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Cell Phone Spotter Useful in Executive Protection

Bruce Alexander

By Bruce Alexander

Danger Room, one of my favorite blogs, has a piece out entitled “Army Wants Cell-Spotter,” that I thought I would share since this has an application for Executive Protection. According to Danger Room, the Army is looking for technology to detect “communications transceivers or components” typically found in cell phones. The purpose is to locate cell phones ostensibly in an unauthorized area (unauthorized being open to interpretation) for reasons of Operational Security (OPSEC). They didn’t mention it, but I assume the system has to be “soldier proof.”

If the Army ever successfully fields such technology I see a definite application for Executive Protection since we have similar OPSEC requirements although we might call it something else. Ensuring confidential meetings stay confidential or safeguarding the privacy of our principal falls within the scope of Executive Protection. This technology would go a long way towards mitigating the threat to OPSEC from cell phones.

Buddyguards: A Dangerous and Growing Trend

Brandon J Delcamp, Featured Articles, Featured Bloggers

By Brandon J Delcamp

As the sales and marketing director for Executive Security International I have had a number of conversations with protective agents working in the industry that have little or no formal training.  They are filling the roles of close protection agents for celebrities, ministries, music artists and for the most part are getting by, but the, “what if” factor is frightening to say the least.

I queried one of these agents concerning the application of an “advance” his reply. . . . “An ad-what?”
Initially I was shocked, but after some consideration I realized that the people doing the hiring are not always educated as to what skill sets a protective agent should possess.  When hiring someone to protect them they rely on superficial skill sets.

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Client and Bodyguard Categories

Doc Rogers

By Doc Rogers

The following article is submitted humorously, but with a slight serious edge to it. Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy the article, on the light side.

The bodyguard must be highly sophisticated with good etiquette and have the ability to blend in with the client’s environment such as the celebrity scene, the corporate boardroom or the golf course. The following are the types of client categories you may come across in your career and the various types of bodyguard categories often hired by the clients and encountered on the job.

High-Risk Types

High risk clients (not including clients in war-zones) have numerous enemies. Celebrities and high-profile professional athletes sometimes fall under this client category.  They typically hire bodyguards with more brawn than brains, to keep fanatical admirers at arm’s length and set up security zones for crowd control. These bodyguards generally aren’t real smart, but they can react with considerable muscle, which can create millions of dollars in lawsuits and liability judgments for their clients. If you fall into this type of category of bodyguard, don’t embarrass us, smarten up and get some training.

Medium-Risk Type

Moderate risk clients have modest amount of enemies. CEOs and senior corporate executives fall under the medium-risk, medium-profile category clients. They may have made enemies from being on the cover of TIME or PC Magazine. Some may be at moderate risk of kidnapping, robbery, or even murder from criminals or obsessive followers. The bodyguards they hire are smart and can out think the average bodyguard. However, some executive bodyguards lack certain street smarts and toughness. If you fall into this type of category of bodyguard, bulk-up by hitting the weight pile, take up a sport where you bleed a lot, such as boxing, mixed martial arts or bull riding and raise your street IQ.

Low-Risk Type

Low risk clients have small amount of enemies. Low risk clients can range from anonymous millionaires who don’t look or act the part, to low-profile politicians or retired CEOs or senior executives with little enemies or troubles and who stay out of the limelight.  This is the most difficult assignment level there is. Sure you’ll spend your time keeping your clients “safe” at clubhouses, swimming pools, health clubs and members’ only cigar clubs, lounges and wine bars. The point is, don’t lose your focus, act cordial, be professional and you will be treated with respect. Facilitate the confidence and trust of your client by watching his or her back; looking and acting the part of a bodyguard. If you fall into this type of category of bodyguard; step up your game and do not become complacent on low risk assignments. Get out of your comfort zone and start doing some real bodyguard work.

In conclusion, this article was submitted humorously and for a laugh, readers should not be offended by the comedy. Sometimes we need to lighten up; become less serious and more cheerful, unless of course career improvements should be made, then you should get busy. Keep safe and God speed.

How to Manage Threats Against Your Clients

Doc Rogers

By Doc Rogers

As bodyguards we are hired to protect our clients from indirect and direct threats, it takes knowledge, preparation and planning.  What follows is a summary of activities you are likely to perform when your client receives a direct threat against his or her life, with a appropriate approach to each to address direct threat challenges such as; aggressive individuals, disgruntled ex-employees, clients, mentally deranged persons or even ex-lovers.

