Safeguarding Executives in High-Risk Areas

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, multinational corporations are confronted with the daunting challenge of safeguarding their executives in foreign postings fraught with peril. Terrorist threats, volatile regions, and rampant kidnapping have made it essential for companies to provide expats with an arsenal of security measures. Following the September 11 attacks, many companies have beefed up their security operations, hiring dedicated security directors and offering a range of security measures to mitigate risk. Despite the varying levels of security provided, protecting expat executives is paramount.

Key Takeaways:

• Companies have a corporate obligation to protect expat executives and their families, not only as good corporate citizens but also as good business, according to Christopher Marquet, executive managing director and principal of Citigate Global Intelligence.
• The level of threat equals the level of security, and companies must strike a balance between security measures and business operations, as too much security can hinder business dealings.
• At least eight protective measures should be offered to expat executives, including hostage survival training, security awareness briefings, kidnap and ransom insurance, crisis management plans, medical evacuation plans, relocation security services, 24-hour emergency response services, and equipping vehicles with GPS and panic alarms.
• Safety procedures such as conducting background checks on domestic staff, checking vehicles for explosive devices, varying routes, and keeping a low profile are essential in high-risk areas.
• Understanding the type of threat and assessing risk are critical components of executive protection, as the likelihood of being victimized by terrorism is lower than by criminals.

Statistics:

• There are at least eight protective measures companies should offer expat executives.
• The most vulnerable countries for expats include Colombia, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.
• Health is the primary concern for expats on long-term assignments,with 50% of iJet Travel Risk Management reports citing health as their top concern.
• Kidnap and ransom insurance is a critical component of executive protection, but its details cannot be publicly disclosed.

Sources:

• Christopher Marquet, executive managing director and principal of Citigate Global Intelligence, as quoted in the text.
• Robert Shuster, senior vice-president of executive protection at Vance International, as quoted in the text.
• Jack Stradley, managing director of Kroll's training facility, The Crucible, as quoted in the text.
• Bruce McIndoe, chief executive of iJet Travel Risk Management, as quoted in the text.