FocusOn: NIGERIA April 2013 BACKGROUND The Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa with a population of 166 million1, comprising 250 linguistic groups, almost as many ethnic factions and with a relatively even religious divide. Northern Nigeria is predominately Muslim while Christians make up the majority in the South with […]
Global Incidents – 08-Apr-13
Global Incidents – 08-Apr-13 Critical Information Iran: Earthquake near Bushehr nuclear power station. Iran unveils uranium activities. Japan: Radioactive water leak at Fukushima nuclear plant. Mali: French troops in begin withdrawing. North Korea: North tells foreigners to leave the south. Serbia: Thirteen dead in Serbia gun rampage. South Sudan: Indian UN troops killed in ambush. […]
The Chinese Bodyguards
The Chinese Bodyguards Personal Protection in the land of the Dragon On the morning of January 22nd 2003, visitors streamed in and out of the Southern Chinese Shanxi office of Li Haicang. Nothing was out of the ordinary until a lone assassin produced a sawn off rifle and fired a bullet into Li’s body. Until […]
Minding The Media
Minding the Media Behind many of the news teams you see reporting from high risk environments can be found a ‘Safety Advisor’, anonymous, unseen and unacknowledged, just as they prefer it. These individuals are more than bodyguards: highly trained and experienced, skilled in field medicine, communications and logistics they also have a sound tactical […]
Focus on: Afghanistan – March 2013
Focus on: Afghanistan – March 2013 Significant Events At least one Afghan civilian and a foreigner residing in Kabul have been injured during an explosion in District 15, Kabul. A magnetic IED attach to a Toyota Surf detonated at the front gate of the Minister of Interior’s Counter-Narcotics office. During the explosion two people […]
Global Incidents: 25-Mar-13
Global Incidents: 25-Mar-13 CRITICAL INFORMATION Burma: Communal rioting spreads. Cyprus: Deal reached in Eurogroup talks. France: Gay marriage opponents mass in Paris for final rally. AFRICA CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (High) South African soldiers killed: Thirteen South African soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic as rebels seized the capital over the weekend, […]
Women in Maritime Security – An exclusive interview with Ruth Tiik
Why did you want to get involved with maritime security?
“Basically, I love adventure I wanted to see more of the world. I had served in Afghanistan and Iraq and didn’t want to miss out on seeing Africa as well”.
Global Incidents: 20-Mar-13
Global Incidents – 20 March 2013 CRITICAL INFORMATION Cyprus: Crisis talks after bailout rejection. Israel: Obama on first Israel trip as president. Nigeria: Boat capsizes off coast with 160 aboard. Turkey: Ankara hit by twin explosions. AFRICA MALI (High) French hostage killed by al-Qaeda: Al-Qaeda’s North Africa branch says it has killed a […]
Unlicensed security director ordered to pay £2,400 after guilty plea
News From the SIA – 20 March 2013 A Northamptonshire security director has been order to pay £2,400 and sentenced to 250 community punishment order after pleading guilty of working illegally. Ian Matthew Taylor, 40, ran Shadow Protection Services Ltd, supplying door staff to venues in the Wellingborough area. In September 2010, the Security […]
Global Incidents: 12-Mar-13
Global Incidents – 12 March 2013 CRITICAL INFORMATION Afghanistan: Five die in helicopter crash. Bangladesh: Clashes and bomb explosions in Dhaka. AFRICA CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (High) Rebels seize Bangassou: Rebels in the Central African Republic (CAR) have captured the key south-eastern town of Bangassou, a government minister has said. The attack took place […]
The European Security Academy course
Course Review: The European Security Academy course Quite a lot can happen in two weeks but when I signed up at European Security Academy I was not prepared for how much those two weeks of initial CP training would teach me. As an information security professional I had no previous CP experience when I […]
Far From Over
Far From Over Author – Jock Condon I am not really a big fiction reader but decided to download a couple of books recently as I was due to do a bit of travelling with work and “Far From Over” was one of the books I purchased to read on my iPad through the […]
Escaping the Kill Zone
Escaping the Kill Zone Everyone has their own strategy when it comes to vehicle gun fighting. Most of it is based on television and with no sense of reality. NEWS FLASH – it doesn’t work like on television. Most people have never fired into a vehicle or out of a vehicle that was […]
Insurance? Love it or Hate It…. We Do Need It
Insurance? Love it or Hate It…. We Do Need It Operators home and abroad, land or sea, insurance is a subject that can be unclear, we aim to simplify the requirement giving food for thought, whilst looking at the cover available for the individuals working in a perceived hazardous environment. Due diligence at contract […]
What are the Characteristics of a Good Bodyguard?
A bodyguard should have good situational awareness, a sharp eye and be constantly scanning his surroundings. It is this quality that may identify and stop a would-be attacker or assassin before an assault begins. It is far better to be pro-active than reactive.
Changing Tides
Changing Tides Evolution of Gulf of Aden piracy, a personal insight: About three and a half years ago, I decided that while I was fit enough, young enough and still daft enough, I was going to buck the pension trap and have a career change. I had, for some time, harboured a wish […]
Catastrophic Haemorrhage
CATASTROPHIC HAEMORRHAGE During the Vietnam War, 50% of battlefield deaths were the result of major haemorrhage. Of these, 80% were torso injuries, which, in the pre-hospital environment, are classed as non-compressible injuries. For the immediate responder these wounds provide us with very little management options and the patient’s immediate need is for treatment by […]
Transferable skills – the key to success
Transferable skills – the key to success Professionals are more aware than ever of the importance of having a good knowledge and understanding of their field and the security sector is no exception. However, it is easy to overlook the importance of also developing a versatile, transferable skill set alongside expertise in a chosen discipline. […]
A Day in the Life: Assisting On a Protection Assignment
A Day in the Life: Assisting On a Protection Assignment You are at home getting some rest, and your cell phone rings. It’s the call you have been waiting for. The Team Leader on a Protective Security Detail is telling you they need last minute assistance to provide security for a well known recording […]
Running the Gauntlet
Author Interview with Luke Duffy Luke Duffy is a former Paratrooper, and present day contractor on the circuit in Iraq. He is the newly published author of ‘Running the Gauntlet – The Private War in Iraq’, the book which recounts his transition from British Armed Forces to Private Security Contractor and his experiences during […]
