Depending on where you are reading this, you might be gearing up for a long weekend as we mark Memorial Day and Spring, in the US and UK respectively.

So, dust off the grill, pull that Hawaiian shirt from the back of the closet, and stock up on ice! And if you have any doubt about the weather cooperating with you, let me remind you of what Dwight D. Eisenhower had to say:

Another sage, Mike O'Neill leaned into this quote on our recent podcast when we caught up with him to chat about the hybrid working environment which has grown out of the pandemic.

In addition to Mike's great insights, we've got a lot more wisdom packed into this edition of On the Circuit. Starting with Tony Scotti, who is educating us on the Science Behind Protection on the Move. We also hear from Dr Liz Royal - On Mental Mind Armour which is as important as your next workout. And we get the low down on how to find good mentorship in the industry - thanks to the NABA Protector community.

You ready for it? Ok, let's go...

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

What's New?

The Circuit Magazine Podcast, Episode 20

How Does the Protector of Tomorrow Work in a Hybrid Environment? | Mike O'Neill — podcast.circuit-magazine.com

We've all been moving towards a more hybrid way of working over the last few years. The ubiquitous laptop, smartphones, and increased connectivity but does the hybrid working environment apply to tomorrow's protector or just their principal?

This week we’re joined by Mike O’Neill, MD of Optimal Risk. We hear what the biggest challenges have been, how Mike navigated the uncertainty of the pandemic and the lessons he’s learned, as the owner of a successful security business operating out of one of the busiest cities in the world, over the past 12 months.

In this week’s show we ask:

• Can protectors truly work in a hybrid capacity? What does this even mean?

• What will the decentralized workplace of the future look like and what will the security implications be?

• How does a small business owner get greater awareness of their supply chain vulnerabilities?

• Mental health considerations - How can we spot someone in need and what support can we offer?

Tune in to hear the full interview with this prominent industry expert!

From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine 📰

Learn from, improve with, and be inspired by this week's selection of articles from the Circuit Magazine - the leading publication of the protection industry.

The Science Behind Protection On The Move — circuit-magazine.com

Any delay in the decision-making process increases the difficulty needed to survive an AOP (Attack On the Principal). In a vehicle, delays are measured in tenths of seconds. When you are driving 60 mph, literally in a blink of an eye, you are 17.6 feet closer to the problem and in a second 88 feet closer to the problem. Tony Scotti delivers the science behind protection on the move and how we can dramatically increase the chances of surviving the emergency.

Mental Mind Armour - Have You Got Your PPE On? — circuit-magazine.com

You wouldn’t dream of going on a job without appropriate physical protection and risk assessment – but how well do you protect yourself mentally?

In this article, Dr Liz Royle explains how being mentally strong is the same as being physically strong – we have to work at it. We build physical strength in the gym and take pride in a healthy body. Some days you are on top form in the gym and others are harder. But would you recognise the equivalent happening in your brain?

Tactical vs Tacticool — circuit-magazine.com

The ‘tactical culture’ had flourished over the last few years, mainly due to the proliferation of video cameras and increasing engagement with social media platforms, but has this contributed to a blurring of the lines between reality and the 'tacticool' entertainment world? Orlando Wilson has his say on this high octane topic.

Industry News 📣

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

A deadly raid shows the Taliban hasn't cut ties with al Qaeda, despite promise to US — www.cnn.com

A raid on a remote village in Afghanistan kills an ageing al Qaeda leader wanted by the FBI. Messages to the group's cells around the world are seized. Two drone strikes on militants in northwest Syria

Weapons of the future: Trends in drone proliferation — www.defensenews.com

A wider adoption of unmanned systems could potentially complicate the United States’ ability to develop effective countermeasures.

FBI Employee Indicted Over Illegal Document Removal — www.infosecurity-magazine.com

Intelligence analyst allegedly took secret national security documents home for more than a decade

Nearly a decade after Benghazi, the U.S. is quietly returning to Libya — www.nbcnews.com

The Biden administration is quietly re-engaging in Libya after a hiatus under Trump, pushing a diplomatic effort to try to end a chaotic civil war.

Mexico police chief is ambushed and assassinated in cartel-plagued Sinaloa — www.dailymail.co.uk

Joel Ernesto Soto, the director of the state police in the cartel-plagued northern Mexico state of Sinaloa, was killed during an ambush Monday morning. No arrests have been reported.

Breaking Down the Colonial Pipeline Cyber Attack — securityboulevard.com

How did the recent Colonial Pipeline cyber attack happen? What could have been done to prevent it? A closer look at the most recent—and potentially most devastating—cyberattack.

Community & Networking 💬

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

NABA PROTECTOR: Do you have a Mentor?

Are you looking for mentorship in the industry? What is it how does it even work?

BBA CONNECT: Looking for K9 Recommendations

BBA Member, Martyn Green has put out a call for information:

Could anyone recommend a K-9 unit/team experienced in dealing with protesters? I am looking for a service partner to deliver 4 man/dog teams deployed on a high profile site.

Upcoming Events 🗓

Highlighting the biggest and best events happening across the industry.

Protected Mobility Forum - Registration Open — www.eventbrite.co.uk

Wednesday, 9 June 2021

Join industry-leading experts, including Joe Autera, CEO of the Vehicle Dynamics Institute for this Protected Mobility forum.

Until next week...

If you found this issue of On the Circuit newsletter useful, please forward it to a friend or colleague who’d also enjoy it.

And always, if you have a minute, please rate/review the Circuit Magazine Podcast... thank you and have a great weekend!

Jon

Managing Editor