Thanksgiving Trips and Social Media

We’ve seen the posts of the selfie in the car on the way to NY to see your parents. But did you know 78% of thieves use trips and social media?

It’s bad enough that we STILL have to deal with covid, why add a ransacked home to the list? 

thanksgiving trips and social media

Thanksgiving Trips and Social Media

Don’t believe that social media and home break-ins are related?
Google “home break-ins from Facebook posts” and you’ll get over 13 million search results. TV reports, newspaper reports, personal blogs…it’s a long list.
Because it happens all too frequently.

Thanksgiving Trips and Social Media

A recent segment on CNN discusses the risks that you may be taking while updating your Facebook status. You don’t know who is looking at your private information because it’s truly not private – it’s public. They told a story about a woman who found this out the hard way after she posted a simple status message on Facebook that she was going to see a band with her fiancé. It only took the burglars calling the venue to find out what time the show was to let them know when they could break into her home. The burglars showed up 35 minutes after she left for the concert.
thanksgiving trips ans social mediaYou’ve seen the post on Facebook: A friend at the airport, pictures of the departure board. She posts a selfie, all excited for a family reunion over the holidays with the text, “Heading off for Thanksgiving! See you next week!”
What’s wrong with that picture?
Did she really want anyone to know her house would be empty for the next 5 days?
There’s nothing wrong with keeping in touch with your family and friends on social media. But if you’re not careful, the wrong people could be looking at your check-ins, status updates, tweets and other social media posts.
Those “wrong people” would be the burglars, thieves, stalkers and other criminals. According to one recent survey, more than 75 percent of convicted burglars admitted that they use social media posts combined with Google street view to target victims.

Thanksgiving Trips and Social Media

Don’t be a victim! – 5 Ways to be more careful

Limit Revealing Posts

facebookWe get it. You are having a blast and you want the world to know it, but you will settle for your friends and family and post away on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more…. but here at ESS Global, we strongly suggest against sharing your activity outside your home in real time.
Remember the days when we used cameras, then came home and waited days for the pictures to be developed at the drugstore? It’s a bit easier now, but wait until you are home to share your event or vacation stories on social media.
Or at least get a house sitter.

Location Sharing Service and Applications

girl-926622_1280If you use mobile apps that include location sharing features, such as Facebook, get to know the privacy features and use them. Make sure your phone isn’t syncing up with other social networks that aren’t as private. If they do, you might be broadcasting your location to people you don’t even know.
One example of this is when you post a picture to Instagram, your location data is shared with Facebook. Get the picture?
To be even safer, turn off your GPS when you don’t need it. And that includes inside your home.

Pictures

Taking a picture of the nice new car you bought? With your home sitting right behind it? Great. Now take a pic of the house clearly. Post it on Facebook…then hover over it and right click and “search google for this image”.
And you will never ever post a picture of your house again. It’s that easy. That’s why thieves love street view.
And again…when you are away from home, try to resist the urge to post that picture of the Grand Canyon. Or the Thanksgiving turkey at your mom’s house.

Which Leads us to Reverse Image Search

google-logo-newSo perhaps you have decided a blog is a better way to go. You can use a different name and have some anonymity. But maybe you post the same image in a different post on Twitter….or Facebook.
Now…if I fall across your blog aptly named Superstar, and right click that image to do a “Search Google for this image”, BOOM! I see Google found that very same image on your Facebook page. Now I know your username!
From there they have your real name or can easily piece together your real name and then all they have to do is pop it into a people-search directory to come up with your home address.
Done.

A Friend of a Friend of a….

trips and social mediaEven if your profiles are private, you still need to be careful about what you post. Not every person on your friends list is someone you can necessarily trust, especially if you “friend” people who you don’t know in real life.
Also, depending on your settings, friends of friends of friends might be able to see your post when they have liked or commented on it.
So friend A likes or comments on your post. Now, A’s friends B – Z see that in their feed…and from there it can multiply. So your post can be seen by virtually everyone and anyone.
So even if your settings are private, watch what you post.
According to the Pew Research Center, 92% of those surveyed post their full, real name on social media. Eighty-two percent post their birthday and 71% post the name of the city they live in. Individually, these pieces of information aren’t terribly harmful. However, when a thief knows your name, birthday and city of residence it’s not that hard at all to get your address.
We understand that most people want to use their full name on their social media profiles, even though that’s not the absolute safest course of action.
But at the very least you shouldn’t post your birthday or your location.

