Executive's Guide to Personal Security, 2nd Edition David S. Katz
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Executive’sGuide toPersonal Security
Executive’sGuide toPersonal
Security
IlanCaspi
SECONDEDITION DavidS.Katz
©2020JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.Allrightreserved.
ThissecondeditionfirstpublishedbyJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,Hoboken,NewJersey.
PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada.
EditionHistory
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData:
Names:Katz,DavidS.,1960-author.|Caspi,Ilan,author.
Title:Executive’sguidetopersonalsecurity/DavidS.Katz,IlanCaspi.
Description:Secondedition.|Hoboken,NewJersey:JohnWiley&Sons, Inc.,[2020]|Includesindex.
Identifiers:LCCN2019051845(print)|LCCN2019051846(ebook)|ISBN 9781119574378(paperback)|ISBN9781119574392(adobepdf)|ISBN 9781119574385(epub)
Subjects:LCSH:Executives—Protection.|Executives—Crimes against—Prevention.|Businesstravel—Safetymeasures.|Violencein theworkplace—Prevention.|Corporations—Securitymeasures.|Office buildings—Securitymeasures.|Emergencymanagement.|Privatesecurity services.
CoverDesign:Wiley
CoverImage:©Pressmaster/Shutterstock
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
10987654321
Tomywritingpartner,colleague,andfriend,IlanCaspi.
Formylateparents,BeatriceandAlvin
Formybeautifulwife,Galina,andmysons,Daniel,Michael, andBenjamin
Formyin-laws,NelliandYefim,andespeciallyformygrandmother-in-law, Sofya,formakingmefeellikeagrandsonagain.
–DavidS.Katz
Tomywritingpartner,colleague,andfriend,DavidKatz.
Formyparents,EttiandYossi,forallyoursupportandlove.
Formybrother,Amit,andmysisters,NiraandHagit—whileourpathsmay bedifferent,thebondbetweenuswillremainforeverstrong.
Formydaughters,EllaandMaya,andmyson,Jacob,forgivingmenew meaningtolifeandaddingendlessjoytoeachday
–IlanCaspi
CONTENTS
AbouttheAuthorsix Prefacexiii Introductionxv
Chapter1DevelopingaSecurityMind-set1
Chapter2PlanningforEmergenciesintheOffice15
Chapter3ReceiptofSuspiciousMailandPackagesand BombThreats47
Chapter4ViolenceintheWorkplace65
Chapter5SurvivinganActiveShooterIncident73
Chapter6PersonalandBusinessTravelSecurity91
Chapter7TraveltoHigh-RiskAreas113
Chapter8HijackingandHostageSurvival157
Chapter9EspionageandFraudProtection: TheExecutivePerspective169
Chapter10ExecutiveProtection185
Chapter11RunningaSuccessfulSecurityBusinessFunction195
Chapter12BreakingintoaSecurityCareerinthePrivateSector205
Chapter13CarryingaFirearmforPersonalProtection217 Index227
vii
ABOUTTHEAUTHORS
DavidS.Katz isaformerseniorSpecialAgentwiththeDrugEnforcement AdministrationandthechiefexecutiveofficerofGlobalSecurityGroup,Inc., acompanyprovidingprotectiveandinvestigativeservices,securityandfire/life safetyconsulting,andhighlyspecializedtrainingforbothprivatesectorand governmentclients.Heisanexpertinconductingcomplexdomesticandinternationalinvestigations,executinghigh-riskarrests,conductingundercover andsurveillanceoperationssmallunitanddefensivetactics,preparingsecurity assessments,conductingintelligenceanalysis,andplanninglarge-scaletactical operations.Heisanationallyrecognizedexpertinactiveshooterresponseand prevention.
Davidisafederallycertifiedfirearmsandtacticalinstructorwhospentfour yearsasaPrimaryFirearmsInstructorattheFBI/DEAAcademyinQuantico, Virginia,wherehetaughtfirearmsandtacticstoseveralthousandfederalagents, stateandlocallawenforcementofficers,SWATteams,militarypersonnel,and foreignmilitaryandlawenforcementcounterparts.Arecognizedauthorityin lawenforcementarresttactics,hehasprovidedtrainingtopoliceunitsandtacticalteamsaroundtheworldincludingtheIsraeliGeneralSecurityAgency,the NewYorkCityPoliceDepartmentEmergencyServicesUnit,andtheMarine detailassignedtoHMX-1,thepresident’sofficialhelicopter.
DavidwasalsotheDEAliaisontotheIsraeliSecretService,developing acooperativerelationshipwiththeirfieldagentsandtrainingstaff.Hehas providedadvancedtacticalfirearmstrainingtoIsraeliGeneralSecurityAgency (ShinBet)instructorsinIsraelandfirearmsandtacticaltrainingtotheDiplomaticSecurityServiceAgentsandU.S.MarinesguardingtheU.S.Embassy inTelAvivandtheU.S.ConsulateinJerusalem.Davidalsoobservedand participatedintraininggiventoShinBetsecurityofficers,ELALIsraelAirlines securityagents,andoperatorsfromeliteIsraelicounterterrorunits.
David’sbackground,skills,andtraininghavemadehimahighlysoughtaftersecurityconsultant.Hehaspreparedtherisk/threat/vulnerability assessmentsandcreatedtheemergencyactionplansformorethan100
ix
commercialproperties,includingmanyofthemostprestigiousinNewYork City.Hisinvestigativeexpertiseisingreatdemandintheprivatesector,andhe hasconductedandsupervisedmanyhigh-profileinvestigationsfornumerous commercialclientsandwell-knownlawfirms.Hehastestifiedasanexpert witnessasbothalawenforcementofficerandsubsequentlyinprivatepractice inhigh-profilefederalcivillawsuitsinvolvinghundredsofmillionsofdollarsin prospectivedamages.
Davidisperhapsbestknownforhisexpertisewithrespecttoactiveshooter responseandprevention.DuringhistenureatQuantico,hedevelopedlesson plansforteachinglawenforcementofficershowtoquicklyanddynamically enterthesceneofanactiveshootersituationandeffectivelyengagetheshooter.
Afterleavinggovernmentservice,Davidutilizedhisknowledgewithrespectto activeshooterresponseinordertocreatetheActiveShooterResponseTraining program,widelyregardedasthemostcomprehensive,action-orientedactive shooterresponseprograminthenation.Astrongproponentofproactive preventivemeasures,DaviddevelopedtheActiveShooterThreatRecognition programusinghisextensiveexperienceaswellasresearchfromthenation’stop lawenforcementagencies.Theprogramidentifiedanumberofcommonalities sharedbyactiveshootersandotherperpetratorsofincidentsofmassviolence. Hehaspersonallyprovidedthistrainingtohundredsofclientsincluding Fortune50firms,corporations,universities,privateandpublicschools,religious organizationsincludingmega-churchesandthenation’slargestandmosthighprofilesynagogues,hospitals,governmentandlawenforcementagencies,and residentialproperties.
DavidisalsodirectlyinvolvedwithassistingtheFireDepartmentoftheCity ofNewYorkinthecreationoftheactiveshooterresponseprotocolsthatare taughttoNewYorkCity’sfireandlifesafetydirectors.Attherequestofthat department,heallowedsomeofthematerialhedevelopedtobeincludedinthe studymaterialsfortheFDNYActiveShooter&MedicalEmergencyPreparednesscourse.
