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7 Steps to Becoming an Executive Protection Agent

By
EP Wired Desk
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1
executive protection agent

Most people can’t handle high-pressure environments and having to be continually on their toes. But then those people certainly dont have “executive protection agent” as their job title. Similarly, when you think of agents, you likely have an image of a James Bond-like figure on your mind. 

Not intending to crush your deeply held beliefs, executive protection agents are so much more diverse and versatile than that. Apart from constantly being calm – or at least pretending to be, and showing they have everything under control, these guys need to be able to convince everybody that they don’t look kindly upon any disruption or disturbance.  

Always perfectly dressed, with black sunglasses and a sleek look, and stunningly well-trained in tactical mobility, EP might seem like the dream job you have been looking for since you were a kid watching thrillers on Netflix. Or whatever platform was around back then.  

Rarely mentioned, still, are the unfortunate downsides, which we’ll also dig into in this short article. 

7 Steps to Becoming an Executive Protection Agent

Whether you believe that this is something for you or not, here are a few of the principal steps to becoming an executive protection agent. 

Get the Proper Training First 

Like any other job, this one requires you to possess some soft and hard skills to be successful at it. Frequently referred to as the best and worst job on the planet, EP implies that you need to specialize in specific fields.  

These may include:  

  • Hand-to-hand combat 
  • Fluency in Microsoft Office applications 
  • Perimeter security 
  • Ground transportation security 
  • GPS 
  • CCTV services 
  • Journey management 
  • Risk assessment 
  • Corporate security 

There is a whole bunch of state-of-the-art courses out there, both online and offline. So, if you’re looking to become an executive protection agent, you don’t have too many excuses: the knowledge is out there. You just need to grab it. 

Of course, having common transferable skills from your previous career is advantageous. But there is no substitute for an intense EP training program. 

Aside from that, you need to get a license to stand out and master the basics of EP – advance and operational work, to be even considered for an entry-level position in the industry.  

Courage and Determination 

Being tough and a genuine badass is oftentimes the norm in people’s heads when they think about this type of employment. Yet, the crucial factor for anyone wanting to get a job in the sector indicates that you must be courageous, determined, and in excellent physical and mental shape to complete all your work-related tasks.  

Therefore, maintain high mental discipline, character, teamwork, be mature in judgment, and have a burning desire to perform. These are the qualities of a professional executive protection agent. Its also what separates those who roll up their sleeves and act from those who don’t. 

Manifest Leadership Skills 

When we think of leaders, we usually imagine politicians or military commanders, but this is taking a narrow view of the vast spectrum of leadership. Close or executive protection agents are also leaders because they tend to operate in groups and have subordinates and colleagues they always work with nearby.  executive protection agent

Usually, clients don’t hire a single bodyguard, but they onboard between 3 and 10 people tasked with protecting them. And handling the sheer size of such teams takes many hours of training and steadfast work. 

Simultaneously managing people and work tasks, while proving you are a devout head of the team make up only the tip of the iceberg of this on-demand job opportunity. 

So, prepare to lead others and yourself, where self-leadership is defined as the practice of individual accountability. 

Technical and Equipment Know-How 

Executive protection agents are kings in the realm of general knowledge because they have a broad range of skills and expertise.  

Exploring the job’s nitty-gritty can be a daunting task since it involves knowing about stuff. You have to know about things like software, cameras, emergency breath systems, drones, survival toolboxes, and a ton of other elements. 

Essentially, everything from a needle to an anchor, and it’s all important.  

Acknowledge that EP is Not for Everyone 

You don’t have to be a mastermind to realize that EP is not for everybody. 

Contrary to the Hollywood-hype, EP work is done under a systematic and established procedure mode, conducted by a controlled form of behavior.  

It’s done using practical methods aligned with a plan to keep the client and EP team safe.  

You Don’t Matter, Your Clients Matter 

One of the more prominent characteristics of the job is that you stop incessantly thinking about yourself. You exclusively ponder the client’s concerns, like their minute-to-minute physical safety and getting them safely where they are going.  

Everyone has their own personal issues and problems, and EP agents should keep those to themselves.  

