Leveraging Technology in Industry Hiring - Circuit Magazine Travel Security

source: https://circuit-magazine.com/leveraging-technology-in-industry-hiring/

Increased global connectedness through technology is fast becoming the norm these days. Video conferencing and “face to face” meetings are happening daily in real-time across the world.

As an industry that prides itself on having the edge over our adversaries, we are falling below our own standards when it comes to utilizing the technological resources at our availability to their fullest potential.

The protection industry may still be in its infancy; however, the demand for qualified security personnel, continues to grow at an exponential rate. The industry is showing linear growth due to ever-increasing incidents of violence and enhanced political turmoil. Meanwhile, Executive Protection schools have responded to this emerging need by continuing to crank out “qualified” practitioners. These new practitioners saturate the market and look to fill competitive job vacancies, which are readily available.

However, the most notable issue is not an unduly competitive market or a lack of available jobs. A more significant problem rests with the employer and their operational procedures. Namely, that they fail to take advantage of all available technological resources when it comes to sourcing and managing qualified employees.

When it comes to contacting, contracting, and hiring people, the best practices of many employers’ is sorely lacking. Many recruiters will, at best, conduct phone interviews, while many others are prepared to hire outright based on what they read in a resume. As a nonverbal communication guy, I think that this is woefully inadequate, and leaves a lot to be desired. Of all the details I’ve worked on, only once was I required to take part in a video call, and this was for one of the larger EP firms several years ago.

The internet has changed the game and created opportunities that did not previously exist. This increased global connectivity means there is as much new blood on the employer side as there is on the contractor side of the house. Facebook groups such as “Executive Protection Lifestyle” and “Bouncers, Nightclub Security and Private Security Personnel” post a plethora of job openings across the industry. Gone are the days of waiting for an email from the training course you attended to hear about new opportunities. Instead, it’s become a numbers game for those companies looking to fill their positions. But this way of conducting business can leave you horribly exposed.

Those who’ve been on the circuit for a while understand that your reputation is your most valuable commodity. Reputation and integrity will be indispensable when it comes to getting any position. It’s not only agents who should be concerned about reputation; agencies will struggle to attract the top talent and win the best contracts if they’re not equally as protective of their standards.

The utilization of available technology to vet a prospective contractor or employee before giving them the go-ahead for a gig is paramount. All the routine background checks, due diligence, and verification of licenses are still necessary. However, on their own, these steps may not be enough to identify more profound issues.

Communication is a crucial soft skill when working with any team, and it’s also the first skill which diminishes when the stresses of the job ramp up. Taking the time to have a video conference with the prospective employee or client will prove to give a good sense of the person on the other side of the transaction. Being able to see, hear, judge, discern, and assess 100% of what is being communicated (both verbal and nonverbal) gives both parties the chance to understand what they are getting themselves into.

There needs to be a shift in the mindset of all who operate in this industry. Communication is a vital skill, it’s not only what’s said and the tone used, but also the nonverbals behind it. Making the deliberate effort to seek out a full understanding from all sides will create the best platform for success. Adopting, rather than denouncing, technology should be the new approach, especially when it comes to recruitment.

If the security industry wants to push for higher standards in all areas, then utilizing the technology available is the only answer. That will not only distinguish the true professionals, but it will also give way to better communication and build the platform for a reliable team.

Leveraging Technology in Industry Hiring By Luke Daniel

This article was written by Luke Daniel of Primary Security & Consulting, LLC. Luke’s experiences as a Global Executive Protection Agent, Instructor at Tony Scotti’s Vehicle Dynamics Institute, and a student of behavioral analysis/non-verbal communication have led him to work with Fortune 1000 companies as a leader in human assets, “buy in,” and business resiliency.

