Security Archives - Circuit Magazine

Stop Procrastinating

Life can have a habit of getting in the way, as we have all seen in the past couple of years but looking inwards at the goals you set out for yourself, is it life that has stopped you from achieving them or is it barriers put up by yourself?

I have always liked to set goals for myself and work towards achieving them. Still, when life comes on top, and with a heavy workload, it is very easy to push things to the right and look to complete these goals later…….the only problem with this is whether the actual task or goal you have set yourself gets completed or gets forgone completely?

I have learned that the more you put things off, the more significant the task pile can become, and you can quite literally make a mountain out of a molehill where in the end, you accomplish nothing.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Behavioral Analysis Part 2

Following on from what was discussed, in order to deeply understand how these incidents occur, we need to understand the differences between the radicalization and recruitment processes that enlist Homegrown Violent Extremists and Active Killer incidents.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Kidnapping of a Greek Tycoon

In this second installment, we pick up where we left off… The Principle, Pericles Panagopoulos, a Greek shipping tycoon and his CPO, George Sardelis, have been sandwiched in residential roadway by two vehicles and ambushed by gun-wielding kidnappers. They smashed in the driver’s side window and have forcibly dragged them out of their vehicle and driven them to a distant, remote location near a field. We pick up here with the rest of this harrowing tale…

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Journalist Safety Practice in Hostile Environments

I knew two of the course attendees quite well, even though we hadn’t met in person until that point. The Weinert Brothers—Dennis and Patrick Weinert—are German independent filmmakers, photographers, and authors based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Doing my research months in advance of the course, I’d perused their work, watched their films and documentaries, and read their books and articles. As they would discover, research and planning would be something the brothers would be introduced to quite quickly. It was, in essence, the missing link that neither one of them had spotted but was the very thing they were searching for without really knowing it.

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Longevity in Executive Protection

As a newcomer to the industry, I had huge eyes when it came to EP. Everything was exciting and new. Nothing seemed to matter but trying to get seen by agency owners and progressing along—all in the hopes of one day being among the best in the business.

I wanted to challenge myself. I wanted to protect people that had important or extraordinary lives while being recognized as a professional. So off I went like a herd of turtles (things are slow at first). I had no clue what I wanted to obtain but knew that it was going to be what I made of it. All I needed was an opportunity.

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Memorial day, we need it more now, and we need to talk about it.

As the world comes to grips with the effects of COVID-19, it has changing how we live and work in ways we would not have thought possible even months ago. Today’s new normal for businesses includes work-from-home difficulties, many simultaneously sick workers, disrupted supply chains, cash crunches, uncertain compliance obligations, and the mechanics of applying for new government programs. But that gives us time to reflect on other important matters, Memorial Day and the value we should instil.

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Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics

Now, to get things straight to start with, what most people, especially Americans, don’t realize is that most non-government close protection jobs are unarmed due to the legal restrictions on firearms in most countries. Part of your threat assessment for any assignment needs to include the laws on the use of force and what if any weapons are legal in the locations you are going to be working in. Being caught with an illegal weapon, especially a firearm will get you thrown in jail very quickly, no matter how important you think you are!

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Dealing with What Goes Bump in the Night

Often when one sense is taken away, the other senses become heightened. Allow those senses to work for you as you plan your search or exit. For instance, use your sense of smell to help detect a potential threat or adversary (body odor, cologne or perfume, smoke cigarette or tobacco) or any smells uncommon to your environment. Allow your movements to be slow and methodical unless executing a rapid/dynamic entry or exit maneuver. Be conscious of noise to help you locate a threat or potential adversary.

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Why Consider A Career in Executive Protection?

It requires a lot of training and specialized skills. It can be a thankless job when things go well and a firestorm when there is a breach in the protection. And if nothing dangerous is afoot, it can get somewhat boring. It’s physically taxing and mentally grueling. So why do it? Once you get past your misconceptions about the industry and learn what you are really getting into, you’ll find that it is a great career full of incentives.

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Weaponising Social Media

The psychology behind the misinformation was mostly covered last time, so we’re going to look more at the mechanics that enable them. We’ll take a look at fake social media accounts, botnets, and automated amplification to exploit social media algorithms.