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- Walking Towards Danger
As protectors, we are not strangers to hostile situations and threats of danger. We've honed our skills to give us an almost sixth sense that allows us to anticipate danger and move away from it. But what happens when it's our duty to protect those reporting on the frontline of wars and other hot spots?
Well, that is precisely the topic of this week’s newsletter. Join us as we lift the lid on one of the most dangerous jobs in security. We’ll get into why working with the media is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, you’re there to protect your clients from harm. And on the other, you’re paid to guide them into the most dangerous places on earth – often single-handedly!
Our podcast guest and article contributors will discuss the skills a good hostile environment consultant will need to possess to not only protect clients but also save lives - including your own!
So, let’s get into it!
The Circuit Magazine Podcast
How would you feel about always running toward danger? If you thought telling a UHNW Principal 'no' was hard, try working with journalists. We are honoured to welcome Ken Perry, Founder, Cosain Consultancy to the Circuit Magazine Podcast to explore:
How could you leave your EP 'hat' at the door when protecting media?
What facilitation and medical skills are essential to work with correspondents and teams in hot zones?
Is media protection only something you should consider if you have an SF background?
How can you prevent your media team from becoming collateral damage?
What pre-preparation can media protectors do given their very short stand-by notice?
Why should a protector want to work with journalists and media as a career?
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
Amid protests against the killing of Mahsa Amini, authorities have cut off mobile internet, WhatsApp, and Instagram while the death toll continues to rise.
Simulation reveals nuclear war with Russia would cause 90 million casualties — www.washingtonexaminer.com
It is predicted that over 90 million people would be dead or injured in a war between the United States and Russia, Princeton University researchers discovered.
North Korea may be preparing to launch a new submarine believed to be capable of firing ballistic missiles, a U.S.-based think tank reported on Thursday, citing commercial satellite imagery.
A Russian missile exploded within 350 yards of the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant in the central part of the country on Monday, according to Ukrainian atomic energy operator Energoatom.
Major Cybersecurity Incident at Uber: Network Breach Began With Social Engineering — www.cpomagazine.com
Uber cybersecurity incident was the result of social engineering by teenage hacker. Network breach was a total compromise and that the attacker had full access to Uber's systems.
The shocking attack on a young woman in a toilet prompts anger at weak anti-stalking laws.
New video shows flesh-eating thermite bombs raining down on a Ukrainian village as desperate Putin steps up his attacks.
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
It looks exciting on the TV, glamorous even. Journalists, dressed in blue flak jackets and helmets, crouching behind a vehicle as gunfire rains down on a nearby building. But warzones – like war correspondents – are neither glamorous nor exciting!
Behind the poise and rehearsed lines, and always out of view, stands someone like me, a hostile environment consultant. Often armed, always ready. To the news crews, I’m known simply as, ‘the consultant’.
In this article, Garry Curtis paints a true picture, from his experiences, of life as a Media Safety Advisor. Garry shares the highs and lows of the job and provides some valuable tips for those looking to get started.
"It might sound cliché, but of all the skills a good consultant may possess – advanced medical skills, map reading, close protection, tactical awareness and people skills, to name a few – the most important one by far is common sense. It’s the thing that, more often than not, will save your life."
Garry wrote this article for the Circuit in 2018 before suffering a major stroke that left him fighting for his life. True to his character, Garry refused to accept the situation, and with the support of his family, he is bravely battling towards recovery.
If you enjoyed this article and want more great content from across the industry then subscribe to the Circuit Magazine >
Latest Issue of the Circuit Magazine
Circuit Magazine - Issue 63 - Get Your Copy
In the latest edition of the Circuit Magazine, we hear how the fear of Artificial Intelligence Impersonating Humans is no longer science fiction. From election rigging to affecting the course of war, it's a real threat being played out on the world stage right now.
"The magazine is an informative read, written for professionals by professionals." - John Hutton CSMP M.ISMI
Geopolitical Analysis by RANE
China is unlikely to invade Taiwan in the next 5-10 years. Chinese authorities believe that U.S. power is in decline and that China's is rising, and thus that time is on their side.
However, a number of long-term strategic drivers may make military action against the island seem like an attractive option and convince China to accelerate its timeline for a Taiwan invasion much earlier than 2049, which is Xi's current milestone for China achieving national rejuvenation.
Bad intel: Xi has wielded his anti-corruption campaign to purge political dissent and surround himself with "yes men" over the last 10 years.
Military inexperience: Most Chinese generals have never fought in a war and China's battlefield systems are ill-tested for combat. As a result, Chinese military leaders may have a poor grasp of their combat capabilities, while nationalism through propaganda may add unbridled optimism to this ignorance.
Fear of economic decline: A period of sustained economic decline could lead Beijing to believe that China's ability to retake Taiwan may be at its zenith. This could prompt a "now or never" moment for a Taiwan invasion.
Taiwan's rearming: The longer Beijing waits to attack Taiwan, the more arms Taipei will be able to amass through security agreements like the $1.1 billion U.S. arms deal signed on Sept. 6 for missiles and surveillance support.
Several other events could indicate changes in these long- and short-term drivers of a potential invasion and in the status quo of China-Taiwan relations.
International recognition: The United States and other countries could ditch their own versions of the vague "one China" policy, effectively indicating their recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign country.
Arms sales: The United States could escalate its arms sales to Taiwan significantly enough to alter the cross-strait power balance or threaten China's coastal security
U.S. policy specificity: The Biden administration could go beyond recent statements about a U.S. commitment to defend Taiwan from an "unprecedented attack" by laying out exactly what Chinese activities would trigger U.S. military invention.
Special Offer for On the Circuit Readers
From the Community
Mark James explains what it's like to be a protector working on a movie set, "There is a whole lot of redundancy, hurry up and wait coupled with very long hours.
If you are shooting in a studio, the tempo can seem monotonous. You must maintain your focus. Studio shoots often involve minimal movements or physical activity so ensure you manage your intake at catering and craft services and maintain good nutritional discipline as you may find your trips to the gym limited. As we know, you can’t outrun your fork! Avoid processed foods and high sugar content items. While they may give you a quick energy boost, the crash is real.
Get as much rest as you can and strategically incorporate your use of caffeine when you need it, so you don’t become immune to its effects.
The movie set is like every other sector of our craft we often see discipline wins."
Ask questions, get advice, and find industry resources from an active and thriving community of professional, working operators:
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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
If you're attending the ISE, or in the London area, we welcome you to join us at the Keep of Brook Green behind the Olympia for an informal meet-up! We're looking forward to meeting all our Circuit community in person!
Meanwhile...
Many employers and hiring managers are simply turning to Facebook or Twitter and browsing through a candidate's social media posts. However, this may not always be a recommended approach.
In addition to the time-consuming nature of a DIY monitoring program, conducting this internally can create a slew of legal issues and put a company at risk of violating equal employment guidelines. For instance, religious affiliation, sexual orientation and family status cannot be used when making a hiring decision.
To avoid these potential legal issues, organizations should consider outsourcing this function and maintain strict compliance around the use of social media screening internally.
Protection in Numbers
Social media account takeovers increased by over 1,000% between 2020 and 2021. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), a nonprofit established to support victims of identity crime, has published its 2022 Consumer Impact Report. Here are the figures:
85% had their Instagram accounts compromised
25% had their Facebook account compromised
48% clicked on a link they believed was from a friend
22% responded to a cryptocurrency scam
Additionally:
51% of victims lost funds or sales revenue
70% have been permanently locked out of their accounts
66% report the criminal continued to post as the account owner after the lockout.
What We're Watching
Why were Gov't agents in the crowd on J6? Why have six Capitol Officers committed suicide following Jan 6th? Why did Pelosi and others refuse offers of National Guard? Are you being told the facts surrounding January 6th?
"If you have the stomach to see another version of what happened on Jan 6th, this is well worth your time." - Rich Roth
Elsewhere on the Circuit
Operation London Bridge: Inside one of the largest security operations ever mounted. — www.dailymail.co.uk
In an unprecedented joint operation, more than 15,000 officers and 1,500 soldiers formed a six-mile wide ring of steel around central London for the Queen's funeral.
Rooftop police snipers, SAS teams and anti-drone technology were deployed to protect the skies above in what has been referred to as 'by far the biggest UK policing operation in history.'
Scotland Yard deployed the greatest number of officers in its near 200-year history including firearms officers, motorbike escort riders, officers carrying out patrols on horseback, dog teams and the marine unit.
The force put on its biggest ever policing operation at Stansted Airport for the arrival of around 30 Heads of State.
More than 600 officers flooded the airport to ensure the safe passage of US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a delegation from the Ukraine as well as royalty from around the world including Japan's Emperor Naruhito and His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
Final Thoughts with Miranda Coppoolse
I have often seen a level of arrogance and entitlement exhibited by people in leadership positions that tear people down instead of lifting people up.
Always remember that leadership is a privilege, and your influence may affect someone's life positively or negatively.
Until next week...
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