VIP Treatment

Nov 1, 2005 12:00 PM, By Erin Semple

A terminated employee threatens upper management, vowing to return and kill his supervisor. Working with the local police and company security personnel, an executive protection firm is hired, and officers are placed on site. The terminated employee returns and is met by protection officers. After making threatening comments towards company executives, and based on observations and intelligence, the former employee is arrested, and no injuries result.

Such circumstances are not uncommon in the corporate environment, and they serve to emphasize the important role of executive protection in modern companies. Whether it is a rock star or a CEO, protection involves risk assessment, planning and the benefit of experience.

“Executive protection services include a comprehensive review of clients, observation and analysis of their daily routine, assessment of office and home security, surveillance detection, route analysis, review of all information available about the client through public sources, and recommendations to limit accessibility of publicly available information,” says Michael McCann, president of McCann Protective Services. McCann is among the companies that offer discreet and customized security services for the diplomatic community, corporate executives, celebrities and their families. “Our protective travel arrangements include threat and risk assessment of upcoming travel,” McCann adds. “We review crisis management and emergency plans. Our training for the client and their family includes a security awareness program.”

McCann, president of McCann Protective Services, New York. McCann is among the companies that offer discreet and customized security services for the diplomatic community, corporate executives, celebrities and their families. “Our protective travel arrangements include threat and risk assessment of upcoming travel,” McCann adds. “We review crisis management and emergency plans. Our training includes a security awareness program.”

McCann Protective Services also has the capability to conduct sensitive and confidential investigations. “We conduct counter-electronic security surveys of office and corporate meeting venues,” he continues. “Regarding network security, we engage in network penetration testing, network vulnerability assessments and computer investigations.”

As chief of security at the United Nations, McCann formerly was responsible for protecting delegates, staff, visiting dignitaries and other visitors at U.N. headquarters and at the organization's conferences and meetings. As a former commanding officer of New York City's 25th Police Precinct, McCann was responsible for all police service in East Harlem. He was also in charge of the Intelligence Division's Dignitary Protection Unit and Threat Assessment Unit, which are responsible for the protection of national and international officials visiting New York City.

When executive protection is needed, McCann recommends using a company that can provide low-profile services. The company needs to have the background and experience to do an assessment to find weaknesses and address them, he says. Clients need to accurately, and in great detail, describe the purpose of their request for services. Is it based upon a specific threat? Is it due to general concern, or is it because of the high-profile nature of their business or recent media attention that necessitates the services?

Upon engagement, the company conducts a complete assessment of the client's daily routine and designs a program to specifically address the identified vulnerabilities, he continues. “Our client is briefed on our plan of action and, once approved, will be briefed on our response to any encounters and, as importantly, what they should do. The client's family is also briefed about how to identify suspicious activity near the home and about appropriate process regarding the receipt of packages, mail and telephone calls. Our protection services include assigning executive protection officers, conducting counter-surveillance and training the client and their family on living securely.”

He adds: “We do not use bodyguards that bring attention to themselves or the client, by nature of their size, disposition or actions. Officers are usually off-duty law enforcement officers who are thoroughly familiar with the area where the client works, resides and travels. They use non-descript vehicles and dress according to the setting.”

Law enforcement experience

One should research an executive protection company before choosing who to hire, says Thomas Kennedy, senior vice president of the executive protection services of Vance International, Oakton, Va. “It is important that you deal with a reputable firm, insured and licensed to operate in the areas they're being used in,” Kennedy says. “You want a firm that's seasoned in protecting individuals that can provide a customized protection strategy depending upon the individual being protected, the country where the individual lives, and especially the issues surrounding his or her company or organization.”

Vance recruits agents carefully and trains them rigorously using methods derived from government agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service and British Special Forces, Kennedy says.

Vance consultants develop strategies to address the following security issues and concerns: threat assessment, deterrents or responses, emergency plans, communications and background investigations. “Business executives, diplomats and other at-risk individuals and their families face possible threats at work, at home, or when traveling — especially in high-risk countries,” says Kennedy, who previously served as the corporate chief of IT security for a Fortune 500 Company.

Vance's consultants and operational personnel have experience as former law enforcement officers within federal agencies, the military and private sector firms, and they have undertaken assignments in more than 80 countries. Vance Executive Protection agents receive training in logistics and protective operations, weapons proficiency, emergency medical response, evasive driving, tactical communications, surveillance recognition and special intelligence.

“A security company considers many factors when matching an agent with an executive,” Kennedy says. “They include the nature of the engagement, the issues involved and the personality and the lifestyle of the executive. The key to a successful engagement is to allow the principal to go about their business without feeling that their freedom is totally surrendered.”

From training to armored cars

Training is an important component of executive protection. R.L. Oatman and Associates Inc., Towson, Md., teaches basic and advanced executive protection skills in two-day and seven-day programs. In the training classes, Oatman sees customers from Fortune 100 companies, the military, private families and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

The company has conducted executive protection training since 1994 and has provided executive protection services since 1989, says Bob Oatman, president.

Consulting services provided by the firm include conducting a full-scale risk assessment and developing a protective program. The company provides personnel support, investigative assistance and security advice and assessments to a number of international corporations.

“Corporations and private citizens who need this type of service should do their homework,” Oatman says. “You do not hire a contractor without making sure they possess the proper insurance and licensing. Ask the right questions: Are you licensed in the state you are working? Do you have liability insurance? Do you have worker's compensation?”

The company meets with the client and gathers the facts so that a proper risk assessment can be made. Using this risk assessment model, they determine the necessary level of protection. “We represent decades of law enforcement experience, tempered by many years of private sector operations in the United States and abroad,” Oatman says.

The firm also owns light-armored vehicles, rated for protection against handgun attacks. The company uses the vehicles in protective assignments and makes them available to third-party protective details and clients under short- and long-term leasing arrangements.

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ABOUT THE COMPANIES

For information, circle the Reader Service number (listed below) or visit securitysolutions.com

McCann Protective Services	50
R.L. Oatman and Associates Inc.	51
Vance International	52

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