HehasalsoprovidedcorporateWorkplaceViolationRecognition& Preventiontrainingtocorporateclientsacrossthecountry.Thisprogram stressedtheimportanceofestablishinga“zero-tolerance”policyforincidents ofworkplaceviolenceaswellasthedevelopmentofproperreportingand documentationproceduresforallsuchincidents.Theprogramalsoteaches howtodeescalateconflictsandtheroleoflawenforcementandprivate securityinsituationsrequiringamorerobustresponse.Inaddition,Davidhas providedsecurityduringnumerous“hostileterminations”andisfamiliarwith themeasuresrequiredtopreventsuchterminationsfromleadingtoviolence.
x AbouttheAuthors
Davidistheauthorofarticlesonsafetywhiletravelingabroadandhas writtenapproximately50articlesonemergencyplanning,personalsafety, investigativepractice,protectiveequipment,terrorism,andotherrelated topics.Hehaslecturedthroughouttheworldandhasprovidedsecurityand safetytrainingtoseniorexecutivesandtheexecutiveprotectionpersonnel ofsomeoftheworld’sleadingcorporations.Davidisafrequentgueston nationallybroadcasttelevisionandradioprogramsincludingFoxNews,CNN, andothers.HehasalawdegreefromHofstraUniversitySchoolofLaw.
IlanCaspi isabusinessexecutive.Forthelastfifteenyears,hehasworked withseniormanagementinlargecorporationstosolvecomplexbusinesschallengesandimprovebusinessperformance.Priortohisbusinesscareerinthe privatesector,IlanservedasamemberoftheIsraeliGeneralSecurityAgency (ShinBet),theIsraeliDiplomaticSecurityService,andELALIsraelAirlines.He isanexpertinexecutiveprotection,threatassessments,anddevelopingcomprehensivesecurityprotocolsforinternationalorganizations.
BeforejoiningtheIsraeliintelligenceandsecuritycommunity,heserved inacombatunitintheIsraeliAirForceandparticipatedinmanyantiterroristoperations.Duringhisservice,hereceivedthePresidentofIsrael’s“Most DistinguishedSoldier”award.
AsamemberofShinBet,IlanservedintheOfficeofthePrimeMinisterof Israel,wherehespecializedinthefieldofexecutiveanddignitaryprotection. WithELALIsraelAirlines,heacquiredextensiveoperationalpracticeinthe fieldofairportsecuritymanagementandcivilaviation.Heconductedsecurity surveysatvariousairportsandservedasanon-boardsecurityagent.
Ilanappliedhisknowledgeandskillsintheinternationalarenaasa memberoftheIsraeliDiplomaticSecurityService.Heconductedvulnerability assessmentsofinternationalfacilitiesandupdatedsecurityprotocols.During histenureattheIsraeliembassyinWashington,DC,hereviewedtheembassy’s existingsecurityprotocols,implementedimprovements,andtraineddiplomats onpersonalsecurityawarenesswhiletravelingandworkingabroad.Asanexpert inradicalIslamicterroristorganizations,Ilanroutinelyanalyzedintelligence dataandformulatedresponseplanstomeetidentifiedthreats.Hereceived hisBachelorofArtsdegree(cumlaude)inPoliticalScienceandInternational AffairsfromtheOpenUniversityofIsraelinTelAviv.HeholdsanMBAfrom theUniversityofChicago,BoothSchoolofBusiness(Dean’sHonorList,2007) withaconcentrationinStrategy,Marketing,andFinance.
AbouttheAuthors xi
PREFACE
ITHASBEENMORETHANSIXTEENYEARS sincewewrotethefirsteditionofthis book.Atthetime,lessthantwoyearsaftertheattacksof9/11,wehadboth separatedfromservicetoourrespectivecountriesandenteredtheprivatesector.Thecountrystillwasinaheightenedstateofalert.Civiliansworkinginthe privatesectorhadbeendeliberatelytargeted,andcompaniesandindividuals wereforcedtoreconsiderthewaytheyviewedsecurity.Ourinitialgoalwhenwe wrotethefirsteditionofthisbookwastoaddressthechangingsecurityneeds ofprivatecompaniesintheperiodimmediatelyfollowingtheattacksof9/11. Agoodportionofthefirstedition,therefore,providedmeasurestoaddressthe concernsposedbyactsofterrorismorpotentialactsofterrorismonU.S.soil andabroad.
Intheyearsafterthebookwaspublished,weconsultedandtrained hundredsofcompanies,governmentagencies,lawenforcementagents,private securitypersonnel,andexecutives.IlanreceivedhisMBAfromtheUniversityof ChicagoBoothSchoolofBusiness.Hehasworkedasamanagementconsultant andiscurrentlyaseniorexecutivewithamajorinternationalcompany.David foundedGlobalSecurityGroup,Inc.,afirmprovidinganumberofservices includingpersonalprotection,fireandlifesafetyconsulting,planningand drills,privateinvestigations,andhighlyspecializedtraining.Itwasthisprivate sectorexperiencethatprovidedusbothwithaclearerviewintothecurrent stateofsecurityincorporateAmericaandwhatisneededtocontinuetomove towardthegoalofgreatersafetyandsecurityintheworkplace.Althoughthe threatofterrorismwillcontinuetobeanissuethatcanpotentiallyaffect theprivatesector,thisbookfocusesmoreonthemorecommonsafetyand securityconcernsthatcompaniesfaceeachday.
Todaybusinessesfaceamuchmorecomplexsetofsecuritychallengesthan everbefore.Whetheryourcompanyisrelativelysmallandlimitedtoaparticular cityorregionorisamajorinternationalcorporationwithasignificantinternationalfootprint,youmustremaincognizantofthepotentialsafetyandsecurityissuesfacingyourorganizationandemployeesandhowtheyarechanging.
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Concernsaboutworkplaceviolence,activeshooterincidents(usuallyaresult ofunaddressedworkplaceviolenceissues),intellectualpropertyandassetprotection,andotherissuessuchashealthemergencies,weather-relatedhazards, naturaldisasters,travelsafetyandoverseaspoliticalupheavals,orlocalizedviolencearemorepressing.Failuretoaddresstheseissuesintheworkplacecould leadtosignificantorevencatastrophicresultsforyourbusinessandemployees.
Inthissecondedition,weleverageourcombinedexperiencesfromour careersworkingingovernmentserviceandintheprivatesectortoteachsecurity personnel,corporateexecutives,andemployeeshowtorecognizeandprepare fortherealthreatsfacingordinaryindividualsandcompaniesintoday’sworld. Thisbookprovidesthetypeofinformationnecessarytoempoweryouwiththe knowledgetoprotectyourbusiness,yourself,andothers.Thisknowledge,formerlyprovidedonlytogovernmentsecurityprofessionals,ismadeavailableto youinthisbookinaformatsuitableforthecorporateenvironment.Youwill learnhowthefearandstressexperiencedduringadangerousincidentcauses changesincognitiveability,perception,andtheabilitytomakecriticaldecisions andhowthoseeffectscanbemitigated.Youwilllearnhowtodetectthewarning signsofapotentiallyviolentemployeeandwhattodotopreventviolencefrom occurring.Youwilllearnthesurvivalstrategiestoemployintheeventyouare caughtinanactiveshooterincident.Ifyouareanexecutiveresponsibleforthe safetyofyouremployeesandcorporateassets,youwilllearnhowtosecureyour employeesandyourfacility,howtoformulateemergencyprotocols,andhowto managetheresponsetoafireornon-fireemergency.Ifyouplantotravelabroad orareanexpatriateworkingforyourcompanyinanothercountry,thisbook willarmyouwiththenecessaryknowledgetotaketheactionsthatwillenhance yourphysicalsafetyandsecurityaswellasthesafetyofyourfamilyandcoworkers.Finally,ifyouareanexecutiveresponsibleforcorporatesecurityandlife safetyissues,thisbookwillprovideyouwiththeknowledgetorunasuccessful securityoperationandestablishyourselfasavaluableassetwithinthecorporate businessenvironment.
xiv Preface
DavidS.Katz IlanCaspi
September2019
THEREISAFOUNDATIONALPRINCIPLE thatappliestoanyseriousdiscussion ofsecurityanditisthis:Unlessyouarecommittedtodevelopingasecuritymind-set,youwillnotbeabletomakeuseofmostoftheinformationthatis providedinthisbook.Thesecuritymind-setisfarmorevaluablethananytechnologyorsecurityprocedureorprotocolwecanputinplace;thehumanfactor isbyfarthemostcriticalelementwhenitcomestoaddressingsecurityandlife safetyconcerns.
Asyoureadthisbook,eachchapterstressesadifferentaspectofsecurity thatisdesignedtogreatlyenhanceoverallsafety,whetheryouareatwork,at home,ortravelingabroad.Eachoftherecommendationsprovidedhasbeen provenovertheyearstobeeffectiveinimprovingyouroverallsecurityposture.However,unlessyoulearnhowtopayattentiontoyoursurroundingsand identifythreatsbeforetheymaterialize,verylittleoftheinformationcontained hereinwillbeofusetoyou.Thefollowingisashortsynopsistowhatweare goingtocoverinthisbook.
Chapter1:DevelopingaSecurityMind-set.Yourbrainisyourmostvaluabletoolwithrespecttopersonalsecurityandoveralllifesafetysowebegin bydiscussinghowtodevelopthesamementalskillsthatwell-trainedsecurity professionalshave.Thischaptermakesthecasethatdevelopingproperobservationalskillsandlearningtodrawtherightconclusionsfromthoseobservations isthesinglemostimportantthinganyonecandotobecomelessvulnerableto harm.Weexplainindetailtheeffectsthatstressandfearexperiencedduringa criticalincidentcanhaveonyourcognitiveandperceptualability.Ideally,the goalistoteachyoutorecognizedangeroussituationsbeforetheyoccur;avoidingadangeroussituationisalwaysbetterbeentryingtoextricateyourselffrom dangeronceithasbegun.
Chapter2:PlanningforEmergenciesintheOffice.Howdoyouhandle anemergencyoremergingincidentintheoffice?Whatifanemployee,client, vendor,orguesthasamedicalemergency?Whataboutafireinyourbuilding oronyourfloor?Therearealsomanynon-fire-relatedemergencies,ranging
INTRODUCTION
xv
fromsevereweather,toaccidents,toactsofterrorisminvolvingweaponsofmass destruction,thatcanthreatenyoursafety.Doyoucurrentlyhaveprocedures inplacetohandlethesetypesofincidents,orwouldyoubeforcedtotryto respondappropriatelyduringacriticalincidentwithoutaplanandwhileunder extremestress?Whataboutprotectingyourbusiness?Arethereactionsrelated tobusinesscontinuityyouwouldneedtotakeintheeventthereisanevacuation orin-buildingrelocation?Howwouldtheclosureofyourofficeorfacilityforan extendedperiodaffectyourbusiness?
Inthischapterweteachyouhowtodevelopplansonhowtorespondinthe eventofanemergencytoensurethesafetyofyouremployees,theprotectionof yourassets,andthecontinuityofyourbusiness.
Chapter3:ReceiptofSuspiciousMailandPackagesandBombThreats. Howwouldyouhandleabombthreatattheoffice?Wouldyouimmediately evacuatethebuildingorwaitforthepolicetoarriveandtellyouwhattodo?
Thechancethatyourplaceofbusinesswillreceivealetterorpackagebombis extremelyremote,butmanybusinesseswillhavetodealwithsuchathreatatone timeoranothersopriorpreparationisanecessity.Aremostthreatslegitimate?
No,mostsuchthreatsareintendedtodisruptyourdailybusinessactivities.Does thatchangewhatyourresponsewouldbe?
Howwouldyouhandlethereceiptofasuspiciousletterorpackage?What aboutanunattendeditemleftintheofficethatnoonecanidentify?Whatwould youdoifoneofyouremployeesreportedreceivingaletterthatwasleakingsome sortofpowderorliquidandhadastrongornoxioussmell?
Inthischapterwecoveralltheseissuesanddelveintosomemotivationsthat drivethreatsmadetotheoffice.Thesetypesofincidentsalwaysgeneratealaw enforcementresponse,butthestepsyoutakebeforethefirstrespondersarrive arecriticallyimportantandarediscussedingreatdetailinthischapter.
Chapter4:ViolenceintheWorkplace.AccordingtotheBureauofLabor Statistics,homicideisthethirdleadingcauseofdeathintheworkplace. Sometimesthethreatisexternal;retailbusinesses,forexample,haveariskof beingrobbed.However,inmanyothercases,thethreatofharmtoemployees comesfromotheremployees.Employee-generatedviolenceintheworkplace isafrighteningprospectforanycompany,particularlybecause,absentthe creationoftheappropriatereportingsystem,itcanbedifficulttodetect andaddressbeforeanactofviolenceoccurs.Companiesmustestablisha zero-tolerancepolicytowardviolenceintheworkplaceandexercisevigilance inordertodealwithaggressive,belligerent,andpotentiallyviolentemployees. Thischapteranalyzestheriskposedbyviolentindividualsintheworkplaceand suggestsappropriatepreventivemeasurestomaintainasafeenvironmentin
xvi Introduction
theoffice.Thechapteralsoaddresseshowtodealwithactsofdomesticviolence affectingemployees,assuchviolenceoftenfindsitswaytotheworkplace.
Chapter5:SurvivinganActiveShooterIncident.FBIstatisticsrevealthat thenumberofactiveshooterincidentsisincreasing.Theseeventsareunpredictable,chaotic,andhappenveryquickly.Organizationscannevercompletely eliminatetheriskofsuchanattackoccurring,buttheymaytakemanyactions beforeanattackinordertotryandpreventit,duringanattacktomitigatepotentialdamageandlossoflife,andafteranattacktoreturntonormaloperations asquicklyaspossible.Thischapterreviewsactiveshooterincidents,particularlywithrespecttosuchincidentsintheworkplace,andprovidesinformation neededtosurviveanactiveshooterincidentintheeventoneoccurs.
Chapter6:PersonalandBusinessTravelSecurity.Thetypeofbusinessa companyperformsandthepartsoftheworldwheretheworkisdonecanalso createsecurityissues.Internationalcompaniesmayhavetodealwithpotential threatstotheiroverseasbusinesstravelersandexpatriateemployees.Companies andtheiremployeeslocatedinpoliticallyvolatileareasmaygetcaughtupin localorregionalconflictsoreventerroristattacks.Inthischapterweprovide valuableinformationonhowtoprepareforatripandhowtoconductyourself whileoverseas.Thischapteraddressesresidingabroadaswell.
Chapter7:TraveltoHigh-RiskAreas.Mostcriminalorterroristoperations arenotconductedatrandom.Virtuallyallterroristorcriminalattacksare precededbyapre-operationalstagewhereintelligenceisgatheredaboutthe intendedtarget.Followingatargetinordertolearnhisorherdailyroutineis oneofthemostcriticalelementsofthisstage,andtheobjectiveistoidentify aplaceand/ortimewherethetargetismostvulnerable.Inthischapterwe discusshowsurveillanceisperformedinordertohelpyouunderstandhowto utilizecountersurveillancetechniquestodetectwhetheryouarebeingwatched orfollowed.Youlearntheprinciplesofrouteselectiontoreducevulnerability whiledrivingandrecognizetheimportanceofknowingthelocationofthe nearestsafehaven.Ifyouarerequiredtotraveltopotentiallydangerous areasorareahigh-profileindividualorasecurityprofessionalresponsiblefor protectingsomeone,thischapterwillbeofextremeinteresttoyou.
