Archives – July, 2010
Over the past several years I have been fortunate to operate outside of my own country and comfort zone in some of the best and worst road conditions. Even though I would not compare a vehicle convoy in Vietnam or India to what the PSD operative are doing in the Middle East, each has their own inherent risks. If budgets and the client allows I will do my best to have a professional local driver provided so as to free me up to do my job, which is protection. This ensures that I am not pulling my hair out trying to deal with unfamiliar conditions and locations. All those with any time on the circuit will attest that having a competent driver with local knowledge is a valuable asset to peace of mind.
Just as important as local knowledge are the following:
1: Communications. You need to be able to have the driver, not only understand directions and expectations, but then follow them precisely. I have had Vietnamese and Thai drivers that could not speak a word of English but could read my directions and follow schedules to the second. I also had a translator on speed dial for emergency changes although if the situation arrived they were able to understand what was needed by my reactions and gestures. Just a note I have had professional English speaking drivers who were paid 5 times the amount, were trained and educated and not half the drivers they were.
2: Driving Style. It is very important to check your driver’s driving style. Breaking too late, accelerating too harshly and heavy movements on the steering can leave the client sitting up ,back feeling uncomfortable, give them whiplash or even make them physically ill.
3. Safety. Safety should always be first and foremost. Even if you are running late for an event, putting the client in danger by excessive speeding or weaving in and out of traffic is not acceptable. We know all too well how Princess Diana’s run from the paparazzi ended.
4. Professionalism. A driver that continually joins in the client’s conversations or constantly trying to initiate them can annoy the client just as much as a bad driver. This also applies to talking on cell phones, radios, or hands free when driving and initiating non essential conversation with any of the CPO’s. I make it a personal habit not to speak unless spoken to and then only provide enough information to answer the clients query. Knowing when to speak up or shut up is an under rated skill that most operatives and drivers need to work on.
5. Personal hygiene. Using strong perfume or after shave can be just as bad as not wearing any at all. I was recently working overseas in a country where the body odor of one of the drivers was so bad that the client became physically ill and had to cancel a public appearance. In the same visit, in a different vehicle, the smell of cheap cologne brought a second client to the point of actually vomiting and requesting the windows be let down to allow the 40deg plus wind through the vehicle. An unscented anti-perspirant, tooth paste and regular showering can make all the difference.
A competent, professional driver can make all the difference to how smoothly an assignments runs and the safety of your principal. These atributes are of major concern as the last thing you need when transporting a principal is to be concentrating on your drivers actions, doing their job and not your own. There is plenty of literature, courses and industry leaders in this field such as Tony Scotti who I would suggest you seek out and learn from to be the best you can.
Damon.
July 26, 2010
After being in the security industry for over 16yrs and working on close protection assignment for the last 6, I sometimes need to be reminded how lucky I am to be doing what I do. When you are on the inside looking out it is not as glamorous or exciting as one would expect. However, to someone wanting to break into this industry, it is the life they desire. Don’t get me wrong, by no means do I consider myself an expert or even overly experienced. What I do have is a thirst for knowledge and a strong desire to improve my skills and knowledge in my chosen career. Sometimes, I get frustrated with the fact that I am looking at 3 to 6 years to finish a PHD and at least another month before I can get on the range. In the end, I am grateful that I travel the world with some interesting and extremely successful people.
It’s only when I a
m asked for advice on how to get into the industry by a person truly interested in listening that I stop to enjoy the journey so far. Every now and then in between the multitude of “I have a black belt”, “I’m ex army” or “you don’t do much I could do your job” you do get a legitimate question and not a display of ego. The most common question I get is if I am ex Military or Police. When I reply yes, most people nod their head and acceptingly smile, halting the questions. This leaves me bewildered. If I was a clerk in the army or a control room operator with the police force, how does that qualify me as professional protection operative? One can draw from many previous careers to support and expand your skill sets, making you a more well-rounded professional and not just ex military or police. For more reasons than just soaking in the knowledge and gaining skills, I recommend a reputable executive protection course either in the USA, UK or South Africa (Ronin). Through the instructors and other participants on the course, you can build a network of both supporters and future employers spanning multiple countries. These people will have firsthand knowledge of your abilities and professional attitude towards your career and colleagues. This in itself can sometimes be worth more than the cost of the course, making the rest an added bonus.
I personally was lucky enough many years ago to work with one of the most professional and dedicated protection experts I have met anywhere in the world. He took the time to sit down with me on more than one occasion and point me in the right direction. I now offer that same advice to anyone taking the time to listen. Read as much as you can on your profession written by industry leaders like Gavin DeBecker, Tom Taylor, Lt Col D Grossman, Tony Scotti, Oatman and a whole host of others out there. Don’t only read books on protection and security but expand your literature to psychology, business management, networking and different cultures. Keep an interest in world events. Make sure you are knowledgeable on not only what’s happening around you, but also your perspective clientele and the rest of the world. Take courses in advance first aid, driving, languages, deportment and continue to improve on your social skills. Dress for the client and the event, wearing a black three piece suit with sunglasses and an ear piece on Bondi beach will only draw attention, so be sure you are prepared and have suitable attire for the event, to blend in. Maintain a level of fitness that will help you do your job and help you endure extended periods of travel and interrupted sleep and eating patterns. If you cannot run across the road without having to stop to catch your breath, ask yourself honestly why anyone would hire you to protect them.
There is so much more to this industry then being ex army / police, a great shot and looking intimidating in a suit and black sunglasses. For me, the constant battle to increase my knowledge, skills and build on my social attributes and physical abilities is where the greatest enjoyment is derived. Being able to travel and spend some times monumental moments in the lives of interesting and successful individuals drives me to be the best I can.
July 25, 2010
One routine I have always made sure I follow on every protection assignment and on my own travels is information security by the removal and later destruction of litter. Most people will have some sort of understanding of protecting the client’s room number and personal details by booking under another name, diverting calls and screening mail. However, you should take this one step further by ensuring no schedules, flight stubs, receipts, letters, personal note’s or check in information is left in the room or vehicles. This includes both when you are checking out and during your stay where information is in view for cleaning staff and drivers.
Although this information may seem mundane, but in the wrong hands it can be used to embarrass or gain access to your client or even threaten their safety. By making it a habit to fully check rooms, including clearing out of bins of any litter, you will ensure that you are leaving nothing easily assessable to the wrong people. You are also making sure you do not leave any stray items behind, leaving you or your client ill prepared for your next hotel stay.
Most people don’t give much thought to what they are throwing out or leaving for someone else to dispose of. Paying of hotel cleaners or dumpster diving can lead to a wealth of information about an intended target. These pieces of information coupled with corporate profiles, tour date, social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook) websites and other open source information can lead to a detailed profile on your client and their future movements be formulated. Although you cannot control all aspects of information regarding your client you can make access to that information and the formulation of the larger picture more difficult and ineffective.
A good book to read on social engineering and the use of piecing together a larger picture through small pieces of information is “The Art of Deception” by Mitnick / Simon. Even though I have always taken information security seriously it wasn’t until I read this title that I realized I may myself unwittingly been engineered to disclose information I thought of no importance in the past.
Damon
July 22, 2010
Airport security: On two recent assignments in India I was able to view firsthand the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at two international and two domestic airports. The CISF first came on the scene in 1969 however since then has grown and now has become a multi-skilled security agency, mandated to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the country in diverse areas. CISF is currently providing security cover to nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive Government buildings and ever heritage monuments. The first thing you notice approaching all the airports is the vehicle Check Points (VCP’s) usually with movable barriers slowing vehicles down along with what appeared to me as a fortified bunker directly facing towards traffic which provides a perfect fire lane for the armed officers . 
Upon arriving at the entrance to the departure lounges you are greeted politely by armed CISF officers and are required to provide your passport and either tickets or itinerary. I observed a number of people that had been turned away due to not having the correct documentation. On one occasion, I was sent to an external service counter due to an incorrect date on one of my connecting flights that was printed on the document as the day before the flight.Scanning of carryon luggage and personal items is the same standard procedures as most major airports worldwide; however, once you have gone through the metal detector, you are thoroughly checked with a hand held unit and pat down, regardless if you set it off or not. At one stage I thought due to the officers prolonged pat down of my groin area, I was going to get asked for my number. Each carry on item is tagged and stamped before you can proceed. When you finally get to board not only is your ticket checked by boarding staff, but also by a CISF officer along with your carryon luggage and the stamped tags on each item. Once again, I observed several travelers turned away at the gate, due to either purchasing baggage or packaging that was not tagged and stamped. All parties involved were sent back to security to have their items scanned.
I am unable to comment on their response procedures or time to actual threats or incidents due to the fact that at no time during my last two visits did I observe anything that required more than a smile and “No very sorry sir”. However, incorrect bookings, pushy travelers and vegetable curry’s aside, my personal experiences with India’s Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore Airports from a security stand point was one of attention to detail and great professionalism making my job that much more enjoyable.
July 20, 2010
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels at winning with ease. But his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage. For inasmuch as they are gained over circumstances that have not come to light, the world at large knows nothing of them, and he therefore wins no reputation for wisdom; and inasmuch as the hostile state submits before there has been any bloodshed, he receives no credit for courage.?
July 8, 2010
