In major countries like the United States or European Union, executives may move via corporate jet, and not just through major airports like New York’s Kennedy, Frankfurt Airport, or London’s Heathrow but also through minor airports. Here, the issue is that minor airports may lack the security infrastructure of their larger counterparts. This problem is compounded in smaller, developing countries.
Airport security can become a weak link in executive security. According to Chris Hagon, our CEO, “Although most large airports are reasonably secure, many smaller airports serving primarily corporate clients have less resources to devote to airport security.
Detect, deny, deter and defend are the four prongs of an effective security approach. Let’s drill down into each element.
A Four-Pronged Approach to Executive Protection and Corporate Aviation Security
The following is a simple and effective approach to increase the security of individuals on the ground at airports as well as in the skies.
- DETECT | As most international security services understand, the first step to defending against a threat is to identify it. Once a threat is detected, it can be studied and analyzed to uncover its capabilities and intentions. If the threat becomes severe enough, law enforcement can be called in to deal with the issue.
- DENY | One of the first steps to sound executive protection and corporate aviation security is to deny potential threats information they could used to carry out a harmful act. In regards to air travel, there are steps organizations can take to ensure that their travel plans and flight routes are not publicly available.
- DETER | Another vital step to increasing security at airports is to deter an attack in the first place. After all, many security professionals believe that unsophisticated attackers can be deterred by the simple presence of sturdy equipment, sound procedures, and competent personnel.
- DEFEND | Defensive procedures are the final component of IMG’s corporate aviation security and executive protection strategy. Although efforts to detect, deny, and deter will neutralize most threats, organizations still need to be prepared to defend their personnel. This last component involves a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of physical security.
Taking Action on Aviation Security
If your organization is a heavy user of aviation for corporate travel, whether in the US, Europe or abroad, creating a security plan is a worthwhile investment. A four-pronged approach can help conceptualize the levels of preparedness, but only an expert analysis can give you the in-depth plan that will work on a daily basis.
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