Executive protection is of great importance within a business organization. Here are some bases to keep in mind when an imminent threat.
By: Héctor Torres, PhD, MBA, CPP, CFE*
In a past column titled "Executive Protection in Corporate Security, I wrote about executive protection as part of an organization's corporate security. We note that while there are many models and schools of thought around executive protection, a simple methodology that can be used to establish the principles of an executive protection program for the twenty-first century dictates that threats are avoided, evaded, or confronted. In this article we will delve a little deeper into the techniques used in this model for managing threats from the perspective of executive protection.
Before entering fully into the subject we first have to make the definitions of rigor. Executive protection is defined as the preventive (passive) and operational (active) measures taken to protect a principal from a potential or actual threat. A principal is defined as the person to whom primary protection is provided. A threat is defined as any potential or actual situation that endangers the physical, emotional, or moral well-being of the principal. A bodyguard or executive protection specialist is one person who is responsible for the protection of another person.
The bodyguard proactively avoids risks and dangers through a systematic and comprehensive process of preparation, planning, and organization designed to keep the principal away from the threat. To carry out this process fully, executive protection is carried out with the use of a professional bodyguard team. This team employs the following strategies and tactics to handle threats.
Avoid threats
Threats are prevented using various tactics. The first of these tactics is the planning of escorts. Any escort provided to a principal must be carefully planned to identify any possible threats as well as possible contingencies. Part of this planning includes the use of advanced ones. It is said that 50% of the success of an escort lies in the execution of a good advance. During the escort the team of bodyguards is always alert to any possibility of threat in order to react in time. Other tactics used to avoid threats include keeping the principal in a low profile and keeping the principal unpredictable.
Escape threats
If threats cannot be avoided, then the option is to escape from them. It escapes threats through the prompt identification of any actual or potential threats before, during and after the execution of escorts to the principal. The acquisition of information, the analysis of this information and the development of intelligence about threats play an important role for escape tactics. Operational procedures are planned and established as well as courses of action by the escort to face all kinds of contingencies that endanger the principal.
As we pointed out earlier, 50% of the success of an escort lies in the execution of a good advance. The remaining 50% resides in 25% in the way the bodyguard team is trained and the remaining 25% as a team. The development of operational procedures and pre-planned courses of action help to escape threats.
Confronting threats
If we cannot escape the physical threats then we are left with the option of confronting them. In escorts operating in legally litigious environments, only a physical threat is confronted as a last resort.
It is confronted using the staggered force and force necessary to get the principal out of danger. If we examine the history of all the attacks on dignitaries we realize that 95% of all attacks have ended when the main one has been removed from the ambush area.
The longer the principal remains in the ambush zone, the less chance he has of surviving the attack. Staying to repel the attack is not a viable option to protect the main one if you can get out of the ambush. It is important to emphasize that in certain countries the use of lethal force can only be used as a last resort to protect lives.
In short, the importance of executive protection executed by a professional team as part of a corporate security program is worth its weight in gold. At a minimum, the strategies and tactics outlined here provide the basic structure and operational philosophy for a good executive protection program. In the 21st century, security practitioners are in the business of protecting assets. In many organizations there is no more important asset than the executives of the same.
I invite you to continue to share your ideas and concerns from the world and security management. A hug and see you next time!
*If you wish you can write to the author of this article at the email [email protected]
