Who is sitting next to you in a country where this level of security is needed? Do they have real experience behind them OR an on-line certificate of completion?

STORY: Today, you drive down the side streets of Nairobi, Kenya excited about the contract you are about to secure. You nervously look out the tinted windows at your surroundings. To reassure yourself you look to the private security agent on your right, and hope that you hired the right protection team. You look to the other security agent on your left, and hope that you will never have to need their protection. You glance up from your Blackberry and notice a truck blocking the road. Your SUV slows to a stop, suddenly you hear a scream and see a masked figure sprinting toward you gripping an AK-47. You are deafened by an explosion and the windows shatter. Your look to your right and your agent seems to be hesitating. You look to your left and he is fumbling with his magazine. Gunfire cracks outside the car. The combatants are fast approaching. What was the plan for this situation? Is the emergency plan clear to you? What should you do? Why isn’t your protection team reacting fast enough? You yell at them to do something. The combatants are fast approaching… This is not a scene in “Clear and Present Danger” but a real possibility in today’s world.

No one wants this situation to occur, but when it does you want to know that this is not the first time your private protection team has been shot at.  You need to know that you hired agents who have been tested in real combat situations prior to protecting you.  Sayeret Operational Solutions (S.O.S) seems to have all the right credentials and is made up of combat tested Israeli Special Forces, Secret Service, and Israeli intelligence personnel.  S.O.S offers an elite and highly professional international security option that supplies clients with some of the most highly skilled agents in the world.  Their agents are all full-time operatives who spend time their free time training, shooting, and keeping their skills sharp.

Aside from a strict training regiment and mission specific scenario training, S.O.S  has developed many military based techniques to certify that agents react extremely fast and with precision.  S.O.S has developed small organic tactical teams. These teams are made up of highly trained agents who have trained together, lived together, and taken fire together.  It is accepted that cohesiveness of a team is one of the most critical aspects of fast and appropriate responses.

A full service security company goes beyond kidnap and ransom insurance and can do all of the below.  For example, S.O.S is combat ready and able to supply a range of worldwide services. All services listed below include intelligence gathering, security and risk assessments as well as contingency and emergency planning where the client takes an active role in brief but comprehensive emergency contingency training to ensure that the client is trained in proper reactions as well.

• Executive and VIP Protection- Specializing in high-risk areas, providing organic teams which is trained to react evasively and decisively in event of a suspected threat.
• Industrial Maritime Protection- We protect shipments moving through dangerous waters and docking in unstable ports.
• Yacht Security- At S.O.S. the most personable agents are dedicated to Yacht Security providing a discreet, friendly and professional security team which is able to respond quickly and decisively to any threat.
• Corporate Asset Protection-S.O.S provides comprehensive protection for a corporate facility overseas, or a corporation’s supply lines. This includes risk assessments, emergency and contingency plans, on the ground security and comprehensive training for employees.
• Train and Phase-S.O.S will enter corporate facilities or supply lines, will evaluate threats, document emergency and contingency plans, then train local security or company security (dependent on cost effectiveness).   S.O.S will provide several agents to oversee security and then slowly phase out leaving only one supervisor. This is a more cost effective option for corporations with overseas business operations.

Buying kidnap and ransom insurance or executive “security services” is not enough.  Who is behind the program, from the kidnap and ransom insurance consultant to the security specialist sitting beside you, is 95% of what you are buying.  Anyone can put attractive terms on paper or a large kidnap and ransom insurance “benefit”, but what’s behind it?

virtual kidnap

Virtual kidnapping, virtual kidnap, is a new trend affecting expatriate global security and the security of business travelers, vacationers, and students on “study abroad.”  Employers that have kidnap and ransom insurance policies in effect are advised to look at their current policies to see if they cover “virtual kidnap” and if their provider would lend consulting expertise and support services.  Most programs will not cover virtual kidnapping because the kidnap and ransom insurance company will need to verify that the individual has been abducted or threatened before they will make a benefit payment.

What is virtual kidnapping?  Virtual kidnap is when the “kidnappers” do not actually have anyone abducted but instead, using email and other means, say they are holding an individual or may threaten an individual in the hopes that a quick payment will be made before it is realized the “victim” is safe and sound.