The post Leveraging Technology in Industry Hiring appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics

If you plan on working internationally in the close protection or security industry you will be expected to some degree to know how to handle firearms. Now, to get things straight to start with, what most people, especially Americans, don’t realize is that most non-government close protection jobs are unarmed due to the legal restrictions on firearms in most countries. Part of your threat assessment for any assignment needs to include the laws on the use of force and what if any weapons are legal in the locations you are going to be working in. Being caught with an illegal weapon, especially a firearm will get you thrown in jail very quickly, no matter how important you think you are! So, what do you need to know about firearms if you are looking to work internationally in the close protection and security industry, well the first and most important thing is knowing how to use firearms safely. To become proficient with firearms, like everything else takes practice and time, you’re not going to become and expert after a few hours’ tuition. Many firearms related accidents happen because those handing the firearms are not complying with the basic firearms safety rules of keep the firearms pointed in a safe direction and keeping their fingers off the guns trigger. If you ensure you always follow these two safety rules, you will be acting more responsibly than many others who are working with and carrying firearms. Remember, if you’re the one holding and in control of a firearm that accidentally discharges and injures or kills someone you will be held responsible. A thorough understanding of firearms and range safety is essential before you even start any shooting with live ammunition. Here is a more complete list of firearms safety rules and considerations. WEAPON SAFETY DEPENDS ON KNOWING YOUR WEAPON, CONFIDENCE, ALERTNESS Safety considerations for firearms must always be followed Always keep firearms pointed in a safe direction, especially when loading and unloading. Keep your finger off the trigger until the weapon is pointed at your target. If the action or slide on the weapon is closed, always treat the gun as if loaded and carry out the unload drills. Always show that a firearm is unloaded to a person before you hand it to them. When someone hands you a firearm, always check the chamber and make sure it is unloaded. Never take a person’s word for whether a firearm is loaded or unloaded, always check! Never point a firearm at anyone just for fun or play games with firearms. Always know what is behind your target and have a good backstop. Only fire-controlled shots. You can rapid fire but make sure you are hitting your target. Always practice tactical drills with unloaded firearms until you’re confident and competent enough to use live ammunition. Always unload firearms before dry-fire tactical training. Only use dummy ammunition or blank-firing firearms for demonstrations or dry-fire drills. Never mix blank, dummy, and live rounds. Always check that the gun is unloaded before cleaning. Never tamper with ammunition, and only use reloads from reliable sources. Never use damaged rounds, and always dispose of them safely. Keep guns and ammunition in secure storage when not in use. If you do not know how to operate or are having problems operating a firearm, get professional help. Never used drugs or alcohol when using firearms. Always check and comply with local firearms law Types of Firearms You should try to train with and get to know as many different types of firearms as possible as you never know what you will come across. You might be working unarmed on an assignment in a hostile environment but you need to know how to use the firearms you might encounter in that environment incase things go bad, say your hotel is attacked, and you might have to use the firearms of the local security, police, military and bad guys or make them safe after an incident. Pistols: The two main classification for pistols are semi-automatic and revolver. Sadly, most people these days tend to only train with semi-auto safe action guns such as Glock and S&W M&P’s etc. You need to know how to safely use revolvers, single and double action semi-autos, single action semi-autos and at least be familiar with derringers and sub-compact pocket pistols. Shotguns: I have heard quite a few supposed close protection experts, usually from police backgrounds dismiss the requirements for shotgun training. The reason for this I believe, is in their limited experience within a government agency they have never had the opportunity to use shotguns or travel to locations where they are used. I have personally working in Europe, South & West Africa, Middle East, US, Caribbean, Latin America and have come across shotguns being used in for security details in all of those locations. I would say shotguns are the most widely used firearm used for legal security purposes globally. Shotguns come in various configurations and you should at least understand break action, pump, semi-auto shotguns and the various types of ammunition and chocks. Assault Rifles: Even though most of the tacticool firearms training videos on the internet put an emphasis of training with AR-15’s and AK-47’s in reality there are not many places you can legally use them for security purposes unless you are in the military, on a government related assignment or working illegally. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the laws were put in place for security guards to carry assault rifles, but in most places if you are lucky enough to legally have firearms there is a greater change of it being a shotgun or a pistol rather than an AK etc. Sporting Rifles: In a lot of countries semi-auto firearms are banned or very restricted and the only legal firearms available will be sporting shotguns and leaver or bolt-action rifles. The only time most tacticool operators will consider learning how to use a bolt-action rifle would be if it was a tricked-out sniper rifle… Well, I am sorry if I offend any tacticool operators reading this but all hunting rifles, even with wood stocks, can be used as sniper rifles and for tactical applications. If someone is trained how to shoot properly, understands individual tactics and is armed with a decent leaver or bolt action .22 rifle, I would class them as far more value than the tacticool shemagh wearing operator who uses optics on their tricked-out AR-15 to hit paper targets at 15 meters… Other Firearms: Depending on where you are planning to work depends on the types of firearms you could encounter; in hostile environments you may need to have the rudimentary knowledge of how to operate belt-fed machine guns. Or, if you’re in an area where hunting is popular it might make sense to learn a little bit about black powder rifles and pistols, which in some places have a lot less restrictions on them than cartridge firing firearms. Tactical Firearms Training I have my own views of firearms training and the state of the firearms training industry but will try to keep them to myself as much as I can for the sake of this article. My basic advice to anyone looking at attending any firearms training courses would be is the course relevant and is the instructor experienced enough to teach it. The best place to get a good grounding in firearms training is in the military as you should be given thorough training, the bullets will be free, and you will also be getting paid for your time. There is no way you can replicate a few years military firearms training experience by taking a two-week tactical firearms course. One issues with those who have only had regular military training is that they are only used to dealing with a limited range of firearms. Personally, I only really started to learn and use handguns other than a Browning Hi-Power after I left the British Army and worked in South Africa, Eastern Europe and then joined a gun club in UK before handguns were banned. You must ensure the training you will be getting is relevant for what your going to be doing and is of a good standard. In the U.S. the general standard for training is what’s put out by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Most people don’t realize when taking a training course from an NRA instructor that it only takes one-day to become and NRA instructor or Range Safety officer. In the United States, it’s easy for a novice shooter to become an NRA firearms instructor, as I said it’s a one-day course, SERIOUSLY! With another one-day course they can become a Range Safety Officer, and after that with another one-day course a Chief Range Safety Officer able to certify Range Safety Officers… All without any experience of ever running a firearms course or any experience of actually working on a shooting range… I have come across NRA instructors who could not field strip their own firearms, Chief Range Safety Officers who had never used revolvers or shotguns. From their certifications you would expect them to be experienced professionals! Well, think again… You cannot gain the experience required to be a decent RSO or instructor by just attending a few theory classes, watch tacticool YouTube videos and belonging to Gung-ho online chat forums. The schools issuing these NRA certifications are making money, it’s business, but how many of their students then go on to market themselves as “firearms experts” after just a few one-day classes? I think this can be classed as fraudulent in anyone’s books. It’s just like taking a first-time driver, giving them a two- or three-day theory on how to drive, showing them a car, starting the engine and then certifying them to set up a driving school… Scary, right? Always verify the real-world experience of the instructors who you’re intending to pay good money for quality training. Firearms training can be very expensive so ensure you’re not wasting your money and understand that after just a few days training you’re not going to be at a professional level, whatever your certificates say! Ongoing dry and live firearms training and weapons familiarization is essential if your serious about working in hostile environments but learn to differentiate the difference between tacticool holidays and experiences and relevant training! Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics The post Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

Why Consider A Career in Executive Protection? - Circuit Magazine -

Newcomers Corner, Why Consider A Career in Executive Protection? written by Harlan Austin for issue 54 of the Circuit Magazine

Weaponising Social Media - Circuit Magazine -

James Bore looks at Weaponising Social Media, conspiracy theories and opportunistic misinformation is misused taken from Issue 54 of the Circuit Magazine

Trunk Guns - Circuit Magazine -

One of the biggest ongoing phenomena is the firearms space is the concept of a trunk gun. Whether it is a handgun, shotgun, or a rifle, firearms are simply tools. When it comes to any tool, you first must ask what is your objective? Let's begin by considering the history or evolution of this phenomenon.

The Importance of Emotional Control in the Workplace - Circuit Magazine -

Denida Zinxhiria Grow looks at The Importance of Emotional Control in the Workplace, a Guide for Executive Protection Operatives from issue 54

Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics

Why Consider A Career in Executive Protection? - Circuit Magazine -

Weaponising Social Media - Circuit Magazine -

Trunk Guns - Circuit Magazine -

The Importance of Emotional Control in the Workplace - Circuit Magazine -

Circuit Magazine

Categories

Social Footprints