Bonus – Hashtags

Thieves love hashtags. Like #VacationTime or #Vacation. They target these hashtags to discover when people are away from home.

You wouldn’t put a sign out in front of your home saying “Away For a Week”, why would you do that digitally?

There’s no need to totally abandon your social media profiles. Just be careful and be aware of what you’re posting. Done correctly, your social media profiles can send a clear message:
#NoToThieves.

Have a Happy and SAFE Thanksgiving!

What is Executive Protection – What You Need to Know – ESS

What is Executive Protection and how does it differ from hiring a bodyguard? What you need to know before hiring an executive protection specialist.

What is Executive Protection – What You Need to Know – ESS

There is a difference between bodyguards and executive protection strategies.
Executive protection (EP), also known as close protection, refers to security measures taken to ensure the safety of VIPs. celebrities, executives or other individuals who may be exposed to elevated personal risk because of their employment, celebrity status, wealth, associations or geographical location.
Executive protection is its own highly specialized field within the private security industry, and was started by the US Secret Service back in the 1970’s while protecting foreign dignitaries.

Executive Protection Services from ESS GlobalWhat is Executive Protection and how does it differ from hiring a bodyguard?

What is Executive Protection and how important is it? Unfortunately, all it takes is a very bad event to answer that question. And that is primarily where executive protection varies from hiring a bodyguard. While having a bodyguard with an NFL physique open your limo door looks imposing, executive protection requires risk assessment, advance work and lot’s of legwork to insure all goes according to plan.

What is Executive Protection? Mitigating Risk

The assessment of risk probability for any VIP is affected by a number of details. While some truly are industry secrets, there are 3 probabilities we can discuss here, that a typical “bodyguard” would never be trained on.
Specific Threats
Specific threats to the principal and his/her family from “persons of interest” need to be perceived and analyzed to keep the principals safe now and in the future. It should be no surprise that those who pose the biggest threats are rarely those who end up making direct threats. This mean that assessing risk entails more than recording actual threats. It should also encompass proactive intelligence to identify both probable and possible threats from persons and groups of interest. 
motorcade training in tampa bayTraffic
For some reason, crime, terrorism, kidnapping and traffic risks are perceived to be greater in certain cities or countries. A jeweler traveling to Caracas is perceived to be at greater risk than traveling to Chicago. Perhaps, but risk is everywhere. And while we are on the topic of travel, do you know the greatest single risk in travel? Getting seriously hurt in a road accident while driving a car. Secure transportation is a very important component of executive protection.
Prominence
The third key indicator of risk probability is prominence. The more well known the principal is, the more likely they are to be approached by “persons of interest”. These interactions can range from slight to enormous invasions of privacy. They can be largely innocuous, or incredibly hostile. For celebrities, it can be over zealous fans. For other industries, say politicians, oil executives, religious speakers and other polarizing individuals, the risk of threat is higher.

Executive Protection and Bodyguards are Night and Day

Most bodyguards wonder “What is Executive Protection?” Why? Most bodyguards have never heard such words as Threat Assessment, Advance Tactics, Route Reconnaissance, Embus and Debus plans, Area Surveillance, Movement Safety, etc. These guys usually show up on the day of an event/gig and depend on physical deterrence. The problem with that is, there is usually someone in the crowd that no matter how big you are, they will still try something foolish. Many times purposely, in an effort to get your hands on them and then collect a payday in the form of a lawsuit or out of court settlement/payoff.
In the protection industry, there is no “license”, no testing, and no boards in most states. Executive Protection is usually lumped into the same category as Security Guards or Private Investigation and has little to do with either. Yet we see training to earn your “certified protection specialist credentials” advertised online. Unfortunately, nobody is regulating these schools, training centers and trainers. Meaning, nobody regulates or monitors what is taught and who is teaching it. Anybody off the street could be teaching you false and/or misleading information and you are paying for it. So your “protection credentials” at the end of the day is a piece of paper from the trainer and nothing more.

We Hire From Our Own School

This is exactly where ESS Global Executive Protection School differs. We are licensed and our curriculum and instructors are all regulated and monitored by the D.O.E. And, only a few elite schools are D.O.E. approved and certified for executive protection. ESS has the only Executive Protection School in Florida, that is certified and approved by the D.O.E.

