Understanding the Differences Between Travel and Residential Security
The topic of executive protection has been making headlines recently, as growing concerns around personal safety, corporate risk and public visibility continue to rise. Executive protection isn’t just for CEOs; high-net-worth individuals, public figures and others in sensitive or high-profile roles are increasingly turning to professional protection services to safeguard themselves and their families. Among the most common and essential types of executive protection are travel protection and residential protection. Although both serve to keep the individual safe and can include visible physical presence, each has distinct purposes.
Executive Travel Protection
Traveling to different places makes high-profile individuals more vulnerable to risks due to their wealth, position or public status. These individuals face an assortment of threats, unlike the average traveler. From understanding different cultural norms or languages to navigating unfamiliar areas, travel opens the door to broader risks.
Traveling executive protection should include a diligently planned security program. Before traveling, each team should be well-versed in the area they are visiting. A comprehensive knowledge of the areas allows for detailed plans and backup strategies to be made. Traveling security services should include secure routes, vetted transportation and lodging and venue security checks. While traveling to the destination, real-time monitoring and ongoing risk evaluations should be performed constantly. However, travel protection can be more transactional between you and the team providing the services, depending on the length of your travel and working relations.
Residential Executive Protection
Although high-profile individuals themselves are more vulnerable to risks, so are their assets, properties and family members. A home is often viewed as a person’s ‘safe space.’ However, threats, varying from privacy invasion and vandalism to theft and abduction, are realities these individuals’ properties and families face.
While residential services are primarily located in one area, the security solutions to safeguard them are not any less complex. Residential protection teams should find the balance of protecting assets and minimal intrusion to lifestyle. An effective property protection program requires 24/7 monitoring, perimeter security, surveillance installation and emergency responses in place. However, residential executive protection should not be limited to just property monitoring or neighborhood patrols. Depending on client requests, thorough security services for a residence will include close protection for the individuals within the property.
“Executive protection is close protection; it involves a certain level of interaction with the individual being protected”, says Jeff Salvetti, Co-Founder of Blue Star Security and the Vice President of Protos’ Specialized Services Division. “In a residential setting, that can include assisting with errands, providing protection for family members, as well as ensuring their property is secure.”
The protection of homes and loved ones requires a certain level of trust. Therefore, executive protection teams should be thoroughly vetted and highly trained. From international travel to understanding personal routines, the right team should deliver a balance of preparedness and adaptability. As executive protection needs continue to evolve, understanding the services you need can make all the difference in maintaining safety and peace of mind.
Conclusion
In this day and age, responding to threats isn’t enough, executives and public figures must have a proactive security plan in place for all scenarios. Whether ensuring safe travels or a secure home base, safety should never take a backseat.
Specialized Services Division
Protos’ Specialized Services Division is fulfilled by Blue Star Security. Originally founded in 2009 by Jeff Salvetti and Anthony Varchetto, Blue Star is a premier provider of executive protection services and specialized tailored security services. Their team is made up entirely of active or retired law enforcement with years of background, authority and experience in providing travel and residential protection for high-profile individuals.
