From the ancient royal guards who protected monarchs to the sophisticated close protection officers of today, the journey of personal security is a fascinating tale of societal structures, technological advancements, and the increasing prominence of high-profile individuals.
The origins of personal security can be traced back to ancient civilisations, where the protection of rulers and nobility was paramount. In ancient Egypt, pharaohs were guarded by elite warriors known as the Medjay, who were skilled in combat and loyal to the throne. Similarly, in ancient Rome, the Praetorian Guard served as the personal bodyguards of emperors, wielding significant power and influence.
These early forms of personal security were characterised by their loyalty and martial prowess. The guards were often selected from the ranks of the military and were expected to lay down their lives for their sovereigns. Their presence was not only a deterrent to potential threats but also a symbol of the ruler’s power and authority.
During the Middle Ages, the concept of personal security evolved with the rise of feudalism. Kings and nobles were protected by knights and retainers, who were bound by oaths of loyalty and service. These protectors were often part of the noble’s household, living and traveling with them to ensure their safety.
The role of these medieval bodyguards extended beyond mere protection. They were also advisors, confidants, and enforcers of the noble’s will. The bond between the protector and the protected was deeply personal, rooted in mutual loyalty and trust.
The Renaissance period saw the professionalisation of personal security. As European monarchies centralised power, the need for organised and disciplined protection grew. The Swiss Guard, established in the 16th century, became the personal bodyguards of the Pope, renowned for their loyalty and combat skills.
By the 19th century, the industrial revolution and the rise of the bourgeoisie brought new challenges and opportunities for personal security. Wealthy industrialists and politicians began to employ private security personnel, often drawn from the ranks of former soldiers and police officers.
This period marked the beginning of the modern bodyguard profession, characterised by a blend of physical protection and strategic planning.
The 20th century witnessed significant advancements in personal security, driven by technological innovations and the increasing visibility of high-profile individuals. The assassination of prominent figures, such as President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., underscored the need for comprehensive and proactive security measures.
Modern bodyguards emerged as highly trained professionals, skilled in a range of disciplines from Close-Quarter Combat to advanced driving techniques. The use of technology, such as surveillance systems and communication devices, became integral to their operations. Bodyguards were no longer just physical protectors but also strategic planners, capable of assessing and mitigating risks in real-time.
Today the concept of personal security has evolved into a sophisticated and multi-faceted discipline. High-profile individuals, including celebrities, politicians, and business leaders, require comprehensive security solutions that address both physical and digital threats.
Modern bodyguards are part of integrated security teams that include cybersecurity experts, intelligence analysts, and crisis management professionals. The use of biometric systems, drones, and artificial intelligence has revolutionised the field, enabling proactive threat detection and response.
Moreover, the role of bodyguards has expanded to include aspects of personal assistance and public relations. They must navigate the delicate balance between providing security and allowing their clients to maintain a public presence. Discretion, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are now as crucial as physical prowess.
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: Innovations in Close Protection Security
Gone are the days of the ‘bodyguard’ – as private clients choose to enlist security professional that exude expertise, experience, and high standards for their security needs.
Securitatem Consultancy has always stepped away from the stereotype of security personnel in favour of a service that aligns with our values, in particular respect, passion, and excellence. Choosing to only provide our distinguished clients with close protection and personal protection operatives that exude a more refined edge.
Our services perfectly sit aside any aspect of our client’s prestigious lifestyle. Services can be provided to cover your needs in their entirety or fit seamlessly with existing house teams, private staff, and family offices.
We take great care in bringing onboard and deploying only the best for our clients. At Securitatem Consultancy we always consider the unique requirements of every individual client and create a bespoke security response that reflects their needs down to the smallest detail.
We understand it is the little details that set us and our close protection apart:
- Upmost care and attention taken in their presentability
- Highly experienced with military or law enforcement background
- Upmost discretion and privacy for our clients
- Respectful and understand the social etiquette required
- Briefed and knowledgeable on the operational requirements
If you wish to find out more about our close protection services, visit our page or contact us now.
Securitatem Consultancy is pleased to announce the appointment of David Duxbury to Operations Director. With over 30 years of extensive experience in operational and security roles, David is well-equipped to provide the highest level of safety through security.
David has had an illustrious career as a Military Policeman and Royal Military Police Close Protection Operative with the Ministry of Defence. Overseas Security Manager (OSM) and Deputy Head of Overseas Security for Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and later as an Operational Security Advisor (OPSY) to the NCA, for Afghanistan, followed by Americas, Caribbean and Iraq.
During his extensive career, David has received numerous campaign service awards and commendations for his service.
David’s role will focus on the strategic security requirements of Securitatem Consultancy and our clients, including international liaisons, threat and risk assessments, security surveys, operational intelligence, close protection deployments, and investigations.
The start of a new year is a great time to review the security requirements for your current lifestyle.
Annual reviews can be vital to keeping your security arrangements fresh and relevant, especially if your life continuously evolves. With ever-developing needs and requirements, it’s important to modify and amend your security planning in line with optimum safeguarding solutions for you, your family, your assets, and your property.
Security reviews compile a strategic understanding of your unique profile, a tactical survey of your property, and examine the exterior factors in play, including staffing, infrastructure, cyber, and public relations.
