentially, security guards are the face of a business. They’re the people that clients or customers will see every day and who they’ll interact with. That’s why training security guards in interpersonal relations is key. What’s more, if you want to be certain that a security guard is the right person for the job, you would have to evaluate them beforehand.

Who Is a Security Officer?

Unlike security guards, officers have a ton more responsibilities and duties. They’re not the ones who’re going to be on the ground every day, standing or patrolling. Officers have to assemble teams, come up with security strategies, and establish weak points.

Often, security officers assume a management role, which is why they have higher rank. With that, of course, also comes with a significant pay raise, but more experience too.

Another major difference between guards and officers is that the latter are always on their feet. They never stand at just one single point, checking for threats. Officers are always on the move and on the lookout.

Essentially, guards will do everything in their power to ensure that a threat never even happens. They’ll do all the necessary prep-work and research in advance, and secure every point that they deem weak.

One more duty that almost every officer has is training. They’re usually the ones who are in charge of training their subordinates, which, in this case, are security guards. Here’s what that job entails.

Training to Be an Officer vs. a Guard

Even though a security guard’s and officer’s jobs are basically night and day, they do both have one thing in common — training. No matter the position, both professions require a ton of hard work and dedication. But as you can imagine, the training sessions look a bit different.

Becoming a Security Guard

If you want to have a crack at becoming a security guard, you’ll most likely need to perform a standardized IQ test. Of course, you’ll also need to do a fitness test to prove that you’re in proper shape.

As far as your education goes, most EP companies don’t require you to have anything beyond a high school diploma. However, that might vary from one company to the next, so make sure to check.

Some of your duties as a security guard will most likely include:

  • Providing helpful information to customers and clients
  • Performing security checks
  • Reporting suspicious activity

With all that said, if you want to become a security guard right now, there’s almost nothing stopping you. You don’t need any previous experience, just some basic skills, and a lot of determination.

Security Guard vs Security Officer

Becoming a Security Officer

Training to be a security officer is a lot trickier than it is for guards. Your job will be to manage, oversee, plan, and execute countless different strategies, which, as you can imagine, takes a lot of skill. That’s why there’s such a huge gap between a security guard vs. security officer.

You need to be trained and certified in a wide variety of different security services. Some of the essential things you need to know to become an officer include:

  • Handling bomb threats
  • Exercising the powers of arrest
  • Evacuation procedures

Of course, depending on who they are and what they do, your clients might require you to have a specific set of skills. In that case, you’ll need to train some more or you might lose the client.

If you’re looking to move up the ladder in the EP world, prepare to work, and work hard. You’ll need to be well-versed in so many different skills and might have to be highly educated.

It’ll also take you a lot of time because becoming a security officer doesn’t happen overnight. But if that’s what you want to do, just keep at it, and you’re guaranteed to succeed.

Security Guard vs. Security Officer — Who You Need to Hire

Now that we’ve established the difference between a guard and an officer, it’s time to see who’s the best person for which job. What we can tell you right away is that a lot of it is going to depend on the size of a business and its needs. But it all gets a bit trickier after that.

You see, if you have to secure a big company/store/property, you’ll need a bigger team. You’ll need a few guards to stand somewhere or patrol the area, and you need someone who’ll manage them.  If it’s a smaller place, you can probably get away with having just one guard there.

However, the number of guards you end up hiring will vary on a company’s or event’s needs. For example, how much foot traffic is there on a daily basis? How many people need to cover the area? Is there a need for patrolling or can someone just stand guard?

If you’re the one who’s looking to hire a team or putting one together, keep all these things in mind. Make a checklist that’ll help you decide who to hire, and take it from there.

To Sum up

Now that you know the difference between a security guard vs. security officer, it’s time to conquer the executive protection world. To learn more about what it takes to become an industry pro, sign up for our newsletter to get more information.

Maritime Security and Executive Protection

By
EP Wired Desk
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Maritime Security

Everything seems to be under your control when you are working on the land. You have vehicles available to escape any dangerous situation. There is likely a hospital nearby if you need it for yourself or your principal. Lastly, you can find shelter in the blink of an eye. Conversely, you don’t have most of that when you progress through the seas. And that’s precisely the subject matter of maritime security.

What is Maritime Security?

In a nutshell, maritime security deals with protecting vessels externally and internally. Although some experts would argue that there is no one-size-fits-all description, that’s the crux of it. Moreover, even though every nation is interested in ensuring maritime security, there is still no international agreement on what it entails. Go figure.

As in most other categories relating to executive protection, maritime security also heavily depends on procedures and processes. They shield your team and the client in a multitude of situations. Just like you need to thoroughly prepare before going on a trip, you must implement tactics to minimize dangers. Here we don’t mean only malicious threats from other individuals or entities, but also accidental ones. Make no mistake: disasters still happen, especially on the open sea.

In essence, maritime security is the association of the following four concerns:

  • Human security,
  • National security,
  • Economic environment,
  • Marine environment.

As expected, EP relates to all aspects of maritime security in one way or another. The first concern primarily relates to protecting people, which is the epitome of executive protection. The second one can also be thought of as protecting high-level individuals, like government officials.

As for the third concern, it may happen that a company is transporting valuable cargo, and you may be tasked with ensuring its safety. Fourthly, all of the above occurring at sea. The links between executive protection and maritime security are rather obvious.

