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CORP. EXECUTIVE SECURITY.
Term Paper ID:23625
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Essay Subject:
Global risk factors, workplace dangers, kidnapping, examples, bodyguards, weapons, traveling, prevention.... More...
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12 Pages / 2700 Words
10 sources, 20 Citations,
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Paper Abstract:
Global risk factors, workplace dangers, kidnapping, examples, bodyguards, weapons, traveling, prevention.
Paper Introduction:
Introduction
Television news has brought the images of the president of the United States surrounded by bodyguards into our living rooms, and television entertainment has made ubiquitous the image of the well-dressed bodyguard protecting organized crime figures. But corporate America is increasingly concerned with the dangers that executives face both within the United States and abroad, and concern ranges from the theft of key corporate information and assets to kidnapping and murder of executives. Solutions to this increasing violence includes seminars on protection, bodyguards and gun-wielding executives, but the international dimension and danger makes it difficult to control. Moreover, the greatest risk to executives may be their own failure to admit that they, and their families, may be at risk in the first place. This research examines the risk
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Industry Week, pp. To begin with, all executives who will berelocating or doing extensive travel should have a complete physical. Travelers should be wary of any situation which resultsin distraction; of course, the nature of the distraction is what makes thistechnique successful. Security Management, pp.57-58. Security. However, there have beenincidents (such as that of Alfredo Harp Helu, where the ransom is excessive(tens of millions of dollars) and where the period the person is held isfar longer. While there are some executives for whom this may be anappropriate security alternative, it is inappropriate for most. Alock box or safe is most practical for keeping the gun at home; executiveswith children should carefully consider whether they are willing to have aloaded gun in the house (Fox, 1994b, p. 75). Bodyguards who resort to violence too early in a confrontationare likely to escalate the situation rather than diffuse it with the resultthat more people are likely to be injured. However, the bodyguard (not the executive) should beresponsible for always informing one other person of all appointments andthe expected arrival time (different people may be told of differentappointments). 75). In Mexico, most abducted personnel are held for less than ten days,and ransom payments are typically under $1 , . 1). But corporate America is increasinglyconcerned with the dangers that executives face both within the UnitedStates and abroad, and concern ranges from the theft of key corporateinformation and assets to kidnapping and murder of executives. In addition to the planned itinerary for each trip, asecondary "escape" route should be laid out with the executive in case ofemergency. If the executive is unwilling to work with the bodyguard with regardto scheduling and travel routes, the bodyguard should be dismissed andother measures taken. Here, the motive may befinancial, but there is also the very real threat that the motive may bepolitical in nature, particularly in Asia. (1996, August 26). In January 1994, a drifter brokeinto the home of an executive vice-president at Mobile Telecommunicationsand held his wife and daughter at gunpoint until the executive returnedfrom a business trip. Armed and dangerous at work. Danger at the Workplace Danger in the workplace is often associated with disgruntled currentor former employees who arrive at their place of employment with weaponsand who proceed to open fire on co-workers. These sessions can remind employees that they may be at risk,and can help identify areas where employees can protect themselves bymaking themselves less vulnerable. For those executives who choose to carry firearms, careful attentionmust be paid to the regulations regarding concealed weapons. 4 ). Introduction Television news has brought the images of the president of the UnitedStates surrounded by bodyguards into our living rooms, and televisionentertainment has made ubiquitous the image of the well-dressed bodyguardprotecting organized crime figures. As with other security personnel,bodyguards should be rotated among executives of a given company, and evenrotated among companies to prevent undue security risks (Heine, 1994, p.58). 83). Risks Risks confronting executives include physical harm and kidnapping aswell as less physical threats such as the theft of property or companyassets. 