We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry. Here’s what’s appeared on the radar since the last issue.
Global Risk RoundUp – March 2020
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What to Do about School Shootings?
As security professionals, we must not allow ourselves to be caught up in either politics or hysteria. Our approach must reflect what we have been trained to do: dispassionately apply sound security principles to this security threat.
After every such event, the blame begins. Some blame the National Rifle Association (NRA), gun owners in general, and Donald Trump in particular, and call for banning firearms, or at least banning AR-15-type rifles. Others blame video games, violent movies, the culture, or the Kardashians. And the political games continue.
The Gray Man Concept. Are You Getting it Wrong?
We now see companies capitalizing on this idea, by making different lines of equipment and bags that tout themselves as being “covert” or “discrete”. I am of the belief that if you are wearing clothing that advertises itself as either of these things, it’s anything but.
Truly experienced law enforcement, military and security professionals can spot each other a mile away. Often the giveaways are in the clothing and personal accessories that we choose. Watches, shoes and belts are accessories that are often over looked by those attempting to be “Gray”. Wearing Soloman’s or Merrel’s, a Suunto/Garmin/Pathfinder watch and an Ares Gear/511, or another tactical belt is not being gray. Each of those accessories, gives up information about you, that you say you are trying to conceal.
The Mentality of the Modern Protector
Over 30 years ago, when I left a failing white-Collar industry in a failing economy in Texas, I did what many in my predicament did. I entered the contract security industry at near minimum wage. What I did that many others did not, was survive in the industry long enough to out earn annually what I was earning in my previous profession.
THE NEW Open Source Intelligence
We all hear about this OSINT malarkey but searching the Internet for information is much much more than just dropping a couple of search terms into Google.
There are many different search engines out there and using these various systems, combined with how you actually search for phrases, should bring you the results you are after.
The Rise in the Use of CCTV in Court Proceedings
An estimated 5.9 million CCTV cameras were in operation throughout the UK in 2016, making the British public one of the most surveilled in the world. Only Beijing has more CCTV cameras than London, where the average person will be recorded on camera 300 times in one day.
Global Risk RoundUp – Feb 2020
Global Risk RoundUp – Feb 2020
Our Global Risk partners, Drum Cussac, provide in-depth analysis of global risks via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and through a comprehensive global source network. Here is your summary of the incidents you need to know about from the last 30 days.
Head on a Swivel
Catchphrases are good to identify an action; they’re not good in obtaining the Skill of that action. The foundation of the proverbial “head on a swivel” is Situational Awareness.
And just like Head on a swivel, “situational awareness” is a widely used phrase but not a widely understood Skill. It takes time for one to master and understand two phrases, and two actions
Fit for Purpose – Motivation and Mindset
The struggle will be experienced by every single one of us, at differing intensities, durations and regularities; it is one of the only true guarantees in life.
UK Cybersecurity Industry Experiences Rapid Growth
The number of active cybersecurity firms in the UK has increased 44% – up from 846 in 2017 to over 1,200 at year-end 2019. This growth is the equivalent to a new cybersecurity business being set up in the UK every week
Industry News January 2020
Industry News January 2020. We cast our eye over the main stories impacting the security industry. Here’s what’s appeared on the radar since the last issue.
Read the report that concluded Saudi Arabia hacked Jeff Bezos’ phone
The hacking of Mr. Bezos is particularly sensitive because of his ownership of The Washington Post, which had published coverage critical of the kingdom and had retained Jamal Khashoggi
The Man in the Middle – Intro to Cybersecurity
Welcome to a third article in the series looking at introductions to cyber security. We’ll be looking at a type of attack which most people will be familiar with in principle, if not in technical practice.
The basic idea is simple – an attacker sits between two trusting parties, intercepting their communication and impersonating each to the other. Obviously this is somewhat harder in practice where people are, for example, sitting in a room together, but even a phone call gives potential for an eavesdropper or impersonator.
Global Risk RoundUp – January 2020
Global Risk RoundUp – January 2020. Our Global Risk partners, Drum Cussac, provide in-depth analysis of global risks via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and through a comprehensive global source network. Here is your summary of the incidents you need to know about from the last 30 days.
Prince Andrew could lose bodyguards amid new Epstein details
A withdrawal of public money for bodyguards would mean Prince Andrew would either have none or would have to pay for them himself.
Executive Protection in Russia
Risk and Retaliation at the World Cup and Beyond. On 3/26/2018, the United States joined 20 nations including the UK, Canada, and Italy in what is said to be the largest coordinated expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.
Over 100 Russian diplomats were told to leave their foreign postings in response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy living in the UK. Russia promised to retaliate against this “provocative gesture”.
Tragedy on Your Team and What Happens Afterwards?
I tend to believe that people in this business believe that the test of leadership comes during the attack on principle (AOP). While there is no denying that leadership is necessary in those key moments of an attack or any other catastrophic event. But as I stated at the Summit, the hardest part of this job is, ‘the after.’
Women In The Close Protection Industry
First, I prefer placing female CPO’s with female clients or their children for the client’s comfort or peace of mind. Some males are easily suited to this task but the client may simply think that a male does not belong in constant close proximity and occasionally in isolated private settings with the kids or a client’s wife. This can be equally true with female CPO’s and male clients but the concern of inappropriate behavior with the children dissolves when a female is placed with them. Remember, it’s always up to the client.
Residential Security
Residential security (RS) is something that is usually taken very lightly, most believe putting in an alarm system and maybe a camera or two is all that’s required.
It is common knowledge that one of the favored places for criminals and terrorists to target a victim is when they are in, entering or leaving their residence; RS must be taken very seriously. In times of civil unrest looters will be looking to target any location that has valuables, weapons or assets that they can use and that has minimal security, this means most residential properties.