Furthermore, when you are out there, you may not only encounter ships from your country on the open waters. To make matters worse, you could not be sailing in home waters. For this reason, maritime is distinctive because it keeps employees and passengers safe onboard the ship.

Maritime Security

Types of Maritime Security

As an executive protection agent, you probably won’t have to prevent weapons smuggling when traveling with clients. We said probably.

However, it’s useful to know what you can run into onboard. And it isn’t pretty. That’s all we can say. Still, let’s look at some maritime security models and what you can do to be on top of your game.

News flash: there’s a lot you can do about it.

Firstly, we discussed the importance of tools in executive protection in a different article. Here we will highlight saving the cargo and passengers from terrorist threats. Although not that common, this form of danger can be the end of you and your principal.

We don’t want to sound morbid, but you should be cautious when checking telecommunications and international commercial logistics. Do it before boarding the ship.

Bonus tip: Do everything before boarding the vessel. Prevention is better than cure.

Pirates and Terrorists

Since terrorists utilize shipping industries to damage political and economic security, you must be watchful and learn the pathways terrorists use. Put yourself in their position. What would you do if you were one of them?

Secondly, to be sure that nobody is tampering with sensitive equipment that could endanger your principal, don’t permit unauthorized personnel aboard. Grave consequences can ensue in case the ship’s engine or functional properties are at risk.

There have been situations where ships stopped working in mid-sea, so let’s avoid that. Additionally, this could be critical if you run into modern-era pirates. In that case, you would be a sitting duck out in the vast sea. It doesn’t sound like something good could come out of it.

Thirdly, be aware of any thieves who would want to steal goods and resources at the local port. To ensure the safety of precious and sensitive baggage, you must keep your eyes open at all transportation stages. Not just at the beginning and the end.

Fourthly, no good deed goes unpunished. Along with an increase in maritime trade and economic globalization came the expansion of transnational crime. Maritime security plays a crucial role in minimizing the spread of international crimes.

Criminals know that security officers rarely have the resources to check all the goods boarding a ship. They use this to their advantage to try to smuggle merchandise and undermine the safety of passengers.

Now that you know of all these threats lurking at the open sea do something about it. Better sooner than later.

Practices to Counter Threats

Anything can happen anywhere, and that’s true. But if you put the right practices in place, the likelihood of something multifarious occurring decreases dramatically. Doing a proper security risk assessment wouldn’t hurt in this case.

As maritime industry experts often say, this area of expertise is undoubtedly evolving. While it grows, it also advances technology and operations that are increasingly automated. Hence, security practices and tactics change also.

Although you can’t predict the future, here are a few practices to get you as close to ensuring security as possible.

  • Keep a vigilant eye over what gets into the ship and what gets out. Inspect everything that looks suspicious. This isn’t limited to goods and includes personnel as well. Check the credentials of each person getting on the ship.
  • If you notice something out of the ordinary, propose a travel delay to have more time to examine the circumstances. Alternatively, report the problem to your principal or the authorities. Better be safe than sorry.
  • In case you identify something aboard the ship that isn’t in line with best security practices, remove it, or ask somebody to do it.
  • Make sure the personnel on board is trained and aware of potential risks. Don’t overlook the importance of having seasoned professionals working with you on the ship. It’s a system, not a one-person show.
  • We know you probably have only two eyes but put one of those on the security equipment. It could mean the difference between an engine failure and a safe cruise.
  • Observe what crew members are doing. Are they behaving unusually? Are they surprisingly stressed or talking in low voices? Why is that?

You must dedicate a lot of time listening and watching over everything that appears remotely relevant. That’s why you need executive protection training.

Travel Risk Assessment – A Beginner’s Guide

By
EP Wired Desk
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travel risk assessment

The first step to ensuring your employees are safe and sound abroad or during a business trip is to produce a decent travel risk assessment. If your company’s workers are supposed to travel to high-risk countries, then recognize that you need to reduce risks before travel. For example, this is often the case with executive protection agents and other security industry specialists. They need to know what awaits them.

Two vital steps in designing an appropriate travel risk assessment are the following:

  • Identify the potential risks, and,
  • Manage them.

That’s pretty much all there is to it.

Except it isn’t. Travel risk assessment is an utterly complex topic, which we will endeavor to reduce to its bare essentials.

The Purpose of Travel Risk Assessment

The ultimate aim of a travel risk assessment is to identify any employee threats during travel. Yet, travel risks are regularly changing. Therefore, an evaluation of this kind may cover everything from missing a flight to a global pandemic. Sound familiar?

The sooner your organization performs its travel risk assessment, the better policies and procedures you will establish. The next step in the process is informing your employees about the results of the TRA. After all, it impacts them the most. They have the right to know what could happen to them when traveling to a Third World country or a high-risk mission.

As soon as you identify the risks, now is the time to manage them. To do that, you must take into consideration two main factors:

  • Likelihood or probability, and,
  • Impact or severity.

Simply put, to make the right decision, you should analyze the balance between probability and severity. For instance, you can tolerate some severe risks if you have limited control over a situation. There could be a violent coup d’état happening in the city your employees are working in. You have zero power to stop it, so you just go with the flow and wait it out.

On the other hand, there could be a probable risk of stomach sickness due to different hygiene practices. However, the impact of that is limited. It’s all a matter of balancing that which you can control and that which you can predict and mitigate beforehand.