We have seen first-hand the importance of applying proactive security measures for the effective protection of prominent individuals and encourage our clients to keep their reviews updated and amended as required.
To find out more about our security review service, visit here.
Enter this social season prepared and protected, with the addition of a personal security driver this winter, ensuring your safety and security are not at risk.
High-profile individuals attending a prominent public or private event, should not underestimate potential security risks. Unfortunately, threats of targeted attacks, theft, and protests are ever present, resulting in many concerns worth seeking additional security support for.
A good introduction to personal security is with a security driver. As security professionals foremost they are all skilled in a range of defensive driving techniques, drawn from Police or military background, first aid trained, and fully vetted. Providing secure route planning, advanced driving standards, counter surveillance protocols, and security awareness exclusive to you, giving security protection that can be continued into the event if required.
We offer a luxury service whilst you travel with us, carefully crafted to deliver the finest experience. Our drivers are specially selected for their capability to provide the level of protection required within an affluent society. They will make you feel relaxed, cared for, and able to enjoy the journey and event safely.
To find out more about our security driving service, view here.
Our exclusive team of personal protection and close protection operatives is setting the highest standard in protective security.
For our clients, we have a specially selected team on hand to radically reduce the fear of harm or unwanted attention they may receive. Deployed to provide a seamless security partition between the client and others who may seek to disrupt, harm, or endanger them.
Close protection requires the highest skillset, and we only recruit those who have impeccable careers within the security industry, as well as completing former occupations in the Police or military.
With flawless years of experience, comes the capability to operate at the highest level, for the highest in society. Our team provides the utmost discretion and quality management, able to operate within the most high-profile security environments and to the accepted social etiquette required.
The private protection services include:
- Close protection
- Residential Security Team
- Security Managers
- Security Drivers
- Protective Surveillance
- Specialist Dogs and Handlers
To find out more about our protection services, view here.
The Securitatem Group is pleased to announce SJ Group International as our latest associated provider, specialising in kidnap, extortion, risk and crisis management, and response training within the Africa region.
SJ Group International provides high-quality security, negotiation, and crisis management expertise. Their team includes some most experienced military, police, and private sector experts. The organisation has completed numerous international deployments to respond to kidnaps and extortion threats, sometimes in hostile environments. Having previously represented the UK Government and intergovernmental agencies such as the EU and UN at international forums.
SJ Group was founded by Nick Shah, author of the UN Manual for Counter Kidnapping and Extortion and ex-Senior Officer of the National Crime Agency in the African region and was recognised with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2019.
By working in synergy with SJ Group International, we can provide additional physical and intellectual resources alongside our existing international infrastructure. Giving The Securitatem Group the ability to deploy an instantaneous kidnap and extortion response within the African region for our prominent clients.
Travel in safety and style to your next social event with our security travel service.
Whether you are hosting the occasion or attending a high-profile social event, let our security personnel and drivers escort you. Specially trained in situational awareness, counter surveillance, and secure planning, our team is always aware and prepared for any eventuality. At Securitatem Consultancy we pride ourselves on selecting professionals to secure our clients. All our personnel are from ex-military or police backgrounds, capable of achieving the highest standard of security and service.
We take your care to the next level as standard. Providing en route concierge packages for you, with a bespoke selection of snacks, confectionary, and amenities available. Whether you are craving a charcuterie platter for a long journey or a chilled bottle of the finest wine to celebrate with on your journey, we can arrange of this all for you.
Travel with us and be assured that every measure has been taken to ensure a safe, secure, and enjoyable journey.
Securitatem Consultancy is honoured to become a silver armed forces covenant member.
The prestigious accolade marks our long-standing and continuous commitment to supporting the armed forces, those who have and continue to serve, alongside their families.
As well as employing former military reservists and those who volunteer their time to the community, we advertise jobs directly to former armed forces personnel and their families and offer discounts on our services.
The covenant was introduced in 2000 and outlines the promise by the nation to ensure that the armed forces community is treated fairly. Giving them access to the same government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. Areas of support include education, family well-being, housing, careers, healthcare, financial assistance, and discount services.
Since the global pandemic in 2020, there has been a downward trend in how business travellers are now perceiving their safety when traveling the world with many now stating it is not safe at all.
A recent survey detailed by Strategic Risk, and commissioned by the World Travel Protection, carried out by Opinium, found the following conclusions:
- Only 20% of employees said they were happy to travel for work again.
- With 18% were concerned about their health and well-being whilst traveling now.
- 17% of business travellers feel less safe than they did before the pandemic.
With so much concern over traveling now, including concerns around geopolitical threats, one practical countermeasure for those businesses still requiring their employees to undertake essential travel would be to instruct a travel risk assessment. As well as providing experienced advice on mitigating risk, it also provides business travellers with reassurance.
Risk assessments will identify whether there is a need to implement travel security training for employees visiting unstable destinations.
Additionally, high-profile organisations may wish to consider enlisting specialist security staff to take professional care of their staff safety whilst traveling, either through a designated individual being on hand to manage their itinerary before and during the journey or through employing close protection to provide assurance against any threat of a volatile incidents.
Further consideration would be electronic options to keep locations visible 24/7 with a discrete tracking device, further increasing security. Electronic options can be either on personal items or vehicles, giving remote updates for the duration of the time away.
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