Chapter8:HijackingandHostageSurvival.Thesubjectsofhowtorespond duringahijackingandhowtosurviveahostagesituationareextremelycomplex. Thereareseveralschoolsofthoughtonwhattodoifyoubecomeembroiledin eitherorbothofthesesituations.Becausecurrentlythereislittleconsensuson thebestwaystorespond,inthischapterwesharethedifferentapproaches.We discusstheprosandconsofthevariousapproachesinordertofamiliarizeyou withtheprevailingexpertopinionsonthistopic.
Introduction xvii
Chapter9:EspionageandFraudProtection:TheExecutivePerspective. Theftofintellectualpropertyandfraudconstitutemajorsourcesofrevenue andinventorylosstobusinesses.Counterfeitgoods,piratedsoftware,andtheft oftradesecretstogetherrepresentan“economicloss”totheU.S.economyof between$225billionand$600billionannually,accordingtothefindingsofa 2017researchreportfromthebi-partisanIPCommission, TheTheftofAmerican IntellectualProperty:ReassessmentsoftheChallengeandUnitedStatesPolicy.Despite knowingthis,businessesarestillmakingthesamemistakes.Canweprotectthe company’smostcriticalinformationfromfallingintothewronghands?
Executivesareoftenthetargetsofscams,bothsimpleandcomplicated.Can anythingbedonetoreducethisrisk?Inthischapterwecoverbasicfraudpreventionandprotectionofintellectualproperty.
Chapter10:ExecutiveProtection.Protectinganindividualisaverydifferent disciplinefromsecuringafacility.Topexecutivescan’tbelockeddown.Theyare necessarilymobile,andthatmobilitycanexposeexecutivestoavarietyofrisks. Overthelastsixteenyears,wehavehadtheopportunitytoprovidesecurityand closeprotectiontobusinessexecutives,A-listcelebrities,ambassadors,political figures,anddignitaries.Wehavealsotrainedthepersonnelwhoprotectsomeof theworld’smostwell-knownandhigh-profilebusinessmenand-women.What wehavelearnedisthatthereisnomorewidelymisunderstoodsecurityrole inprivateindustrythantheroleoftheexecutiveprotectionprofessional.For someexecutives,asecuritydetailsimplymeansthattheyhaveadriverwhois aformerpoliceofficerandisarmed.Formanyintheentertainmentindustry, thesecurityteamseemstobevaluedbythepound;agentsareextremelylarge, physicallyimposingtypeswhosejobistosimplyactasmobilebouncersforthe client.Thischapterdescribeswhatanexecutiveprotectionprogramcanand shouldbe.
Chapter11:RunningaSuccessfulSecurityBusinessFunction.Overthelast decadetherehasbeenamarkedincreaseinthenumberofcompaniesthat havecentralizedtheirsecurityfunctionsandestablishedanewrolecalleda chiefsecurityofficerorheadofsecurity.Thisindividualisthepersonresponsibleforoverallcorporatesecurity,whichincludesthephysicalsecurityand safetyofemployees,facilities,assets,andprotectionofinformation.Inrecent years,therolehasexpandedtoincludeadditionalrelatedareas,suchasbusinesscontinuityplanning,andlossandfraudprevention.Thispositionishighly challenging,andsuccessrequiresalotmorethanjusttechnicalknowledge. Theroledemandsleadership,strongbusinessacumen,andmanagementskills. Manyinthisrolecomefromalawenforcementormilitarybackgroundbutlack businessexperienceandanunderstandingofcorporateculture.Thisissuemay
xviii Introduction
beproblematicastheyarefacedwithcompetingforbudgetdollarsandmust makethecaseforincreasedfundingforthesecuritybudgetagainstseasoned businessveteransinotherdivisionsseekingthesamefunds.Learningtonavigateinthecorporateenvironmentisanewskill,andthischapterprovidesyou withtheknowledgeyouneedtodevelop,manage,andrunasuccessfulcorporatesecurityoperation.
Chapter12:BreakingintoaSecurityCareerinthePrivateSector.We decidedtoaddthischaptertorecountourexperiencesinmakingthetransitionfromgovernmentservicetothecivilianmarket.Overthelastfifteen yearswehavelearnedalotandrealizedthatthelessonswelearnedwouldbe helpfulforindividualscurrentlyworkinginlawenforcement,themilitary,or agovernmentagencywithasecurityfunctionwhoarepreparingtoembark onanewcareerinprivateindustry.Alotcanbedonebeforeyousubmityour retirementpapers,andthischapterprovidesthekindofguidancewewish wehadwhenwemadethetransition.Italsohelpsmanagersandexecutives understandtheleveloftalentthatisavailablefromthepublicsectorandhow theycanincorporatethattalentintotheirbusiness.
Chapter13:CarryingaFirearmforPersonalProtection.Weeachhavebeen askedmoretimesthanwecancounttogiveouropinionastowhetheranexecutiveshouldconsidercarryingafirearmforpersonalprotection.Inthisfinal chapter,weaddressthisquestioningreatdetailandgiveadetailedandcomprehensiveanswertothisverydifficultquestion.
Let’sgetstarted.
Introduction xix
CHAPTER1
Developinga SecurityMind-set
WELIVEINADANGEROUSWORLD.Youdon’tneedanyonetotellyouthat.
Thegoalofkeepingyourselfsafeandfreefromharmseemstobe almostimpossibletoachieve,andeventhemostcautiousandsecurity-conscious individualssometimesgetinjuredorkilled.However,whilesafetycannotbe guaranteed,itcanbedramaticallyenhanced.Thefirstandmostimportantstep inachievingthisgoalistodevelopwhatisknownasasecuritymind-set.Doing thisrequireslittlemorethanlookingattheworldinaslightlydifferentway.You simplyneedtodevelopasenseofvigilancethatbecomesalmostsubconscious, andthatiswhatthischapterfocuseson.Thegoodnewsisthatitisnotasdifficult asyoumightthink.
Theinitialtaskistolearntobemoreawareofyoursurroundings.Learning tobemoreobservantandhowtodrawthecorrectconclusionsfromyourobservationsiswithoutquestionthemostimportantelementinthisdiscussion;paying attentiontowhatisgoingonaroundyouisyourbestdefenseagainstunforeseen danger.Noneoftheotherrecommendationsinthisbookwillhelpunlessyou firstlearntobecomemoreobservantand,moreimportant,toappreciatethe significanceofthingsyousee.
Togiveyouanideaoftheimportanceofthisconcept,considerthat virtuallyallpoliceofficers,federalagents,professionalsecurityofficers,and othersinsimilarprofessionsaretaughtobservationalskillsasthebuilding blockinthedevelopmentoftheirsurvivalmind-set.Withoutexception,every lawenforcementacademyteachesitsstudentshowtobeobservantandwhat
1
thingstolookfor.Well-trainedlawenforcementpersonnelscrutinizetheir environment.Theireyesarealwaysmovingandtakingstockoftheirimmediate environment.Afteronlyashortwhileitbecomesanaturalandunconscious habit;theyarealwaysawareofwhat’sgoingonaroundthemandareableto drawappropriateconclusionsfromthethingstheyobserve.Experiencedpolice officersnoticetheunusual:thingsthatlookoutofplace,suchasanunfamiliar carparkedinaparticularneighborhoodorsomeonewearinganovercoatin warmweather.Thisskillisanabsolutenecessityforanyoneinpolicework. Itisalsoanindispensableskillforthoseseekingtoreducetheirchancesof becomingvictims.Thisskillisn’tverydifficulttolearn.Lookforthingsthat appeartobeoutofplaceandassessthemwithrespecttowhetherornotthey mayhavesomeadverseeffectonyourpersonalsafety.