Therefore, remember to keep the relationship professional, and not personal. Even in case you get a baby or something terrible happens to you personally. 

Your Normal vs. Professional Life 

Nothing is ordinary in the experience of an EP agent.  

Living an affluently alongside a client can be quite a devastating thing once you get back home. As soon as you return, there is no more fine dining, fancy cars, and you can forget about the opulent lifestyle altogether. 

It’s apparent by now that it takes a distinct mindset and a very particular skill set to master the art of becoming a close protection agent. 

Hopefully, you haven’t been intimidated by the downsides or overtly encouraged by the job’s positive aspects mentioned above. 

The Wrap-Up  

Remember that the people who never succeed in anything all share a single distinguishing trait: they know all the reasons for failure. Whatever the ultimate truth may be, if you are looking to thrive as an executive protection agent, simply try to: 

  • Get the proper training (and licensing) 
  • Be a dependable, courageous, and determined leader, and 
  • Never compare your personal to your professional life 

Every single day of EP work is unique. Naturally, there are recurring tasks. But every new day brings new problems to be solved, making up your mind as you go, and improvising in the heat of the moment. 

Oh, and don’t forget that there are many more pros and cons to the job, but we fished out the ones you will likely find most enticing and useful. 

Top 5 Biggest Celebrity Protection Scandals

By
EP Wired Desk
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0
celebrity protection scandals

Celebrity protection is about providing high-profile clients and their families with personal protection services to insure their peace of mind, safety and security. Because of who they are – or who they are perceived to be, celebrities are almost constantly at risk from personal assault, kidnapping and being the victims of terrorist attacks. And over the years, there have been quite a few celebrity protection scandals.

The celebrity protection industry is very complex and constantly changing. Because of their high-profile clients, for celebrity protection teams:

  • discretion is imperative,
  • clear communication is necessary, and,
  • adapting to new circumstances becomes second nature.

When these simple tenets are observed, all is well. However, when they are not observed, all kinds of hell can break loose. The result can be public humiliation, infamy, financial loss or, in some cases, even death.

So, without further ado, we present some of the biggest and loudest celebrity protection scandals in recent history.

5. Pamela Anderson Sex Tape

The Baywatch star and Mötley Crüe drummer husband, Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, shocked the world when their private tape became one of the world’s first viral sex videos in 1997.

The famous couple made the tape in 1995 and kept it locked in their safe. However, that safe was stolen by an electrician working on their home.  He had been previously fired and threatened by Lee. He stole the tape along with a safe of their things and tried to sell it to a few outlets until it was eventually distributed on the internet

What a breach of their home security!

Not only did this celebrity protection scandal cause infamy to Pamela Anderson and her then husband, but also, porn was big money in the 90s. And their tape made an estimated USD 77 million in the first year alone.

So pretty much everybody saw it— that is, except Pamela Anderson, who said in 2015 that she’s still never seen the video.

4. iCloud Leaks of Celebrity Photos

The Pamela Anderson sex-tape pretty much foreshadowed many celebrity sex tapes to come. But the biggest celebrity sex scandal occurred in 2014, when nude photos and private videos of stars – including Jennifer Lawrence, Kirsten Dunst, and Kate Upton, were leaked on 4chan.

In one of the biggest cybersecurity breaches in history, more than 100 celebrities had their private data stolen via compromised accounts.

Apple later reported that the victims’ iCloud account information was gotten by using a targeted attack on user names, passwords and security questions, such as phishing and brute-force attack guessing.

The hacker that claimed responsibility for the hack said that more pictures and videos of the celebrities were available. He wanted money before the rest of the stolen images and videos get posted.

3. Bill Gates and a Face Full of Pie

celebrity protection scandals
Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

In 1997, when the whole world knew him as the richest person on the planet. And sill Bill Gates ended up with a face full of pie during a security incident in Brussels.

While rushing with his security detail to a meeting with 400 Belgian educators, business leaders and government officials, a group of pranksters ambushed him with a cream pies, messing his glasses and suit.

Shocked and rather less presentable than his pie-less celebrity protection, Gates continued to walk toward the building. Although, accompanied by a couple more pies casually thrown his way. The pie toss was masterminded by Noel Godin, a Belgian personality who stages such attacks and tries to sell footage of the incidents.

Surprisingly, Bill Gates decided not to sue his attackers – but we can bet he changed his security team.

2. Notorious B.I.G. Murder

Biggie Smalls died on March 9, 1997 in a drive-by shooting in New York. In an interview, just a few days before his death, he said he hired a security detail since he feared for his safety – due to being a celebrity in general and not specifically because he was a rapper.

The incident occurred while Biggie Smalls, his associates and bodyguards, were returning from a party.

Accounts say that a car stopped next to their vehicle, while they waiting for the traffic lights to change. It was then that an unidentified man dressed in a blue suit and bow tie, rolled down his window, drew a 9 mm blue-steel pistol, and fired at Biggie’s car.

Smalls was hit by three bullets. The exact circumstances of his death remain a mystery and the investigation to find his killers is still ongoing.

1. Princess Diana’s Death

The world was shocked when the life of Princess Diana suddenly ended at the age of 36.

Called the People’s Princess, she was one of the most beloved celebrities in the world. She was also one being most mercilessly hounded celebrities by the paparazzi.

Princess Diana died of injuries from a crash that occurred while she was in the back of a Mercedes in Paris in 1997. At the time, many speculated that the crash had occurred as a result of the paparazzi stalking her. However, an investigation eventually determined that the driver had also been drunk.

The princess’ ex-guard – who resigned from Diana’s service in 1993, said her death in Paris shouldn’t have happened. He blamed the new security team that was by her side at the time of the incident.

The Take-Away from Celebrity Protection Scandals

Visibility and access are at the very core of what it means to be a celebrity, this in itself carries elevated levels of risk. Therefore, in matters of celebrity protection anticipating and planning for all types of potential negative scenarios.

The goal is to prevent the incident from happening, avoid scandal, while not disrupting the celebrities’ life or livelihood. Sometimes, a celebrity’s personal wishes and preferences conflict with the advice of their security.

Perhaps the route they prefer to take is not in the lowest risk scenario? Perhaps their social media activity puts them at risk of cyberattacks? All of this only further emphasizes the need for careful consideration and detailed preparation, as well as continual communication between the celebrity and their security.

Close Protection 101: What’s it all about?

By
EP Wired Desk
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0
close protection

Providing close protection services is a very complex and demanding profession. We all know that all-important statesmen and celebrities always walk around with their bodyguards, but not many people know what close protection services exactly entail.

It`s so much more than being tall, strong, and keeping close to your client every time they go out. So, if you thought that was all there was to it, keep reading on and get ready for few surprises.

Here`s everything you need to know about close protection.

What Does Close Protection Service Entail?

It`s important to know what you can expect when hiring a close protection officer.

These professionals have a lot of responsibilities. Their main role is to provide protection to their clients in case of:

  • physical attacks,
  • any form of harassment,
  • kidnappings,
  • unwanted attention, and,
  • other endangering scenarios

As the word bodyguard implies-itself, close protection officers act as human shields, while securing their client to remain untouched when something goes wrong.

These activities are just a small part of a close protection operative`s job.

Their responsibilities start even before the client arrives at a certain location or event. They need to be on the spot several hours earlier to make sure everything is safe: and they need to be aware of any potential threats.

Close protection officers also have to secure the location and make sure all the exits are available and clear. This is a way to get familiar with the space or the building, which allows these professionals to act quickly and provide adequate protection to their clients in case of an emergency.

The most commonly known element of bodyguard`s job is to shadow of their clients. That`s what the public can sees – and it`s also the reason why so many people think that that`s all they do.

Providing protection and 24-hour surveillance is the main, but not the only part of their job.

Not only do they have to secure the place before the client arrives, but their role continues even after the client`s public appearance is over. Operatives have to plan the safest route for arrivals as well as departures. The planning process happens well ahead of the scheduled outing, trip or appearance.

In other words, these professionals need to be ready for every potential scenario, at any given moment.

Who Needs Close Protection Services?

Another widely spread, but not quite true popular opinion is that only movie stars, famous singers, and performers use or need this type of protection services. Even though celebrities truly make up the majority of the clients, bodyguards protect people from a myriad of industries.

Statesman, lawyers, government ministers, famous journalists, influencers are just some of the people who hire bodyguards to ensure their safety. Close protection is an essential part of basic security procedures when it comes to diplomats and politicians, members of royal families, judges and even, in some cases members of a jury, depending on circumstances.

Every person who attracts a lot of public attention, who shares a lot of personal information online, or is famous for any reason is the perfect candidate for close protection services. Even people that are not in the public’s eye can also be in danger. For instance, people in witness protection programs put their personal safety at risk. Also, quite a few extremely affluent people feel exposed and vulnerable, and are more at ease with bodyguards around.

Of course, this is not a definitive list and people from other walks of life also utilize close protection services. The situation becomes even more complex when members of the client`s family enter the calculation.

In some cases, a client’s family member can be at even greater risk than the client and become the main target. Attackers usually come for them because they believe that will provide more pain to the client or use their family as leverage. The person they actually want to harm can feel more threatened when someone close to them is attacked.

See how close protection operatives have a lot on their plate?

It doesn`t come as surprise why they are regarded as a family after working for some time with the same client. The profession requires them to know their client very well, but also the habits and movement of their family members.

close protection

What does it take to become a close protection operative?

It`s very clear that not everyone can become a close protection operative.

It takes a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge, experience, intelligence and readiness to improve on a daily basis. These professionals need to attend a large number of initial and on-going trainings to make sure they can maintain operational standards.

First, they need to go through mental and physical special protection training in order to get a license. License is required in every serious security company that hires professionals. That means they need to know how to properly use their equipment and what their responsibilities are. Also, they need to learn a certain way of thinking which allows them to provide professional and competent service.

When working with important and famous clients, close protection specialists have to be highly trained because of even larger responsibility they have.

Often, these security services don`t include just one operative. Mostly, the client needs a team of several officers.

This means that they are also trained to operate as a team, a unit whose goals is to secure their client’s safety. When working in a team, all operatives need to act according to their specific roles. This allows them to use their full potential and ensure service at the highest level.

Continuous learning and the constant improvement of one’s skills allows close protection officers to keep track with newly emerging forms of risks and new threats.

The Take-Away

To sum up, close protection is a very old profession, but one that is constantly evolving.

Therefore, all the operatives who provide close protection services have to be ready for new challenges. Close protection is about the need to always be aware of your surroundings and detect even the slightest changes.

So, that is why it’s wrong to think of these security specialists simply as muscle. The close protection industry requires a lot more than physical appearance and large frame is not all that it takes.

What Is Executive Protection?

By
EP Wired Desk
-
1
executive protection

Often called the best and the worst job in the world, executive protection encompasses a wide variety of security measures and techniques aimed at ensuring the safety of very important persons – VIPs. It is its own specialized field within the private security industry.

For most people unfamiliar with the security sector, the protection of VIPs simply means bodyguards for rich people. Movies like Taken or The Hitman’s Bodyguard – awesome though they are, have shaped popular opinion, so we instantly associate executive protection with celebrities needing protection from overly zealous fans.

Theoretically, that is not wrong, but there is just a lot more to it in reality.

For instance, certain CEOs or other high-ranking executives achieve notoriety – or even fame due to their coverage in the media. However, their roles within their organizations usually make them essential to their company’s well-being. If something bad happens to them, it would negatively affect the whole company and all its employees.

And it’s not only about preventing physical harm to the client. Disgruntled employees could disagree with the CEO’s policies, or the competition could try and steal company secrets – both scenarios carry risks for the CEO, other relevant executives, and their families.

This is precisely why an ever-increasing number of companies are becoming interested in executive protection programs. EP professionals help them plan for various risk scenarios, and anticipate and plan for danger, whether involving the day-to-day operations in their headquarters, during the CEO’s business trips, or even in their personal homes.

The tragedy is that most realize the importance of executive protection only after some terrible event.

Who Needs Executive Protection?

We can try to generalize and say that executive protection is needed by high-profile individuals. This includes people from the entertainment business, but also industry leaders or other individuals with access to trade secrets, as well as government officials.

So, we are mostly talking about:

  • Politicians
  • Celebrities
  • Dignitaries
  • Executives and CEOs
  • Professional athletes
  • Musicians and Performers
  • Wealthy individuals, etc.

As we said, EP goes beyond securing one just individual. Even though individual protection is the main intention and purpose behind executive protection, the process extends to the protection of information and the client’s family as well.

executive protection

When is Executive Protection Required?

Certainly, not all situations necessitate executive protection. Not every celebrity or CEO needs EP professionals around them 24/7.

On the other hand, there are instances in which executive protection is almost always needed.

Protection on International Trips

Traveling abroad could be quite risky for a company CEO or some other executive, especially when traveling to countries with elevated levels of danger. In these situations, the threat of kidnapping or corporate information theft is very realistic.

Alternatively, due to internal political turmoil, the security situation in a country can change overnight. A place thought of as safe one day can become extremely dangerous the next.

This is where executive protection comes into play.

Teams of highly trained professionals take all of these factors into account – they plan and cover every possible scenario that could jeopardize their clients.

The Safety of Family Members

Usually, an important figure’s family is as much at risk as the individual themselves. It does not matter that their family members have no connection to their role or business – kidnappers looking to score a ransom or access company information are not deterred by this.

This makes the protection of the client’s family a very high priority. Teams of experts are specially trained to make sure that they do their job as discretely as possible, without interrupting their everyday rhythm while providing protection from every possible threat.

Cybersecurity Threats

Because of their role, CEOs are especially attractive targets. Their expertise and function place them at the very top of their organizations. The CEO’s access to privileged information is the basis of their attraction to competitors who would not think twice about using nefarious methods to obtain that information.

With that in mind, the protection of computers, data, and other important equipment is a vital aspect of executive protection services. These usually include the provision of physical monitoring of the client’s devices – computers, mobile phones, or tablets.

This service is especially important while the client is traveling abroad.

Protection during Public Appearances

Almost any time that a celebrity of foreign dignitary appears in public, there is a certain potential of threat. Imagine a movie star making a speech during a press conference a foreign diplomat attending a cultural event or an executive at a conference. There are ideal scenarios for people looking to do them harm.

A crazy fan, an angry protester, or a mad ex-employee – or even a potential kidnapper, could be lurking among the crowd. This makes public appearances situations where protection is always needed.

The Benefits of Executive Protection

While the bodyguard’s role is to generally provide protection from physical harm – hence the name, executive protection firms aim at a more holistic approach. They aim to provide a full and complete security service.

This includes a wide array of techniques and practices – such as advance work, operational intelligence, in-depth observation, threat information, etc. The ultimate goal of executive protection companies is to prevent any type of incident from happening. Risk assessments and planning significantly lower the risk of danger, with minimal intrusions and interruptions to the daily goings-on of the client.

Therefore, beyond the client’s immediate safety, some of the benefits of executive protection include:

  • More and safer traveling,
  • Increased productivity, and,
  • Peace of mind.

Security is always a concern while traveling, and this is even truer when a CEO is visiting an emerging market. With the support of executive protection risk is lower, allowing for more and safer trips. And, whether at home or traveling, clients who benefit from executive protection also enjoy increased productivity.

Finally, EP means that the client can finally have some peace of mind. Individuals in positions of power can especially appreciate being at ease, knowing that someone has their back in every sense.

Conclusion

So, what is the takeaway?

We learned that executive protection is a special type of security service – it can be either overt, covert or something in between, depending on the circumstances. Its objective is to prevent harm or loss to the client from threats in the physical or online environment.

EP professionals go to great lengths to ensure that a client is safe. They provide protection services, but they also conduct all the advance work, surveillance, logistics, and driver duties if needed. Because of the specific and complex skills that you need to be an executive protection agent, most professionals have prior military – typically elite, or law enforcement training, as well as real-world experience in combating physical and other kinds of threats.

Simply put, executive protection focuses on maximizing security while minimizing inconvenience to individuals and businesses.

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