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Write a summary relating to globalization initiatives have opened up a lot of international business opportunities that require business executives to extensively travel across the globe for business purposes.
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The globalization initiatives have opened up a lot of international business opportunities that require business executives to extensively travel across the globe for business purposes. Business has to continue regardless of the security threats in some parts of the world. Security teams guarding the business executives should conduct a security threat assessment and risk analysis of the place of destination in advance before planning for security.
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Provide an essay relating to globalization initiatives have opened up a lot of international business opportunities that require business executives to extensively travel across the globe for business purposes. Exapnd on the summary above.
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#Security Planning for Executives Essay
The globalization initiatives have opened up a lot of international business opportunities that require business executives to extensively travel across the globe for business purposes. Business has to continue regardless of the security threats in some parts of the world. Business executives face security risks that can arise due to terrorist or political actions that can interfere with their lives and business activities. Because of the uncertainty in global security, most companies that do international business are taking precautionary measures to ensure their business executives are well prepared incase of any eventuality (Hunsicker, 2007). The security concerns are addressed by adequate planning by security teams guarding the business executives. Planning helps the security teams to make risk assessments for foreign trips and establish the relevant contingency procedures as a way of countering the potential effects of security threats. The details of security planning for executives will be discussed in this paper.
Kurdistan is an autonomous region in Northern Iraq that is well known to be rich in natural sources especially oil. Its beauty and economic viability has attracted a lot of international companies to have a lot of business interests in the region (Reveron, 2006). Business executives from different parts of the world travel to Kurdistan to conduct business and taking into consideration the security threats in the ever volatile Middle East, the security of these executives should be well planned for in readiness for any eventuality that might occur. It is the responsibility of these security teams to conduct a security threat assessment and risk analysis of the place of destination in advance before planning for security (Reveron, 2006). Each region has its own security threats and a thorough risk analysis should be conducted by the security teams of these executives so that proper measures can be put in place.
Despite Kurdistan being considered as one of the safest places in Iraq, there are some serious security threats and concerns that need to be highlighted. The first security threat is from Iran because of the rivalry in oil exports. Most European countries prefer to import oil and other petroleum products from Kurdistan compared to Iran. This has made the border region of between Kurdistan and Iran to be identified as one of the most dangerous places (Stanfields, 2007). Iraq has recently been experiencing many terror attacks from insurgent groups targeting foreigners especially those from the U.S. Suicide bombings and kidnap cases are very rampant and this call for adequate security plans for all foreign executives visiting any part of Iraq. Terror gangs target hotels and residences that host foreign visitor especially westerners. These attacks are mostly orchestrated by extremists who are always against the U.S and all its sympathizers.
The threat of terrorist attacks puts all foreign visitors in Iraq at a great risk. Since the executive in this case study is supposed to conduct business in Erbil capital of Kurdistan, it is necessary to focus at some of the security threats in Kurdistan. The region is a potential target for insurgent groups because of the many visitors that visit the region (Stanfields, 2007). Foreign visitors that visit the region are to be weary of all the potential danger zones before visiting. Since the executive in this case is supposed to travel by air form Baghdad to Kurdistan, a serious analysis of the security between these to capitals is mandatory. To begin with, the airport road in Baghdad is notorious for attacks by insurgent groups. Baghdad is seriously ravaged by the many suicide bombings that take place in the city. Being a major transit point for this executive, the security team has to identify the Baghdad international airport as another danger zone for foreign visitors. Baghdad is a very risky city and visitors are advised to be more cautious relating toir security (Reveron, 2006). It takes only one hour to travel by air from Baghdad to Erbil but it always seems like eternity because of the security threat.
The Erbil International Airport road winds through real estates built using American architecture. There is also an American school along the road that magnifies the threat even more. Since the extremists look for the slightest opportunity to harm the U.S, this area is another hotspot that needs to be marked the security detail of the executive. The power struggle between the two political parties in Kurdistan has always led to a series of violent riots that pose a great security threat to the visiting executives. The Kurdish authorities treat the demonstrators brutally which has led to an outcry by human rights groups. Both air and land transport means are vulnerable to attacks and therefore the security team in charge of executive protection should plan for both land and air transportation security for their subjects. The development of digital media has given the insurgent groups an extra weapon of intimidation (Stanfields, 2007). The groups use text messages and social media on the internet to threaten their potential targets.