Also, in the case of a university student studying abroad or doing “semester at sea” there could be threats against the individual or extortion threats, in an attempt to get a cash payment.  Again, by the very nature of virtual kidnapping, there is no real danger to the “target.”  Please come back to the International Executive Security Monitor as we look at virtual kidnap more closely over the next few months.

1. Pre-departure security training for the expatriate;  What activities, locations, and behaviors should be avoided in the host country to stay out of trouble.  This should be integrated into cross cultural training.
2. Emergency security plan for expatriates.  Does the host country need an emergency security plan for expatriates in case they need to leave the country or stay safe during an incident?  For example, if expatriates are in the U.K. an emergency security plan may not be necessary.  If they are in India, after what happened in Mumbai a few years ago yes, an emergency security plan is in order.  No matter how “safe the country” we learned after 9-11 that expatriates should be given security instructions and guidelines for just about ANY host country.
3. Making sure expatriates don’t know about the existence of a Kidnap and Ransom insurance policy, yet expatriates should be ready and able to call the emergency phone number if they feel threatened.
4. Host country work site assessment by an international security professional.  Again, the urgency to assess the safety of the work site will vary by country, and even by region in the host country.
5. Misc expenses related to proper host country security.  Drivers | Alarms | Security enhanced SUV | Local body guards, etc.

Unfortunately, most employers that send people to work internationally as expatriates only score a C on the above, including kidnap and ransom insurance.  Universities sending faculty to travel or work abroad get the worst grade and do very little for their employees from a security perspective.

Employers generally do a good job on the “health” side of the equation.  International risk management and international insurance brokers are used to put in a variety of insurance and service products for expatriates and global travelers ranging from expatriate health insurance to medical evacuation and assistance in the event of a medical emergency.  The overall grade for is a B and most of these programs are widely accepted.

Regarding expatriate security, the grades get dramatically worse.  Kidnap and ransom insurance policies may be old and outdated and most risk managers and international human resources people are not exactly sure what they have or the exact coverage scope of their kidnap ransom insurance policy internationally.  Most lack “emergency security plans” for expatriates.  The overall grade is a C and unforunately, there are many Fs balancing out the As. 

Regarding expatriate safety, the grades get even worse.  What does that mean to keep an expatriate or global traveler safe?  Well, few organizations have fully taken this last step.  One example of expatriate safety is the use of programs like the Medex Airline Insider: 

Often times, corporate travel departments will liaison with travel companies to find the most convenient and cost-effective flight for their employees, without a thought as to how safe that airline actually is. Whether it is a newly-born airline in South America or an older one that has been around for a while in Asia, it is imperative that a thorough check into an airline’s safety and security record be performed.Airline Insider is an online, one-of-a-kind business intelligence tool which allows employers to make an informed judgment about the quality and safety of the airlines they place their employees on. Flying safe is not just a duty of care issue. Don’t risk your employees’ safety and the productivity of your firm without first consulting Airline Insider.

Airline Insider provides a brief history of the airline in question, as well as information on routes, hubs, alliances, operations and destinations. It can also inform if and when an airline has been re-bought and renamed – and who the new owner is.

Most importantly, the airline’s financial standing will be analyzed. Is it in debt? Does the airline outsource its maintenance to someone else (who may be willing to do the job for less, and thus run the risk of cutting corners in order to save money) – or does it perform all maintenance checks in-house, and cling to high standards? Sometimes, airlines have been known to “cannibalize” spare parts for lack of funds. Also, does the airline have the funding to properly train its personnel and update pilots on new procedures?

This is one example of expatriate safety that goes beyond just kidnap and ransom insurance.  Other examples include the following:

• using bullet proof glass in cars in some countries
• using established and reputable drivers and driving companies (avoiding taxis)
• site assessments of both where the expatriate will live, and the office location.
• pre-departure training for both the expatriate and the family on being safe
• cross cultural training focusing on safety not just being polite!  

The Jerico Group has a unique expertise in the security of luxury yachts

Piracy and Maritime Kidnap and Ransom is not limited to the Gulf of Aden and is not only suffered by commercial shipping lines. Owners of luxury yachts can be especially susceptible to attacks both at sea and in foreign ports; and due to the success of the Somali pirates, piracy may well increase worldwide.  Yacht security should be taken seriously if the yacht is sailing internationally.

