The first step to protecting your employees is acknowledging the threat.  Kidnappings often take place because executives are under the notion that they are not at risk.  This misconception can be dangerous and at times, even deadly.  In order to keep their executives safe and secure, companies must acknowledge the threat, conduct a thorough risk analysis of the environment and situation and develop a risk management strategy.

A risk analysis includes a thorough assessment of the individuals at risk, the geopolitical environment and the possible hazards they may face.  Do they have a history of receiving threats?  Do they regularly travel to dangerous locations?  How easy is it to access their personal information?  Do they adhere to a specific daily routine?  Asking and answering these questions will help determine the level of risk and aid in avoiding obvious risks, such as advertising travel plans and adhering to a consistent daily routine.  The results  of the risk analysis are then reviewed and used to develop a risk management strategy, which generally includes creating a contingency plan, purchasing quality insurance coverage and hiring executive protection professionals.

A contingency plan should encompass every possible situation and provide a basis for orderly actions and decisions.  Travel logistics, the safety of the spouse and children and an emergency response plan should also be included.  A well-developed contingency plan should identify potential hazards and familiarize the company, executive, and their families about potential kidnap situations, allowing them to better anticipate, cope and make decisions when necessary.  When a kidnapping occurs, physical injury and the loss of life are always serious potential consequences, but many companies fail to recognize the monetary losses that can accrue from ransom payments, business interruption, litigation and adverse publicity.  Luckily, companies can minimize the damage by purchasing corporate insurance policies that cover many of the associated costs.  Certain insurance plans even provide assistance for independent investigations, negotiations and delivery of funds.  Unfortunately, insured executives are frequently tempting targets because they often equate to bigger ransoms.  As a result, most companies keep the existence of these insurance policies a secret.

Another important component of the risk management strategy is the hiring of executive protection professionals.  Qualified executive protection professionals differ from the typical bodyguards.  While bodyguards may be more physically imposing, an executive protection professional is specifically trained to provide results-driven protection to business executives.  In addition to an executive protection professional’s ability to defend against attacks, their skills include identifying threats, defensive and evasive driving, as well as medical training.

Although preventative measures are important, planning a response in the event of a kidnapping is equally necessary.  Because of the unpredictable nature of kidnappings, it is impossible to foresee the outcome but there are guidelines the victim, their families, and employer can follow to improve the probability of a safe resolution.

If a kidnapping for ransom were to take place, it is important for the families and employers to regain their composure and control their emotions.  If the kidnapper initiates contact, the point of contact should get as much information as possible.  The kidnapper should also be made aware of any special medical conditions the victim may have.  Demands, threats and promises should not be made.  Once the information is gathered, the next step would be to develop a crises strategy.

If you are the kidnap victim, you must remain calm and alert.  You should assess the environment and situation thoroughly and refrain from antagonizing the abductor.  It is also important that you not make any promises on your end because they may conflict with the response team’s negotiation.

The consequences of kidnapping for ransom can be costly and life threatening, but through careful planning and preparation, executives, their families and employers can reduce the possibility of a kidnapping, as well as improve the chances of survival.

This article was authored by The World Protection Group, Inc., a Los Angeles-based global provider of executive protection & threat management, uniformed protective service, security consulting and asset protection.  To learn more about WPG, please contact Craig Chamberlain, V.P. of Sales & Marketing at +1-(310)550-4319 or by email at cchamberlain@theworldprotectiongroup.com.

For more information, please send your e-mails to swm@infothe.com.

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