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.
Are you an accidental arms dealer?
In May 2003, the UK Government changed the rules on the supply of military kit, and many operators and companies now became arms brokers. These new laws were officially known as the ‘Trade controls’ or more commonly ‘Trafficking and brokering’.
Assignments Over. Now What?
So you got the tap for the assignment and a spot on the detail? You are good to go for the next several days, weeks, or possibly even months. It’s constant work.
WHY AMERICA MUST BAN ASSAULT RIFLES
I was a seventeen-year old military recruit when I was issued my first rifle. That marked the beginning of what would amount to nearly forty years of carrying firearms professionally. Twenty-three of those were in the military, including nearly twenty years with the SAS, followed by almost seventeen years of commercial security work.
Gap Training – What Most Practitioners Overlook
Many industry practitioners understand and embrace that continuing education is a necessity in a highly competitive, rapidly evolving industry such as protective services. Yet, there is a commonly overlooked issue which leaves gaps for most. When selecting training, do you find trendy topics, or do you train to fill your gaps?
Yet, there is a commonly overlooked issue which leaves gaps for most. When selecting training, do you find trendy topics, or do you train to fill your gaps?
Manners Maketh Man
The proverb ‘manners maketh man’ derives from a shared understanding that courtesy and good manners are essential to the preservation of human interaction and relationships.
Good manners can be applied to several aspects of human life, including how we speak, the words we use, the tone of our voice, our gestures and our actions.
Ex-G4S Security Contractor and Double Murderer, Fitzsimons, Secretly Extradited from Iraq
He admitted shooting the men but claimed it was self-defence, saying they had been out drinking and the other two tried to kill him during an altercation. He later claimed he was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Global Risk Roundup – December 2019
All the global incidents you need to know about from the last 30 days including, IS militant attack in Iraq, Helicopter crash in Afghanistan, shooting in Port-au-Prince and several killed in Oklahoma shooting.
Should protection officers be trained in unarmed combat?
Protection officers worldwide who have extensive unarmed combat training will unreservedly answer this question with; “Of course!! How can a protection officer not have any self-defense or unarmed combat training! How can a protection officer not know how to physically protect?”
Matty Blythe – From Super League Rugby to Bodyguard Training Director, via Iraq.
There are loads of fundamentals and characteristics that close protection shares with rugby league. There’s a lot of planning and preparation with video sessions, and you need to think about X, Y and Z before you think about A, B, and C in both. You’re always planning for the worst-case scenario, and you need to know the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.
Keeping Your Edge – Develop A Niche
Celebrity protection is in some ways a unique market, however, in marketing, the more specific you can be, the more successful you will be in finding customers. This means that it’s helpful, sometimes necessary, to research, develop, and define a niche, carving out a select piece of a bigger industry to specialize in.
Kevin Hart Blames Woman Knocked Down by His Bodyguards
“When you walk the streets of New York you don’t assume the risk that an overzealous bodyguard will throw you to the ground and brake your face,”
