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Visibility and Vulnerability
Strategies for Protecting Famous and High-Profile Individuals
Circuit Magazine
December 23, 2023
In partnership with
Welcome to our festive edition of On the Circuit.
It’s a time to relax and unwind after a solid performance throughout the year. But a note of caution before we get there: it’s also a time when many leave themselves exposed and vulnerable.
So, playing the role of Big Brother, we wanted to dedicate this issue to providing actionable insights and strategies to ensure your clients' safety and cement your standing as an indispensable asset in their security plan as we move into 2024.
We’ve got lots to get through before starting those celebrations, so let’s get into it.
Main Focus
Strategies for Protecting Famous and High-Profile Individuals
If you’re a protector of high-profile individuals, things have become much more complex, and risks are emerging from every corner. With the growing divide between the haves and have-nots, our job now encompasses a wider scope, from preventing home invasions to outsmarting watch thieves in broad daylight.
This isn't just about keeping our clients safe; it's about staying relevant and ahead in our field. Falling behind in a fast-evolving world isn't an option – it could cost us our reputation and income and put our personal safety at risk.
As would-be experts, we must adapt to the complexities of a digitally-driven environment where threats are diverse and sophisticated.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to fortify against these challenges, let’s look at the problem in a little more detail with a few recent case studies.
CASE STUDY
US Comedian Posted Pics with Colombian Girlfriends Before Being Lured to His Death
Before his untimely demise, US comedian and activist Tou Ger Xiong had been painting the town red in Medellin, posting photos with his Colombian girlfriends.
In one sadly ironic social media post, Xiong joked about being happy if kidnapped, a statement that's now chilling in retrospect. The comedian, known for his love for Colombia, had returned to the country to meet a woman he'd been chatting with online, unaware of the dark turn his journey would take.
Police have kept the identity of the woman allegedly involved in the kidnapping under wraps. However, they did make an arrest after examining pictures on Xiong's phone.
On December 10, Xiong informed his roommate via a call that he was kidnapped at gunpoint by a group demanding a $2,000 ransom. However, the ransom exchange did not occur, and Xiong was later discovered lifeless in a ravine; his injuries indicated multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma.
It’s clear that vulnerabilities in the comedian’s social media activity, particularly his posts detailing his location and companions, led to his demise. This level of openness provides would-be criminals with valuable information.
Much could be done to improve personal security and reduce the chances of incidents like this.
1. Vetting and Monitoring: Monitoring communications with new acquaintances and suggesting secure, public locations for initial meetings would be a first step.
2. Overwatch: Shadowing clients and maintaining a close overwatch during vulnerable moments would greatly improve the odds.
3. Crisis Management: In cases of ransom demands, having a protocol for negotiation and involving local authorities quickly can be crucial.
Cash and Jewellery Stolen From Premier League Star’s Home While Family Inside
Premier League defender Kurt Zouma scored an ‘own goal’ when his home defences were breached. His £3 million Essex mansion became the scene of an audacious late-night raid when burglars made away with over £100,000 in cash and jewellery. Zouma who was at home with his wife and kids, was left stunned and "traumatised," and probably rethinking his home security tactics.
Zouma, understandably shaken, was missing from West Ham's next game, with the club offering a £25,000 reward for information leading to the gang's arrest.
Meanwhile, the list of sports stars targeted by professional robbers grows, with Zouma joining the likes of Sterling, Pogba, Ronaldo and Federer.
This incident highlights the difficulties faced by the wealthy to protect their assets against organised crime.
Despite occurring in a luxurious residence, there are some obvious gaps in home security systems or procedures.
1. Enhanced Home Security: Reinforcing home security with advanced alarm systems, CCTV, and motion detectors could be crucial. Consider employing security personnel for additional surveillance.
2. Discretion with Valuables: Advising discretion on safe handling and displaying of valuable items to reduce the risk of them becoming targets.
3. Personal Safety Education: Educating clients and their families on security awareness, particularly when most vulnerable.
The security landscape for high-profile individuals is shifting, and we must shift with it.
