Dr. Chris Shaffer

Dr. Chris ShafferGlobal Security SpecialistExecutive and Dignitary Protection SpecialistMGY.SGT, Retired (USMC, MARSOC)Certified Homeland Security Level IIIValmont Industries, Inc. Birmingham, AL

Managing Your Personal Security

ObjectivesTravel Pre-Plans

Employee Responsibilities

Situational Awareness

Criminal Threats

Travel Pre-PlansCompleted Valmont Travel Registry FormCurrent passportCurrent Visa if neededReceived pre-plan packet

Travel Pre-Plans Travel Registry Form

OVERSEAS TRAVEL REGISTRYTO BE COMPLETED BY TRAVELER MAKE SURE TO ADD ANY DEPENDENTS TRAVELING WITH YOUEmployee Name:Home Site Location:Employee DOB:Employee Passport or Passport Card #: (please specify which)Country Being Visited:Site Address:Visited Site Contact & Number

Employee Cell Phone#:Employee Email Address:Scheduled Date Left:Scheduled Date Return:Emergency Family Contact Name:Emergency Family Contact #:Division Safety/Security Contact Info:Purpose of VisitType of VisitScheduled Date to Arrive at DestinationScheduled Date to Leave DestinationSupervisor NameSupervisor Contact email and phone#businessone-timePassport Date of IssuePassport ExpirationPlease Return this form along with a scanned copy of your passport to security professional.TO BE COMPLETED BY CORPORATE SECURITY PERSONNELOVERSEAS PRE-PLAN CHECKLISTYES / NON/ADate CompletedHas employee completed Overseas Registry form?Employee registered through Travel.State.Gov?Has employee provided a copy of passport with company form?HAS EMPLOYEE BEEN PROVIDED WITH THE FOLLOWING?Recent travel warnings and alerts provided to employee?Most recent crime reports?Updated road & traffic Hazards?Updated Epidemic updates?

Travel Pre-Plans PassportIs your passport up to date & current?Is your emergency contact information correct?Do you have a copy of your Passport with you?Did you leave a copy of your Passport with family?Did you leave a copy of Passport with your company?

Travel Pre-Plans Visited Country VisaIs a separate visited country Visa needed?Is your Visa current & valid?Are there specific inoculations required?

Employee ResponsibilitiesKnow the current crime trends.Be aware of the potential for terrorist acts. Be aware of natural disasters.Be aware of epidemics at that location

Travel Pre-Plans Pre-Plan PackageHAVE YOU RECEIVED?Overseas security awareness training?Wardens Travel Warnings & Alerts?Location crime reports?Epidemic & road safety updates?Local Embassy or Consulate contact numbers?

Employee ResponsibilitiesMESSENGERS of INTUITIONYou must NEVER ignore your intuition and the tiny flickers of doubt

It can be the BEST protection we have against violence or worse to ourselves

TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCTS!

Situational AwarenessIs She Situationally Safe?

Situational AwarenessAnticipate What May Happen NextProfile the scene & the person.Do not resist violent economic crime, however if it is a violent crime make every effort to resist and escape.Assume criminals are armed.Ensure that public transportation is legit.Pay attention to surroundings and not cell phones or texting.Tear gas or pepper spray is not recommended. Personal air horn has much greater effect.

Situational AwarenessEnhancing Personal SecurityHave the proper information/advice.Focus on your situational awareness. - Be aware of your surroundings and those around you.Lower your profile - Do not dress American - Do not advertise wealth or tourismKnow the threat.

Situational AwarenessEnhancing Personal SecurityLoners get victimized. - When possible travel in trusted groups.Stay in know & well lit areas.Be predictably unpredictable. - Change your travel routes and times.CHOOSE WISELY

Criminal ThreatsCrime TrendsATM abductionKidnapping for ransomIPod theftPortable GPS devicesIdentity theftStrong arm robbery

Criminal ThreatsCarjackingForeigners targeted - Do not blare music - Do not advertise as a touristVehicle selection - Flashy look at me vehicles draw more attention. - Always lock you vehicle both when your in it & out of it. - Do not leave valuables in plain view inside vehicle.

Criminal ThreatsAviation ThreatsMove through airport screening as fast as possible.Other than passports keep low profile as an American.Make every attempt to use accredited airlines.Do not put Company name or your name outside of luggage. - Put cell number on luggage tags & place your private information inside luggage.

There is still substantial risk of crimes being committed inside of airports as well!

Criminal ThreatsHotel SecurityKeep low profile when checking in - Do not announce out loud to co-workers or others your room #.Floor Selection - Make every attempt not to stay on first floor. - Try to obtain a room between 2nd & 8th floors. - Count how many room doors there are between yours and the nearest emergency exits.

Criminal ThreatsHotel SecurityHotel Crime - Never open your door to unknown persons. - Use peep hole in door when possible to identify persons. - If you order room service request to see identification prior to opening door or request that food be left outside the door. - Never leave personal information or valuables in the open, use safe if room is equipped with one, use hotel safe at desk or carry all with you.

Criminal ThreatsHotel SecurityHotel Crime - Never open your door to unknown persons. - Use peep hole in door when possible to identify persons. - If you order room service request to see identification prior to opening door or request that food be left outside the door. - Never leave personal information or valuables in the open, use safe if room is equipped with one, use hotel safe at desk or carry all with you.

Surveillance DetectionDiplomatic Security Overseas Training

Surveillance DetectionObjectiveProvide you with an awareness of the most common types of surveillance & the proactive measures you can take to help form becoming a target.

Surveillance DetectionPurpose of SurveillanceIntelligence Services Information

Criminal Physical / Financial

Terrorist Political / Fear

Surveillance DetectionMethodsStationary / Fixed Person, vehicle

Mobile Drive by, walk by, follow

Normally it is a combination of both.

Surveillance DetectionThe Attack CycleNormally abductors, terrorist, cartels, etc will:Develop a list of potential targetsSurveillance / information gatheringTarget selectionAttack planning surveillance continues, possible dry runs and rehearsalsDeployment and attack target identificationEscape and evasion

Surveillance DetectionTarget SelectionTerrorist seek to create fear, demoralize their victims, and gain support for their cause through successful attacks.

Terrorist will normally seek the highest profile soft target available to maximize the odds of a successful attack.

Surveillance DetectionHard Target vs. Soft TargetWhat defines the difference to a terrorist:Use of security systems, policies & proceduresPredictability of target How routine is the targets path of travel?Awareness of target Are they high observant? Are they aware of their surroundings?Mental preparation Is target prepared to react to an attack?

Surveillance DetectionChoke PointsMany attacks occur while victims are in transit

Choke Points Areas you must pass through near residence and work

Ideal Attack Sites: a. Place where victim can be controlled with avenues of escape b. A location that is well suited for surveillance, and ability to blend into the environment.

Surveillance DetectionChoke PointsMany attacks occur while victims are in transit

Choke Points Areas you must pass through near residence and work

Ideal Attack Sites: - Place where victim can be controlled with avenues of escape - A location that is well suited for surveillance, and ability to blend into the environment.

Surveillance DetectionExamine you Personal Choke PointsMay be self made if time and place is predictable DONT establish routine patternsIdentify choke points VARY travel timesADD stops or errands to increase unpredictabilityExplore variable work schedule

Surveillance DetectionTechniquesBe Alert Study detail, especially at choke points

Know what is normal / not normal

Be able to provide useful information to your local Regional Security Officer at you Embassy or to local law enforcement (if local LE is to be trusted) use descriptive terms for vehicle and people.

Surveillance DetectionDescriptors - PeopleGenderRaceHeight 2 inch incrementsAge 5 year incrementsWeight 10 pound incrementsHair color/style, clothing, jewelryDistinguishing features

Compare person to a popular person such as actor.

Surveillance DetectionDescriptors - VehiclesColorBody style and size compact / full size / vanNumber of doorsMake, model, yearLicense number and originHow many occupantsPeculiarities damage / decals / bumper stickers , custom features

Surveillance DetectionBehavioral CuesTarget Fixation Persons who pay undue attention to you, photographing or appear to be taking notes of your actions. This includes time checking.

Surveillance DetectionPersons or VehiclesPersons / vehicles with no purpose for being there

Broken down vehicles / taxis / vendors / service personnel

Illegally parked vehicles or facing wrong way on one-way streets

Surveillance DetectionCorrelationsRepeated sightings same person or vehicle at different locations

Rule of Three- If it is the third time you see same person or vehicle, report it immediately, better to be mistaken than taken.

Report anything suspicious it may correlate with something reported by another person.

Surveillance DetectionIf You Suspect SurveillanceConceal you suspicions do not confront

Discreetly observe the person or vehicle to obtain a description

Try to confirm surveillance a. Make casual eye contact reaction? b. Change your speed /direction (safely) walking or driving.Contact Embassy or Local Law Enforcement !!

Surveillance DetectionAvoid Being a TargetMaintain a low profileVary your times and routes when possibleBe aware and alert especially in choke pointsAllow yourself room to maneuverBe prepared to react have a planLearn escape routes and locations of safe havens.

Surveillance DetectionAttack Recognition SignsFocus on the choke pointsTarget identification strong interest in youStrange / unusual behaviorSomething / someone slowing or stopping you, blocking vehicleIndividuals approaching you rapidlyTransition to weapons

Surveillance DetectionResponse to an AttackIf you spot or think you spot a potential attack ahead do not go there!Disrupt attack Change route, scream out loud, pull alarm.Create space between you and threatMove quicklyBreak traffic laws only if necessary for life safetyGet off the X go to a safe haven or populated areaContact your Embassy or local Law EnforcementMOVE YOUR FEET, DOING SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING!