Corporate

In the 1970s and 1980s, the risk landscape for companies and other organizations was dominated by the terrorism of the “Red Army Faction.” Under these conditions, various corporations developed authority-like, sometimes hypertrophic, personal protection structures. The declaration of renunciation of violence by the RAF initiated a phase of reduction. This trend continues to this day, with a brief counter-trend after September 11, 2001. In parallel, a new security culture was shaped by a generational change in the management of companies and corporate security. In some cases, C-level members developed actual discomfort with security escorts.

Nevertheless, a general abandonment of personal protection measures is generally not justifiable. Not even from a care perspective. The threat situation is multifaceted, diverse, and dynamic. Especially when the visibility and “touchability” of top executives is a program, corresponding risk effects must not be underestimated. There are numerous examples and indications that managers are in the crosshairs of criminal, violent actors

Even in the presence of a proven threat, a permanent escort with internal employees may not always be the solution. There are alternative, smart, and diverse personal protection models that meet high security requirements.

It is in the nature of things that top executives, who make far-reaching, risky decisions on a daily basis, tend to underestimate a possible threat to themselves or their family. Practice and logic teach us that it is not the person at risk who decides whether a fatal event occurs, but the potential attacker. It is not easy for decision makers to accept situations that they cannot counter with their decision-making routines.

This is despite the fact that companies – especially those listed on the stock exchange – are legally obliged to establish an early detection and control system for risks that could jeopardize their continued existence. This must necessarily also relate to the sustainable prevention of and defense against attacks of any kind – smart or physical – against the physical integrity and freedom of action of members of top management.

The examination of professional executive protection models, based on an objective risk assessment, is therefore an essential component of corporate risk prevention.

Some publicly traded corporations and medium-sized companies have partially or fully outsourced global personal protection services for members of their executive and supervisory bodies. Often, a controlling interface is established through the specialist department, which can:

• determine, expand, or reduce capacities according to specific needs,
• control the specialized provider as a retained organization and
• integrate its performance into its own security and crisis organization.

In times of dynamically evolving threat risks, changing legal and regulatory requirements, and tight budgets, flexibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and quality become central arguments for such security outsourcing.

Proteus.one delivers precisely and reliably what is needed and fits into the overall picture of corporate security for its clients.

Some publicly traded corporations and medium-sized companies have partially or fully outsourced global personal protection services for members of their executive and supervisory bodies. Often, a controlling interface is established through the specialist department, which can:

• determine, expand, or reduce capacities according to specific needs,
• control the specialized provider as a retained organization and
• integrate its performance into its own security and crisis organization.

In times of dynamically evolving threat risks, changing legal and regulatory requirements, and tight budgets, flexibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and quality become central arguments for such security outsourcing.

Proteus.one delivers precisely and reliably what is needed and fits into the overall picture of corporate security for its clients.

This can be summed up in a simple formula: Consultation & support in the cases where we can fill a gap. From

• country-specific risk assessments including manageable security recommendations
• with training and coaching for behaviour optimization
• to intelligence and escort protection measures with emergency medical care,
• complemented by the use of the PROTEUS.one smartphone emergency app,
• to professional emergency management.

The need depends, of course, on how internationally the department is positioned and internally networked. A global player that attaches high importance to personal protection in its corporate security architecture and has established in-house functions for executive protection, situational awareness, emergency and crisis management, or travel and international security will tend to need less support than a company that either lacks such structures and processes or only has rudimentary ones.

However, even for corporations that are organized similar to law enforcement agencies and maintain personal protection units, it can be advantageous in certain countries to rely on local experts. These experts can contribute crucial security added value through their local knowledge, multilingualism, armament, and highly resilient contacts. Best practice is to deploy a local employee as a security coordinator and, in addition, local personnel.

It is our goal to be able to provide competent experts through our international network in every destination for our clients.