Wireless installations are often seen as an easy replacement for cables, particularly in situations where running wires or fiber optics is impractical or too costly. While wireless solutions can be convenient, even the simplest application of a wireless networking standard can come with challenges that need careful planning and troubleshooting. This article provides insight into the planning and deployment of a successful wireless installation.
Operating as a Commercial Sniper The Myths and Facts
To start with, let’s kill a central myth right off the bat. And that myth is that jobs for commercially employed snipers are widely available and accessible. That is not true. You will not do a sniper course and then be hired as a sniper in a war zone. You will not find any companies that are advertising such jobs. If they are, then I’d be dubious.
LIFE & WORK SKILLS: CONFLICT MANAGEMENT FOR PROTECTORS
Pop quiz: What do you think is greater, the number of executive protection agents who have been fired because their client got killed? Or the number that got fired because a client’s wife/manager/trusted advisor straight-up didn’t like them? I think anyone who has been around the industry longer than five minutes probably knows the answer to that question.
Empowering Strong Women Through Training
Talented and motivated professionals understand this and continuously train and educate themselves in current methods. They also take note of changing strategies to be most effective in their pursuit for the opportunity that will set them apart from other men, and a small number of women, in the industry.
The Modern Shotgun
My answer to that question is an astounding: absolutely! The shotgun is one of the most versatile weapon systems available within the protective arsenal, particularly with the advancements in modern ammunition and weapon technology. Also, when it comes to security and protective services in the USA outside of exceptional circumstances (natural disasters/government-appointed), most security or protective services rarely can carry a carbine legally from a working capacity.
Workplace Discrimination
I walked into, no, I barged into a profession that has historically been male dominated and I did this at the highest level of law enforcement, as a United States Secret Service Agent. I did this by choice. I expected there to be doubters, critics, chauvinists, and jackasses alike. And, there were. There were also men who were tremendous supporters, authentic cheerleaders, and firm believers that female agents were not only necessary in the Service, they we are more than capable of doing the job.
Having “Opinions” Can Make or Break You
We live in a time where people’s opinions invade, dictate, and in some instances, ruin lives. Businesses opinions sell merchandise. Financial and political people tell you where to invest your money or who you should vote for. Opinions are very personal, varying from person to person, but they all have in common that they are nothing but a singular view of a singular event or action.
Size vs.Skills-a.k.a: The Unfair Advantage
However, this lesson sticks out because I still think about it and even use it to this day. My dad told me that every person on this planet has an ‘Unfair Advantage.’ Something God-given that a person does exceptionally well or better than anyone else. He told me that some people could naturally run fast or dunk a basketball without even really trying. Some can figure out complex equations in their heads like Einstein or even maintain a full head of hair well into their old age. Whatever gift you possessed that you did better than anyone else was your unfair advantage.
Security and Technical Debt Collection
Technical debt is what you are adding to every time you choose an easy or quick solution now, rather than looking at longer-term strategies. It is the technical expression of ‘failing to plan is planning to fail.’ And it has consequences.
Protective Tactics for Attending High-Risk Meetings
Arranging and attending high-risk meetings is an easy way to set someone up for kidnapping, assassination, sexual assault or robbery. Because of this, meetings in high-risk situations can be extremely dangerous and should always be treated with caution whether you are attending for personal business reasons or with a client.
Will Manners still Maketh the Man?
When a gentleman offers his hand—gloved or ungloved—a lady does not recoil and yell, “What are you, crazy?” This is a handshake, and a lady knows it poses her no threat. If she must sanitize immediately afterward, she will do so discreetly.
Keeping Your Edge: Raising Your Profile
This is not so much by the overt actions we take in close proximity to the Protectee, but by the intentional maneuvering of chess pieces behind the scenes, in the form of risk analysis, advance-work and logistics. With the exception of very high profile, or high threat assignments, our default state could be described in many cases as, invisible. This mindset has successfully shepherded many throughout the profession, being passed on from generation to generation to the benifit of the craft.
FOOT STEPS: Episode 8: Monica Duperon Rodriguez
Monica Duperon Rodriguez is a seasoned professional protector who has worn many hats as she navigated a path to success through two male-dominated career fields, in both law enforcement and executive protection. Having the opportunity to speak with her, I realized that the adversities that she faced were simply fuel for the engine that has driven her to accomplish her goals time and again.
The Anatomy of a Bank Robbery
Even as banks deal with the fallout of the pandemic, bank robberies on the whole since Covid-19 are actually down. And while banks have always denied access to people wearing masks, the challenge posed by mask wearing during the pandemic has invited a greater security risk to banks, according to Paul Benda, Senior Vice President for Risk and Cybersecurity Policy at the American Bankers Association.
The Threat Posed by Fixated Individuals
The woman, who claimed she was engaged to Prince Andrew managed to persuade the security officers at the Royal Lodge to pay for her taxi fare. She then spent 20 minutes wandering around the Royal gardens before entering the home of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, where she was finally detained, and subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
OSINT ON-THE-GO
We live in a fast-moving world. Technology is evolving faster than we are. Is all the technology around us causing us to think that time is ticking faster?
Time does indeed seem to have become more precious nowadays. And many people often do say, “I can’t find the time to do it, the days are just passing too fast.”
But think back to not so long ago, especially us “oldies” on the circuit…
Dry Fire Training
In most other places outside the U.S. where firearm ownership and defensive carry is available for private citizens and security personnel, the price of guns and ammunition can be very costly, and the application processes to own and carry guns can be a bureaucratic nightmare.
In many places, it’s mandatory to belong to a gun club or shooting association who are the ones that have control of the shooting ranges. Personally, I have little time for clubs and associations as they tend to be very cliquey and attract people trying to compensate for a lack in other areas.
Conspiracy Theories Can Increase the Risk of Targeted Violence
A social climate of uncertainty provides fertile ground for conspiracy theories. Pandemics, for example, are predictably unpredictable—no one can say with certainty when one might begin, when it would end, or how long it might last. Combined with political and economic instability, a public health crisis like COVID-19 is rocket fuel for conspiracies. Under conditions of uncertainty, any information, even rumors, that helps direct negative emotions toward a specific target is psychologically comforting—it helps people manage their fear and anxiety. What if that target is your principal, a powerful business person, political figure, celebrity or high-wealth individual, who unwittingly becomes a central figure in an elaborate conspiracy theory due to their publically-known views, financial activities or associations?
Establishing Your Career Path in Close Protection
Now, to make it clear the commercial close protection industry is a very difficult industry for most people to enter, mainly due to the fact it is a very small and clique world where doors usually open for people if they know the right people. So, to start with, networking is a valuable key to opening the doors.
My personal experience and opinions comes from working over 30 years’ within the security, close protection and risk management industry in various Central/East/West African countries, Europe and Asia in operational and management positions.
Challenges of Protecting Children
As a bodyguard, I have been fortunate to have protected a variety of female principals amongst a cross-section of nationalities and cultures around the globe. My principals’ ages have also ranged from 4 to 65 years old. Amongst them all, I personally believe the most challenging principals are children. For me, the role of a bodyguard caring for a minor is all about balance, judgment, adaptation and a crystal-clear understanding of the parents’ wishes.
