CircuitThe

£4.50/$8 Circuit

A Quarterly publication from the British and North American Bodyguard Association A Quarterly publication from the British and North American Bodyguard Association

The Magazine for Security Professionals

WINTER2 0 1 0 / 1 1

£4.50/$8

Cover:

TERROR IN THE SKIES the Cargo Plane Bomb

hidden in a toner cartridge

BLOOD SWEAT AND YEARS The Israeli Approach to cope better

with Homeland Security issues

ROUGH INJUSTICE “My name is Philip Young

and I am a South African citizen incarcerated in Afghanistan”

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CAREER IN CLOSE PROTECTION?

G4S Specialist Training’s Phoenix Close Protection course is

accredited by the SIA

THE FUTURE OF SECURITY REGULATION

It’s no secret that the coalition government had wanted to

abolish the SIA

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It is now something of an open secret that the coalition government had wanted to abolish

the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and deregulate the industry. It was only the reaction to the documents leaked to the BBC by a number of security industry bodies that influenced the government. The current situation is that the SIA will be subject to a “phased transition to a new regulatory regime”.

The first thing that should be stressed to any individuals or companies operating in the licensed sector of the security industry is that it is BUSINESS AS USUAL, probably for at least the next couple of years, maybe longer. Licences will still need to be held and renewed when necessary.

The fact that the government reacted to industry opinion is good. The second potentially positive outcome is the coming together of various industry groups under the banner of The Security Alliance. Membership of the Security Alliance includes ASIS, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), International Professional Security Association (IPSA), The Security Institute, the NSI, SSAIB, Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, Skills for Security, City of London Crime Prevention Association and representatives of the Scottish security industry and is supported by representatives of the security media. Other organisations will no doubt join over time. The initial meeting of the Alliance had a very positive and constructive tone which hopefully will continue. It would a great shame if the good intentions deteriorated into a power struggle between interest groups.

One possible, perhaps likely, outcome of the changes is that all organisations

offering security services may have to be registered and meet certain minimum standards: although those standards will probably not be prohibitively high. There are about 650 companies operating under the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS): and plenty of others who are operating well run businesses outside of ACS. The fact is though that no one knows how many companies there are in the security services industry and a register may further assist in keeping criminal elements out and standards up

The arguments may occur, when it comes to deciding who issues the licences. Should registered companies have the ability to issue their licences to their own employees? Should licensing be controlled by an industry-run body; a government department; the police; or perhaps a mix of all of them? Who should be responsible for ensuring CRB and right to work checks are done? The criminality checks are particularly difficult when individuals have come to the UK from other countries.

Another issue is training. Anecdotally, there is a huge gulf between the organisations offering the best training and those who will train and pass anyone. Stories abound of people undergoing training and then being given the answers to fill in at the end. Or people sitting the

exams accompanied by someone who can translate the questions and answers for them. The issue of ensuring all licensed individuals are trained to a high standard is one I feel the new regulatory regime should treat as a high priority.

However, as I said before this will be a long process and we do not have to come up with a solution tomorrow. We have the Olympics and Commonwealth games on the horizon and any changes may not come into effect until after these events. What we do have to do soon, is to think and talk, and hopefully, start to form a consensus. It will not be possible to please every individual in the sector. I doubt very much whether it will be possible to please every organisation, but hopefully over the coming months and years we can agree on a way forward that encourages professionalism in the industry and trust in the public consciousness.

Mike Hurst is Vice Chairman – Strategy of ASIS International in the UK. ASIS (www.asis.org.uk www.asisonline.org) is a security mem-bership organisation with 37,000 members world-wide. It promotes training, certifica-tion, standards and networking. The Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification is held by 6,500 people internationally and is recognised by Buckinghamshire New Uni-versity as an element of its postgraduate and MSc level qualifications in Security and Risk Management.

ASIS meetings often attract over 100 leading security practitioners to hear some excellent presentations by subject matter experts. For details, please contact Mike Hurst mike@hja.co.uk .

by MIKE HURST

THEFUTURE

OFSECURITYREGULATION

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Elijah Shaw is the CEO of Icon Services Corpo-ration and The National Director of the North American Bodyguard Association

ELIJAHSH AW

Understanding the Brand of YOU

KEEPING YOUR EDGE

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Are you a hunter or a gatherer? Much like the natural world, in the world of business plays by a

familiar set of laws when it comes to one individuals success over another: Adapt. Improvise. Overcome. Evolve.

One reason the strong survive is because they are well fed, and therefore are better equipped to meet the next attack. The weak get pushed to the back of the line for scraps and are first to go down when renewed conflict ensues. Sure they might be able to hold on, but in each battle, they get weaker and weaker as the strong consolidate their supplies. While that might sound harsh, this story plays out time and again in the Close Protection Industry, and I am not speaking about in a high-risk assignment in war torn Afghanistan. Instead I’m speaking about the corporate battlefield, one that inevitably an Operator must face when they decide to go into business for themselves either as a start up agency or an independent contractor.

Whether by choice or necessity the entrepreneur spirit is alive and well in the Executive Protection Community. Jump on any of the major watering holes (including the NABA & BBA websites) and in most members signature lines after their name more often than not, you will see an agency name from ACME to ZULU, each one different than the next.

Even if it’s on a subconscious level, men and women in our profession realize that in order to succeed in the competitive EP marketplace they must distinguish themselves to competitors as well as potential clients and employers, in essence

they are engaging in the time honored art of Brand Building.

