About Intelligent Security Training
Intelligent security training is a U.K based training company specialising in the private protective services sector of the security industry worldwide.
Providing bespoke training at all levels throughout the security industry, from individuals wishing to commence a new career, to experienced professionals and organisations.
Our approach to training is quite unique in the current market as we place quality of training and quantifiable outcomes ahead of commercial interests.
Our extensive contacts throughout the world, all leaders in their respective fields, allows us the opportunity to design and deliver protective operations courses that cater for the needs of the global close protection community.
From executive protection to hostile environments, we can provide you with the training that you need.
We at Intelligent Security Training draw our capabilities in the first instance from first world military, police and security services backgrounds. We owe our knowledge and expertise to these industries.
We are confident that we have an edge on competitors due to our instructors. With qualifications in virtually every aspect of security procedures, from management to counter-terrorism to effects of primary blast injuries, our instructors have a lot to offer to candidates.
All of our instructors are very well versed in operational security and are well qualified for their roles, coming from military, police and civilian close protection backgrounds, our trainers have a wealth of information and experience to share.
All instructors are involved operationally in close protection currently as well as having a strong instructional background in the field of S.I.A approved C.P.O training.
Our courses are well structured due to the instructors experience and assistance and guidance are always catered for.
What is a Bodyguard/Close Protection Officer?
A bodyguard (also known as Close protection officer), is normally a security operative or government agent who protects a person (usually a famous, wealthy or politically important figure) from assault, kidnapping, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attacks and other threats. Most celebrities and important public figures like Governors and CEOs get protection from the team of bodyguards hired by an agency, security forces or police forces. And those lower status public figures are mostly accompanied by a single bodyguard who sometimes also act as drivers.
Bodyguard/Close Protection Officer Responsibilities
There are many factors on which the role of bodyguard depends:
1) It depends on the role assigned to the bodyguard in the close protection team.
He can be a driver-bodyguard, a close-protection officer, or can be even a part of an ancillary unit that provides support for electronic bug detection, pre search of facilities, background checks etc.
2) Secondly, it depends on the level of risk faced by the client. Bodyguards protecting clients having high risk profiles generally focus on roles like checking for I.E.D’s (bombs) in cars or watching for potential shooters. A celebrity who is being stalked by photographers generally engages bodyguards to ask photographers to maintain distance and even block path of aggressive cameramen.
Driving
Sometimes, bodyguards are drivers of their client as well. However this includes risk factors as well because the driver needs to leave the car unattended when they need to escort their client on foot. Here the driver needs to be trained in evasive driving
techniques, and the vehicle also needs to be well equipped with fire extinguishers, a resistant front and rear bumper, additional mirrors, ballistic glass and some type of armour reinforcement both for client and driver.
Weapons and weapon Tactics
Weapons of the bodyguards vary depending on the laws in his jurisdiction, agency or security service they are part of as well as type of risk- environment they are facing. Some might be unarmed and some might carry lethal weapons like handguns or SMG’s. Those operating in high risk environment (war zones) may carry weapons like sub-machine guns or assault rifles. The list of weapons may even include sniper rifles, shotguns, large calibre vehicle mounted weapons and even rocket launchers.
Close Protection Officer Daily Tasks
- Planning and assigning responsibilities
Normally the day of the bodyguard begins with a daily meeting led by their Team Leader, in which client’s schedule for that day is analyzed (including his personal as well as professional activities), and team’s action is decided. The team discusses
as how they would undertake transportation, escorting and monitoring tasks. The team needs to see the range of risk to which client will be exposed, and accordingly make arrangements by making a prior check of the venues as well as roads for unexpected changes. They even keep the list of staff that would be coming in contact of their employer.
- Searching vehicles
The driver and other bodyguards inspect the cars before leaving with the client to his first appointment. The number of cars again varies according to risk environment. While there can only be one car is there for low risk environment, high risk includes additional cars to form a protective band of vehicles that can flank the client’s vehicle.
- Transferring the client to vehicle
After inspection, cars are brought near exit door so that client can leave the secure building. At least one driver or bodyguard stays with the now-searched cars in order to avoid any sort of risk where the attacker might take any advantage and attach an IED. As the client moves from secure residence to the car, team of bodyguards flank the client.
- Travelling
The team of bodyguards then moves out towards the destination. The number of routes chosen by the team varies. They generally try to avoid dangerous points such as one lane bridges or tunnels where there is no way of escape. When the client is going to travel by train then bodyguards inspect the rail car as well as other cars they will use. It is always dangerous to travel by transport other than vehicle because of the lack of control over the environment.
Bodyguard/Close Protection Job Requirements
Bodyguards need to be physically fit, should possess good eyesight and hearing power and should have good communication skills. They should have a good personality especially when they are working for renowned people. Often they have a background in armed forces and security services, though this is not a mandatory requirement except in those cases when they are protecting heads of State. A driving licence is required in those cases where they are acting as drivers as well. For the UK and some other countries they need to have a close protection licence. They need to be observant with team skills, be able to recognize dangerous situations and handle it without losing their temper.
Bodyguard/Close Protection Officer Training
Bodyguards inspect premises and venues before the client arrives to be aware about the weakness in security and potential threats which his client might have. They are provided training to shepherd the client even in threatening situations. The Bodyguards sometimes have training in firearm tactics, tactical driving and first aid. For those providing protection to Heads of State, they are trained in crowd screening and control, searching for explosives or surveillance devices. They get training to work with other security personnel to conduct and make assessment of risks and threats. The Military in many countries provide training to some of their team members who have been selected as bodyguards for officers and Heads of State. They are even provided training in the legal aspects of body guarding.
Bodyguard/Close Protection Training
Career as Professional Bodyguard is a highly awarding. However the choice of bodyguard courses and bodyguard training institutes really makes the difference. The different types of training courses includes being proficient in surveillance, first aid
training, driving techniques and specialization in Private Investigation. Prior to final selection of training institute, a candidate needs to gather information regarding operational experience, instructors, testimonials and about insurance. The SIA (Security Industry Authority) is the institute which issues licence, and there are training providers who are permitted to provide SIA approved training courses. Most of the training institutes have designed programs so that it covers all the core competencies which have been specified by SIA.
Close Protection Courses
Close Protection Courses include Surveillance Training, Bodyguard Training, SIA core Training and many more. To excel in this career of Close Protection Officer, one needs to get training from some of the best training institutes. In the UK, an individual is required to have a SIA Close Protection License to work in this sector, and a basic Close Protection Course takes 14 days which covers all the core competencies as have been prescribed by the SIA. This training involves physical drills, theory classes, driving skills and strategic planning for reconaissance. It is very important that this training should include today’s requirements of being technologically oriented.
Close Protection Course
Before one takes a final decision of selecting a training institute, it is very important to collect detailed information about operational experience, instructors, and testimonials of the training institute.
There are many training institutes which are allowed to provide SIA training Course, and one institute is which issues licences (Security Industry Authority). Their programs are designed in such a manner that it covers all the core competencies which has been listed by the SIA. There are many training institutes which are only interested in making money and so they almost allow anyone to join this course, just teach them the very basics and then that Course reaches to Completion. This has actually created a big problem as the industry is full of inexperienced people, who are moving in the market with just a license in their hands.
It is really important to for an individual to be both physically and mentally fit before he/she opts for this field. He needs to be expert in communication as well. It really requires dedicated people who can work on their own. It is really important that the instructor who is training has had practical experience. The selection of Close Protection Courses as well as the training institute determines the level of Officers who will enter the market. And only dedicated people as well as committed trainers will give their 100%, and this will change the image of Security Industry.