What You Need to Know About Executive Protection

New Challenges
executive protection - things can change rapidly Executive Protection Specialists that are responsible for the safety and security of VIPs, corporate executives, politicians, celebrities and others are facing new challenges. These challenges are created by a shift in how these principals are viewed by society at large.  Now, in the age of social media, VIPs can face near instant criticism and scorn for what others may deem a controversial position or statement, and in mere minutes, that criticism can reach hundreds of thousands of people. With a negative message getting vaulted into cyberspace, a principal can be confronted with a serious risk from lone activists and fringe groups who are determined to use extreme means to make an example of corporations, political beliefs, or celebrities which they suddenly perceive in a negative light.

Executive Protection – It’s All in the Assessment

Executive protection risk analysisThe first step in hiring an Executive Protection Firm is a Risk Assessment. This assessment process gauges the Threat/Vulnerability/Risk issues, factoring in such priorities as the type of industry that the principal is in, the notoriety, and the opposition groups/people they may encounter. This is a time-intensive and in-depth process that should be managed by a professional with experience in VIP risk assessment.  Very often, an outside consultation firm like ESS Global Corp, is the best option for managing this process.  ESS will give you an objective assessment of the most pertinent issues that your Executive Protection program will need to focus on.
Once the assessment phase is complete a program outline is then developed based on the threats/vulnerabilities/risks that were identified.  This program outline will address the identified issues through a spectrum of risk mitigation strategies intended to be cost-effective and proactively efficient. Although every situation is unique, there are mitigation strategies that are common to most all of them, such as the use of trained security drivers, protective intelligence gathering/analysis, embus and debus procedures, plans for public and private events, surveillance detection programs, and executive protection. These mitigation strategies require an understanding of the implications that come with them.

Good protective work is seldom seen, but always present. To learn more about ESS Global Executive Protection and VIP Protection, contact us today.

executive protection - for the familyWhen it comes to your security and the safety of your family, never accept “security” that compromises your protection by putting you in the hands of untrained personnel. Our close protection personnel are ideal for executives, executive teams, celebrities, athletes, politicians, musicians, dignitaries, and other individuals and families that need protection for an event, a venue, travel, a meeting, or 24/7, to protect privacy, family, careers and overall safety and well-being.
Email info@essglobalcorp.com

727-940-7926

Class “G” Re-Qualification 4 Hour Course in Tampa August 8

Class “G” Re-Qualification 4 Hour Course in Tampa August 8 – Florida Class G Statewide Firearm License Recertification Course from ESS Global.

Class “G” Re-Qualification 4 Hour Course in Tampa August 8

Class G Re-Qualification 4 Hour Course in Tampa Aug 2022
INTRODUCTION
It is ESS Global Corporation’s top priority to ensure our customers complete our courses with the highest quality and thorough training available, and the most up to date information. Our firearms instructor comes to the table with 40 plus years of experience in the security industry.
As per Florida State Chapter 493 provision, all Florida License “G” Armed Security Officers must re-qualify, at least once a year, by training and being evaluated on their use of a handgun.
The licensee must also submit proof that a minimum of four hours of firearms re-certification training, taught by a Class “K” licensee, has been received for that year of the license period.
This proof is done by turning in form # 16005 CERTIFICATE OF FIREARMS PROFICIENCY FOR STATEWIDE FIREARM LICENSE (given to the student by the instructor) to the Division of Licensing upon completion, but before certified date, of the four-hour course.
Class G Re-Qualification 4 Hour Course in Tampa August
Program Description
The 4-hour course will consist of classroom time, testing, review and range time.
Classroom: Two hours of class will be given according to regulations. There is a mandatory class curriculum that will be conducted during this period. The student is asked to bring their firearm to the classroom unloaded along with duty belt if applicable, a minimum of two speed loaders or two magazines as appropriate as there will be dry fire practice.
Test and Review: A 25 question written test will be administered after the class curriculum is done. The student will have up to one hour to complete the exam and will need a grade of 70% or higher to pass. A short review of correct answers will follow examination.
Range Time: Your course of fire shall consist of 48 rounds. Your minimum acceptable score on the range course will be 168 points of a possible 240. You will be allowed to make three attempts at achieving a passing score of 70% (168 points) or greater. If you qualify on the first pass, you will not need to fire the additional two.
COURSE PRICE 
The cost of the course is $90 and includes course materials, range fees, targets, eyes and ears. 
Sign Up HERE

Access our calendar of events.

