COVID-19 pulled the rug out and brought the world to a standstill. As every country sorted to deal with the deadly pandemic their own way, sanctions on travel were not something that was up for debate. The United States, Australia, and the whole of Europe, placed travel restrictions. As returning residents and overseas visitors aided […]
A few countries have started to open up their borders and along with it a slow drip of travel options. It seems like the urge to connect to the rest of the world has become stronger than ever. Some destinations in Europe, Tahiti, and several islands in the Caribbean have taken first steps towards reopening […]
Unless you’ve been living in a vacuum (in which case you will be immune to the matter at hand) it would be hard to miss all that is surrounding the COVID 19 coronavirus. The fall out is far-reaching and not just isolated to clinical space. Misinformation coupled with 24/7 news cycles and social media have […]
As the COVID-19 Coronavirus spreads throughout the globe, we’ve been seeing some of our clients with a multi-country presence plan ahead to ensure health and safety of their employees. The most important thing is not to panic or create such as ambience within the organisation. Since this is a rapidly evolving topic, employers should ensure […]
Even with increased economic growth at home (be it USA, Australia or the UK, Canada etc), many Western companies are reaching out to security services companies in Asia in order to support their business. With limited experience in the region, it is useful to be aware of some of the general differences when operating within Asia. […]
Stalker Security When we think of stalkers, death threats or stalker security we tend to think of it as being a problem for high profile personalities or celebrities. Most situations involving the every day layperson rarely make the news unless the circumstances are drastic, but it is a problem much more common that most of us realise. […]
In this episode: Aaron’s journey from active military duty for the army in Washington DC and Europe and his transition to private security Travis’ journey from a Political Science student, to the Marine Corp Military Police and his transition to private security, with an emphasis on investigative research and threat assessments Travis’ involvement with Ontic […]
For those who aren’t familiar with it, the task of hiring a bodyguard or executive protection agent can be overwhelming. Knowing whether you actually need one can be a mystery, let alone knowing what to look for. With that in mind, we recorded a couple of episodes of the Wheels Up Podcast where we covered […]
With hotels becoming an increasingly popular target for militant attacks around the world, the issue of hotel security and appropriate travel precautions is growing in importance for business travellers and tourists. In one catastrophic year alone (2008), militants killed at least 54 people in a suicide bomb attack on Islamabad’s Marriott hotel, 71 people in […]
In a previous post and podcast episode we discussed executive protection recruitment and more with Steve Albritton, a respected security industry consultant based in Florida, USA. In this continuation of our discussion Steve shares how to build a security team from scratch, how to factor medical issues into a risk mitigation task, why staff sometimes need to be at […]
TRAVEL RISK ASSESSMENT & MITIGATION Despite the unprecedented speed and ease with which we can travel from point A to point B, there is a perception, by some, of growing travel risk. While there are risks, it is wrong to assume that one is simply at the mercy of the unknown and there is little […]
With executive compensation practices and policies a salient topic since the 2008 global financial crisis, the cost of security for executives has come closer to the spotlight. Though the term “executive protection” conjures up images of extravagance for most, the Fortune 100 sees it as a necessity. In 2014, Salesforce spent almost 1.5 million USD […]
Whether you’re a sole trader, a start up company in Australia, a DBA (A Doing Business As) or start up company in the USA, we all need to navigate our way through the business minefield, irrespective if you’re setting up a security business or another service. This can be a daunting task, especially as a […]
EXECUTIVE PROTECTION PERSONNEL Executive Protection is all about people. The right people, in the right place, at the right time doing the right job for our clients. Panoptic Solutions prides itself on employing, contracting and engaging the right people. We are fortunate to have a team consisting of former military, law enforcement, emergency services and corporate security professionals. […]
Ex serviceman Troy Claydon tells Jonathan Jackson about the correlation between Airforce disciplines and how his business Panoptic Solutions is meeting the security needs of vulnerable businesses and individuals. The harsh, military environment has been a breeding ground for many entrepreneurs. As Bill Murphy Jnr says in an article for Inc. Magazine, “veterans bring amazing advantages […]
We’re excited to introduce co-host, Steven Albritton, to our listeners. Steve Albritton served with the Marines and a state police force in the USA before taking on a role as security manager for a high net worth individual and family. Since leaving that role, Steve has established OPStructure, an industry consultancy taking on project work but focussing on […]
AN INTERVIEW ABOUT CLOSE PROTECTION WITH RONIN SA FOUNDER, TIMM SMITH Close Protection, Close Personal Protection, Bodyguarding or Executive Protection, call it what you will, there is an art to providing a professional service. With a global network of graduates who started as students searching for that level of professionalism, Ronin SA is cited as one of […]