Awarenesstrainingisgenerallythefirstthingtaughtinthesurvivalandsecuritycoursesgiventogovernmentagents,militarypersonnel,andpoliceofficers. IntheOfficeofTrainingoftheDrugEnforcementAdministrationinQuantico, Virginia,newDEAagentsreceiveaspecialblockoftrainingcalledAgentSurvival beforegraduatingandembarkingontheirrewardingalbeitdangerouscareers. Thisparticularcoursedealswithhowtosurvivetheviolentencountersthatthey willallface.Muchofitispsychologicalpreparationintendedtotrainagents tobepreparedtouseallnecessarymeanstosurviveaviolentencounterby developingacombatmind-set.Thecourseisveryintense,andmorethanone individualhasdecidedtoresignaftersittingthroughit.Butbeforethepsychologicaltrainingbegins,thefirstthingtheagentsaretaughtistheoverwhelming importanceofbeingawareoftheirenvironment.Becausethreatsmustbeidentifiedbeforetheycanbeaddressed,awarenessisthefirstlessoninlearninghow tosurvive.
ThesameistrueforIsraelisecurityagents,andtheirtraininginthisskill istakentoanevenhigherlevelthanthatofDEAagents.AnIsraeliagentis taughthowtospotawell-disguisedsuicidebomberorotherattackerbyreading themostsubtlebodylanguageindicators.Nonverbalcommunicationisactually morereliableanindicatorofintentthanthespokenword,anditisthis“humanelement”thatisthemostimportantfactorinidentifyingapotentialthreat. Technologyisagreathelpandawonderfultool,butitstillcannotmatchhuman intuition.
Thislevelofawarenessiscommoninsomecivilianpopulationsthatare, tragically,thetargetsofterrorism.IlanwasborninIsrael,wherehelearnedtobe observantatanearlyage,longbeforeheundertooktheextensivesecuritytrainingprovidedtoIsraelisecurityagentsandbeforehegainedexperienceprotectingIsraelidiplomaticpersonnel.Israelishave,bynecessity,learnedtheselessons
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fromseeingtheirfriendsandneighborsmurderedbeforetheireyes.IfsomeoneleavesabagunattendedonanIsraelicitystreetforevenasecond,citizens eithercallfortheownertoidentifyhim-orherselforalertthosearoundthem. Asarule,Americansdon’tdothat.Forabriefperiodinpost–September11 NewYorkCity,peoplewerecognizantofpackagesthatwereleftunattended. However,peoplehaveshortmemories.Thefartherwearefromaneventlike September11,themorecomplacentwebecome.Thesamedynamicistruewith respecttotheanthraxattacksthatoccurredshortlythereafterandthebombing thatoccurredattheBostonMarathononApril13,2013.
Aswehavestated,effectiveobservationalskillsarecriticalasthefirststepto takeifyouwishtoreduceyourriskofharm.Youneedtobecomemoreaware ofyourimmediatesurroundingsandknowhowtoidentifyapotentialthreatto yoursafety.Doingthiswillallowyoutoseedangerbeforeitmaterializesandact appropriatelytoforestallit.Inaddition,thereisanaddedbenefittodeveloping asenseofvigilance.Anyonelookingatyouwiththeintenttodoyouharmwill noticethatyouarepayingattentiontowhatisgoingonaroundyou,andthat immediatelymakesyoualessdesirabletarget.
LEARNINGAWARENESS—THECOLORCODESYSTEM
Howdoyoulearntobecomeawareofyoursurroundings?DEAinstructorsteach acolorcodeawarenesssystemborroweddirectlyfromColonelJeffCooper’s excellentbook PrinciplesofPersonalDefense. 1 Thissystembreaksdownlevelsof awarenessandreadinessintofourcolors:white,yellow,orange,andred.Itisa simpleandeffectivesystemforteachingawarenessandisworthrepeatinghere.
ConditionWhite
Thewhitestageisthesleepstate,thedreamstate,thestateinwhichyouare completelyunawareofyoursurroundings.Itismentionedfirstbecausethemost importantpointtotakeawayfromthischapteristhatyoumust never allowyourselftobeoutinpublicinconditionwhite.Wecanallrelatetotheexperience ofdrivingacarwhilelostinthought.Whenwearriveatourdestination,weare somewhatsurprisedaswereallyhavelittleornoconsciousrecollectionofmakingthetrip.Despitethisfact,wewereabletokeepthecarontheroad,brake whennecessary,andavoidothervehicles.Whileweweredriving,wewereon autopilot.Drivingbecomesanalmostunconscious,reflexactivity.Webecome sousedtodrivingthatweallowourordinarysenseofawarenesstoslacken.
DevelopingaSecurityMind-set 3
Thisalmostroboticstateiscommontomanyoftheroutinetasksthatweperformeachday.Routineactionstendtolullusintoconditionwhite.Understand thatifyouallowyourselftobeinconditionwhiteandyouareattacked,youhave givenalltheadvantagetoyourassailant.Theonlythingthatmightsaveyouis theattacker’sownineptitude.Conditionwhiteisnotanacceptablestatetoallow yourselftobeinoutsidethehome.
ConditionYellow
Wheninpublic,yourlevelofawarenessalwaysmustbeconditionyellowand youmustadoptthisconditioneachtimeyouleavethehouse.Whatiscondition yellow?Itisthestateofrelaxedalertness.Youareawareofyoursurroundings, butthereisnothingyouseethatwarrantscloserattentionoranelevationin yourconditionofreadiness.Basically,youarejustpayingattentiontotheworld aroundyou.Youarerelaxedandyouareabletonoticetheunusual.Whenyou leavethehouseinconditionyellow,younaturallyobservethestreetorparking area.Youknowwhatisusualforyourneighborhoodandwhatisnot.Youwould immediatelynoticeanunfamiliarvehicleparkednearby.Mostlikelyitisnothing toconcernyouatall,butyounoticeitanyway.Thisistheappropriatecondition tobeinwhenyouareoutandabout.
ConditionOrange
Somethingthatyouhavenoticedinconditionyellowhasgottenyourattention. Yourfocusisnowonaparticularpotentialthreat,andyoubegintoquicklyassess youroptions.Thisiswhereyouneedtoestablishwhatisknownasamental trigger.Yousaytoyourself“IfhedoesX,thenIwilldoY.”Ifthepotentialthreat turnsouttobenothing,yousimplyshiftbackintoconditionyellow.
ConditionRed
Conditionrediseither“fight”or“flight.”Thosearetheonlyoptionsthatare appropriateoncedangerhasmaterialized.However,thereisathird“f”:“freeze.”
Thatistheonethingyoumustnotdo,butitisthelikelyreactionofsomeone unawareandunprepared.Ifyouhaveidentifiedyourthreatinconditionorange andhaveestablishedyourmentaltrigger,youwillnotfreeze:Youwillact.
Inordertoillustratetheseconcepts,wearegoingtouseanexamplefrequentlyprovidedbyourgoodfriendandcolleague,JohnFriedlander.Johnis
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awell-respectedsecurityconsultantforKrollInc.,adivisionofDuff&Phelps,a consultancyfirm,andisalsoanadjunctprofessoratJohnJayCollegeofCriminalJusticeinNewYorkCity.Imagineyouareshoppingatthesupermarketlate onenight.Theparkinglotisrelativelyempty,andyouareparkedinasomewhatisolatedpartofthelot.Alwaysinconditionyellow,asyouexitthestore youobserveyoursurroundings.Asyouwheelyourcarttowardyourvehicle,you noticealonemalewalkingacrosstheparkinglot.Atthistimethereisnoreason foryoutobelievethatthispersonposesanysortofthreattoyou.Yousimplyare awareofhispresenceandyoukeephimonyourradar.Youreachyourcarand asyoubeginloadingyourgroceriesintothecar,youobservethattheindividualhaschangeddirectionandiswalkingdirectlytowardyou.Younowshiftto conditionorangeandbeginsettingupyourmentaltrigger.Youdonot“lower yoursix”;youarestillawareofyoursurroundings,particularlytoyourrear,as theremaybeotherthreatsinthearea.Thepersonwalkingtowardyoumay haveapartner,orasyouevaluateapossiblemeansofescape,youareawareof trafficthatmightposeahazardtoyouifyouwereforcedtoflee.Yourtrigger isasimpleone.Youthink,“Ifhegetsanotherfiftyfeetclosertome,Iwill ” Youmaydecidetoturnaroundandmovequicklybackintothestore.Orstop loadingyourgroceries,getintoyourvehicle,lockthedoor,anddriveaway.If youarearmed,youconsiderwhatactionwouldleadyoutodrawyourweapon andengagethisperson.Oryoumightsimplydecidetoturntowardthepersonandmakesureheseesthatyouareawareofhispresence.Youmightnot necessarilyassumeadefensiveposture,butatleastyouarepreparedtodosoif necessary.Iftheindividualcrossesthelineyouset,youactimmediately.Youare nowinconditionred,fightorflight.Itisthementaltriggerthatyouestablished inconditionorangethatallowsyoutoactquicklyanddecisivelyandnotfreeze whendoingsowouldplaceyouinjeopardy.Remember,thereareonlytwoalternatives:fightorflight.Ifyoumustfight,yourcounterattackmustbeswiftand violent.Ifyouflee,youmustliterallyrunforyourlife.Inthissituation,youwill alsolikelyexperiencethephysicalandpsychologicalresponsestofearthatwe discusslaterinthechapter.
Thebottomlineforpurposesofthisdiscussionisforeachofyourightnow asyoureadthisbooktomakeupyourmindtopayattentiontoyoursurroundingsandrespectthelittlewarningbellyouhaveinyourhead.Everyoneisobservantundercertainsituations.Putanupper-middle-classguyinaninner-city neighborhood,andhewillbecomequitecognizantofhissurroundings.The trickistodoitallthetime,notjustinplacesthatyoufindunsettling.Don’tget lulledintoconditionwhiteunderanycircumstances.Remember,youareoften mostvulnerableinfamiliarsurroundings.Generally,asyougetclosertohome,
DevelopingaSecurityMind-set 5
youtendtobecomemorerelaxed.Thatisthetimeyoumaybemostatrisk.Bad guysandterroristsknowthisandmayverywelldecidetohityouinyourcomfort zone.Complacencyonyourpartmakestheirjobeasier.Remember,becomingfamiliarwithyoursurroundingsgivesyouahugeadvantageoverpotential attackers.Becomingcomplacentshiftstheadvantagetothem.Donotcedethe advantagetothebadguys.
Asoureconomybecomesmoreandmoreglobal,executivesmayfindthemselveslivinginplaceswheretheyfacetheaddeddangerofterrorism.Youmay beanattractivetargettoterroristsbecauseofyournationaloriginorbecause ofthecompanyyouworkfor.Insuchhigh-risklocations,yourbiggestenemy isyourdailyroutine.Terroristsalwaysconductsurveillanceontheirintended targets,andpredictableroutinesmakeiteasiertoplanaviolentactagainstyou. Bybecomingasfamiliaraspossiblewithyoursurroundingsandbychanging yourdailyroutine,youcanpreventanattackwhileit’sstillinthepreplanning stage.Ilanhashadtheoccasiontointerrogateterroristssubsequenttotheircapture.Theoneswhotalk—andgenerallythatismostofthem—alwaysmention howscaredanduncomfortabletheywerewhiletheycollectedintelligenceinformationonthetargetbeforetheattack.Theyallfeltthatsomeonewasalways watchingthem,andmanytimesitcausedthemtochooseadifferenttarget.Use thisfacttoyouradvantage.Stayalertandpaycloserattentiontoyoursurroundings.Soonyouwillbeabletopickouttheunusual,includingthepresenceofa terroristorcriminalwhoistargetingyou.Inaddition,youralertdemeanorwill notbelostonanyoneevaluatingyouasapotentialtarget.Bybecomingmore consciousofyourenvironmentandalerttothingsoutoftheordinary,likelyyou willcauseapotentialassailanttomoveontoaneasiertarget.
WhenDavidattendedthesecurityoverseasseminarputonbytheU.S. DepartmentofState,heheardaninterestingstory.AU.S.Armysergeanthad beenmarkedforkidnappingbyterroristswhileservingoverseas.Thesecurity personnelattheU.S.embassyknewthathehadbeenselectedbecausearaid onaterroristsafehouseturnedupalistofindividualstargetedbythisgroup, andthesergeant’snamewasonthatlist.Thesergeant’sname,however,had beenscratchedoffandthereasonforhisdeselectionhadbeendocumented. Nexttothenametherewasanotationindicatingthatthisparticularindividual wassecurity-consciousandhadahabitoflookingupanddownthestreet everymorningbeforeheleftthehouse.Embassysecurityagentstalkedtothe sergeantbecausetheywantedtolearnwhatextraordinarystepshewastaking thathadactuallydissuadedadangerousgroupofterroristsfromcarryingout theirplot.Thesergeantwasperplexed.Hetoldtheagentsthathehadn’t beendoinganythingunusualthathecouldrecall.Hedidexplain,however,
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thathehadbeenhavingsomeproblemswiththekidwhodeliveredhisearly morningnewspaper,whoapparentlythrewitandcouldn’tgetittolandinthe sameplace.Hesaid,asaresult,thateachmorninghehadtogooutsideand searchforit.Anamusingstory.Butthinkaboutit.Thesimpleactiontakenby thismantolookaroundoutsideeverymorning,despitethefactthatithad nothingtodowithantiterrorism,wasenoughtodeterpotentialattackers. Theyperceivedhimtobesecurityconsciousandalertanddecidedtomoveon tothenextguy,whowasn’tpayingattentiontosecurity.Unfortunately,they didsowithtragicresults;theotherguywasn’tsolucky.Thebasiclessonthat mustnotbeoverlookedisthateventhemereappearanceoftakingsecurity precautionsoftenisenoughtopreventanattack.Humannatureisafunny thing.People,includingbadguysandterrorists,oftenseewhattheyexpectto see.Terroristsplanninganattackorabductiondon’tseeamanlookingforhis newspaper.Instead,theyseeasoldierobviouslywelltrainedincounterterror techniques.Humansgenerallychoosetheexplanationthatmatchestheirlevel ofanxiety.
Onefrequentlyheardcommentisthatpeopledon’twanttolivetheirlivesin fear,waitingforsomethingbadtohappen.Weagreecompletely.Beingawareof yourenvironmentdoesn’tequatetolivinginfear.Quitetheopposite.Youwon’t liveinfear.Youwilllivewiththeunderstandingthattheworldcanbedangerous andwiththeconfidencethatyouwillbeawareenoughtoseetroublecomingif ithappenstoyouoryourfamily.Itisn’tallthatdifficult.Lookaroundandpay attention.Itisassimpleasthat.
PHYSICALANDPSYCHOLOGICALRESPONSESTOFEAR
Everyonereadingthischapterprobablywillagreethatpeoplefacingacritical incidentlikelywillfeelfearandthestressthatitproduces.Thisfearandstress willalmostcertainlyhaveanegativeimpactontheircognitiveabilityandthe waytheyperceivetheirenvironment.Fearisgenerallyagoodthing.Itisyour bodytellingyouthatyouareindanger.Unlessfearbecomesparalyzing,itcan helpyoufightharderorrunfasterbycausingthereleaseofadrenalineinto yourbloodstream.However,theadrenalinerushalsocauseshumanstoexperiencecertainreactionsthatcanbequitedisconcertingtothosewhoarenot preparedforthem.Thesereactionsincludetachypsychia,auditoryexclusion, tunnelvision,andcognitivedissonance.