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Executive Protection Training Approved by VA to Accept GI Bill Benefits

Looking for a new career? ESS Global Corp in Tampa provides Executive Protection Training approved by VA to Accept GI Bill Benefits. Call Today.

Executive Protection Training Approved by VA to Accept GI Bill Benefits – ESS

3 Valid Reasons to Register for Executive Protection Training at ESS Global

  • Approved by the VA to accept GI Bill Benefits – As of December 23, 2016, ESS Global is a VA approved training facility and can accept GI Bill Benefits. This makes us one of only 3 known Executive Protection Schools approved for GI Bill Benefits in the U.S. at that time. ‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”

This may matter to you.

  • D.O.E Approved Executive Protection Training – Again, we are one of only two known schools that have been approved by the D.O.E. In most every state, there is no oversight, no boards, no licenses. So no one oversees the trainers or what is being taught. With Department of Education oversight, you know the trainers and curriculum have had another set of eyes approve the training and the trainers.

This protection is for you.

  • Real World Experience – In the world of close protection training, sometimes a school is just that. A school. They may have been active at one point, but not now. ESS Global has current real world experience in over 60 countries, and at any given moment is currently on detail, protecting someone from harm.

And this matters to everyone.

ESS Global, Executive Protection Training approved by the VA to accept GI Bill Benefits, approved by the Department of Education, Real-World Experience. 

Why would you train anywhere else?

virtra-simulator-for-active-shooter-in-ess-executive-protection-trainingAdditionally, Not only is ESS Executive Protection Training approved by VA to accept GI Bill Benefits. Not only is ESS approved by the D.O.E. Not only do we have current real-world experience.

ESS Global is the only Executive Protection School making use of the VirTra Simulator here in Tampa Florida and 1 of only 2 pubic installations of the VirTra (Virtual Training) in the entire country for “active shooter training”

Executive Protection Training in Tampa

Executive Protection Training Approved by VA to Accept GI Bill Benefits – Note that anyone (not just Veterans) can take this month-long training.

This is the Big One. The Mega Course – All-In-One Training. Everything we have in a month long course that now qualifies for GI Bill Benefits.

All-In-One Mega Course in Tampa

GI Bill Approved Executive Protection Training July

This course is exactly what it sounds like, all of our courses in one mega-course!

You will receive over 300 hours of elite close protection instruction and training from top industry professionals that we use as our instructors.  You will learn from the best!  Our instructors do not just teach, but they are all extremely active in the industry.  Each instructor has years of experience in the industry while most have worked both domestically and internationally under threat levels ranging from “negligible” to “imminent”.

Please note that this course is only for those who are serious about making Executive Protection a career.  Our curriculum covers everything you will need to know to be effective in the Executive Protection industry.  Furthermore, our curriculum was created from the knowledge and real life experiences of our agents and instructors and has been approved by the Department of Education.

Additionally, this All-In-One Course is approved by the VA and we can accept GI Bill Benefits.

Upon completion of this rigorous course, each student will receive 16 certifications;

  • executive protection schools - VA Approved to accept GI Bill BenefitsExecutive Protection Certification
  • Advanced Executive Protection Certification
  • Threat Assessment & Security Advance Tactics Certification
  • Motorcade Tactics Certification
  • Defensive Tactics Certification
  • Situational Awareness and Psychological Profiling 
  • CPR/AED Certification
  • Florida Concealed Weapons Certification (May be used to obtain CWP license)
  • Firearms Safety/Dry Fire Training and Methodology
  • Collapsible Baton ASP Certification
  • OC Spray Certification
  • ASP Handcuffing Certification
  • ASP Tactical Flashlight Certification
  • Conductive Energy Weapon (CEW) Phazzer Certification 
  • D License Certification (Unarmed Security Officer)
  • G License Certification (Armed Security Officer)

All-In-One Mega Executive Protection Course in Tampa

This course involves both classroom and practical exercises.  Everything we cover in the classroom will also be covered in a hands-on environment. You will spend as much time on practical exercises as you will in the classroom.  Each section of this course will be taught by an instructor who specializes in that area of the industry and you will be tested on your retention in the classroom as well as practical exams.  Once the course work is completed, you will be required to put everything you have learned into action.  Your final exam will be a live exercise in which you will carry out the duties of a live detail with a client.

