• On the Circuit
  • Posts
  • VVIP Protection - Everything You Do is Going to be Scrutinized

VVIP Protection - Everything You Do is Going to be Scrutinized

Author

Circuit Magazine
October 16, 2021

Well, we made it another week and It’s been a busy one here On the Circuit. We’ve got you covered with a lively installment by Orlando Wilson on why it pays to think like a criminal. And if you want a deep dive into geo-politics then check out Stratfor’s in-depth assessment of how Turkey’s eroding patience could land it in hot water with Russia and the US.

Meanwhile, On the Circuit Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting and interviewing Simon Morgan who shared lessons learned from his long and illustrious career in protection providing security to VVIPs! See what he has to say about why providing cover for VVIPs is markedly different than most other close protection roles. 

This and much more as you dive into the rest of this week’s coverage!

The Circuit Magazine Podcast

“It’s going to be more stressful. The expectations are going to be higher and everything you do is going to be scrutinized.”

Today we’re talking about the different challenges and dynamics operators face when protecting VVIP’s.

In this episode, our guest is Simon Morgan, former royalty protection and founder of Trojan consultancy. Simon has established himself as the go-to authority on all issues concerning royalty protection.

In this insightful interview we discuss:

High profile security fails – Working with VVIP’s means you’re always in the public eye, you’re constantly scrutinized and you’ll be critiqued by your peers.

The Royal Household – Who are the main stakeholders and where should you focus your relationship-building efforts?

Empathy – Why it can be a double-edged sword for a protector and how to guard against red carpet fever.

Avoiding catastrophe syndrome - the attributes that are required to succeed when protecting clients of wealth, visibility & status.

If you enjoy listening to the Circuit Podcast and can spare a minute, please rate/review us. Your rating will help us to rank higher making it easier for others to find the podcast.

The Need to Know

Communist dictator Kim Jong Un says that North Korea is building an “invincible army” to protect itself and accused the United States of causing trouble in the region by treating it as “hostile.”

Russia stole the formula for the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to use for the country’s Sputnik jab, ministers have reportedly been told.

The mystery illness has sickened US diplomats around the world since it was first reported in 2016.

President Joe Biden has signed the K-12 Cybersecurity Act into law to enhance the cybersecurity of K-12 educational institutions.

Veterans who fought in Afghanistan have slammed any request for reparations by the Taliban, who have executed dissidents and tortured prisoners, since seizing power, as an 'outrage'.

For more timely global updates like this, get the Circuit Daily Briefing delivered to your inbox... daily! Get on the list >

From the Pages of the Circuit Magazine

When a criminal is going to commit a crime they are going to be scared; they are breaking the law and can get arrested, beaten up or shot in the process. Criminals look for easy targets; they don’t want problems as they are bad for business.

Your attitude needs to be that with the knowledge and ability you have you can stop anyone who wants to mess with you, your clients or your family.

Once you have identified that you are going to have to deal with a violent situation you need to quickly work out your strategy and put into operation your counter attack.

There are three elements needed to win a confrontation: 

Surprise, Speed and Aggression.

If you enjoyed this article and want more great content from across the industry then sign up for the Circuit Magazine >

[Stratfor] Situation Report

Retaliating against YPG militants in northern Syria would put Ankara back on a confrontational path with Russia and Damascus.

On Oct. 11, Turkey’s President Erdogan vowed to retaliate for a Kurdish militant attack in northern Syria that killed two Turkish police officers.

An offensive against Tal Rifaat - a pocket of Kurdish militant-controlled territory north of Aleppo would increase the risk of Turkish forces clashing with Syrian and Russian troops in the region. 

Turkey would not directly target Syrian or Russian forces. But if negotiations cannot secure their withdrawal, even a limited attack creates the risk of pulling all sides back into a major military escalation.

Attacking the enclave would also increase U.S. scrutiny of Turkey’s actions in Syria, fueling calls for Washington to impose sanctions against Ankara.

Special Offer for On the Circuit Readers

Be the smartest person in the room with this exclusive offer from Stratfor.

From the Community

P is on the bus. The P's Vehicle is attached to the bus. The driver is travelling with the convoy.

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

🇺🇸 NABA Protector >

🇬🇧 BBA Connect >

On the Circuit Merch

To any industry insider, being 'On the Circuit' means being operationally active in the world of international protection. To anyone else, it's just three words. Those who know, know!

Upcoming Events

18 November 2021

Until next week...

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

Here's a handy message you can use to share with your friends:

Hey! Have you read On the Circuit? It’s a newsletter for Protectors like us -- it gives you the low-down on what's happening across the industry and you’ll sound like the most informed person in the room. Sign up here, it’s free: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/circuit-magazine

On the Circuit has you covered when you're busy covering others.

Reply

or to participate.