This means prioritizing digital safety – educating clients about the risks of oversharing on social media.
Reinforcing physical security with up-to-date technology and protocols, especially at home.
Finally, remember to exercise discretion in public to minimize attracting unwanted attention.
Our role as protectors is not just about responding to threats but anticipating and preventing them. Make regular security audits a standard practice, and involve your clients in their own safety education.
As we head into 2024, Let's turn these insights into effective action, keeping our clients safe and our careers secure.
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GLOBAL SIT REP
🇺🇦 Ukrainian local government meeting heats up when one of the participants detonates two grenades to help make his point.
🇺🇸 Secretary of Defense announces "Operation Prosperity Guardian," a multi-nation effort to secure Red Sea navigation against Houthi threats.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic mourns Prague Uni shooting victims police probe ongoing. Shooter acted alone, not tied to global terror.
🇺🇸 The Biden administration is pushing for $300bn in frozen Russian assets to be used to fund Ukraine's war effort.
RECOMMENDED READING
We’ve been focusing on the inherent threats of social media but in this article, Radoslav Savkov talks about how it can be harnessed as a powerful tool in our crisis management armory.
Over the last decade, social media has increasingly outstripped many companies' risk management capabilities.
Social media plays a critical role in crisis management, functioning as a channel for broadcasting information, a tool for global intelligence gathering, and a platform for monitoring public sentiment. These functionalities enable organizations to respond to stakeholders swiftly, make informed decisions, and proactively interact with both advocates and critics.
However, the power of social media can also precipitate crises. Social media's immediate nature makes it an essential tool for quick, effective communication, especially in crisis situations. Its proper integration into organizational strategies is crucial for navigating the complexities of the digital age.
If you enjoyed this article and want more great content from across the industry, then subscribe to the Circuit Magazine >
GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS by RANE
The Implications of a Russian Victory in Ukraine
The assessment outlines several key points:
1. Putin's End-of-Year Press Conference: Highlighted Putin's confidence in the war's trajectory, Russia's economy, and his political power. He stressed the war would end only with Russia achieving its goals and Kyiv's acceptance of new territorial realities.
2. Russia has the advantage: Despite economic challenges, Russia's economy is growing, and it can continue funding the war for the next few years.
3. West's Dwindling Support and Ukraine's Challenges: The diminishing military and financial support from the West and political disputes in the U.S. and EU make Ukraine unlikely to make significant territorial gains soon.
4. Ukraine's Future: Russia's occupation of key regions like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia could prevent Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO, leading to demographic and economic decline.
5. Global Implications: A perceived Russian victory could reinforce its authoritarian governance and embolden it to exert more influence over its neighbors. Impacting NATO's credibility and prompting other countries to seek alternative security arrangements.
6. Risks of Nuclear Proliferation: The failure of the West to effectively support Ukraine might lead other countries under the U.S. security umbrella to consider developing their own nuclear deterrents, seeing this as a more reliable form of defense.
7. Cease-Fire Prospects and Reconstruction Challenges: Any cease-fire is likely to be on Russia's terms, which could prevent Ukraine's reconstruction and prolong existing divisions in the West over support for Kyiv.
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex and far-reaching implications of a potential Russian victory in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
RECOMMENDED WATCHING
Hunting the Rolex Rippers
The BBC's "Hunting the Rolex Rippers" dives into the trending world of watch thefts, where stealing luxury timepieces is easier than drug dealing and carries fewer consequences.
Journalist Tir Dhondy chats with the teenage gang members and their cocky leader 'M', who sees himself as a modern-day Robin Hood.
Amid machete-wielding 16-year-olds and stolen Rolexes, the documentary showcases a darker side of luxury, with 'M' flaunting his loot and playing the victim card.
However, it skims over the actual victims' plight, which has led some to criticize it for glamorizing crime.
The documentary treads a fine line between revealing reality and adding a sprinkle of dramatization, making luxury watch theft seem almost like a new-age profession.
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Thank you for sticking with us to the end; we appreciate your support.
Stay safe over the festive period, and keep looking out for one another.
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