Criminal activity targeted at vessels and her passengers can include, but is not limited to: thefts while in port or at sea; assaults and kidnappings of the vessels owner, crew and passengers, while at sea or in a foreign port; theft of the vessel for salvage; or destruction of the vessel to conceal a criminal activity.  Even if the owners carry kidnap and ransom insurance, you want to stop an attack before it happens of course.

To help prevent criminal activity aimed at luxury yachts The Jerico Group advises a multi-faceted security plan. 

1.       First and foremost, the vessel should undergo a security refitting and the training of the crew to repel boarders and protect the vessel and its passengers. This might include: advanced lighting systems for the vessel and its surrounding waters while in port; vessel access denial systems; emergency crew warning systems; installation of a safe room; non-lethal defensive weapons; and the training of crew and owners in the applicability and use of all security systems. 

2.       The purchase of comprehensive vessel insurance that covers thefts of the vessel’s equipment and the passenger’s personal possessions. 

3.       The purchase of kidnap and ransom insurance that covers all waters and ports the vessel may visit. 

4.       Passengers should be briefed as to the vessel’s security measures and the duties and responsibilities of the security team. 

5.       The vessel’s crew should include a security team capable of protecting the vessel while at sea and in foreign ports. Because firearms can be a sensitive issue in foreign ports, the security team must be proficient in close combat and the utilization of improvised weapons. The Jerico Group recommends a security team primarily comprised of militarily trained special operations personnel with field operational experience or former law enforcement officers with documented personal protection training and experience. 

6.       The security team should be trained and experienced in personal protection operations. Vessel owners and passengers are at their greatest risk while onshore at visiting ports. Depending on the port’s risk factor, the security team leader may want to temporarily employ local military or law enforcement personnel for additional armed security and to help deter any legal problems which may be encountered if an attack takes place. 

This article is merely a primer on vessel security for luxury yachts. Additional information may be obtained through www.thejericogroup.com website.

In the case of the Mumbai attacks or similar events, the emergency international security plan should be put into action

A corporation has kidnap and ransom insurance and takes other necessary steps to protect its executives and expatriates internationally.  How should this be reflected in the expatriate policy manual if at all?  First, does the company even have an expatriate policy manual or is it complete and comprehensive?  If not, the company is unnecessarily carrying a large amount of liability and potential headache that could easily be removed through the written documentation of proper policy and procedures for international employees.  

Please note, good kidnap and ransom insurance policies, especially those backed by Lloyd’s of London, PROHIBIT the actual insured from even knowing about the existence of the K&R program.  If it’s proven they know, it can immediately void the policy.  

Here is the language we suggest for employers that hire expatriates:  

As an individual working on foreign assignment away from your home country, the security of you and your family is important to ABC Organization.  For reasons directly related to the security of you and your family we cannot describe in any detail the exact security programs we have in place.  This is a requirement to  protect you.  However, it’s important you and your family know exactly what to do in an emergency.  Rest assured we have very good programs in place now to protect our employees working and traveling internationally. In the event of a security threat or emergency, you or your family should immediately call the following number +01 xxx-xxx-xxxx. 

This next section should describe who the expatriate or family member is actually calling using the number above, whether it be a vendor company like ASI, a security consultant like Ackerman, a medical evacuation and assistance company with a security arm like Internationals SOS, or even a company in house security employee available 24/7/365.

This next section should describe what to tell the person you are calling to identify yourself.  For example (when making the call, you simply have to identify yourself as an ABC expatriate employee working in ABC country.  You won’t have to give any other information). 

What is a security emergency where you should place a call immediately?  

1. A kidnapping or abduction
2. Any written or verbal threat against you, your family, any co-worker or any ABC assets in the host country
3. Any suspicious behavior.  If a family member thinks they are being followed or watched, call the number just to be safe.
4. Any theft of personal or company property after  FIRST calling the local police.
5. Local rioting or civil commotion
6. Any other major security incident depending on the host country which could include coup de etat or regional conflict.

Please note, for a legal emergency the number to call (is the same or different).  For example, if you or a family member are placed under arrest please call the International Law Firm of ABC not the security hot-line above.  

Depending on the county, the emergency security plan should be referenced in this section but certainly not described in the expatriate policy handbook.  For example:  

If a security emergency is in progress in your host country and you feel there are very serious threats refer to the emergency security plan given to you before the international assignment.  Call the security number as soon as you are able but implement the emergency security plan immediately if you feel you need to leave the country.

