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.
What 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.
Traffic
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 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
The 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.
When 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
In essence, they all represent the same idea. That is to identify and mitigate threats to personal and/or family safety. And it’s what we do here at ESS Global. ESS has provided personal and corporate security details in over 60 countries. And with our corporate office in Tampa, Florida is our backyard.
Divorces and domestic disputes is another reason protection services are used. Sometimes when spouses split up, the potential for violence exists. Either party to the divorce may enlist the services of a personal close protection expert if the other has threatened to harm them. In the case of domestic disputes, many security agencies are called upon to provide a level of protection to those who fear retribution from a threatening, violent or otherwise unpredictable ex-partner. If you feel that your safety is threatened by anyone you know, regardless of your relationship with them, hiring executive security can be one way to find some peace and normality until the issue is resolved.
Travel, especially if it’s out of the country. People often hire close personal protection for business and personal trips they make. Whether you are traveling outside of the country, or going to a high-dollar business meetings, the services of a protection specialist may be called upon. And it’s not just the usual hotspots you need to worry about. People traveling to Europe, India and other places that used to be considered safe are calling security firms like ESS Global Corp to ensure their safety abroad.
To the average person watching TV or a Hollywood movie, close protection is often seen as a “perk” of the “rich and famous”.
And what about outside the home? That’s when you are most vulnerable . That fancy home security system doesn’t protect you when traveling. or when your children go to school.
The “process” of security is all around us. Bank guards, bar bouncers, lobby security guards, even school crossing guards remind us about this process every day.
Again, the starting point for any serious risk mitigation efforts is a professional threat analysis. Unless you fully comprehend the threats facing you as well as your vulnerabilities to these identified threats, you have no way of assessing your risk. Consequently, you’ll have no understanding how to mitigate them.
Whether they’ve made their fortune in high profile fields such as the entertainment industry, or sports, or are powerful players in closely-scrutinized industries or any other reason, families and individuals want privacy. And while “fame” might be seen by some as a “perk”, the bottom line is the more well-known a person or family member is, the more likely they are to be approached by strangers.
ESS Global provides armed and unarmed Security Guards in Orlando to business and organizations of every type; Banks, Housing Authorities and 
And you’ll quickly realize why ESS is the leader in close protection, bodyguard, and executive protection services in Florida.
Celebrities – Celebrities are well known, and sometimes they are not liked by everyone. Worse, it may not just be individuals that hate, but they may be “over-liked” by zealous fans as well.
There are many reasons why you may be looking for bodyguards in Tampa, or anywhere here in Florida. 
ESS Global personnel go through exhaustive executive protection training such as high risk defensive driving, logistical and travel planning, crisis management, emergency coordination, threat assessment, hand to hand combat, first aid and other disciplines that provide you with the safety and comfort you deserve.
International Protection – Sure, we love to work in Florida, it’s our backyard. So we know the lay of the land with regards to Executive Protection, Celebrity Security and Bodyguard Service in Florida. But it’s important to note that with international security projects in over 50 countries, the “global” in ESS Global Corporation is “global security” for real. If you are headed out of the country, we are prepared to keep you safe every step of the way.
Choosing The Best– Fact: ESS Global Corporation also runs a Close Protection School. ESS Global Corp is the only Protection School in the state of Florida that is licensed and approved by the Department of Education. This is a well-known fact in the security business. So the best candidates know where to go to get world-class training. And we get to see those agents every day during training, offering positions to the best of the best in each and every class, providing a consistent level of quality, awareness and skills that other security companies never attain because they never know the agent’s skill set until they are out in the field. In the Close Protection industry, that can be dangerous.
Celebrity Bodyguards– ESS has protected celebrities, athletes, public speakers and individuals from all walks of life across the US and throughout the world. So whether it’s the red carpet in Los Angeles, a venue in Las Vegas, a business meeting in Chicago, a concert in Detroit, a promotional event in Dallas, a speaking engagement in Orlando, or a photo op in Tampa, we have you covered.
We were out on an assignment where there were executive protection agents from more than one agency, and are on a private jet somewhere over Europe on the way back to California. And the client we were charged with protecting is pacing around the cabin looking for a magazine. Looking behind the bar, moving the snacks. “Where is my magazine?”
And for good reason. You don’t touch client belongings.
If you have read the 
The protection of your residence, work-place or temporary accommodation such as a hotel, is an integral part of our Close Protection. No individual should feel vulnerable in their own home, but unfortunately, being in the public eye and/or enjoying wealth and success, attracts a certain level of threat and unwanted attention.
Our role is to ensure that your privacy is maintained at all times and always to the highest CP/EP standards. Red carpet, VIP and premier events, concerts, speaking engagements and more are no exception. ESS Global Agents will ensure that fans/press/paparazzi is kept within a distance that you require, and your safety with public interaction is maintained at all times. With ESS Close Protection Security Personnel, each individual trip is meticulously planned by an advance crew and executed to your exact requirements.
A high net-worth individual, company executive or business owner needs a trusted Close Protection / Executive Protection agency to look after their every need. ESS Global picks its own agents after a stringent training process and diligent background checks, ensuring all our personnel are vetted to the highest standards. For business clients wanting a service from home to any location in the world, ESS Global will manage this entire process and ensure you are brought back safe and sound. Once we understand your needs we will coordinate and manage this entire process for you.
Whether you (and your family) are embarking on a business trip, personal vacation or short breather, ESS can deliver the very best close protection security services to you and your party, at any international location. It may be a specialized shopping trip, night out at a high class restaurant, a trip to a top casino, or more. Your requirements will be discussed prior to the event and a detailed execution will be carried out to fit seamlessly with your time frames.
We understand that your family is your number one priority, and with ESS Global we can ensure that they are our number one priority as well. Whether it is delivery to and from school, work, or a regular daily route, we will make sure that your loved ones have the benefit of a full security chaperon service. Invest in a secure lifestyle and feel safe in the knowledge that security for your loved ones is our top priority.