Theterm“tachypsychia”describestheperceptionofpeopleunderstress thatthepassageoftimechangesandeverythingismovinginslowmotion.For
DevelopingaSecurityMind-set 7
example,duringanattack,victimsoftenperceivetheattackertobemoving inslowmotion.OneoftheseniorexecutivesatGlobalSecurityGroup,Mark Novak,aretiredNewYorkPoliceDepartmentcaptain,recountshisharrowing experiencerunningforhislifeduringthecollapseoftheTradeCentertowersduringSeptember11.Mark,anextremelyathleticindividualandmarathon runner,feltthatheandthosearoundhimwererunningfromthecollapsing buildingsinslowmotion.Mostassuredlyhewasnot;hewasrunningfulltiltand managedtoescapewithoutinjury.Hisperceptionduringtheincident,however, wasthattimehadsloweddramatically.Agreatdealofstudyhasgoneintotryingtounderstandthisphenomenon,anditisbelievedthattheperceptionof timepassingmoreslowlyisactuallyadefensemechanismwhichmaywellaid insurvivalduringadangerousincident.Itisthoughtthatthisphenomenon iscausedbythebrainprocessinginformationmorequicklytoallowforafaster defensiveresponse.Unfortunately,mostpeopleexperiencingthisphenomenon becomedisorientedbyitandareaffectednegatively.Recognizingtheeffectof tachypsychiaallowsyoutouseittoyouradvantage.
Auditoryexclusionisanothercommonthingthatoccurstohumanswhen theyareunderextremestress.Thistermreferstothebrain’sabilitytoblock hearingwhilefocusedonathreat.Forexample,manypoliceofficersinvolved inshootingincidentsreportthattheyneverheardthesoundofgunfire,either fromtheassailant’sweaponortheirown.Tothoseofyouwhohavesomeexperiencewithfirearms,thisissomewhatsurprising;gunfireisquiteloud.Thereason auditoryexclusionoccursisthatthebrainsimplyblocksauditoryinputtoallow youtofocuscompletelyonthethreat.Duringagunfight,forexample,your braindiscriminatesamongthefivesenses.Atthemomentofconfrontation,you needmorethananythingelsetoseethethreatandrespondtoit.Youcertainly don’tneedtotaste,touch,smell,orevenhearyouropponent.Thiseffecthas bothpositiveandnegativeramifications.Theincreasedabilitytofocusisapositive.However,auditoryexclusioncancauseyounottohearthingsthatyou needto,suchasthesoundofanotherattackercomingatyoufrombehind.We knowofnowaytomoderatethiseffectotherthantobeawarethatithappens andtorecognizethatbyfocusingonyourhearing,itwillcomeback.Untilit does,youneedtoscanyourimmediateareaand“checksix,”meaningtoglance toyourreareachtimetheopportunitypresentsitself.Inaciviliansetting,the lossofhearingisequallyproblematic.Youmightnothearanannouncement overthepublicaddresssystemprovidingdirectionsduringanemergency,or youmightnothearthesoundofgunfireortheapproachofotherdangers. Becognizantofthepotentialforhearinglossandfocusongettingyourears workingagain.
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Theterm“tunnelvision”referstothenarrowingofyourfieldofviewasyou focusonaparticularthing.Theauthorshaveexperiencedthiseffectmanytimes andfindittobequitedangerous.Withtunnelvision,youloseperipheralvision, whichpreventsyoufromidentifyingadditionalassailantsorotherdangersthat maybeapproachingfromtheside.Trainingyourselftokeepyoureyesmoving canmitigatetheeffectoftunnelvision.DEAagents,forexample,aretaughtto scantheirimmediateareaaftertheyengageaparticularthreat.Theydothisto avoid“tunneling”inononethreatandbecomingoblivioustoothers.
Afinaleffectthatmustbeexaminedisknownascognitivedissonance ordenial.Thisreferstodisassociationwiththeactualeventsastheyoccur. Sometimes,duringacrisisorattack,victimsfeeltheyarewatchingtheevents unfoldasiftheywerehappeningtosomeoneelse.Thisreactionisperhapsthe mostdangerousofall.Disassociatedmindsrejecttheideathatsomethingso terriblecouldbehappeningtothem.Thedisassociationisawayforthemind tocopewiththesuddenandunpleasantrealitythatisnowconfrontingthe person.Thedangerliesinthefactthat,bydenyingtheeventasithappens,a personinthisstateisalsonegatinghisorherownabilitytofightbackeffectively orrun.Anotherrelatedphenomenonisthetendencypeoplehaveinmany instancestoaccepta“lessscary”explanationthatmayfitwiththefactsand circumstancestheyareexperiencing.Forexample,duringtheactiveshooter incidentinthemovietheaterinAurora,Colorado,in2012,membersofthe audienceobservedJamesHolmesenterthetheaterwithanumberoffirearms andcladinatacticalvest.Manypersonsinterviewedaftertheeventreported thinkingthatwhattheyobservedwassomesortofpublicitystuntorlive-action roleplayrelatedtotheopeningoftheBatmanmovie.Theyputasidethemore frighteningexplanationthatHolmeswasabouttostartfiringintothecrowdin favorofsomethingthatwaslessterrifying.Thewillingnessofourmindstocome upwithlessfrighteningalternativeswhenconfrontedwithextremedangeris problematic.Theoldadage“bettersafethansorry”isgoodadvice.Youcan alwayshopeforthebest—aslongasyouassumeandpreparefortheworst.
MENTALPREPAREDNESSTOMITIGATETHEEFFECTS OFFEAR/STRESS
Isthereawaytoreducethenegativeimpactoffearandstressonourcognitiveandperceptualability?Theanswerisyes,anditislargelyaccomplished throughmentalpreparation.Forexample,earlierwediscussedtheconcept ofestablishingamentaltriggerwhenconfrontedwithapotentiallydangerous
DevelopingaSecurityMind-set 9
situation.Ifyoudothat,youwillactappropriately,whichmitigatesthenegativeeffectofstressandfear.Asastreetagent,Davidoftenplayedthe“what-if” gamewithhispartner.Manytimestheywouldbesittingintheircaronalengthy surveillanceinhigh-crimeneighborhoods.Davidwouldaskhispartner:What wouldwedoifacarpulledupbehindusandtwomengotoutwithguns?How wouldwerespond?Whatwouldthepartnerdo?WhatwouldDaviddo?Then theywouldchangethescenariotosomethingelse.Bytalkingaboutit,theywere alsopreparingthemselvesforsuchemergencies.
Eachofusmustaskourselveswhatwewoulddoinaparticularsituation. Whatwouldwedoifwenoticeastrangecarfollowingus?Orhearthesoundof someonebreakingintoourhomeinthemiddleofthenight?Or,whilewalking atnight,wehearthesoundoffootstepsfollowingusdownadarkanddeserted street?Youneedtoconsiderthesepossibilitiesandponderthewhat-ifsforyourself.Awell-knownaxiomknownasthe6PPrinciplebestsumsupthisnotion: Properpriorplanningpreventspoorperformance.Wediscusspriorplanninginmore depthwhenwecoverfiredrillsandevacuationplans.Butforpurposesofthis discussion,itissufficienttounderstandthateventhepracticeofconsidering optionsinadvancecanallowyoutoactappropriatelyatthemomentofcrisis. Whenapersonisunderstress,thinkingclearlybecomesquitedifficult.Byplanninginadvance,youhave,ineffect,alreadydonethethinking.Nowallyouneed todoisact.Theworstthingthatyoucandoistofreeze,andpreplanninghelps reducethechancethatyouwilldoso.
