Technical Threats

And the top traits are of a Conscientious Bodyguard

Author

Circuit Magazine
April 02, 2021

Dear BBA Network!

It's been an interesting week with lots going on. A massive traffic jam in the Suez Canal, Scotland banning rabbit sales over easter, and Donald Trump owing $130 (£94) to his former bodyguard for McDonald's cheeseburgers!

Now, if that's not enough for you, let's take a look at what's been happening On the Circuit. This week we looked at Technical Threats and we're joined by industry noteworthy, Christian West, to help us understand where the protector's responsibility stops and starts.

Plus, we reveal what the top traits are of a Conscientious Bodyguard and give you a crash course in Technical Surveillance Counter Measures.

Now, I'll let you get to it and leave you with wise words from our podcast guest, Christian West:

 “We can't stop development. So, let's figure out a way of working with it.”

On the Circuit has you covered when you are busy covering others.

What's New?

The Circuit Magazine Podcast, Episode 12

As a protection specialist, do you need to understand the technical threat posed to your client of an increasingly connected world? Does this fall within your lane or is it someone else’s responsibility? 

Whether it’s on you or someone else on the team, some responsibility still rests on your shoulders because you need to be able to identify the threat so that you can be part of the conversation to communicate how to mitigate or eliminate it. 

Join us as we chat with Christian West on the debate around this emerging area of challenge and opportunity for EPs.

In this episode we’ll be covering:

  • What do the uninitiated need to know about the T-EPO role and how can we work smarter?     

  • How do we overcome the inherent resistance to technology and ensure that we bring the rest of the industry along on the ride? 

  • What threat vectors have emerged with UHNWs working from home and how can tech help to overcome that?     

Episode 12 in 60 seconds - Watch >

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From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine

For this newsletter, I've selected three articles that support this week's theme of how we, as trusted advisors, need to go a little further and be prepared to upskill to meet the needs of our principals.

1 - Firstly, staying on track with the Technical EPO topic, we have a great article by James Bore on how to identify and defeat tech based threats to your clients.

We'll be looking at a collection of tactics used by attackers to bypass security technology by targeting the weakest link – the human in the chain.

Social engineering is really just an overly technical term for knowing how to persuade people to do something against their best interests or against their better judgment. 

2 - Next up, Matt Adey, industry peer and psychology major, reveals the different characteristics and personality traits that make up the all-round protector.

Given the nature of close protection and the conditions under which operators are expected to perform, it is imperative for those providing protective services to be highly developed, multi-disciplined individuals. However, beyond the obvious technical skills required, modern operators are expected to display more nuanced skills. So, how can understanding our personality type help us become better in our roles as protection specialists?

3 - In this third article, Ben Gunn takes us back to the basics of Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM).

The art of technically and physically searching for illicit bugs, and/or devices, is generally referred to as a Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM) inspection. A conventional TSCM inspection does not cover cyberspace but could detect illicit cyber devices attached to hardware or cabling infrastructure. Here's what you need to know.

Download and read the latest issue

Industry News

A selection of the top stories affecting our industry - pulled from the Circuit Daily Briefing.

Italy expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday after police said they had caught an Italian navy captain passing secret documents to a Russian military official in return for money.

Taliban fighters fired two rockets at a U.S.-led coalition military base in Khost province. There were no casualties, but this marks the first attack on U.S. forces by the Taliban in over a year, when both sides signed the Doha Agreement.

The SIA are updating the qualifications required to acquire certain licences. Are you affected?

JAKARTA: A woman was shot dead by Indonesian police in a gunfight at the force's national headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon (Mar 31).

Donald Trump’s former bodyguard has said the ex-United States president still owes him more than $130 (£94) for McDonald’s cheeseburgers. ‘He is not a man of his word,’ Kevin McKay says.

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BBA Connect - Highlights

Ask questions, get advice, and find industry resources from an active and thriving community of professional, working operators.

We're asking the BBA Network whether we should be focusing our attention on 'Tech awareness for the EP Professional' or instead, on 'How to become a Technical EPO?' Do you view them as two separate career paths or room for convergence?

As a “Security Consultant,” an awareness of many different specialisms is required. However, what defines a Security Consultant? Is it time served, academic achievements or something else? Do you class yourself as a security consultant? If so how would you define the Security Consultant role? Let's hear your thoughts.

After June 30, 2021 the transition period ends for the UK's exit from the EU. What happens next for non-UK citizens? The concern is that European and international operators who hold the SIA licences will lose them if they do not have a valid right to work in the UK. This uncertainty is proving very unsettling for many of our overseas members, with some having received direct communication from the SIA that their licences will expire in the coming months. Are you affected by these changes? Have you secured your right to work in the UK yet? Join the discussion in the BBA Connect community.

Special Acknowledgement

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the lengths to which BBA members have been going to assist others and offer guidance, particularly to those in the early stages of their careers. A great example of this was when Tracy Webster, Director of Pinnacle Risk Consultancy, took an hour out of her busy schedule to share advice with fellow BBA member, Mike Court, on how to succeed in a competitive industry.

These selfless acts of altruism are precisely why we launched the BBA Connect app, they highlight how effective it's proving to be and demonstrate the value that exists from being a member of the Association.

Download the BBA Connect App & get the Magazine, Podcast, Training & Community

Upcoming Events

The Circuit Magazine is proud to present a future-focused event exploring the physical security of digital cryptocurrency assets and keys. This comes at a crossroads in the executive security and corporate security world where the need to upskill your technical knowledge has never been greater.

If you are in the executive security or corporate security world, THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!

Registration will open shortly. Stay tuned!

Until next week...

Right, my friends… Spring is officially here. Hold on. Life will get warmer!

Now let's get this Easter weekend started. After all, Easter is the only time when it's perfectly safe to put all your eggs in one basket!

Jon

Managing Editor

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