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Overseas Travel, Operating in Mexico and our Favourite Hangouts!

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Circuit Magazine
April 16, 2021

Dear Reader,

It's Friday! As if that wasn't good enough already, we're making it even better with another edition of On The Circuit!

This past week, we've been watching closely as the world tentatively inches closer to something like how we remember it prior to 2020. With the hopes and prospect of travel coming into the horizon, we invited Lee Oughton, COO of Fortress Risk Management to the podcast to give us his take on operating overseas in Mexico. Listen to the podcast for Lee's insider knowledge and valuable takeaways for anyone with aspirations of travel to unknown, potentially hostile zones.

We're also getting a crash course in Operational Planning hearing how you can react to information acquired through eavesdropping. And should you find yourself in Cancun with an evening off, Circuit Editor, Shaun West shares his favourite local hangout!

Okay, let's do this but first, let's set out as we mean to go with these words of warning from Mr. Lee Oughton:

“It's about understanding your environment - there's a lot of vulnerabilities, there are a ton of risks and you really need to bring your A-game every single day.”

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

What's New?

The Circuit Magazine Podcast, Episode 14

When you think of Mexico you think drugs, cartels, extortion, kidnapping, murder, but what’s really going on under the hood? Navigating a new country and learning to effectively operate in completely foreign surroundings can be challenging for any CPO. That’s why it’s crucial that we get local knowledge and atmospherics from the operators that are out there on the ground.

In this episode, we chat with Lee, Oughton COO of Fortress Risk Management and co-founder of the Kindness Games to get the inside scoop on operating in Mexico as an international EP provider. He will drop the ins and outs and the dos and don'ts of what to consider whenever you operate somewhere new.

In this show, we’ll be discussing:

  • Understanding the realities of operating in Mexico & avoiding the pitfalls.

  • Tips on finding support, friendly forces, and how to get the local community onside

  • What you need to know about The Unions or Syndicados of Mexico

  • And, where to go... or possibly avoid, if you find yourself in search of nightlife - recommendation courtesy of Circuit Editor, Shaun West.

Download & Subscribe to the Circuit Podcast

From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine

With the focus being on Mexico, this week we've got 3 articles to ensure that your next task there or any hostile/unknown environment goes smoothly and successfully.

In this article from Orlando Wilson highlights many of the dangers and pitfalls that you're likely to face as an operator. For a start, it’s definitely a lot more dangerous and a lot less glamorous than Hollywood would have you believe.

Whether it's Mexico, Afghanistan, or South Africa, operational planning is one of the most important phases of an overseas operation. CP Book author, Rich Aitch, outlines the importance of the planning phase and how it can be won and lost.

Do you know which is the safest floor to reserve a room on when booking your Principals hotel? Many of our clients haven't travelled internationally for over a year, but as we start to return to normal, travel security is going to be a major concern. In one of the most read Circuit articles, Steve Lambert, shares 23 practical and actionable tips for safe and secure business travel.

Download and read the latest issue

Industry News

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

One building was damaged, and no casualties were reported in the attack on Erbil airport.

The intelligence community views four countries as posing the main security challenges over the next year: China, followed by Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Iran plans to enrich uranium to 60% purity, has vowed revenge on Israel over Sunday's attack on the Natanz nuclear complex.

Government officials are increasingly turning to the courts to enforce such action.

The siege in Mozambique showed that groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS have become sophisticated enough to carry out attacks on the West.

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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.

While on assignment with a newer client you overhear the Protectee give inaccurate information to an executive they are talking to during a sensitive meeting that seems to be of great importance. Do you provide the correct information and if so in what manner?

Now that foreign travel will soon be a part of our everyday lives again, what challenges, as a CP/EPO are you anticipating? We share our top tips in the app but what tips, tricks, links, resources have you picked up along the way which may be of use to people new to the game?

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

Upcoming Events

Protecting digital assets as physical security specialists - If you are in the executive security or corporate security world, THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!

Until next week...

That's it for now. We'll be back before you know it with more great content. And who knows, maybe we'll have more recommendations from our travels...

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Jon

Managing Editor

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