Offering close protection services involves lots of training, experience, and hard work. Whether you’re working alone or part of a bigger team or a close protection company, knowing the best ways to offer these services is what can make or break your career.
If you want to learn how to provide close protection services, what they entail, and how to build better client relationships – you’ve come to the right place.
Common Close Protection Services
Close protection services are often referred to as executive protection or bodyguard services. They involve providing security and safety to individuals who may face elevated personal risk due to their status, wealth, occupation, or other factors.
Even though these services are incredibly varied and depend on the principal, protector, and specific case, here are some of the more common close protection services agents and companies offer.
Physical Protection
Physical protection is a core component of close protection services, involving various strategies and techniques to safeguard clients from physical threats. This aspect encompasses several critical elements, including the presence and actions of close protection agents (CPAs), planning, and the use of technology.
CPAs are responsible for maintaining a secure environment around the client. Their duties include surveillance, risk assessment, route planning, and immediate response to threats. Depending on the threat level, a protection team may include multiple CPAs with specialized roles. These can include medical personnel, security drivers, and advance agents.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments in close protection services are crucial for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential threats to the client’s safety. A comprehensive risk assessment involves a detailed analysis of various factors that could pose a risk to the client, allowing the close protection team to develop effective strategies and plans to minimize these risks.
The first step consists of identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities that their clients might face. These can range from physical attacks to cyber-security breaches and even reputation damage.
Following that, as part of close protection services, a CPA has to be able to choose a suitable risk assessment methodology that best suits the specific scenario. They also have to weigh out risk mitigation strategies and practically apply risk assessment techniques.
Security Planning
Security planning is a comprehensive process that involves developing strategies and plans to mitigate identified risks and ensure the client’s safety in various environments. It combines proactive and reactive measures, leverages technology, involves meticulous planning of routes and venues, includes emergency response protocols, and emphasizes client education.
The security planning process begins with a thorough risk assessment, which identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities that the client may face. This initial step provides the foundation for creating a comprehensive security plan tailored to the client’s specific needs and circumstances.
Transportation Security
Transportation security is a critical aspect of close protection services, ensuring the client’s safety while they are in transit. This involves a comprehensive approach that includes secure vehicles, trained drivers, route planning, and constant monitoring.
The foundation of transportation security begins with the use of secure vehicles. Depending on the level of risk, this may include armored vehicles designed to withstand various types of attacks, such as gunfire or explosives.
Trained drivers play a crucial role in transportation security. CPAs carrying out transportation security aren’t just skilled in conventional driving but are also trained in defensive and evasive driving techniques. These skills and specialized training allow them to react quickly and effectively in emergency cases.
Emergency Response
Emergency response in close protection services is a critical component that ensures the client’s safety during unforeseen and potentially dangerous situations. This involves a well-coordinated set of protocols and actions designed to address various types of emergencies swiftly and effectively.
The foundation of an effective emergency response is thorough preparation and planning. This begins with developing detailed emergency response plans that cover a wide range of scenarios, including medical emergencies, attacks, natural disasters, and other crises. These plans are tailored to the specific needs and risks associated with the client.
Surveillance
Surveillance in close protection services is a critical aspect that involves monitoring the surroundings for potential threats or suspicious activity. Effective surveillance ensures that any potential danger is identified and addressed before it can harm the client.
The three essential types of surveillance are:
- Static
- Mobile
- Technical
Static surveillance involves monitoring a fixed location, such as the client’s residence, workplace, or event venue. Then, there’s mobile surveillance, which entails following and monitoring a client’s movements. Finally, technical surveillance involves using advanced technology to gather information and monitor potential threats.
Providing the Best Close Protection Services
If you want to be a close protection services provider, you will need to develop unique skills and go through extensive training. Here is everything to know about providing the ultimate service and being the best at your position.
Training and Expertise
CPAs go through extensive training in defensive tactics, driving, first aid, risk management, conflict resolution, and more. Having a professional background in law enforcement or military service is usually a plus because it provides valuable experience.
Discretion and Professionalism
As a close protection professional, you will have to maintain a low profile and handle all of your duties with utmost discretion. You will need to blend into various environments to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
Technology Integration
As a CPA, you will have to use advanced technology on a daily basis, including GPS tracking, surveillance, and secure communication devices.
Client Relationships
One of the most important parts of your job and the only way to ensure longevity in the industry is by building client relationships. A good CPA will understand client preferences, routines, and special requirements so they can have a seamless and effective presence.
Choose EPI For Your Bodyguard Training
For decades, the Executive Protection Institute (EPI) has trained thousands of men and women to become trusted professionals in the field of protection. Our graduates know exactly what to do and when to do it, and they are now the trusted pros protecting world leaders, royalty, high net-worth families, executives, celebrities, and politicians.
EPI addresses every critical training need in the close protection profession, offering a wide variety of courses in multiple formats. Review the Providing Executive Protection 7-Day Program and feel free to contact us with any questions.
Train with some of the most experienced pros in the business. Contact us today to learn more details or find our courses here.