Bothofushaveconsiderableexpertiseintheuseofsmallarmsanddefensivetactics.WhilehewasafirearmsinstructorattheFBI/DEAAcademyin Quantico,Davidheardoneofhisfavoritepiecesofadvicefromanoutstandingfirearmsinstructor,DEASpecialAgentAllanPonseigo:“Don’tfreeze.Doing something,eventhewrongthing,ispreferabletofreezing.Ifyoumakeamistake,makeitgoing100milesanhour.”Generally,thisadmonitionwasgiven toDEASpecialAgenttraineesastheystarednumblyataweaponthathadmalfunctioned.Ratherthanexecutingtheuniversalresponsetoafailuretofire,tap, rack,target(seatthemagazine,racktheaction,andgetbackontarget),some traineesfroze.Thatreactionisprobablytheonlyonethatisguaranteedtoget youkilled.Takingaction,evenifitisnotthebestcourseofaction,isbetterthan doingnothing.Onceyoubegintomove,yourmindbeginstoworkaswell.
Oneadditionalissuewithrespectpersonalsecurityandthedevelopment ofthepropersecuritymind-setisnecessarytodiscuss.Alltherecommendations,protocols,andproceduresthatwehavesuggestedapplytoanyone,both maleandfemale.However,becausewomenfaceadditionalsecurityconcerns, itisnecessarytoaddressthesespecificissues.Inadditiontoalltheotherrisks
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businessexecutivesfaceathomeandwhiletravelingabroad,womenhavean additionalvulnerability.Assaultsdirectedatwomen,particularlysexualassaults, arecommonallovertheworld.Insomeplaces,itisnothyperboletostatethat thefrequencyofsuchattacksreachesepidemicproportions.Abroad,cultural differencesalsoplayagreatroleinboththeprevalenceofsexualassaultandthe mannerthesecrimesareaddressedbylocallawenforcement.Yourauthorswere bornandraisedtheUnitedStatesandIsrael.Ourtwocountriessharecommon values,amongthemtheideathatcrimesdirectedagainstwomenareabhorrent andmustbeinvestigatedvigorouslyanddealtwithinthemostseveremanner. Thatview,however,isnotsharedinmanypartsoftheworld.Insomecountries, therapeofwomen,particularlywomenfromWesternnations,isnotaparticularlyseriousmatterofconcern.Infact,alltoooften,complaintslodgedby womenwhohavebeensexuallyassaultedarelargelyignored.Itisthereforeprudentthatwomentravelingabroadmakesurethatpartoftheirpretravelresearch focusesonthesafetyoffemaletravelers.
Onepreceptwekeepstressingwhenitcomestopersonalsafetyisthatavoidingasituationisfareasierthangettingoutofone.Beforewediscusswhattodo if,G-dforbid,youareafemaleandyouareattacked,letusonceagainmake thismostimportantpoint:Donotputyourselfinasituationwhereyourpersonalsafetyisatrisk.Thisisalwayssageadviceformen,anditisdoublytruefor women.Weliveinanegalitariansocietywherethegoalisformenandwomen tohaveequalopportunities,andthatisasitshouldbe.However,theseprinciplesofequalitycannotandshouldnotbeappliedtoanydiscussionabout personalsafety.Thisviewpointmaynotseemtobesensitiveorpoliticallycorrect,butourgoalhereistoprovidethebestadvicewecanandnotavoida difficultsubjectinordernottogiveoffense.Ifyouareafemaleexecutive,you mustunderstandthatyouwillfacedifficultiesandvulnerabilitiesthatamale executivemaynot.Thatisnottosuggestthattherearenotwell-trainedwomen whoaremorethancapableofdefendingthemselves.Therecertainlyare,but thatisnotrelevanttothisdiscussion.Mostwomenarenothighlytrainedin self-defense.Andforthosewomen(andmenaswell)whomaybephysically strongandwelltrainedinmartialarts,thereareanumberofimportantfactors toconsideraswell.Anattackermaystrikewithcompletesurpriseandthereby negateacounterattack.Also,sincepotentialassailantswillnotknowthataparticularmanorwomanisphysicallycapableofprotectingherself,theymaytry anyway.Evenifyouprevailagainsttheattacker,youarestillingreatriskduring theattack.Onceagain,avoidingtheincidententirelyisthebestchoice.The pointisthatalthoughtheseconcernsapplytobothsexes,womenneedtobe awarethattheymaybetargetedbecauseoftheirsex,andtheymustpayeven
DevelopingaSecurityMind-set 11
moreattentiontotheprinciplesofawarenessandpersonalsecuritythantheir malecounterparts.
Let’sdiscussforamomentaquestionthatcomesupagreatdeal:Should women,andmentooforthatmatter,takeself-defenseclasses?Bothofusbelieve thatitisimportantforeveryonetobeabletodefendthemselvesiftheneed arises.Bothofushavehadtraininginmartialartsandhavebeentaughthowto quicklyandeffectivelyneutralizeanattacker.Butself-defenseislikeanyother athleticendeavor.Thedevelopmentofskillrequirestimeandagreatdealof effort.Unlessmaintainedonaregularbasisthroughtraining,thoseskillswill degrade,morequicklythanmostpeoplethink.Ifyouthinkthatyouwillbeable todeterorincapacitateadeterminedadversaryjustbecausefiveyearsagoyou tookacoupleclassesinunarmedcombatorself-defense,thinkagain.Youmay havelearnedafewtechniquesthatmaybeeffectiveinagivensituation,but unlessyouhavebeenpracticingthesetechniques,theymayactuallydomore harmthangood.Thereissomethingtotheoldjokethatapersoncanknow justenoughkaratetogetbadlyhurt.Ifyouexpecttobeaneffectivefighteror tolearnself-defensetechniquesthatyouwillbeabletoemployundertheworst possiblecircumstances,youmustapproachtrainingwiththeunderstandingthat itrequiresalotoftimeandeffort.Thebesttechniquethatweyoucanteachyou, whichrequiresfarlesstraining,isthis:Alwayskeepyourselfinconditionyellow; constantlyobserveyoursurroundings;makegooddecisionsastowhereyougo, whattime,andwithwhom;andestablishamentaltriggerifyoueverobserve somethingthatlookslikeitmightrepresentarisktoyoursafety.
Onequestioncommontothoseinthesecurityindustryiswhetheraperson whowasbeingattacked,maleorfemale,shouldresistorcomply.Solet’sputthat inmorestockterms.Shouldawomanfacingtheprospectofbeingrapedresist orcomply?Ultimatelythatisadecisionthateachofusmustmakeforourselves, butwedohaveafewsuggestions.Ifyoufightback,youneedtohavetheability todososuccessfully.Ifyoufight,understandyoumaywellbefightingforyour lifeandlosingisnotanoption.Youmustalsoconsiderwhereyouareattacked. Willthenoiseofthestruggleoryourcriesforhelpbeheardandresponded to?Evenso,thedecisionisstillaverydifficultone.Inthecaseofamuggingor robbery,whereanattackerisdemandingyourwallet,itisfareasiertosuggest thatwethinklongandhardaboutriskingourlivessimplytoprotectproperty. Whenthechoiceofsubmittingornotwillresultintheviolationofyourbody, thequestionismuchhardertoanswer.Inaddition,youalsomustconsiderthat possibleexposuretoasexuallytransmitteddiseasemayimpactyourlifeevenif yousurvivetheattack.
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