The direct threat factors to your client could come in a variety of ways:

•    Direct confrontation.

•    Telephone threat.

•    Letter, email or other method.

•    Keep all evidence to turn over to the police (correspondence, telephone records or recordings, etc).

The individual who has threatened or continues to threaten your client may have had some trigger point to cause him or her to take such action. At this stage you are trying to establish the motive of the threats, the trigger points may include:

•    Being fired from a job or recent employment trouble.

•    Real or imaginary injustice.

•    Breakup in a personal/intimate relationship.

•    Money issues, etc.

•    Remember; your client has no weak enemies.

Upon being hired by the client it is imperative that we quickly orient ourselves to the threat against the client and swiftly start prioritizing security arrangements to prevent physical harm, we need to move and make our protective services happen to avoid potential bloodshed.

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Cybercriminals Target Business Executives With Malicious E-Mail

Bruce Alexander, Featured Articles, Personal Protection Jobs

By Bruce Alexander

Cyber criminals are targeting executives of publicly listed companies with e-mail embedded with malicious code disguised as recruitment letters.The e-mail uses a subject line that entices the recipient to open the e- mail under the guise of recruitment letter. Once the recipient opens the e-mail it launches an attachment containing executable code. This is a relatively easy threat to counter by simply not opening e-mails from unknown senders, installing spam and malware filters. Threats to executives come in all forms. As technology makes greater intrusions into society, the threats from the malicious use of technology will undoubtedly be directed at executives and protected persons.

What concerns me about this particularly threat is the deliberate targeting of executives in this scheme. This threat is only effective when the recipient opens the e-mail. In order to entice the recipient to open the e-mail, the e-mail subject line has to motivate the recipient to open the e-mail. As the article points out, the sender understands how to craft an effective message that moves the recipient to open the e-mail. What facilities the effectiveness of this message is the deliberate targeting of recipients.

That targeting can only be done by some form of information collection on either the firms the executives work for, or the executives themselves. Either way, it’s a focused collection effort akin to what takes place during the hostile attack cycle associated with terrorist attacks. In both cases, the effectiveness of the attack is predicated on gathering information about the potential target and subsequently developing an attack plan. Yet in both cases, a change in behavior could make a significant difference. Both types of threats can be mitigated by awareness, protecting information, and adhering to sound security practices.

For Executive Protection specialists, an awareness of cyber threats is an important aspect of the overall protective mission. While countering cyber threats requires specialized training and is usually outside the realm of Executive Protection. However, the ability to articulate the danger from cyber threats to key executives is paramount. Furthermore, the need to prevent information collection from use in any type of attack, and protect existing information from exploitation, regardless of the nature of the threat, should be part of the Executive Protection mission.

Simply put, if information can be exploited for a cyber attack, it’s very likely that information can be exploited for planning or conducting a physical attack.Executive Protection has a vested interested in ensuring all around security. While Executive Protection might not have the primary responsibility for counter the cyber threat, Executive Protection is a multi-disciplinary function. A combined approach of the Executive Protection specialist working in concert with the Information Technology section will greatly facilitate the ability to mitigate such threats.

Executive Protection: Fly Lighter

Doc Rogers

By Doc Rogers

Today’s bodyguards travel on assignments much heavier with mounds of equipment and outrageous amounts of baggage. We need to shift our approach and travel on assignments in an austere manner, because more is not better. Where will the weight savings come from in an effort to fly lighter? Get rid of unnecessary items.

We need to bring things with us on assignment with a focused avoidance of luxury and overload. This is not to say we must lead a harsh, spartan lifestyle, after all you’ll be probably be staying at a five-star hotel with you client. However, when packing for assignments make it simple and stripped-down. Traveling light does not mean poorly equipped.

Prior to your assignment look at your client’s itinerary (number of days and cities to visit) and start your planning from there. Check the weather report in your area of operation (hot, cold, rainy, etc.). Don’t pack a military cargo style suitcase; instead use a smaller, more compact one. Remember, on bodyguard assignments excess stuff is a burden, less is more.

We must only take one basic working wardrobe on the road, along with some workout clothing. Regard your suitcase as a reflection of your mind; clear, precise, light, agile and easily deployable.  You will be living out of a suitcase, so packing the right tools will make you a more proficient bodyguard and traveler.  Make a packing list for your upcoming assignment so you can get your things organized and pack only essential items.

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