1, 14. (1993, January). (1994a, March 14). Setting up training sessions for executives and other employees whotravel on behalf of the company can also be a good investment in preventingproblems. Good communication skills are alsoimportant. While Mexican kidnappings have typically targeted Mexicanofficials, the rise of maquilas and the passage of NAFTA has also increasedthe risk to American and other foreign executives. Flores, T. Small companies arelearning that they are at risk for kidnapping attempts; in fact, smallercompanies have a higher dependence on any one employee with the result thathigh-technology companies in particular are being targeted for this type ofactivity. Human resources can also be involved byconducting pre-employment screening (where permitted) and by setting uptraining seminars for all employees on security issues (Flores & Nudell,1993, p. In fact, homicide is thesecond most common cause of death on the job, and the fast growing form ofmurder in the United States. O'Hare, D. Because of this,executive security often begins at the place of employment (Filipczak,1993, p. Security. 74-78. When traveling abroad, executives should try to become familiar aheadof time with maps of the cities in which they will be staying, and theyshould use commercial taxi services. Briefcases and purses ofexecutives may also be stolen in the workplace and may well containvaluable professional as well as personal information. Doing so prior tothat increases the possibility that the luggage will pass through beforethe executive, making it difficult or impossible for the executive toprevent someone else from taking the luggage on the other side if theperson in front triggers the metal detector (Aberbanel, 1994, p. R. 85). Executives andbodyguards must learn to work together in order to make this an effectivesecurity option. (1993, July). Detective to executives.Travel Weekly, pp. In all of these situations, companies and families are urged to calllaw enforcement regardless of the threats made by the kidnappers.Depending on the country in which the kidnapping occurs, different agenciesmay be involved. It is these types of challenges which make security issues particularlydaunting. It is generallythe responsibility of the human resource department to determine what levelof security is appropriate for any company, and at what point additionalmeasures benefit the company little, but hurt employee morale a great deal. Problems can happen in the workplace, on theway to or from the office, while traveling on business, in the home; if anexecutive has been targeted for action, there is often no place in his orher daily life that can be considered "safe". Recognizing the risk can be the first step to preventing it(Royal, 1994, p. Because of this, it is important to choose bodyguards who useviolence only as a last resort, although they must be willing to useviolence. Computer security is also important sinceunauthorized access to personnel files can result in releasing homeaddresses and wage information to potential aggressors. Prevention The most important step in executive security is recognizing that athreat exists. 57). When a Japaneseexecutive was kidnapped in 1996, a number of companies doing business inMexico reconsidered their security precautions (Allen, 1996, p. 39). Bodyguards must be dedicated to their work and mentally stable; it isup to the bodyguard to remain calm and in control of a situation wheneveryone else (including the people causing the problem) may be in a stateof panic. In addition, bodyguards shouldhave good moral characters (to prevent being susceptible to bribery), goodhearing and eyesight, patience, strong attention to detail, no history ofdrug or alcohol addiction, and no criminal record (Heine, 1994, p. Solutionsto this increasing violence includes seminars on protection, bodyguards andgun-wielding executives, but the international dimension and danger makesit difficult to control. The greatest challenge facing executives who carry guns isnot the use of the gun, but rather how to store and carry it. Forbes, pp. Regulationsvary from state to state and city to city; it can take months to process anapplication in New York City (and most are turned down) while obtaining agun in Texas is generally neither a time consuming nor difficult process(Fox, 1994b, p. However, corporate executives are realizing that they are at risk ofkidnapping within the United States as well as abroad. The bank informed the FBI of the transaction, a gun battleensued after the ransom was paid and the drifter was killed (Fox, 1994a,p. Kidnapping is not limited to this hemisphere, however; corporateexecutives are warned that the former Soviet Union, India (Kashmir) andPakistan (except Punjab) also pose risks. Fox, J. Exact statistics can be difficult to gather since companiesare, understandably, reluctant to release information and may even violatetheir own security measures by doing so. Mexico's close trade ties to the United States make Americanexecutives likely to travel there. Moreover, the greatest risk to executives may betheir own failure to admit that they, and their families, may be at risk inthe first place. Harvey Weinstein, owner ofthe Tuxedo company, was abducted in 1993 by an employee and found in a pitnear a railway yard after his family paid more than $3 million in ransom;his abductors were quickly apprehended. This apparent paradox is explained by the fact thatthe bodyguard must be able to work within the confines of the needs of theexecutive and the corporation, but without the resources that lawenforcement personnel typically have at hand. The increase in the number of executives whocarry laptops has led to an increase in their theft; often, valuablecompany documents are taken with the laptop. Security Management, pp. Mihaly, M. Of course, employees have a certain right to privacy which must bebalanced against their right to a safe work environment. This research examines the risks facing corporateexecutives as well as the steps that can be taken to mitigate thosethreats. It is also important that a bodyguard be both a team player and ableto work independently. Bodyguards should also bewell trained in first-aid and CPR since they are often the people on thescene when accidents or injuries occur. Using a bodyguard results in a loss of privacy tothe executive, but it can provide a high level of security which othertypes of protection do not afford. (1994, December). 