A site advance is a critical component of executive protection (EP) that involves preemptively assessing a location for risks and preparing security measures before an executive or principal arrives. It ensures a safe and controlled environment by identifying potential threats, escape routes, medical facilities, and logistical needs.

Our client, a national defense contractor, requires site advances for all public appearances for their key executives. We have been providing this service to them for several years now.

On a recent international event were the CTO and CEO of the company had to give a presentation to other industry executives, our Hollywood Protection intelligence analysts picked up some threats signals related to that event from open sources communication channels. Some radical groups planned to disrupt the event and threatened to physically harm some participants.

In terms of protective intelligence, we utilize technology that integrate real-time social media posts and online data with artificial intelligence verification platforms to isolate negative intelligence issues and threats within seconds.

The issue was ensuring a business-as-usual approach for the executives while maintaining operational security. In coordination with law enforcement authorities and other executive protection firms present at the event, we developed a plan to ensure all participants would be shielded as much as possible from possible threats.

One of the crucial steps involved developing a site advance plan and coordinating this plan with the other operators involved in the event. This included sharing operational security information and open-source and proprietary intelligence information.

The result was an event that ran smoothly without any incidents for the principals. All executives were able to get the job done and complete their mission. This demonstrates the importance of site advance planning and working in collaboration with other entities including law enforcement and other protection firms.

Knowing the site details entirely separates an executive protection officer from a bodyguard who simply follows their protectee wherever they go. Our executive protection officers are never surprised if last-minute changes take you off your planned movements.

We make sure to know the site entirely so that our protective advance will provide continuity and coverage during spurious changes. If an emergency occurs, our agents will remain calm and execute their plan regardless of changes. In fact, they are completely informed of the site and all security resources and features available.