The ruling political party in Kurdistan has been under a lot of pressure from the Iranian government because of its failure to follow the Iranian policies. The Kurdistan authorities have in all the occasions refused to concede to this pressure. The Iranian Government has vowed to cause political problems for Kurdistan both form outside and within until they agree to follow their demands (Stanfields, 2007). This amounts to a serious security threat to the local citizens and visitors alike. The Iranian government has always been against the strong political and economic ties between Kurdistan and Turkey. Foreign visitors in Kurdistan can find themselves as victims of circumstances because of this ever growing animosity (Reveron, 2006).
The Iranian Government has constantly issued warnings to American allies in Kurdistan and the entire Iraq. The struggle for complete independence by the Kurdistan region has constantly been resisted by the federal government based in Baghdad. This situation leads to political insecurity in the region. The neighboring city of Mosul is notorious for terrorist attacks making it a no go zone especially for visitors. Taxi drivers in Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq are known to be very reckless when driving. Most of the roads are unmarked posing a great threat to the safety of visitors (Stanfields, 2007). Visitors are advised to put on their safety belts whenever they use taxis for them to be protected incase of any eventuality. Despite these security threats, Kurdistan has remained relatively safe over the years thus surprising many security analysts.
According to the security intelligence boss, Kurdistan has enjoyed some good security because of the collaboration between the local people and the security forces. The Kurdistan natives are believed to be against extremism ideologies and beliefs thus reducing the risk of attacks to both the local citizens and foreigners. The intelligence unit in Kurdistan is widely spread with informers in almost every corner (Stanfields, 2007). This makes it easy to detect any security threats and put the necessary measures in place. Since the security agents are aware of the fact that the region is frequently visited by international business executives who are at risk of being victims of attacks by insurgence groups, security is always heightened in all areas especially around the borders (Reveron, 2006). The strict security measures put in place by the security forces reduces the risk of attacks and gives foreign business executives visiting the region some confidence.
The crime record of the Kurdistan region is quite impressive with only few incidences being reported in recent times. Law enforcement forces have however warned the local people and visitors not be complacent and ignore the standard security measures. Cases like pick pocketing and hijacking are common in most parts of the world and the executive’s security team should be weary of that risk when planning for the security of their clients (Reveron, 2006). There are many land mines scattered in the Kurdistan region which are very hazardous to the visitors. These mines can explode any time and visitors especially tourists who go for hiking are advised to only use the marked paths. The details of all security threats should be properly examined and appropriate preventive measures put in place by the security teams (Reveron, 2006).
Being one of the members of the security team protecting the executive is a very challenging task that requires a trained professional. Most companies doing business in foreign countries are investing heavily in protecting their business executives especially when they travel to foreign countries to conduct business on behalf of the company. Since security threats can not stop business from going on, these executives are forced to travel to any part of the world regardless of the state of security in the region (June, 2007). Comprehensive executive security programs need to be put in place to ensure that the security of executives is guaranteed at all times. The security team needs to be well trained in modern intelligence and choreography. The ability to detect a security threat and put pro-active security measures in place is a very vital skill needed in executive protection (Mares, 1994). The security of executives and that of their families is not a thing to gamble with and calls for extreme professionalism to handle that.
The company size and profile determines the level of risk the executives will face. The other thing is the individual profile of the travelling executive. The information the world knows relating tom the more risk they face in terms of security. Companies are advised to post very little information relating toir executives on the internet because of security reasons (Mares, 1994). The attackers can use this online information to attack the executives. This should also apply to their family members because they are also potential targets for attackers. The principles of protection are useful philosophies that can be used by security teams guarding travelling executives in the course of their duties. The fundamental tool in executive protection is the mind and not the sophisticated weapons. Good protection weapons with poor judgment can lead to devastating errors being committed by the security team (Oatman, 2006).
The security team has the responsibility of analyzing the destination of travel early enough and conduct a threat assessment and risk analysis. This information is very useful in planning for an effective security strategy. Good communication and effective information systems are very important in any system including executive protection (Oatman, 2006). The security team should have efficient information channels that enable it to get in touch with other security providers and the security forces of the host nation. Overseas trips require early preparations by the security team for it to do all the necessary rehearsals in the actual place. This process is commonly known as destination shaping and makes the work of security teams vey easy during the actual visit. The main objective of the security team should be to get their subject out of trouble at all times. A good rapport between the executives and their security teams is very important in planning for security. The executives should always be informed by their security teams of the potential threats they face in the course of their trips (June, 2007). Trips to dangerous parts of the world require elaborate planning. The security team should focus their efforts in preventing an attack rather than dealing with the attack itself.
The issue of trust is very crucial in executive protection. There should be absolute trust between the executives being guarded and their security details at all times. The team is supposed to reduce as much as possible the time their clients are exposed to danger. This is done by planning for evacuation channels in the hotels the executives are supposed to be accommodated and looking for alternative routes in case of danger in the initially designated routes (Oatman, 2006). These pro-active measures reduce the risk of attacks on the executives. When planning for an executive’s security, the security team should consider some fundamental factors that can help them assess the level of risk their subject is likely to face. Some of the factors to be considered include the history of threats against the executive, how often they travel to risky places and the type of attacks and dangerous situation they are likely to face during their trip.
The security team guarding the executive should have a principle profile of the executive to guide them in their planning. The executives should be corporative enough to give out the required details relating toir private and public lives in order to give the security teams enough information to protect them in the best way possible (Hunsicker, 2007). Personal details of the executive should not be publicized because it exposes the executive to a lot of security risks. Security threats are never constant and keep on changing each and every day. The security team should constantly carry out a day to day security assessment of their destination to be updated on any new developments.
The success of a security team guarding an executive depends on the research and preparations done and not just a show of muscles (Hunsicker, 2007). The dressing and physical presence of an executive protection team should mirror that of their subject. The travel logistics of the executive should be well planned for in advance and a contingency plan created. Advance work facilitates prevention of almost all anticipated threats (June, 2007). It takes a trained professional to detect a threat before it actually materializes. The health and security of the executive should be protected at all times without leaving anything to chance.
Security should very much be heightened during transportation since the attackers are known to launch most of their attacks when their potential targets are moving. According to our case study, the business executive is supposed to travel by air from Baghdad to Erbil. Considering the security threat in this region, the security team guarding this executive needs to very vigilant while on the airport roads since the roads have been identified as potential areas of terrorist attacks (Reveron, 2006). The Baghdad International Airport and the Erbil International airport are known to have dangerous airport roads that require adequate security planning. The security teams should come up with measures to prevent both land and air attacks. The risk of attack increases when the presence of the executive in the area of visit is highly publicized. The arrival of the executives in dangerous regions should maintain a low profile to reduce the risk of being attacked (Stanfields, 2007). The security detail of the business executive travelling to Kurdistan should receive all the necessary security details from the airport security agents since they are not familiar with actual situation in the area. Coordination with the local security forces makes the work of the visiting security teams very easy.
The security team of the visiting executive should extract some useful information from hotel and airport personnel and not to forget other security professionals in the region. The security team should train their subjects on basic security skills for easy cooperation. The team should have an efficient network of information system to help them in their investigations on security matters (Stanfields, 2007). This calls for them to be very persuasive and pleasing. The team should take seriously the security threats made against their subject and other executives and leave nothing untracked. Airport security checks are normally very strict in vulnerable areas and Baghdad and Erbil International airports are perfect examples of such airports (Reveron, 2006).
There are elaborate security checking in these two airports since hijacking of planes and suicide bombings are common in this region. The search process for bombs and other explosive weapons is normally strict since they are the commonly used weapons of terror in the region. Before the introduction the strict screening procedures in airports, passengers were usually allowed to travel with some weapons but this privilege was abused by some passengers who used the weapons to hijack planes. This has since been abolished and no weapon however small is permitted (Reveron, 2006). The airport security officials use metal detectors to screen travelers for any kind of weapon that might be in their possession. Bombs and other explosive weapons are detected using explosive detection machines. The entire passenger luggage is checked using these hypersensitive machines to ensure no passenger boards the plane with weapons that are a security threat to other passengers in the plane (Reveron, 2006). Erbil and Baghdad international airports have many checkpoints due to the vulnerability of the region.
The airport security agents are very strict on any sort of material that is explosive in nature including explosive gases. X-rays are also widely used to detect small weapons that may fail to be detected by metal detectors. The recent introduction of the scanning technology has simplified the matter since it allows the passengers to go through the detailed security checks without having to remove their shoes at each checkpoint (Reveron, 2006). The airports have got gate through detectors in all gates. Some airport areas like ramps and other operational areas are no go zones for non travelers. The security agents in airports are trained to use conversation with passengers to extract some information concerning security.
In conclusion, executive protection requires a lot of professionalism and good judgment. Executives travelling to dangerous places face a lot of risks and thus require extra protection. Adequate research and early preparations are very essential requirement in protecting executives both at home and during foreign trips. Recent increase in cases of terrorism has forced executive protection teams to be more vigilant.