57). Traveling Executives who travel to foreign countries on a regular basis shouldtake precautions which may safeguard both their lives and the property ofthe company which employs them. Fox, J. Companies which have a crisis management team in placeare likely to be more successful at resolving a kidnapping situationsuccessfully than those which do not, and some companies have invested inransom and kidnap insurance (such as Wynn's company with regard to hisdaughter); other countries, including Germany and Colombia, prohibit suchpolicies from being issued to discourage corporate kidnappings (O'Hare,1994, p. 27-28. Conclusion Executive security begins when executives realize that they areincreasingly targets of violence both domestically and abroad. Bodyguards Companies are obligated both morally and legally to protect employees. If the executive is threatened, this secondary route is usedalong with contacts who will protect the executive until he can safelyleave the country. 74). (1994, July). Passport to peril? Laptop computersand briefcases can be stolen, for example, often with valuable confidentialdocuments inside. In addition, the bodyguard is responsible for establishingand maintaining a duress code. Maquila execs tighten personalsecurity. In addition, families ofexecutives are also at risk and need to consider the same precautions thatexecutives themselves take (Filipczak, 1993, p. Large and small companies are both vulnerable and threatsexist within the United States as well as outside its borders. Executivesshould refrain from staying at only one or two hotels, and they shouldavoid dressing in a conspicuous manner. 76). Weapons for Executives Executives who are uncomfortable with bodyguards may consider carryinga firearm. This word will be used by theexecutive in case of emergency, but can also be used to notify theexecutive that emergency actions need to be taken (Royal, 1994, p. S11-S12. 39-41. S21-S22. Forbes, pp. Body double. Executive, protectthyself. Some companies willhire bodyguards for their executives and families while other companieswill rely on different methods. Executives who carry firearms are encouraged to receive propertraining not only in how to handle the gun, but also in when it isappropriate (and when it is not) to discharge the weapon. In fact, the "do not disturb" signshould always be hung on the outside of a hotel room (even when it isunoccupied) and a chair or piece of luggage should be placed in front ofthe door to warn of intruders. A duress code, typically one word that is changed fromtrip to trip, should also be established. Women are at risk equally with men when considered from acorporate standpoint; in fact, men may be at greater risk for kidnappingbecause it is often assumed that they hold higher positions withinorganizations and therefore companies are likely to pay greater sums ofransom for their safe return. However, Brazil and Colombia also havehigh rates of corporate kidnappings, and Guatemala, Venezuela and Nicaraguaalso have high kidnapping rates. Even when kidnapping is not the overt risk, traveling, even within theUnited States, carries particular risks to executives. Target: CEO. Once the reality of threat is recognized, companies can useconsultants to help them tailor a security plan which meets their needs.Large companies may establish their own in-house security staffs whilesmaller companies may depend entirely on contractors. Kidnappings Multinational companies face serious security risks in the form ofanti-American terrorist activities targeting American executives overseas.Mexico, Latin America, Asia and the former Soviet Union have all had recentkidnapping attempts which have either been successful or have come close tosucceeding, and attacks against businesses and other private interests areincreasing (O'Hare, 1994, p. Royal, W. (1994b, November 21). The reasoning for this is that the revolvers havesimpler safety mechanisms and are therefore less cumbersome to use in ahigh-pressure situation, and the need to reload should be minimal in anycase. Companies which know of threats to employees but which do not warn them ofthose threats have been held liable for later damages; instead, companiesare advised to warn employees of potential risks and to provide employeeswith proper training and equipment. Increasingly, precautions forexecutives includes making bodyguards available. 56). 39-43. S11). (1995, March 6). (1994, December 19). Effective bodyguards are able to communicate not only with theperson being protected, but also with the associates of the executives.While college educations are not necessary for all bodyguards, the securitypersonnel should be trained in the general business in which the executiveis engaged. 