Executive Protection: The Private-Sector Model Is Broken

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Chief executives often face unique threats that are not faced by company presidents, requiring a different approach to security. Private-sector leaders may be targeted for a variety of reasons, including their wealth and community presence, and business controversies — for instance, companies that perform product testing on animals, make pharmaceuticals, or drill for oil can attract threats. Many executive protection agencies neglect to consider job-specific security requirements, and whether their employees are adequately qualified for the job. J. Goin, CEO of Armour Security, argues in this column that the model for executive protection in the private sector is broken, and that the security industry has failed to offer up real solutions for executives and their families. He says that executive protection must be approached from the ground up. Examine the legitimate risks to the executive and his or her family: Where do they live? How can vulnerable situations be avoided? Is there a pattern or threatening behavior? “This is a wakeup call for the industry — to both private sector providers and corporate security providers — the service offering is predicated on a model that doesn’t apply to them,” says Goin. “Executives don’t live in the ‘presidential’ market place. As security professionals, we need to find the best intersection between conveniences and effective security.”