Course Details

You will be taught topics such as Client interviewing, Threat Assessment, Security Advance Tactics, Motorcade Tactics, Defensive Tactics, Firearm Safety, Cleaning/Storage of Firearms, Concealed Carry Laws, First Aid/CPR, Protocol Domestic/International (Business Etiquette) and everything in-between.  You may read the class descriptions of our short courses under the Courses/Training tab to get more details.

Tuition Includes:

  • Course Materials (Text Book, Hand Outs, etc)
  • Instructor Fees & Range Fees
  • Gym Membership
  • ESS Global Corp Polos (2), T-Shirts (2) and Hat (1)
  • Diploma/Certification Costs
  • Graduation and Class Pictures
  • Graduation Dinner/Lunch

SIGN UP TODAY!

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Florida Defensive Tactics training in TampaIf you are serious about the Executive Protection Industry, choose a school that is serious. 

ESS Global Corp.

Updated ESS Global Event Calendar

https://esecurityspecialist.com/calendarFor Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments.  For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

  • Executive Protection Training approved by the VA to accept GI Bill BenefitsExecutive Protection Training approved by the VA to accept GI Bill Benefits
  • Executive Protection Training approved by the D.O.E.
  • Executive Protection Training with Real-World Current Experience
  • Executive Protection Training with VirTra Active Shooter Training

Again, why would you go anywhere else?

727-940-7926

info@essglobalcorp.com

Close Protection Training – Accepting GI Bill® Benefits

Close Protection Training – Accepting GI Bill® Benefits March 1-28  While some may call you a bodyguard, we prefer Executive Protection. 

Close Protection Training

If you have read our in-depth EP Guide highlighting everything you need to know about working in the close protection security industry, we have two courses to fit your needs.
There is a Fast Start 3- Day Training that some use as a refresher course, and a 28-Day MEGA Executive Protection Class for those that are serious about a career in the Close Protection Industry.
Both these classes are Florida D.O.E. Approved and both accept GI Bill® Benefits.

Our ESS Global 3-Day Fast Start Executive Protection Training is designed for career veterans as a “refresher”, or a “must-have” for beginners in the world of executive/close protection. This D.O.E. Certified Executive Protection Training gives you a strong start in the security industry covering city, county and state government organizations, corporate security services, security agencies and private individuals.
For those that are serious about beginning a new career…

The ESS 28-Day Executive Protection MEGA Training

Close Protection Training – Accepting GI Bill® Benefits

The ESS Global 28-Day Executive Protection “Mega” Course is a series of comprehensive protection training modules developed by ESS Global and approved the Florida D.O.E. This month-long executive protection training is for civilians, law enforcement and military personnel who wish to pursue a career in corporate security or protective services domestically or abroad.

The ESS Global “Mega” Executive Protection Training includes;

  • Executive Protection Certification
  • Advanced Executive Protection Certification
  • Threat Assessment & Security Advance Tactics Certification
  • Motorcade Tactics Certification
  • Defensive Tactics Certification
  • CPR/AED Certification
  • Florida Concealed Weapons Certification (May be used to obtain CWP license)
  • Firearms Safety/Dry Fire Training and Methodology 
  • Collapsible Baton ASP Certification
  • OC Spray Certification GI Bill Approved Close Protection Training - ASP Certifications
  • ASP Handcuffing Certification
  • ASP Flashlight Training Certification
  • Conductive Energy Weapon Certification (Phazzer) 
  • D License Certification (Unarmed Security Officer)
  • G License Certification (Armed Security Officer)

Close Protection Training - Accepting GI Bill® BenefitsIn this month-long close protection course, you will receive over 300+ hours of elite executive protection instruction and training from top industry professionals that we use as our instructors.  You will learn from the very best!

Register For the 28-Day Mega Course

See All Our Training Classes

See You Soon. Until Then, Be Safe.

For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments.  For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form. Please see 38 USC 3679(e) for complete details.
 GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill