Are you looking to get into VIP protection, but don’t know which celebrity security companies are right for you? If you want a job that’ll take your career to new heights, finding the best firm is key. Here’s how you do that.
What Does Celebrity Work Entail?
If you’ve never dabbled in celebrity protection before, you probably don’t know about all the challenges that EP agents in the field face. So instead of diving headfirst into protection scandals and love affairs with celebrities, let’s talk about the assignments.
As a celebrity detail, you’ll be expected to have incredibly sharp hard and soft skills. When it comes to hard skills, the one you can’t be without is driving different types of vehicles. Your principles will expect you to be able to drive them to and from locations, which is why no one wants to hire an agent who can’t drive. You should also be well versed in unarmed combat.
Speaking of combat, when you’re working with a celebrity, you’ll need to learn the fine art of resolving conflict. The absolute last thing you should be doing is getting into physical fights, which is why communication skills are beyond useful. You need to understand that crowd control will be a big part of your work, and you have to be the one in control at all times.
We’d also like to point out that discretion is the name of the game. Often, you need to fade into the background because it’ll give you the best possible perspective, and help you protect your client.
What You Need to Know Before Going Into Celebrity Protection
Before we reveal our top five picks for the best celebrity security companies, we first want to talk a bit about the job. A lot of people think that VIP protection is all about the glitz and the glam, but the truth is usually much different than that.
First of all, regardless of who you’re working for, you need to understand the difference between being accessible and overly-friendly. You’re meant to have a good relationship with your client, not become a buddygyard. Even though it’s an easy mistake to make, it’s one you should avoid at all costs.
Working for a celebrity also means that you’ll often be working long days without much time for yourself. What’s more, another huge part of your job is being able to travel. Usually, you’ll be expected to be ready to go at the drop of a hat, so keep that in mind.
Lastly, your background or qualifications can sometimes be less important than a good recommendation. If clients, their managers, or other EP agents like you, you’re much more likely to land jobs in the field. So don’t burn any bridges because they might end up costing you a lot.
The Cardinal Sins of Celebrity Protection
If you want to be taken seriously in the industry, you need to avoid making some common mistakes. The biggest one we see far too often is EP agents and bodyguards showing off their clients on social media.
For one, that’s a huge breach of the client’s confidentiality, not to mention a massive security risk. Also, it’s beyond unprofessional, and it might get you banned from future assignments. Remember, word of mouth is everything in this business.
While we’re on the subject, you should never ever boast about a client’s lifestyle. Don’t post pictures of the mansions or hotels you’re staying in, or the cars you’re driving. Trying to pass off someone else’s success as your own is a terrible idea, and it could keep you from booking work.
The Top Celebrity Security Companies Right Now
Now let’s get into the main event and the reason you all clicked on this article — the best celebrity security companies in the game right now.
Some of these you might already recognize from our list of the top 10 executive protection companies, and some you might not have even known about. Either way, these are the places you’ll want to go to for a career in VIP protection.
1. Gavin de Becker & Associates
Gavin de Becker & Associates need no introduction, as they’ve been the industry leaders for over 40 years. They have a massive list of clients who’ve worked with them for years, and they provide a variety of services. Another benefit to joining GDB is that you can also train with them, and learn all the skills that you’ll need in the field.
2. Alliance Entertainment
The Alliance Entertainment Group has offices all around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Las Vegas, and more. In addition to working with EP agents, they also provide marketing, consulting, and training. What’s more, Alliance Entertainment offers various protection services, with celebrity protection being one of their most popular ones.
3. Guardian Professional Security
Guardian Security is a company with 15 years of experience in executive protection, and they’ve worked with celebrities, CEOs, and everyone in between. They have some of the biggest A-listers as their clients, and all their agents are highly trained. Guardian also has its own training program, which is perfect for agents who’re just starting out.
4. World Protection Group
The World Protection Group has offices in Shanghai, New York, Beverly Hills, and Mexico City. They mostly work with political dignitaries, CEOs, celebrities, and affluent families. The head of the World Protection Group is Kent Moyer, who has over two decades of experience in executive protection.
5. GardaWorld
GardaWorld is one of the biggest companies on this list, and they hire over 100,000 professionals all over the world. The company does airport and event security, as well as executive protection, K9 security, and asset tracking.
Bottom Line
Working in celebrity security companies can potentially open a lot of doors for you. But the trick is finding the right one. If you have no prior training, it’s key that you look for a company where you can learn and practice. Otherwise, you might find yourself on the wrong side of celebrity protection scandals.
Of course, training is just one part of your job, and it’s crucial that you’re always up to date on what’s happening in the industry. And the easiest way to do that is by signing up for our newsletter.