You Are Never Alone

During September we saw two minor attacks take place against two celebrity principals, Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian, both of whom were being protected by their IBG (Individual Bodyguard). 
We also saw one major attack against Kim Kardashian while she was in her supposedly secure apartment, with no CP or RST.
​We've also seen this year an escalation in lone wolf terrorist attacks and the one thing both the IBG and the lone wolf terrorist has in common; is a support system.

Before we go any further we need to understanding that one of the, if not THE main reason these attacks happened was because any support system that was available was not utilised.

The support system that can be tapped into; covers a huge spectrum of people, technology, organisations and personal experience, all of which are on hand to make your job easier, enabling you to protect your principal more effectively.

Your support system though will be specific to you and your principal but below is a short list of what will be included in your support system.
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​Operational security team - In house or security company
venue security managers / personnel
Law enforcement contacts 
Chauffeurs / drivers
Other CPOs
Recce Reports
Suspect person reports
Suspect vehicle reports
After action reports
Newspaper Articles
Internet Searches
Crime / Terrorism apps, newsletters, alerts
Friends
Local residence / neighbours / shop keepers etc.

Like I said above, your support system will be specific to you but the short list above will give you some idea when establishing your own. It's just a case of researching your OSINT - HUMINT - SIGINT and TECHINT

As we have seen with these latest attacks, it's no good having a support system if you are not going to use it. Without using your support system you are effectively cuffing your operation and it's just a matter of time until something like this or worse happens to you.
​Unless you are lucky enough to be working for an organisation that has its own intelligence wing, then you as an IBG will have to do all of the leg work. That means lots of INT gathering and planning prior to the operation, most likely in your own time and free of charge, it's called professionalism.

Your INT gathering and planning has to be I might add, meticulous.

Let me give you an example of how cuffing your operation can lead to an attack, this attack which I personally was witness too, could have been much worse.

The principal was protected by an IBG and at the time was working at Vogue magazine and directly under Anna  Wintour. Anna Wintour you may remember had been targeted by the animal rights group PETA.
The principal was taking part in a fashion show in London, modelling on the catwalk at a fur fashion event.
The IBG in question did not recce the venue as he 'Knew the area'
​The IBG in question never conducted any INT gathering and did not provide a threat or risk assessment.
The IBG in question did not liaise with any on site security or event staff.
The IBG in question did not do any of the above for the after show event party, where the attack happened.
The IBG in question did not lock the vehicles doors and on arriving at the after show party, did not do any ground appreciation on approaching the Drop Off Point, or call any on-site security to secure the area.
The vehicles rear door was opened by the attacker and the subsequent attack on the principal by a PETA subversive group member resulted in not only the principal, but also a very high profile socialite friend and the fashion designer all being flour bombed and ending up on the front page of a well known newspaper.
Luckily it was only flour, could have been blood or worse, what if it was acid?

Your support system is out there, just make sure you use it!

Stay Dangerous

​Rock