In fact I would venture to say that one should almost seek out the experience before pursuing some of those paths. I say this because within the walls of that club you encounter such a vast amount of people, cultures, and potential threats, and to meet all these challenges, the nightclub security professional must be well equipped and prepared physically and mentally. In order to get the best out of these encounters it’s important to understand the skills required, and the skills that are being developed every time you step behind the velvet rope.
Protective Medical Services
As protectors, the Executive Protection (EP) community is comprised of “Alpha-type” personalities who are well skilled and tend to focus on the “direct action” skillsets of the EP mission, the so-called “hard skills”. But EP is more. It is full-time customer service also. EP agents serve their clients and their family members in a variety of ways, many of which were probably not envisioned while on the shooting range. Driving course or dojo.
Hostile Surveillance Threats
The average citizen has security concerns and can benefit from an understanding of the concepts of surveillance countermeasures that enhance personal protection. However, the application of surveillance countermeasures without a sound perspective regarding the threat-specific surveillance techniques they are intended to defeat can be counterproductive, and potentially dangerous. For this reason, the practitioner of surveillance countermeasures must think like a surveillance operator in order to anticipate how an operator would act based on specific circumstances.
Cyber Security Fundamentals – Deepfakes and Impersonation
Luckily when you make the pickup, you confirm with them. They’re surprised at the request as they don’t recall calling, and so you don’t make the route change.
Later investigation reveals that the call was made from a spoofed phone, using a real-time generated video and audio stream of the principal mapped to the live movements of some unknown adversary.
Knowing When to Quit
With time no longer on his side he begins to bounce from one team to another, often going from being the star to the second unit, maybe begins playing a different position, begins making errors on routine plays, getting fewer at bats, doesn’t carry the ball as often, not called upon when the score is tight. Many former stars “hang around one season too long.” Everyone but the athlete sees what he doesn’t, namely that it’s time to retire!
Keeping Your Edge – Challenges of International VIP
It is a very natural phenomenon to go abroad making the same assumptions about how people act, and things work that you would find in your domestic environment. But these assumptions can get both you and your client into trouble. Each part of the world presents its own unique set of challenges, and a protector who travels internationally will do well to always keep this fact in the forefront of their mind.
Navigating the Complexities of Wi-Fi Installations
Wireless applications present unique challenges. By carefully planning and understanding potential obstacles, installers can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a more reliable Wi-Fi security setup.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Executive Protection in the Middle East
Good EP professionals understand the importance of thorough preparation and research before even accepting a task. This is arguably even more relevant when it comes to working in the Middle East where culture is king, and misunderstandings have the potential to ruin operations and future business partnerships. To add a layer of nuance and complexity, each Middle Eastern city – be it Dubai, Cairo, or Riyadh – calls for a slightly different approach, making things that much more interesting.
