Executive Protection And Secure Transportation Podcast

Larry Snow with the Secure Transportation and Executive Protection News for Wednesday, May 16th, 2018.   In Security News From WBALTV.Com More Maryland communities hiring private security guards While there are 16,000 sworn police officers in Maryland, there are nearly double that number of private security guards, and there are 740 active security agencies in Maryland. Their job is to be a visible deterrent to de-escalate and to intervene if the police need their help. There are 28,000 licensed and certified security guards in the state of Maryland, which is an increase of 5,000 since 2013. Maryland State Police process as many as 900 applications a month. Read More   From NextGov.Com The Defense Security Service plans to shift to a risk-based approach, but needs to reach out to stakeholders, GAO says. The Pentagon agency responsible for vetting contractors that handle classified information isn’t keeping up with the threat, according to an auditor’s report released Monday. The Defense Security Service, or

Understanding how, when, and where an attacker is likely to conduct surveillance as well as how to plan, manage and conduct effective surveillance detection operations is an essential tool for security providers.  If all or part of your duties requires providing personal protection, the ISDA suggests reading Carlos Marighella's book "The Mini-Manual of the Urban Guerrilla".

Larry Snow with the Secure Transportation and Executive Protection News for Monday, May 14th, 2018.   In Vehicle News A report from the New York Times found that dozens of people have been poisoned by carbon monoxide after failing to shut off the keyless ignition on their vehicles. Since 2006 at least 28 people have died and 45 others have suffered injuries from the gas after they thought they had turned off their vehicles, the Times found. The report highlights the efforts by some groups to push for new regulations from automakers to combat the problem. Keyless ignition allows drivers to start their cars with the press of a button while an electronic key fob remains in their pocket or purse. The technology first entered the American market in the early 2000s. In 2015, a class action lawsuit claimed there had been 13 carbon monoxide-related deaths linked to keyless ignition cars. A judge dismissed the suit in September 2016. The Times report, published Sunday, indicates the problem may be more widespread than

Larry Snow with the Secure Transportation and Executive Protection News for Friday, May 11th, 2018.  ===== In Vehicle News Dodge is expanding its police vehicle lineup, adding a new Pursuit version of its Dodge Durango SUV. The 2018 Dodge Durango Pursuit is powered by a 5.7L Hemi V-8, coupled with a full-time, active all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. This is the same powertrain combination most commonly deployed in the Dodge Charger Pursuit. The Durango Pursuit's 5.7L Hemi V-8 features Fuel Saver Technology and delivers 360 horsepower (360) and 390 pound-feet of torque. Read More ==== In Executive Protection News Mark Zuckerberg says 99% of ISIS and al-Qaeda-related terror content gets removed from Facebook before anyone reports it, but Sarah Frier explains why that's far from the reality Read More  ==== In Business of Executive Protection News From Harvard Business Review Tips for Reading the Room Before a Meeting or Presentation The article begins with - In every conversation at work, there’s the explicit dis

In Vehicle News From the Drive.Com Cadillac Is Ending Production of the ATS Sedan Cadillac has confirmed that production is ending for the ATS Sedan and production of the ATS Coupe will continue into 2019. Production of the ATS Sedan is ending due to extensive plant upgrades, expansion and re-tooling to prepare for the next generation of Cadillac sedans. Cadillac’s future sedan portfolio will consist of three sedans, positioned in different segments and clearly differentiated by size and price. The CT6 will continue as the brand’s prestige sedan and will play also the lead role as a new technology platform for Cadillac, as evidenced by the debut of Super Cruise semi-autonomous technology in the 2018 CT6. Read More   From CNN Money.Com Rolls-Royce reveals its first SUV The British ultra-luxury automaker's first SUV can plow through 21 inches of water, drive right through deep snow and cross shifting desert sands while passengers ride in ultra comfort. As expected of Rolls-Royce, which is still based in Englan

Larry Snow with the Secure Transportation and Executive Protection News for Wednesday, May 9th, 2018.   In travel safety News Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Managua, Nicaragua (May 8, 2018) Event:  Civil unrest throughout Nicaragua continues to affect U.S. Embassy operations and hours.  The Embassy is aware of demonstrations planned for May 9, 2018 in Managua with advertised start times of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  However, recent days’ events have shown that locations, routes, times, sizes, and possible violence of demonstrations are all unpredictable. Read More   == In Executive Protection News Vermont Legislature passes ‘domestic terrorism’ bill MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Legislature has passed a bill that would make it a crime if anyone takes “substantial steps” to threaten to kill or kidnap groups of people. The Rutland Herald reports the bill given final approval Monday came in response to an alleged plot to commit a school shooting at Fair Haven Union High School by a former student. Read More

Larry Snow with the Secure Transportation and Executive Protection News for Tuesday, May 8th, 2018.  In travel and security tips New TSA Security Procedures   With the summer travel season on the horizon, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it has completed the rollout of enhanced screening procedures for carry-on baggage as part of a greater effort to raise the baseline for aviation security. The stronger security measures, which began last summer, require travelers to place all personal electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening in standard lanes. In addition to screening personal electronic devices separately, including laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles, TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate other items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to eas

In Vehicle News From the Autoblog: 2019 Chevy Suburban RST Performance Package finally adds the big engine When Chevy introduced the RST trim level on the Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs, the Suburban was a little left-out when it came to the good stuff. Specifically, it wasn't available with the 6.2-liter V8 that could be added to the Tahoe RST. But that's been fixed this year with the 2019 Chevy Suburban RST Performance Package.   The ISDA will be bringing a full review of the 2019 Suburban and its handling characteristics. Read More   From Wired.Com FANCY NEW SUSPENSION COULD MAKE CAR RIDES A LOT SMOOTHER  ClearMotion, a Boston-based MIT spinoff company, is developing what it’s calling a proactive suspension system, which goes a step further than the active suspension found on high-end cars. Those systems use hydraulics or electromagnetic fluids to soften or tauten the ride. ClearMotion uses small actuators that lift the wheel clean over bumps, describing other systems as playing defense, whereas it p

Automotive News reports Cadillac’s next all-new vehicle -- the XT6  -- is taking shape and taking to the road for testing. Spy photos indicate the luxury Crossover Utility Vehicle will have a north-south engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration. It’s possibly based on the lightweight architecture of Cadillac’s flagship CT6 sedan.   Speaking of Cadillac from Fox News reports CT6 sedans featuring the company’s new Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system are heading to showrooms now, offering the promise of hands-off and feet-off freeway driving. The system lets the car to steer itself within a lane and not run into any cars in front of it while you try to relax and enjoy the ride.     In Technology news from Engadget and Defense One Criminals used a drone swarm to disrupt an FBI hostage rescue The FBI's Joe Mazel told a crowd at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Xponential conference this week about a particularly organized gang that used drones to interfere with a hostage situa

In Executive Protection News Diane Ritchey, Editor in Chief of Security Magazine, Security Talks stresses the importance of investigative skills for Executive Protection Success. For info and to read the article go to SecurityMagazine.Com.   In Vehicle Safety Tips Safelite stresses the importance of regularly replacing Wiper blades and gives examples how to tell if your blades are worn.   In Business of Executive Protection Tips Is your security business ready for the EU General Protection Data Regulation?  The new European Union general data protection regulation (EU GDPR) has a direct impact on marketing practices, including email marketing. If your business is based in the EU or you process and collect personal data from EU citizens, the General Data Protection Regulation affects you. The GDPR says you must obtain freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent. You also must clearly explain how you plan to use their personal data. There will be penalties for noncompliance. For a small company t

This podcast is brought to you by the International Security Driver Association. The International Security Driver Association serves its members by supporting an international forum of protection professionals who share their knowledge and experience for the education and benefit of the membership. ISDA represents all aspects of the Executive Protection profession from all parts of the Globe. ISDA serves members who are either inexperienced or experienced practitioners.  Whether you are exploring a career in executive protection, new to the profession, honing your expertise, or an established security executive, ISDA offers its Members benchmark educational, networking, and marketing programs. For more information about the ISDA go to isdacenter.org.   From the Tennesean.Com Nashville Police Attempt to Seize Control of Private Event Security and Get Sued Taxpayers are increasingly on the hook for millions in overtime, pension costs. Two private security firms are seeking an injunction to stop the Metro Nash

If you enjoy reading and are involved in the profession, ISDA Member Tom Taylor supplies you with a great reading and learning experience. Tom has authored a series of novels based on the EP profession. Tom takes the day to day tasks of a protection team and turns them into a page-turning work of fiction, that can be easily used as executive protection handbooks. We (ISDA) are a bit prejudice, but in our minds, Tom’s novels are better than many EP books. If Tom’s name sounds familiar, he is the coauthor of the best-selling and must-read book - Just 2 Seconds - Using Time and Distance to Defeat Assassins.The essential guide for protectors of at-risk people includes a 400-page compendium of attacks and near-attacks. Just 2 Seconds is used by protectors in 37 countries. Here are Tom’s other novels that may interest you: Chance Governs All Stop Gaps Last Came Anarchy Connect with Tom on LinkedIn   For more articles and news related to secure transportation, security, and executive protection, go to isdacente

What is social media? Social media put plainly and simply is public conversations within established networks. These networks are made up of your friends, peers, colleagues, clients and potential clients. These networks or channels have various names such as Facebook, Twitter, FourSquare, LinkedIn etc. Each is unique and useful in varying degrees to executive protection and security businesses.   Social media is different from traditional forms of print media in that you are not directly pushing your products and services, but rather engaging with your customers and clients by sharing your expertise, knowledge, and experience and establishing yourself as a subject matter expert. As a result, people will be more willing to use your products and services and trust other businesses you recommend. Another way to think of social media is word of mouth marketing on steroids. Think of social media as customer cultivation. It is the only way to truly grow and prosper as a company. With social media, you are listening

Since the inception of the ISDA Executive Vehicle and Secure Transportation Survey in 2013, our data has shown the primary mode of secure transportation has been an SUV. And the most commonly used SUV is the Suburban which has always been on the top of the list, although in 2017 the Cadillac Escalade with its increased cargo and payload capacity, two features necessary for executive vehicles, took 2nd place. The 2017 survey results, which you can get a copy of from the ISDA Store at store.isdacenter.org, did not have the Lincoln Navigator in the top five vehicles. We conduct the survey at two-year intervals and we are convinced that the Lincoln Navigator will be competing with the Escalade and Suburban for the top Executive and Secure Transportation vehicle (US). The logic behind our belief is that the 2018 Navigator has raised the bar in Secure Transportation. For those that use older Navigators as a guide, we can say without hesitation that the 2018 Navigator is much better than the former versions of Linco

Ford Motor Company yesterday released its first quarter 2018 financial results. In the release Jim Hackett, president, and CEO of Ford provided an update to Ford’s strategic framework, declaring one way that Ford will create long-term value is by: Building a winning portfolio and focusing on products and markets where Ford can win. For example, by 2020, almost 90 percent of the Ford portfolio in North America will be trucks, utilities, and commercial vehicles. Given declining consumer demand and product profitability, the company will not invest in next generations of traditional Ford sedans for North America. Over the next few years, the Ford car portfolio in North America will transition to two vehicles – the best-selling Mustang and the all-new Focus Active crossover coming out next year. The company is also exploring new “white space” vehicle silhouettes that combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space, and versatility. Currently, Ford sells six sedans and coupes

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a computer that takes over control of the vehicle when the vehicle’s path is not what the driver intended it to be. For those of us who have lost control of a car, we know that it’s that first twitch of the car that tells us that we are about to have an exciting experience. That twitch is information the car is sending to us. For some, interpreting this information is second nature, and for others, it’s like trying to understand Swahili. That sinking feeling we get in our stomach is the car telling us that it’s not going where we want it to go, but it is going on a path that it wants to go. The value of ESC is that it interprets the information, in most cases, before the average driver or even the above average driver can sense the problem. Once the ESC computer reads the information it starts to set the car on the correct path before we can figure out what’s going on. HOW IT WORKS Electronic Stability Control uses the existing ABS and Traction Control computers, plus add

Cruise Control The primary purpose of cruise control, when activated is that it enables you to maintain a minimum speed of approximately 25 MPH or higher without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can help reduce driver fatigue during long trips. But cruise control can be dangerous if used on winding roads, in bad weather or in heavy traffic. Your cruise control does not know the difference in road surface types.  This makes having it activated dangerous on slippery roads.  Unless it is deactivated by tapping your brakes or disengaging it, the vehicle will not slow down during a skid. There is a potential problem with the use of cruise control on wet roads.  Particularly where ruts cause significant standing water buildup, leading to hydroplaning at lower speeds.  When the drive wheels start to spin due to loss of traction, the electronic controls will reduce the throttle setting to compensate.  When the wheels leave the water and regain traction, they will be going 'slower' than the cruise control se

  Monitoring your brand to look for who is actually working for your business on Facebook. Using the Facebook search you can enter the phrase People who work at "your company" and the results may surprise you. For example, People who work at International Security Driver Association. According to Facebook, there are 42 people who say they work at the ISDA, but they don’t. Facebook doesn't really care what anyone puts in for places of work. If you put that in perspective, let's say these people are going for a job role, a job position and where a recruiter is coming by their profile and looking at this information and saying on the preface that this person actually works at that place. Now they could do the extra step and say, and call up that business and say does this person actually have worked here or currently works here? And then you could say no, I never heard of this guy. But up until that point, this person might be getting jobs based on their Facebook profiles. In this case, these folks are using ou

Every day, somewhere in the world there are kidnappings for ransom. They are such a common occurrence that for the most part they are unreported by the mainstream media. In fact, each year, there are at least 15,000 to 20,000 kidnappings across the globe – and this number doesn’t include unreported incidents. According to some estimates, fewer than 20% of kidnappings are reported to authorities.Each year, kidnappers rake in an estimated $1.5 billion in ransom payments.  For those that are required to travel the world, or have companies that have employees stationed throughout the globe who are working in high-risk environments,  the need for Kidnap and Ransom (K&R) insurance is an essential part of their operational planning. Also consider the decision to use or hire Executive Protection Specialist, Security Drivers or Supply Secure Transportation many times are based on the terms of the client’s Kidnap and Ransom (K&R) insurance policy.   Common sense says that those who need and can purchase K&R

Those of us who live in Winter-weather country, are just emerging from snow and freezing temperatures. And now there’s a new problem to face: potholes. Thanks to this Winter’s freeze-and-thaw cycles, not to mention a few snowplows scraping the roads, we now enter pothole season. And that’s not good news for those providing secure transportation. Potholes are a matter of safety and inconvenience. But there are things that can be done before, during, and after hitting a pothole. We suggest developing a proactive approach similar to a security scenario except you’re avoiding potholes instead of security issues. That strategy is similar to conducting a route survey, except you are conducting a pothole survey. Since you take the same route, be aware of the location of potholes. Also, keep in mind that new ones can show up in just a day or two. Before hitting the road Check tire pressures. Keep them at the manufacturer’s recommendation. Have a clean windshield! You can’t avoid the pothole you can’t see. Observe th