Sorry to have left you hanging – we’ve been on a quick breather due to the workload with clients across multiple countries. We’re back, and we’ve made some exciting new changes to the format of our podcast. In this podcast, you’ll find out about our changes, hear our outstanding lineup of guest speakers for the next […]
Ryan Keen, Gold Coast Bulletin – A GOLD Coast military veteran believes he’s on to a winning formula, providing executive protection with paramedics who double as bodyguards. Ex-Australian Defence Force member Troy Claydon said his company, Panoptic Solutions, was thriving with increasing numbers of high net-worth people seeking its combination service in the past six […]
As we see the rapid realisation by Executive Protection Agents & Bodyguards worldwide of the need to increase their medical qualifications, the prudent point of experience and ongoing exposure must be taken into account. As previously demonstrated with the role of executive protection, it is one thing to have a certificate for a course, however […]
AUSTRALIAN BODYGUARDS AND EXECUTIVE PROTECTION PROVIDERS – FIVE ITEMS TO LOOK FOR WHEN ENGAGING AN EXECUTIVE PROTECTION PROVIDER IN AUSTRALIA Professional Australian Bodyguards and Executive Protection Providers can be a rare commodity. Searching for an executive protection provider for the first time can be slightly daunting. Here are some things to look for which, in […]
Sydney Bodyguards : Sydney, Australia has an active criminal element like every other major city around the world. Corporations and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI) frequently turn to local Sydney protective services to keep senior executives, visitors, and family members safe. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in 2015/2016 the New South Wales Police […]
Unarmed vs Armed Bodyguards and Executive Protection Australia, Asia and Beyond – lets discuss. The world we live in today is full of threats. One out of every five women and one in thirteen men are victims of stalking. Every year 12,000 to 15,000 people are held captive. Emotionally Disturbed Persons (EDP’s) and mentally unstable fans pose […]
Indonesia Security and Safety: Ranked as the 4th most populous country in the world, with a population of over 265 million, Indonesia is famous as a holiday destination but is becoming an increasingly important destination for business travellers. The country is a big player in the mining and energy sectors but is also growing attention […]
Are you aware that up to 2,000 people around the world are currently being held against their will in one form or another? Or that somewhere between 12,000 and 15,000 people a year are kidnapped for ransom or held hostage? The fact is, risk is ever present whoever and wherever you are, and being prepared […]
Secure Transport can be seen as a “nice to have” not a “need to have”. For many organisations, the return on investment for hiring a security driver for senior executives is judged to be high enough to justify the expense. One of the main reasons for this (though not the only one) is that transportation […]
Can mindset really help travellers and security operatives respond safely to uncertain circumstances? This post summarises a podcast interview with former Australian Special Forces soldier and hostile environment security expert, Rhys Dowden about the benefits of a preparation mindset. He explains his holistic approach to confidence in any situation and his tips for getting the edge on […]
Last week we published a blog post and podcast episode outlining the ins and outs of hiring a bodyguard or executive protection agent. In the second and final part of the series we look into the medical aspects of an engagement, the importance of local knowledge, some of the contractual details and what should happen before an engagement commences (which […]
Google “shareholder meeting attack” and you’ll be amazed at the number of stories that come up. Most of them are about non-violent attacks – protest groups, people launching hostile bids or shareholders complaining about executive salaries or positions. But, violent or not, looking at the Google results (and reading this blog post or listening to this […]
Gold Coast Security Firm Panoptic Solutions on International Search Case Private security team members from Gold Coast Security Firm Panoptic Solutions are helping in the hunt for an Australian woman missing in Malaysia says she hasn’t touched her bank accounts. Panoptic Solutions operations manager Ben Hosking, coordinating the search plan from the Gold Coast Security Firm, whilst his […]
At approximately 1030 hrs, local, on 14 January 2016, what is believed to be a cell of five terrorists launched an attack on Jalan Thamrin in Central Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, centred on the Sarinah shopping mall and office tower. The attack commenced with an assault on a police post outside the building and […]
How do high levels of comfort and safety affect our attitude toward risk and how does this impact our level of preparedness and ability to respond to risky situations? In this post (and this podcast episode) we interview Dr Gavriel Schneider, an expert on integrated risk management and safety and security. We take a deep dive […]
With so many Gold Coast security companies, one can find it a challenging task to identify one which provides a professional service. If events and organisations such as the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games & Olympic Committee have questions from the public surrounding the quality of security providers (Skene, 2017) , how then, does the lay […]
When most people think of executive protection, or bodyguards in general, they tend to think of VIPs, celebrities, and high net worth individuals (HNWI). Though they may not always travel to hazardous locations, their risk is enhanced by virtue of their position or status. For journalists and media crews though, travelling to hazardous locations is […]
Panoptic Solutions was previously involved with a task where the client utilised the services from two separate security providers. Although not ideal, it is sometimes unavoidable due to commercial reasons. The client’s intent can still be met with some flexibility and professionalism by both entities. Panoptic Solutions provided the advance and EP agents, while the second […]
We’ve become complacent about home security because we rely on a range of high tech equipment to protect us, our home, our families, and our possessions. Many of us are also guilty of thinking ‘it can’t happen to me’. However, the risk of burglary is ever-present and paying attention to the basics will help keep […]
TOP 5 PROBLEMS FOR COMPANIES WHEN ARRANGING CORPORATE TRAVEL 1.No Corporate Travel Policy or Travel Risk Policy Companies without a corporate travel policy may incur unnecessary costs and face unnecessary risks. Depending on the operations and needs of the company, a corporate travel policy will typically cover travel expense request procedures. as well as security and medical […]
The executive protection industry isn’t one that has a clear path for those looking to get into it. In fact most people find themselves in the field almost by accident, usually after a career in the military or police. In this post (and this podcast) we tap into the brain of one of the long-term […]
The Philippines is becoming a more common destination for business travellers. As well as being home to the Asian Development Bank, the rising use of Filipino personnel for international call centres makes business travel to the area more frequent. We’ve also had the good fortune to work locally in The Philippines and internationally with a […]
Australia has changed its terrorism alert system, effective 27 November 2015, to give the public clearer information about attacks being planned by extremists, under a proposed new threat hierarchy unveiled in February 2015. The current four-tier alert system which describe levels of risk from “low” to “high” and “extreme” are replaced with a system that […]
While a lot of travel security and safety advice is generic in nature, different locations often have specific conditions that make them worthy of special mention. Our area of expertise is the Asia-Pacific region and we’ll be discussing several different countries in this area in the coming weeks. In this blog post we look at […]
Business Travelers’ Ground Travel and Post Travel Checklist In our last post we ran through the essentials that business travelers should cover before setting out on a journey. In this post, we run through the safety and security essentials for the “during” and “after/post journey” phase of your travels” The content here is much less than […]
With attacks in Europe still haunting the public consciousness, security of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast warrant close attention. Thus far, Australia appears to be prudently attending to these risks. In May of this year, Australian parliament passed an array of laws that give police the authority to search people and premises […]
For seasoned business travellers the notion of safety and security while travelling may seem like an unnecessary concern. Safety demonstrations by flight attendants are for the benefit of ‘others’ and, beyond that, all you need to worry about is keeping your belongings safe. Perhaps not. That may be the perception – indeed 99% of travels […]
Australian airport security is recently facing strong pressure to change from two different angles: the extensive terror plot this summer and the US’s tighter security requirements. The terror attempt in August, involving an elaborate explosives scheme, has stirred up debate over transportation security among Australian politicians and government officials. Malcolm Turnbull and the Minister for […]
There is little question that the rise of IS has dramatically changed the security landscape in Southeast Asia. This is particularly interesting considering the diverse political and social landscapes in the region. Nonetheless, the threat of terrorism in the region is not new and continues to mutate and evolve. Thus, authorities’ adaptability and innovation is […]
The assault on Tony Abbot from a campaigner brings our attention to the question of security for Australia’s former Prime Ministers. Currently they are not provided with permanent executive protection / close personal protection / security details. At least in this incident, it is clear that Tony Abbot was under-protected. The intoxicated assailant could easily […]
Crowded landmarks are a terror target for their symbolic power, with recent IS attacks making this disturbingly clear. In light of this, Australian National Security has declared a strategy for tackling the threat to crowded places. According to their announcement, the core of the strategy is to improve the security of such places by fostering […]
Australia’s Close Call The recently foiled terror plot in Sydney underscores the risk potential for travelers in Oceania. Australia has faced an increasing number of such threats in recent years. Since September 2014, the nation’s terror threat level has been elevated, according to national security authorities.[1] On Saturday, July 29th, Australian police defeated a plot […]