Core Components of a Travel Risk Assessment

Three elements play the most important role when an individual employee travels abroad:

  • Traveler patterns: What are the employee’s plans? Will they book a car rental? Consider the travel itinerary and its impacts on the employee. Could somebody recognize their movement patterns?
  • Traveler health: Is the employee sufficiently healthy to undertake the travel? How about allergies or health conditions that could pose a threat on the probability-severity spectrum?
  • Traveler gender: If LGBT employees travel to some parts of the world, they could face assaults or persecution. Generally speaking, female travelers are more likely to fall prey to criminals than other traveler types. Sadly, sexual preferences and gender affiliation still play a dangerous role in some countries.

Travel Risk Assessment

 

Consider the Environment

Of course, not everything depends on the individual, but also on his surroundings. In other words, you need to thoughtfully consider the environment the employee will encounter. And here are the four crucial aspects when it comes to regulating and predicting the environment:

  • Illness or disease: If an employee travels to Africa, they could catch an infectious disease or an illness. Do you need to provide a vaccine or medication to the employee? How about on-the-ground support? Are health services available, or should the employee bring a first aid kit?
  • Transport type: Think traveling by car in a country with low road quality. Keep in mind any travel restrictions or laws. Your employees could rightfully be enraged if they were to find out you didn’t tell them about all the dirt roads.
  • Crime rate: Is crime at the destination at an all-time low or high? In any case, should you bring a gun? Does the destination country have regulations to allow you to carry a firearm? How else could you protect your employees and yourself? How about hand-to-hand combat?
  • Natural disasters: Will there be volcanic eruptions taking place at the time of the employee’s arrival at the destination? How about a tsunami, a hurricane, or an earthquake? What’s the probability and severity of all these scenarios?

The COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example of how travel risks can change quickly. Really quickly. It has ruined countless plans and made numerous organizations reconsider their travel risk assessment practices. Mostly for the better. Well, at least something we can be thankful for.

Conclusion

You don’t always need a travel risk assessment. It doesn’t have to be sticking out of your pocket every time you go out on the street. It isn’t that kind of thing. Sometimes you can just ignore it. Or can you?

Well, as with everything else in the TRA domain, the answer is: maybe, it depends on the case.

When TRAs are Redundant

If your company’s employees travel to the same destinations repeatedly, it might be unnecessary to perform a travel risk assessment every time. One will usually do the trick and protect your workers in the long run. Nevertheless, if a political, social, or health situation changes by the hour, it would be wise to produce a TRA. And yes, even if you have flown to the destination dozens of times already. Just think of all the full-blown civil wars that erupt in a matter of days or even hours. Nobody saw them coming.

TRAs may also be unnecessary when your employees travel domestically or when they visit a nearby city. There is a relatively low likelihood something severe could happen to them. The only exception here is if a trip lasts for longer than a week. In this case, it’s better to ask your team to perform that travel risk assessment. Better be safe than sorry.

The third instance when TRAs aren’t needed is during last-minute travel. If you can’t conduct a full risk assessment, then have your employees purchase additional insurance. Although not obligatory, experts advise that companies perform a basic type of a TRA in this case. Something is better than nothing.

And some countries even have policies in place that mandate businesses to carry out travel risk assessments at all times. This can sound dissimulating for many firms, but it’s actually a wise move to ensure employee safety.

So, instead of waiting for the state authorities to force you to implement travel risk assessments, beat them to it. You will all be better off.

What to Do in an Active Shooter Situation?

By
EP Wired Desk
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Active Shooter Situation

In 2018, the FBI published a study according to which there is an active shooter incident at least once a month in the United States. On a global scale, the feeling is that we come across these types of incidents a lot more frequently in the news. An active shooter situation could happen anywhere at any time – a shopping center, church, music concert of fast food shop.

While no one ever wants to find themselves in the middle of such an incident, it is all the more important that to educate people on the proper actions and practices that could help them deal with injuries and avoid fatalities.

Preparedness is paramount.

Long-gone is the time for skepticism and it-could-never-happen-to-me attitude. The sad reality is can happen to precisely you. Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your chances of survival.

What is an Active Shooter Situation?

An active shooter is a person actively killing or attempting to kill people in confined or populated areas. In most cases, as the name would suggest, active shooters use firearms and seem to attack indiscriminately, with no obvious pattern or method in selecting their victims.

Active shooter situations are dramatic and unpredictable, often evolving very quickly. Usually, police intervention is necessary to stop the shooting and deescalate the situation. According to the 2018 FBI report, active shooter incidents happen in:

  • Business premises,
  • Open space locations,
  • Educational environments,
  • Healthcare facilities,
  • Government properties,
  • Residences,
  • Places of worship, and,
  • Public transportation.

However, as an active shooter situation is typically over in 15 minutes – which is to say, before the police can arrive, individuals must be prepared mentally and physically to act properly during the event.

Major Incidents around the World

Imagine the following situation: an upset ex-employee enters your business and opens fire, killing people before turning the gun on himself.

The sad truth is that this example is not a stretch for the imagination as these types of incidents are not unique and are becoming all-too-familiar headlines in the media. In fact, workplace violence is the second leading cause of occupational fatalities, and approximately two million workers are injured every year, costing around USD 121 billion annually.

And business premises are not the only location where you need take care.

