How to Choose a Security Firm
For corporations considering protection services for their valued executives, the first step in selection is introspection.
Consider these points:
Who is at risk?
Which executive has the greatest access to funds or information?
Which executive is the public face of the company?
Which executive travels to potentially dangerous destinations?
Does the executive court the media or keep a low profile? What is the home-life like? Is the executive’s personal time filled with social events and activities?
What can people outside the company learn about the executive? How much publicity is centered on the executive’s activities?
What should security look like?
In what settings does this executive operate? Board room? Plant or warehouse floor? Will the executive meet 10 people or 200 people during the course of the day? Is the executive extremely active? Will she want to take a morning run, regardless of location?
Is the executive quiet or loquacious? Will he want to talk to the person in the car with him, or will he spend the time reading the Wall Street Journal or on the phone?
How about the executive’s family? Often overlooked, the family is the executive’s greatest area of concern, and frequently at greater risk than the executive himself.
Where does security go?
Look beyond the street where your executives live - get to know security professionals in other cities; find an advance team that is familiar with the local surroundings and challenges, and let your security detail work with them. By investing time before your executives’ visits, you’ll ensure their safe and expeditious return.
Who provides security?
Get to know the agent. Ask specific questions about how he would handle a specific situation. Confirm the credentials, verify the license and insurance. Make sure that the agent’s approach and behavior will protect the company’s reputation along with the company’s executive.
For greater insight into creating a security program, and for brief case studies from corporations like Disney who have security programs, read the CSO Online article, The Six Things You Need to Know About Executive Protection.