Let’s start with the definition of a Brand:

BusinessDicitionary.com defines it as a:

“Unique design, sign, symbol, words, or a

combination of these employed in creating

an image that identifies the service or

product from it’s competitors. Over time,

this becomes associated with a level of

credibility, quality and satisfaction. Brands

help harried consumers in a crowded and

complex marketplace by standing in for

certain benefits and value. “

So therefore, Brand Building is the act of increasing a brand’s value through active campaigning. It also plays a part indirectly when the individual supports a cause or sponsors an organization or event.

I know, right now you’re asking yourself, “How the heck does this apply to bodyguards?” Well in 2011, it’s more important than ever to establish yourself as a brand. Remember the definition included “…crowded & complex marketplace”? That’s our industry in a nutshell, so one way to be successful is to define yourself so that others can say, “Oh yeah, that’s the guy who does…” or “I remember her from the networking event”. The difficult part is that the Close Protection industry is one that by default is private and subdued. We don’t talk about clients, we don’t tell others what we do, we try and stay out of photos. For many it is very hard to balance doing the job with letting others know who you are so that

you can get the NEXT job.

When I discuss Branding with students of my training courses, I use an example of McDonalds -- one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. If you didn’t know me and I mentioned that I was hungry, and could you grab me a burger with no other information, 7 out of 10 persons would stop at McDonald’s (particularly in the US). The reasoning for this is not because the home of the red haired clown makes a particularly good burger; in fact, the runner might actually pass 2 or 3 excellent burger places on his way to the golden arches. Instead the reason why so many would chose this is because this particular restaurant has marketed itself as THE place to go for burgers, so much so that even if you don’t necessarily like it, you figure someone else must. –Their motto is “billions and billions sold” for a reason.

What the enterprising members of the EP community must do to stay ahead of the game is to figure out how to keep their names in the minds of decision makers. Of course the need for that is not as pressing for those with steady employment, but I caution all who will listen that tomorrow is not promised. In our profession, we are trained to think three steps ahead, and I feel that should also apply to keeping an ear to the street for the next client or assignment.

In short, figure out how to develop the brand of YOU.

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GET YOURKIT ONKit reviews by Peter Jenkins and Nick McCarthy

Road Hawk Camera System

For those Surveillance Operators or Close Protection Officers carrying out recces, especially for mobile routes, then this new camera may prove useful.A small video camera unit that records onto an SD card for up to 5 days was initially designed for insurance purposes. The idea is to continually let the camera run from your dashboard (or windscreen) in the event that you had an accident and thus have evidence of it. The unit also incorporates a GPS which continually records the co-ordinates as you drive.Personally, I think the original idea/application seems a bit naff (who’s going to always record and it could be a double edged sword!) but it does have its use in surveillance planning, route planning or operationally when there is a need to video record from the vehicle.When played back, you can view the filmed route and identify all the geographical features. The video clip can be viewed by projecting it onto a large screen for a briefing and what is also good about it, is that the playback is automatically split into two screens. On the left is the video footage and on the right is a Google Earth map, which plots the vehicle as it moves.A good piece of kit available from Dogcam Sport for £199.00http://www.dogcamsport.co.uk/roadhawk-rh1-drive-camera.htm

CCTV MateAnyone fit covert cameras for use on surveillance or CP work? Well if you do you will need a test monitor and one of the best ones for your kit bag is the CCTVmate. For the more technically competent among you this little gem has lots of features that you can use such as a built in mutimeter, testing for breaks in cables, calibration for CCTV monitors, RS485 and more but do not be phased by this if you are not a CCTV guru. You can connect a camera and adjust its position to be confident that the area that you wish to capture is in frame. It comes in a robust rubberised case along with a nice pouch for safekeeping and is small enough to carry when you may be fitting cameras in difficult environments. A reasonable price, excellent functionality, a variety of connectors and a 12v power source make this little gem really stand out! www.cctvmate.com

Basecamp Online Project Management AreaAre you working on multiple projects? Are you sick of emails clogging your inbox? Why not try an online collaboration area for you, your colleagues and your clients? Basecamp from 37 Signals is really easy to use, you can upload files, presentations, set milestones, to-dos; interact with others using a message board and more! There are tutorial videos that help you get to grips with the whole thing…..we use it, it works for us! It costs but it is really reasonable….check it out! www.basecamphq.com

Wi-Fi DeviceHave the need for mobile Internet for more than one device? Don’t want to get into a year-long contract? Try the Mobile Wi-Fi device available from 3 and connect up to 5 mobile devices! The unit is available on pay as you go for £49 from various retailers and you can put as little as £10 credit on. www.threestore.three.co.uk

Mars Bar AntennaeNeed a covert antennae? One that can be taken from vehicle to vehicle? Why not give the guys at Badland a call? These guys really know their stuff and their prices are extremely reasonable. This antennae is great but only for use internally, so therefore ideal for CP convoys where distances between vehicles are short, but still more than workable for surveillance when you have to de-kit and use a rental car. Check these guys out!www.badlands.co.uk

Circuit :: BoyZone

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G4S Risk Management offers specialist training courses to prepare men and women for employment in the private security industry.

Our courses include:

Phoenix Close Protection Enhanced Close Protection Driving Ship Security Officer Medical/First Aid

Our instructors are former UKSF with real-time skills and experience proven in domestic and hostile environments.

G4S Specialist Training – increasing your chance of securing commercial employment opportunities.

G4S Risk Management

Did you know that G4S recruits directly from its

specialist training courses?

Did you know that our graduates are

highly sought after?

Contact us for details of our next Open Day

Tel: +44 (0)1432 850223Email: specialisttraining@uk.g4s.comOr visit: www.g4sspecialisttraining.com

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The Circuit is compiled, edited and published in the UK and US quarterly

by: The British Bodyguard Association.

www.The-BBA.org.uk Info@The-BBA.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0)845 519 2538