Incorrect decisions can mean the difference between staying gainfully employed or not. In executive protection, mistakes cannot be tolerated and making the wrong move can result in dire circumstances. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain emotional balance and strengthen your synapsis so that your brain can learn to process information faster. In issue 54, we’re going to improve your memory.
Creating a Safe Environment – What is a ‘Protective Bubble?’
If you’ve spent enough time around executive protection professionals, you’re no doubt familiar with the concept of creating a bubble around a protectee. It seems simple enough, right? Create the protocols, vet those with which the protectee interacts, and stringently direct the protectee’s activities without deviation.
In reality, of course, creating a safe environment for those elected officials, business leaders and celebrities who require protection by statute, board decree, or simply because they attract unwanted attention is an enormously challenging task that requires tremendous flexibility and innovation from those responsible. Let’s be honest — while many people who require such protection for their own safety understand and appreciate the necessity, they, including some past and current U.S. Presidents, are not always cooperative when faced with security limitations.
VEHICLE-BORNE IED
The real subject matter experts in this field come from the military. Soldiers deployed to war & conflict zones are dealing with this threat on a daily basis. However, for the purpose of this article, let’s view the subject from the point view of an executive protection team. The knowledge gained through the examination of this threat will be particularly useful to RST teams (Residential Security Team), those charged with the guarding of critical infrastructure, and event security personnel.
Issue 48
What is Executive Protection? Where will it lead you, and what will it have you doing? – Brace yourself, it might not be what you expect.
In Issue 48, have we witnessed The Death of the Solo Specialist? Or is there still a place for the IBG? Why it might be better for your career if you Get to the Back of the Line. And, we’re asking ‘Should you accept an offer from your client to combine your assignment with an all-expenses-paid vacation?
Issue 46
Choose Your Lane – Differentiate yourself in a crowded market place. Is it time for you to develop a niche?
In Issue 46 we reveal the Ugly Truth at the core of the Executive Protection Industry. We look at the New Technology trend set to revolutionize the way we operate on the ground. And, we tell you what you need to be a Hostile Environment Security Adviser – spoiler, it’s not the same as being a bodyguard.
The DEEP End
the Deep End, the (Dynamic Evolution Of Executive Protection) can you swim? Since the beginning of time, everything from man to nature has or is evolving; the protection theater is no different.
Leave no man behind?
“Ultimately, I need to know that whoever I’m working with, if the shit hits the fan and I’m in a situation, that my colleagues are going to be there to watch my back”. The ethos of “Leave no man behind” is a mainstay across Armed Forces and equally relevant to professionals in Close & Executive Protection. If a colleague was injured out in the field, would you turn your back and walk away?
Readiness and Commitment
There is no better feeling than to get ‘the call’ and you be able to say, “I’m prepared to move when you are”. You’re not “ready” because you took an Executive Protection course, or because you did a detail last week, you’re “ready” because you’re constantly prepared and stay that way and able to provide services at any moment. Follow these tips to help you remain alert and ready at all times.
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.
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.
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.
Issue 68
The attack cycle is evolving, and as protectors, we must evolve too. The “Iron Box” is outdated, and we need advanced surveillance and countersurveillance strategies to stay ahead. Learn how to identify and exploit surveillance vulnerabilities to protect your high-profile clients effectively. Get Issue 68 and equip yourself with the latest knowledge to anticipate and counter sophisticated threats and elevate your protection game!
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…
![That of the person who has a degree in Psychology and has also spent many hours studying behaviours.[Fragment] I would like to combine my two educational backgrounds and discuss how specific behaviours can negatively affect the security industry.](https://circuit-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pexels-andrew-neel-2312369-750x400.jpg)
The Importance of Emotional Control in the Workplace
If you are a service provider, you must always have in mind that people you employ and place with clients are the people who represent your brand. Their mistakes will harm you more than it will harm them. Most companies are losing contracts due to the toxic or unprofessional behaviour of their operatives.
Keeping Your Edge: Listen in Totality
Someone said this quote to me a long time ago and it really resonated. It was one of those things where the more I thought about what it actually meant, the more insight I gained from just those few short words. The quote itself originated from the American poet, Maya Angeolu. And while it’s very unlikely social media was on her mind, or even a thing, when she drafted it, I think it’s very fitting on how it plays into society today.
Embracing The Unified Protector: A Holistic Approach to Risk Management
The integration of different security sectors under the role of the Unified Protector may at first seem daunting. However, does it offer the promise of a more effective, coordinated approach to managing complex risks? As businesses, organizations, and the threats they face continue to evolve, so too must the strategies and structures we use to protect them. The dynamic role of the Unified Protector may just be the next step. Are you ready to welcome this evolution?
Is Your Brain Working Against You?
Our brain is constantly processing information. From making our coffee in the morning to dreaming while we sleep, our neurons are always working to figure out what to do with the information they’re receiving. Every scenario is carefully calculated within our brains which then tells us how to respond to certain stimuli. In the field of Close Protection, it’s crucial that we train our brains to respond to stimuli in a quick and calculated way so that we are able to execute our responsibilities and keep people safe.
Staying Grey
The truth is there aren’t many conventional radios that are commercially available, that are easy to conceal whilst still giving you the coverage and functionality you need to do the job. And with all conventional two-way radio, you still face the challenges of coverage and range, not to mention licensing and the issues of using the devices outside of UK jurisdiction.
