Making the choice to employ an executive protection team is a major decision, and one that has to be carefully considered and researched prior to undertaking, in order to avoid critical and costly flaws in a security program.

Normally, an executive protection option is considered when an organization plans to do business in a high-risk environment, or has recently received a threat or experienced a security incident that prompts a review of existing security levels.  Occasionally, a pro-active organization may recognize a risk potential prior to a major change in the business, for example, imminently bringing a controversial product to market, or closing a plant and laying off workers.

There are several considerations an organization should examine in coming to a decision on whether to implement an executive protection program.

First and foremost, executive protection is expensive.  A client seeking these services is well advised to conduct a thorough needs assessment and cost-benefit analysis.  In the southern Ontario market, close protection  officers might cost a client anywhere in the range of $15-$40/hour.  Depending on the risk level, a team could be as small as one person, or as large as several dozen, leading to hundreds or even thousands of person-hours to budget for.

Executive protection … is a risk mitigation technique

It is also important to understand that executive protection is not a 100% guarantee of personal safety.  It is a risk mitigation technique, designed to reduce a level of risk that has been properly analysed and assessed.  Although cost will be a major factor driving the security plan, it must also be remembered that any increase to overall security, even at a low cost, is better than none.

Ontario is a large market for security providers and there are many options for companies willing and able to provide executive protection services.  When searching for a security company to provide executive protection services, there are several considerations:

• Is the company licenced to provide security guard and private investigative services in Ontario?  The answer should always, always be yes.  An alternative is for the client to register with the Ministry of Public Safety and Correctional Services and employ licenced individual guards directly, as “in-house” close protection officers, but this may require a review or change to insurance and labour practices.
• What experience in close protection does the company and its employees have?  A high-risk client or a requirement for a larger security team will almost always require very experienced close protection operatives.  In particular, a team leader or person in charge of a close protection team should ideally have military, police or ample security experience, preferably in a high-threat environment, along with management skills needed to coordinate the team and logistics.
• Does the company have the necessary communications infrastructure already in place?  Large companies, particularly the international brand security firms, usually carry the latest equipment and technology, required for their existing operations.  Communications is essential in providing executive protection services, and the cost to the client will be lower when the provider already has the equipment in place.  This could include a radio system capable of digital or encrypted communication and GPS tracking devices.
• Does the company maintain their own intelligence or operations centre?  Information is another essential ingredient in a close protection recipe.  If the security company contracted to provide bodyguarding services is unable to gather and disseminate timely threat information, or coordinate a response to a threat or incident, chances are the client is not getting the level of protection they need.
• What weapons or tactics will the company equip its personnel with?  In Ontario, the use of firearms for private security companies does not extend to personal protection.  A security provider offering armed guarding services for executive protection is doing so illegally.  However, the use of expandable batons may be authorized by the Ministry, subject to conditions.  Most executive protection in Ontario is “unarmed” and therefore operatives should have sound base training in empty hand control tactics.   Their guards should preferably be trained by a police officer, as the tactics are more suited to this environment than, say, a military close quarter battle instructor.  In any event, the goal is normally not to engage a threat, but to neutralize or evade it and bring the client to safety. 

In summary, including executive protection in a security plan will require comprehensive due diligence on the part of the client in assessing the needs, and assessing the provider.

Although the general threat conditions to executives remain low in North America, risks to exist and incidents do occur.   While the risk can never be eliminated completely, executive protection is a significant tool to employ to reduce any risks to near-zero.