2011 Norway attacks

The 2011 Norway attacks relates to two domestic terrorist attacks against the government, the civilian population, and a Workers’ Youth League (AUF) summer camp. This incident resulted with 77 people killed.

The first attack was a car bomb explosion in Oslo, within the executive government quarter. The explosion killed eight people and injured at least 209 people. The second attack occurred within two hours at a summer camp on the island of Utøya. The attacker, dressed in a police uniform with a false identification, took a ferry to the island and started shooting, killing 69 and injuring at least 110.

A 2012 report says that Norwegian police could have prevented the bombing and caught the attacker faster if prevention measures were fully implemented.

Moscow theater hostage crisis

The Moscow theater hostage crisis occurred in 2002 with the seizure of the crowded Dubrovka Theater. On that occasion, 40 to 50 armed Chechens took 850 hostages and the incident ended with the deaths of at least 170 people. The attackers were allegedly part of the Islamist separatist movement in Chechnya and demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from their country.

Active Shooter Situation
Moscow Theater Siege; source: wikipedia.org

Immediately, the terrorists placed numerous explosives, with the most powerful in the center of the auditorium.

The situation was resolved when Russian special forces pumped an undisclosed chemical gas into the building’s ventilation system and began the rescue operation. Reportedly, all of the terrorists were killed, but up to 204 hostages died during the incident.

Columbine High School Shootings

In 1999, two students entered their high school in Colorado and conducted the most infamous school shooting in U.S history.

A total of 12 students and one teacher died. The attackers even made home videos prior to the attack referencing what they were going to do and apologizing to their parents for the slaughter they were about to commit.

Ultimately, the attackers committed suicide with gunshot wounds to the head in the school library. SWAT teams reached the school 47 minutes after the shootings began and it took an additional 5 hours before law enforcement declared the school under control.

The Columbine shooting is one of the worst mass shootings in US history and one of the deadliest episodes of school violence.

2019 El Paso shooting

In August 2019, an active shooter situation occurred at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas. On that occasion, a gunman shot and killed 23 people, injuring an additional 23 other individuals.

The gunman fired in a crowded Walmart with an assault-style rifle and gave himself up to police outside the store.

This attack is often described as the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern American history.  According to the police, the attacker even posted online a manifesto with white nationalist and anti-immigrant themes, shortly before the attack.

Active Shooter Situation
A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 injured. Photo by David Becker/Getty Images

2017 Las Vegas shooting

In October 2017, a 64-year-old man opened fire on a mass of people attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. The attacker fired more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition from his 32nd floor suite in a nearby hotel.

The incident resulted in the killing of 60 people and wounding 411, with the ensuing panic bringing the injury total to 867. About an hour later, they found the attacker dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Sadly, the motives behind the attack remain undetermined. This incident is the deadliest active shooter situation by a single individual in modern United States history.

Recognizing an Active Shooter Situation

As we said, active shooters are people who attempt to injure or kill people in confined and populated areas. Luckily, quite often there are warning signs – and if you recognize a threat early perhaps you can prevent an incident from ever occurring.

Statistically, most individuals who become active shooters tend to display violent behavior over time. Some of the indicators of these types of behavior include:

  • Aggression towards colleagues
  • Possession of unauthorized weapons
  • Abnormal mood swings or depression
  • Anti-social behavior
  • Lack of hygiene and paranoia
  • Use of drugs or alcohol
  • Suicidal remarks
  • Reoccurring violations of policies, regulations, or laws
  • Financial problems

If you recognize these types of behavior or an immediate threat, you should immediately alert security.

In most active shooter situations, the majority of people – as well as security providers, will probably be unarmed. Because of this, best practices and expert advice narrow your options to three types of choices:

Run – Namely, if you get a chance to get out of the endangered area, take it. You need to be aware of your location at all times and keep in mind where are the exists.

Hide – Again, you need to know where the possible safe areas are. For example, most schools or offices don’t have safe rooms, so you will need to locate rooms where you can stay secure.

Fight – This is your final and last resort option. For instance, look for an opportunity while the attacker is reloading, throw at them anything you can get our hands on.

Finally, you should learn basic medical trauma skills and have a basic kit nearby. Usually, in an active shooter situation, there is a delay in medical response – so self-aid or buddy-aid can save lives.

Conclusion

Active shooter situations evolve quickly, usually before the police can arrive. This means that your goal to quickly figure out the most reasonable way to protect your life, and the lives of the people around you.

Before a situation occurs, take these steps to protect yourself:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and any possible dangers;
  • Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures, personnel, and equipment;
  • Note the nearest exits;
  • Prepare emergency numbers;
  • Have an Active Shooter Response Plan.

Statistically, active shooter situations are rare. But, they are an extreme example that serves as a reminder of the vital role of Active Shooter Response plans. These protective intelligence programs play a huge role in preemptively protecting yourselves, your coworkers and business leaders.

Easing the Headache of Cybersecurity Attacks

By
EP Wired Desk
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0
cybersecurity attacks

Many things annoy us in life. Some we come to terms with, others keep on nagging us for years. Surprisingly, cybersecurity falls in both categories. That is, we have made our peace that it will be ever-present, and yet it will continue to irritate us. However, is there truly nothing efficient that we can do against cybersecurity attacks?

Well, of course there is. That’s why we wrote this article.

First and foremost, cybersecurity attacks are assaults by cybercriminals using one or more computers against other computers or networks. An attack of this kind can maliciously incapacitate computers, steal data, or use a breached computer as a starting point for similar purposes. The people – whom we now call cybercriminals, utilize many methods to implement a cyberattack.

Some of them include phishing, malware, ransomware, denial of service, and others. Although helpful tools to protect yourself or your company exist, there probably isn’t a 100% bullet-proof defense against them. Therefore, the only thing you should focus on is what you can do about it and stop endlessly worrying. Seriously, stop it―at least until you read Cyber Espionage – All You Need to Know.

For one, learn as much as you can and adopt the best industry practices to prevent cybersecurity attacks. Easier said than done, you say? Well, let’s take an in-depth look at the tremendous threats everybody who uses the internet today faces. And that’s something like 4.66 billion folks—more than half of the world’s population.

Threats to Worry About

We know we said that you should stop worrying endlessly. But what if we told you that just a bit of worry is necessary and productive? It will keep you alert and interested in your online security.

For example, the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats never bores information security industry specialists. They are always on high alert. And what choice do they have? Just about any information available on the internet can be subject to breaches and manipulation.

You logged into your Gmail or Outlook account? Brace yourself for a slew of potential risks if you enter your sign-in information into inappropriate places. You have a Facebook or Twitter account and are reckless about sharing your private data? Be prepared to witness the power of cybersecurity criminals.

Pretty much everything you do and everywhere you go on the internet, you are likely being watched. It sounds more like stalking to us, but whatever.

Of course, not everything is as it seems – and danger doesn’t lurk behind every corner on the internet. But to make sure that you can protect yourself, perhaps you should consider the following three potential risks in our modern era:

  • Deterioration or rapid advances in intelligent technologies and conflicting demands of evolving national security and individual privacy regulations,
  • Distortion or the international spread of misinformation, including those that bots and automated sources disseminate,
  • Disruption or over-reliance on fragile connectivity, creating the potential for deliberate internet outages and increased risk for the use of ransomware against the Internet of Things.

cybersecurity attacks

Common Cybersecurity Attacks

Experts from Cybersecurity Ventures estimate that damages from cybersecurity attacks will hit USD 6 trillion by the start of 2021. That seems too much for anyone’s budget. Moreover, here are the most lucrative of all cybersecurity attacks this year:

  1. Phishing or sending prudently targeted digital messages to trick people into clicking on a link. By doing so, they install malware and expose sensitive data. To make matters worse, hackers are now upping the ante and using machine learning. They are doing this to be quicker in crafting and distributing fake messages. The most straightforward methods to save yourself from phishing are examining every email critically, hovering over links, and analyzing email headers.
  2. Ransomware attacks or hackers using technologies that allow them to seize an individual or organization’s databases. The goal is to keep all of the information for ransom. It’s been working out pretty nicely for the hackers since they acquired billions of dollars and ruined many companies. To avoid this kind of attack, train employees to increase IT security awareness.
  3. Internet of Things assaults or more devices brings greater risk. If you use one device, good for you. But data show that most of the world’s population uses at least two internet-connected devices. The bigger the number of laptops, computers, phones, and tablets in your possession, the greater the risk you face. The aim of these attacks? You guessed it: financial gain. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should give up on your devices.

When you face a physical confrontation with somebody, it’s easy to simply learn hand-to-hand combat from someone. The next time they pick on you, you know how to respond. But what do you do when malicious attackers charge at you with all their online might?

The Conclusion

In a different article on EP Wired, we discussed the 10 Best Cyber Security Tools in 2021. These include Comodo, HackerProof, Netsparker, UpGuard, Acunetix, and others.

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest evolving fields, alongside medical services and related industries. So we were interested in finding out more about the companies that will spearhead 2021 in terms of popularity and revenue. Here are our top 6.

The Biggest Cybersecurity Companies Out There

With revenue of around USD 50 million, Cisco prides itself on firewall and malware protection, endpoint security, and other services. Additionally, their email security program price starts at approximately 20 dollars for a one-year subscription to the premium bundle.

ScienceSoft is a company that offers vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, securing code review, and other stuff. Their revenue is as high as USD25 million.

HackerOne is worth the same as the second company. Its services include bug bounties, compliance testing, vulnerability disclosure programs, and more.

Cipher is number four on our list and offers a free trial for eligible companies. It provides its users with managed security services, red team services, cyber technology integration, and many other things.

A giant in the industry, CyberArk is worth more than USD 261 million. This company provides its users with access security, application identity manager, and more.

Speaking of giants, FireEye is an even bigger company in terms of revenue. It offers network security, endpoint security, managed security, and other essential services.

Whichever of these you choose, you won’t make a mistake. We promise. We researched and found out that most customers look favorably upon these six companies on our list. So, get into it and never again spend sleepless nights thinking about your online security.

Okay, just because you haven’t had one of those yet, doesn’t mean you won’t start freaking out at some point. Trust us, we know.

Executive Protection Online: Platforms and Benefits

By
EP Wired Desk
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0
executive protection online

To nobody’s surprise, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a renaissance in online learning. E-platforms have become the number one resource for people wanting to acquire trades in a safe environment. Meaning, in the comfort of their homes. Because let’s face it, in-person training courses are increasingly hard to attend. So, if you’re a future or current specialist in the industry, you must be looking for executive protection online training.

We hear you, and we have something to help you with your quest.

But first, why should you attend online courses if you can just wear a protective mask and gloves and complete the training in-person instead?

We are glad you asked.

What’s Better: Online or Offline

There’s a multitude of reasons why more and more professionals, experts, and individuals are choosing web platforms as viable educational options. Some of them relate to convenience, since it’s easier just to sit in your comfy home than travel to a different city or country.

It’s less taxing on your wallet and your time. Then the COVID-19 menace hit us all, and we now have another reason for perfecting our skillset indoors.

Additionally, as a rule, executive protection online training is less costly than a residency EP program. And just because it’s an online course doesn’t mean that it needs no relevant organizations’ approval. Furthermore, you will have to be vigilant when choosing an online course and make sure it entails a completion certificate.

An absolute game-changer in this sense is the fact that online learning is self-paced. Unlike an in-person training course, where you have to push yourself to make it to the end of the lesson, online learning offers the ability to pause whenever. Enrolling on your own terms will make all the difference for your professional self-improvement.

Finally, as long as you have internet access, you get to choose the place for learning and apply unique learning styles. What else could you ask for?

Yet, it’s not all a bed of roses. There are some downsides. For instance, some people can’t focus on screens for extended periods. Others can feel lonely because there is no one around to talk to or have a laugh with.

So what do we think? Well, try to turn a blind eye to the negative sides and focus on what’s coming next.

The Most Attractive Online Learning Platforms

Various respected organizations offer training in executive protection online. The larger the number of companies you consider, the wider variety of training you find. Nevertheless, most of them focus on some essentials, and here are their core topics:

  • Personnel requirements and deployment,
  • Follow-up and limousine procedures,
  • Advance preparations,
  • Protective intelligence, hardware, and communications,
  • Protective techniques,
  • Protection while walking, in assemblies, and residential buildings,
  • Crowd control,
  • Handling stalkers and cranks, and,
  • Corporate executive protection and crisis management.

Since we are now more aware of what we can expect, let’s delve into the top online learning platforms.

executive protection online
Source: Illinois Concealed Carry Training

Shooting Classes

The number one on our list of executive protection online training is Shooting Classes. Built by the Trojan International Defense Group and Trojan Securities International, this course focuses on:

  • Executive and close protection,
  • Worldwide protection services,
  • Security and VIP driving, and,
  • Security risk management.

The instructor, Stephen Mastalerz, will break down the course into individual training modules. The organizers describe it as a unique opportunity to obtain internationally recognized qualifications for high-level protection. This training will teach you about things like personal escort section, satellite operators, and office security.

Additionally, it encompasses subject matters, such as introducing improvised explosive devices, basic counter-surveillance, and client travel security. If you plan to enroll in the course, you should expect a certificate upon completion.

As for the difficulty level, this course is intermediate, and organizers classify it as a security training seminar.

Executive Security International

Number two on our list of best e-learning platforms is Executive Security International or ESI. This security training organization has been conducting courses since 1980. As such, it’s the oldest intelligence-based academy working with executive protection and bodyguard training.

The State of Colorado Department of Higher Education has approved their courses, setting them apart from many other companies. Separated into different modules, ESI divides its course into several segments, including:

  • Asset protection,
  • Undercover investigations,
  • Internal security,
  • Profiles of terrorism,
  • Electronic security,
  • Operational intelligence, and,
  • Interviews and interrogations.

If you take part in ESI’s training program, you can expect state-of-the-art teaching and a wonderful learning experience. Furthermore, students receive an ESI Credential based on performance and not the presence in the online classroom. An additional aspect of their training course is that each student must pass team and individual testing in hard and soft skills.

ESI instructors will require you to showcase your understanding of the subject matter and practical exercises. You will have to demonstrate what you have learned.

SECFOR International

The third training company, SECFOR International, prides itself on offering the ultimate executive protection online course. The list of programs they have on offer or are currently developing include the following:

  • Route mapping for protection specialists,
  • Kidnap and ransom introduction for security professionals, and,
  • Reading and translating grid coordinates.

SECFOR International offers dynamic elements, including on-the-ground video walkthroughs. There you will observe agents engaging in the planning process in real-world protective environments. These include places such as Beirut, Los Angeles, and Ciudad Juarez.

Additionally, organizers say that they provide a formal educational program and not just talking-heads and tips-and-tricks videos. Their courses put you on the ground in challenging situations to go through advance work and an entire protective mission. It’s an all-inclusive experience.

Like with many other training pieces, these are also available on laptops, desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. Just make sure you have a stable internet connection and zero excuses.

AFIMAC

Within its course, the training organization AFIMAC examines executive protection from a practitioner’s viewpoint. That’s why their training is called Executive Protection – A Practitioner’s Overview. This course deals with how to select potential targets and the concept of remaining a difficult target to pinpoint. Furthermore, AFIMAC explores daily close protection procedures, such as agent formations, vehicular and residential operations.

As described on their website, the course covers:

  • Target selection criteria,
  • Surveillance and surveillance detection,
  • Counter-surveillance,
  • Route planning,
  • Security advances,
  • Emergency contingency planning, and
  • Practical exercises.

The training organization requires no prerequisites for its future students. Therefore, you can be at any level and still learn a lot from them. Moreover, AFIMAC pays a lot of attention to learning outcomes. And they award participants with personalized certificates only upon passing a final test.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whichever training organization you fancy, make sure to double check with them on the exact time frames and training details.

Finally, although it may seem that some courses are easy-peasy, don’t take them lightly. They can be almost as demanding as having to attend a course in-person. And nobody wants to do that now.

How to Fend Off Mob Attacks

By
EP Wired Desk
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0
mob attacks

When you first read this article’s title, you presumably thought we were referring to the American mafia. However, this time around, we are talking about mob attacks as in crowds of people rushing towards your client. And not in a friendly manner. If you are, for some reason, alone in protecting your principal at a specific site, you will undoubtedly face problems.

This will be the case, especially if an angry mob or some dotty fans confront you. You don’t want to be lonely in such a situation, which is why producing a thorough security risk assessment is of the essence.

We will say that again differently: protect your principals before you actually need to protect them physically. That’s why one of the best methods in this sense is conducting a risk assessment. The benefits are enormous, and the financial expenditure for composing one is minimal.

If something were to happen still, ensure you have the much needed first aid kit and other equipment at hand. For more helpful suggestions on which tools to use in your daily job, read The Most Useful Executive Protection Tools. They will come in handy, especially during this type of attack.

Where Mob Attacks Come From

So, what are the reasons behind mob attacks?

Mostly, they happen because the people in question expect something from the principal you are protecting. They expect an autograph, to take a photo with them or just have a short talk. Of course, this isn’t a finite list, but only an overview of the most frequent motivations.

Now think about your client having to chat with every single one of the hundreds of fans. That’s a big no-no in executive protection. This is because there is no way you can control the situation with such large crowds, even if you install crowd control barriers.

Always have this in mind: Potential mob or individual attacks can happen during a concert, in a bar, or on the street. Wherever your client goes, the attackers follow.

In any case, what do you do if an enraged or reckless mob rushes toward you and your principal? Is there anything you can do about it? Hope so! But if not, read on carefully.

Celebrities Who Survived Mob Attacks

To avoid extreme situations like the Notorious B.I.G. murder and Bill Gates’ pieing, perhaps you should try out a different technique from their security details. Although all humans are fallible, including executive protection agents, there are many things you can do to stop a potential mob attack.

But first, let’s take a look at all the celebrities who made it through to the end and possible preventative measures.

mob attacks
Brad Pitt attacked by rogue Ukrainian prankster; source: www.express.co.uk

The Brad Pitt Swift Punch Incident

While attending his wife’s movie premiere, Brad Pitt was struck in the face by 25-year-old Vitalii Sediuk. This guy is a serial red carpet offender since he already participated in different celebrity attacks. Luckily, Pitt’s security guards were quick to respond and apprehended the culprit.

Although not too quick, after all.

The thing about this attack is that Pitt’s security detail even allowed anybody to come so near to him. Not the least because he even had a chance to punch the celebrity. This leaves us wondering: What else could the attacker have done if he had a firearm or a knife?

We bet the guys working with Pitt’s security detail didn’t read our Close Protection 101 article.

When Comedy Isn’t Funny

Unlike what you would expect, comedians are also targets of vicious attacks. Yes, sometimes it’s because of the jokes they make, but other times there doesn’t seem to be any apparent reason. We don’t know what Steve Brown did to deserve a man jumping on stage and assaulting him. The attacker used the mic stand and stool to strike him, but the comedy champion ended up being okay.

The biggest issue with comedy performances is that the comedian is darn close to the audience. Even more so, the stage is low and accessible to all spectators. Anyone can reach out and grab the star, and it might be too late until after you intervene. However, installing crowd control barriers indoors might seem off to the audience members.

In this case, there is no clear-cut solution, but to have executive protection agents sitting in the front rows. That’s the easiest and most efficient way to prevent or mitigate attacks. It might cause some weird looks from the audience, but who cares.

Mob Attacks
Photo by Nate “Igor” Smith, source: www.villagevoice.com

Fandom Can Hurt You After All

American television and social media personality, Tila Tequila, was fiercely attacked during a performance. People from the crowd, allegedly fans, threw rocks and bottles at her ― and more than a few. She barely got away, fleeing in an S.U.V. surrounded by hundreds of people.

This is where a special security risk assessment comes in. If the executive protection company conducted one, they would know what to expect and where to take the celebrity. They would be aware of the attackers’ plans and the infrastructure surrounding the stage.

That would serve them to make appropriate plans. Sadly, they reacted poorly, and the entire incident produced significant injuries to the victim.

We are guessing that Tila Tequila didn’t work with the security company in charge of the event ever again.

A Protection Wall Won’t Do the Trick

The Selena Gomez incident is one of the best-known mob attacks of all time. Both paparazzi and fans were out there, each trying to accomplish something. Get a selfie with her or some spicy insight into her life. Likely, they didn’t even notice that it could all turn into a stampede at one point.

And it almost did.

This incident teaches us that we ― as executive protection agents, should avoid going through crowds. Additionally, having our transportation ready as close to the building entrance is preferable.

Why? Well, ask Selena Gomez and her security company.

In Conclusion

The key to preventing mob attacks is observing the crowd as both a group of individuals and a single organism all at once. It may not be easy at first, but it could save lives.

To wrap it up, always consider the following guidelines when working with large and even small crowds:

  • Predict what could happen before it does by using a security risk assessment and your previous experience.
  • Keep your vehicles close to the event building your celebrity is entering and exiting.
  • Have agents sit in front rows during concerts or comedy shows.
  • Avoid walking through crowds and getting too close to fans.
  • View the crowd as both a unified entity and a group of diverse individuals.
  • Know the surrounding infrastructure and streets to plan for an exit strategy.

Not necessarily in this order, these techniques are as valuable as they come. They will keep everyone safe and fend off potential mob attacks. So it’s in your best interest to make sure to apply them.

Cyber Espionage: All You Need to Know

By
EP Wired Desk
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0
cyber espionage

Simply put, cyber espionage is a type of an attack in which an unauthorized user views and accesses otherwise classified information. Cyber espionage often includes very subtle practices – often nothing more than a few lines of code running in the background of a mainframe, targeting mainly corporate or governmental entities.

Obviously, the goal of these attacks is not simple curiosity, but rather the obtainment of business secrets or intellectual property. The motivation behind them is usually greed and financial profit. However, when these practices combine with military operations, they constitute a form of terrorism.

The consequences of cyber espionage can be dire – ranging from financial or material losses, company infrastructure, data or even death.

Common Cyber Espionage Tactics

Spies and spying are hardly a new phenomenon. However, gone are the days of tuxedo-wearing, gentleman spies, casually sipping their shaken, not stirred martini. The spies of today, generally, rely on tech and utilize cyber warfare techniques in order to achieve their goals – such as damaging governmental, business or military infrastructure or accessing financial systems.

Cyber spies most frequently target:

  • Internal data,
  • Intellectual property,
  • Client and customer data, and,
  • Competitive intelligence.

They are quite capable of creating chaos on a global level. They can disrupt international events, or even change election outcomes. And, because they are able to cover their tracks so well, most of these criminals cannot be trace for years. In turn, this invisibility has further emboldened spies to branch out to other industries, targeting even public administration, manufacturing and education.

Cyber espionage prevention is now the buzzword on everyone’s lips – coming from the private and public sector, small companies and large corporations.

They say that market competition is a healthy drive for growth. But one of its consequences is that companies have been trying for decades to score an advantage over their competitors by trying to access their business plans and secrets.

An especially popular and effective tactic has been using, so-called, imposter employees to obtain insights into their competitors’ projects. Another popular approach is relates to exploiting unattended devices. A criminal can simply insert a USB stick and upload malware by using these unsecured workstations in order to identify an open security portal or other exploit.

Company websites tend be open to these types of risks and experienced hackers know how to identify vulnerable websites in order to attack them. Sometimes, important employees receive official-looking emails. They are lured into clicking on suspicious links and downloading code that can be used for later attacks.

Cyber espionage

Recent Cyber Espionage Attacks

Back in 2009, Google noticed a trend of cyber-attacks targeting user information specific to Gmail accounts. This problem was later code-named Aurora. More than 20 companies – apart from Google, were targets of a particular vulnerability in the Internet Explorer.

Hackers used those targeted emails to distribute malware to individuals they thought had access to valuable intellectual properties. Similar acts of cyber espionage are still very common, even though attack methods have grown more sophisticated.

Chinese and Iranian Hacker Attack on US Agencies

In 2019, the United States revealed a series of attacks by hackers from Iran and China on governmental agencies and US businesses. Experts believe that these attacks are a consequence of Trump’s decision to withdraw from a nuclear deal with Iran and his countries trade war with China.

US intelligence experts linked China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia with cyber espionage activities of stealing information and influencing its citizens in order to damage critical infrastructure in the country as well as position themselves for future cyber-attacks.

Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Website Attack

In the same year, the website of the Pakistan’s Ministry of External Affairs was the target of an attack, creating issues for any person that tried to access it outside of Pakistan – while functioning normally inside the country. This attack was linked to a group of hackers from India. Supposedly it came as a consequence of a terrorist strike in Kashmir earlier that year.

And this was not the first time that Pakistan experienced these issues. In 2017, a political party’s website was a target of an attack, as well as the portal of the Karachi police. Hackers from India were behind both of these attacks, pressumably.

The Slingshot Report

In 2018, Kaspersky Lab, a global cyber security company, exposed the activities of an APT actor, internally named “Slingshot”. Most of their victims included African and Middle Eastern countries, with first attack occurring way back in 2012.

Reportedly, Slingshots goal was to collect network and keyboard data, as well as screenshots, passwords, USB connections etc. After the report, former US intelligence officials suggested that Slingshot was a US military program designed to access terrorist’s computers.

The Take-Away

For most people, the world of cyber espionage represents a distant concept, without real importance. To the average citizen, its potential harm is not something they will feel in their every-day life. Ironically, its effects on a macro scale are more significant.

Cyber espionage results with stolen data, the loss of personal information and damaged reputations. When targeting government agencies, it can also result in loss of life due to the leaked information.

Even though loss of data and life is usually the primary concern, damages done to reputation can also have very adverse effects. If a company finds itself in a situation where its infrastructure was used to enable cyber espionage, its relation with its clients and shareholders is also at risk.

Sadly, there is no way of completely eliminating the possibility of these attacks. That is why companies and other organizations need to carefully asses their current security, evaluate risks and put forward policies that will help them fix those issues.

Organizations need to follow, record and verify their software and hardware updates, backups and have device management policies.

Also, employees are the first line of defense and its weakest link. That is why adequate education of potential security risks and best practices is vital. Once employees realize the potential for damage, they are much more likely to follow company security policies.

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