Practice, practice, practice…back in the days of protection, a day spent on the very basics… marksmanship principles.
As a young trooper in the British Special Forces in the 1970s, I was first introduced to VIP protection as a student on what was arguably, at the time, the best close protection course in the world.
We were taught full Presidential close protection down to low profile VIP protection, putting all into practice.
I would then have the opportunity to put it into practice operationally and teach it worldwide over the years.
After my military career spanning 23 years, I would spend a further 17 years looking after individuals ranging from journalists to royalty. I would also continue teaching and advising.
Three days ago, the big news was of the gunning down of a prominent American VIP, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel in New York City.
He didn’t have a security detail or even a security adviser. I have no doubt that corporate security firms’ phones must be melting right now with calls for help from companies and CEOs across the globe.
The problem is – most CEOs and the people around them don’t know what to look for in a security advisor or a security team. And there are a lot of so-called “security experts” who lack the background and skills to deliver an acceptable standard of service.
In the corporate world, one individual is a security adviser only. He/she is NOT a bodyguard. One individual cannot engage the threat, and move the principle to safety at the same time…that would take a minimum of two people, and ideally more than two.
However, a security adviser with the correct range of skills can be a huge asset to a CEO through advice alone.
Over the past two decades, the commercial security circuit has been inundated with individuals who take a close protection course run by “a reputable” security company. But sadly, too many of those courses are little more than money-spinners with a 100% pass rate.
So here are some basics to consider about CEO security.
Firstly, it depends on the individual or individuals that require security. What is the threat, and have they been threatened in the past? Who are they? Who do they represent? What does the company do? Where are they located? Where do they live? What are their movements? Do they have a family? Do they have medical issues? And the list goes on…and on…and on.
The more that’s known about the individual by the approached security company, the better for the individual’s safety.
Conversely…the CEO and his/her company need to know everything about the security company.
Who are they? What are their skills set? What are their backgrounds? Do they have a high turnover of operatives? How do they get their operatives? How do they intend to solve the client’s problem? What rotation do they put their operatives on for a short or long-term operation? If they run security courses for future operatives on the security circuit then what is their failure rate (if it’s nil or extremely low, then they’re clearly only running the courses for profit)?
The list goes on…and on…and on.
This will give you an idea of some of what is required early on.
CEO or corporate VIP security will only work if there is integrity, honesty and trust on both sides. The side of the CEO and the side of the security company.
NO TRUST…NO SECURITY!
Remember, it’s not that long ago that Donald Trump had assassination attempts on his life, and as a President of the USA and about to begin a second term, he has what is supposed to be the best personal security in the country!
We’re talking about CEOs here, corporate individuals being looked after by corporate individuals. So when I mention trust, that goes both ways 24/7 for the duration of the job. Any breakdown in trust and immediately the operation has failed.
There must be constant communication between the CEO and his/her security team leader. I’ve always found that the best position for a team leader corporately is the individual operating closest to the principal (CEO).
That individual is traveling in the same vehicle, and walking next to the principal at all times. They will get to know one another very quickly.
A meeting between the two must take place before the end of play each day, and at the beginning of the following day (should there be any changes from the night before)…at a minimum.
In the corporate world, the CEO is about profit margins first and foremost.
In the corporate world, the security company is about profit margins first and foremost.
So here lies a big problem.
If the security team leader or any individual in that team indicates a security problem, yet its ignored or constantly overlooked by the principal, does the security company pull the contract…or keep taking the money?
I sincerely hope that it would be the former, but too many times over the years I’ve sadly seen the latter…even in conflict areas around the world…not just in Western capital cities.
Right then, as the phones constantly rang after the shooting in NYC the other day, here’s just a little food for thought for those companies requiring security for their executives and a reminder for the security companies themselves that although both are in the corporate world, both sides have more than just profit to think about.
Here’s to a trustworthy and safe combination.
Bob Shepherd 