Security specialists are tasked with defending their clients from threats, often without knowing when or where these dangers will strike. Every location, residence, travel route, and public appearance could potentially be targeted for kidnapping, assault, or assassination attempts. To mitigate these risks, security firms must monitor the right areas, identify the correct vulnerability, and safeguard their clients from all angles.
The question is, how do they anticipate and neutralize potential risks before these materialize? Protective intelligence is the key.
What is protective intelligence?
Protective intelligence involves collecting data from various sources — both digital and physical — to build a comprehensive understanding of the risks an executive may face. Security teams will analyze patterns, behaviors, and vulnerabilities to create a threat profile that will inform their protective strategies and put them in the best position to keep their client safe.
How does protective intelligence work?
Protective intelligence is built on several core strategies and techniques, all designed to enhance executive safety by addressing potential threats from every angle:
Information gathering
Different executives have different threat profiles and vulnerabilities, depending on their industry, position, and public image. For example, a client with a high-profile public persona may have different risks compared to a business executive who travels frequently for mergers and acquisitions.
Security teams will draw information from open-source intelligence social media data, online chatter, news outlets, public records, and social discourse from contacts on the ground. If permitted, they may even research the client’s background, business dealings, personal
Information gathering
Threat assessments involve analyzing the data to determine which risks are most likely to occur and which ones to prioritize. Activities involving public appearances, travel, and other high-risk events will receive more attention since they present more opportunities for a potential attack. If the executive is traveling on open roads, for example, the threat of an ambush or a vehicle attack may be higher. Alternatively, if the executive has a large social media presence, the risk of doxing or online harassment may be more significant, and security measures will be put in place to mitigate these threats.
Intelligence briefings
Security teams will report on their findings and provide recommendations to the client periodically. These briefings will give the executive an understanding of potential risks, educate them on protective strategies, and allow them to make informed decisions about their safety. Briefings may also include updates on any new threats that have surfaced and changes in ongoing security measures.
Surveillance and protection
Based on intel, security teams can then implement measures to protect their clients. For residences and static locations, this may involve installing security cameras, access control systems, and trained personnel to monitor the premises. Digital surveillance in the form of online monitoring and tracking can also be used to monitor potential threats and track any suspicious activity online. Meanwhile, for dynamic events, security teams may develop close protection plans, implement strict travel itineraries, and deploy armed security in high-risk locations.
Benefits of protective intelligence for executive safety
Protective intelligence offers many benefits that make it indispensable for executive security. Here’s how it enhances safety and mitigates ris
Proactive threat management
With protective intelligence, security teams can identify and mitigate risks before they turn into life-threatening situations. Protective intelligence can indicate vulnerable points in a location from site surveys as well as profiles of potential attackers from open-source intelligence and social media forums. From there, security teams can address security concerns beforehand with de-escalation and deterrence tactics such as fortifying perimeters, screening visitors, and escorting the executive to a secure location.
Greater situational and tactical awareness
Protective intelligence allows close protection teams to have a more comprehensive understanding of their surroundings at all times. They’ll know where to look for potential threats, what to look out for, and how to act should an emergency occur. Intelligence briefings may outline evacuation procedures, threat neutralization, extraction points, and communication protocols. These crucial bits of intel are enough to give protection specialists a few more seconds to react effectively, which could mean the difference between life and death.
Informed decision-making
When security teams have access to comprehensive data and analysis, they can make more informed decisions and strategies to best protect their client. It also helps teams prioritize and allocate resources more efficiently. Rather than wasting time, personnel, technology investments, and security equipment defending against low-risk scenarios, protective intelligence allows teams to focus on the most likely and critical threats.
Informed decision-making
Executives who are briefed on potential risks and armed with strategies to counter them will feel more comfortable knowing that their security teams are actively working to keep them safe. They can go about their daily activities without fear and know what to expect in case of an emergency. Having confidence in their security team’s abilities means executives can focus on their work and personal lives without constant worry.
Aspis Protection Service is dedicated to providing top-notch protective intelligence services executives can rely on. Our team of highly trained professionals has extensive experience in threat assessment, intelligence gathering, counter surveillance, close protection, and more to keep executives safe and secure. Contact us today for superior protection.