39). 56-57. Allen, M. S12). However, danger in the workplace can involveless dramatic episodes and may be the location for a kidnapping or forthreat of company assets. Hiring the bodyguard is only the first step, however. Byrecognizing that they can become victims, they can take steps to protectthemselves, their companies and their families. 83-87. Sales & MarketingManagement, pp. Care should be taken whenchoosing a bodyguard to ensure that there is a good match between thebodyguard and the needs of the executive. The reasonthat most executives should not carry a weapon is the same reason that mostindividuals should not: having a weapon means that the person carrying itmust be willing to use it. Since the success of many international business transactions dependson socializing, it can be difficult for Americans to keep a low profile inthe destination country. Executives are also urged to dress casually when they travel, and todraw as little attention as possible to the laptops they may be carrying.When such devices must be taken on the plane, executives are urged to carryremovable hard drives and to keep the hard drives with them at all times,even when leaving the hotel room. Nonetheless, it isimportant to have emergency plans in place in the event that executives aretargeted, although a balance must be struck between a company'sresponsibility to protect its employees, and the employees' right toprivacy. Effectivesecurity must begin with executives and companies realizing that they areat risk (Flores & Nudell, 1993, p. In 1994, the daughter of Steve Wynn was abducted and held for morethan $1.45 million in ransom; she was later discovered alive and unharmedin a parking lot at the airport in Las Vegas. 27). San Diego Business Journal, pp. Heine, K. S11). Training,pp. 4 ). Airport alert. Generally, executives are encouraged to carry revolvers rather thansemi-automatic weapons. In many cases, on-site security personnel can help establish a culturewhich recognizes the unpleasant reality that all workers are at risk forinjury in the workplace. Ideally, the bodyguard reviews the executive's schedule atthe beginning of each day, and alternate routes to and from appointmentsshould be planned. The exact steps that are taken depend onthe industry and the type of business in which a company engages as well ason the lifestyles of the various executives involved. In the case of Colombia, the motive maywell not be corporate ransom, but political activity as groups in thatnation are known to kidnap foreigners as part of larger politicalstrategies (Royal, 1994, p. Simply put, most individuals are not willing totake another person's life, even if their own is being threatened, and themoment's hesitation that might result could well cost the executive hislife (Fox, 1994b, p. This gives the bodyguard additional information about areas ofvulnerability as well as what types of threats might be anticipated (Heine,1994, p. Mostexecutives choose holsters that fit on their belts or under their coatjackets, but that still leaves the question of how to store the gun. S11). For example, executives should not place carry-on luggage onthe x-ray conveyor belt at the airport until the person in front of themhas successfully cleared the metal detector (typically both checks are doneat the same time, but by different airport personnel). Being familiarwith the weapon makes it more likely that the executive will be more atease with carrying it, which means that regular visits to a gun rangeshould be made. While this strategy results in the room notbeing made up, the inconvenience may prevent theft or other problems(Mihaly, 1995, p. The drifter, who apparently had gained access tocompany files, had the family drive to the bank the next day and withdraw$75 , . References Aberbanel, S. At no time should a briefcase be set down or leftunattended. Effective bodyguards know their chargeswell, but avoid emotional involvement. (1994, February). Similarly, favorite restaurantscan be patronized, but not on a regular basis, and care should be takenwhen spending time with business contacts with whom the executive isunfamiliar (Royal, 1994, p. Isolated areas should be avoided, andexecutives should move in crowds whenever possible. F. However, doing so can be important. Within the UnitedStates, kidnapping cases involving high-level executives and their familiesare on the rise, and the abductors are becoming increasingly moresophisticated. V., & Nudell, M. While metal detectors are not appropriate for allworkplaces, some companies, including small and medium-sized high-techcompanies, may want to take precautions to prevent employees from bringingweapons into the workplace. S21). Risk Management, pp. Analysts consider that if an executive cannot get out of danger withfive or six shots, the situation may well be beyond his ability to controlit with any handgun (Fox, 1994b, p. Filipczak, B. Thisphysical should include not only whether or not the executive is fit forthe travel, but also a complete description of the executive, includingphysical scars, moles and other characteristics which can be used later foridentification. The bodyguard should always know the executive'sappointments, but that information should be limited among a very selectfew people.
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