Please remember, in the event of a security emergency you have permission to act to keep your family safe and these expenses will be fully paid by the company and you and your family will be reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses.  Do not wait for permission to act.  Once you get your family to safety, please call XYZ to discuss additional expenditures and arrangements.

Of course, the need for an emergency security  plan for expatriates is dictated by the threats of the host country.  If a company has 10 expatriates in Paris and London with no emergency security plan, perhaps it’s not the end of the world.  A company that has 10 expatriates in Mumbai with no emergency security plan, or expatriates in Indonesia, Egypt, Israel, etc is risking massive liability and may be violating foreign duty of care laws.

This is a situation where kidnappers will force a foreign national into their car, or jump into the car and detain the foreign national for only a short time, robbing what they have in the car or taking them to 1 or 2 ATM machines so they can withdraw as much cash as possible. 

There could be a promise of quick release if the victim is able to get out a certain amount of money and serious threat if the money can’t be produced.  In most of these situations the kidnappers themselves don’t want to hold the victim for any extended duration of time and many are not kidnap and ransom professionals.  Many are local amateurs, and in some cases they can be more dangerous especially if they panic during the express kidnapping.

Even if your kidnap and ransom insurance has an express kidnap feature, of course there is very little chance any company will be able to intervene if the victim is only being held for 6 hours or less, and of course, there is a good chance the victim has not had any contact with anyone, and not allowed to use a cell phone.  There is no ransom call of course. 

The benefit feature in a kidnap and ransom insurance policy may be used to return monies withdrawn from the ATM.  Knowing the expatriate will get all funds back, the victim should be more willing to just drive to the ATM and withdraw as much as possible for the express kidnappers to get back home as quickly as possible.

As we have discussed, planning is critical.  Expatriates should have been taught to think through this situation.  Employers should not tell them about the details of the kidnap and ransom insurance plan, but they should instruct expats that if express kidnappers ask for $500, by all means give it to them and we will reimburse you!  It sound obvious, but there have been many people shot and killed because they caused a problem when asked to remove their $300 watch!  The expatriate should have been over this scenario in their mind, and be prepared to stay calm and pay the express kidnappers.  Without planning, the end result may be tragic.

Expatriate security planning and preparation is similar to what Toyota drivers are being told to do regarding runaway exceleration; prepare in advance.  All it really takes is to tell yourself three times, if my car starts to race shift into neutral, don’t panic, worst comes to worse I can turn the key off.  Panic and lack of preparation have left many dead.

Having someone walk expatriates through the possible situations and actually spending one full day on expatriate security can be the difference between life and death or kidnap and ransom.

Expatriate security and pre-departure preparation means running each possible scenario through… ahead of time.

If you are going to Mexico city here are your expatriate security issues.  Are most employers dealing with these expatriate security concerns in advance?  No.

1. Should I get in a green taxi.. ever?
2. Has there been an international security site assessment both on where I will work and where my family will live?
3. What do I do if someone enters my car?
4. What to do if someone enters the house?
5. Do I have a security emergency number, and who can I reach in an emergency?
6. Is there a political evacuation plan?
7. Who is my security contact back in the home office or locally in Mexico City?

Effective risk management and expatriate security (against violent crime,  political unrest, medical emergencies, kidnap and ransom, hotel fires, extortion, auto accidents etc.) is dependent on effective decision making and making good choices through preparation.

The expatriate policies and procedure manual should have an entire section on expatriate family security, it should not be mentioned just in passing.

However, the kidnap and ransom scenario is the classic “it will never happen to me case.”  No matter how much one reads up on the need for kidnap and ransom insurance for the expatriate family, there is that little voice inside us that says, it will never happen and that is the next guy’s problem.  A movie like Taken is one of the few things that can get the adrenaline pumping and can make us actually consider, “what if that was my child.” 

We find it amazing how many high net worth individuals take their entire family to places like Kuwait, Mexico, Philippines, Egypt and 20 other highly dangerous places without even checking up on kidnap and ransom insurance.  Many won’t even question their own employer about what security plans may be in place in the event of an incident. 

Of course, under a real kidnap and ransom insurance program the company is not at liberty to discuss the particulars and even inform the expatriate about the existence of a kidnap and ransom insurance plan, but the point is very few even ask, at least this is our experience.

It’s too late to make plans once something happens.  A private kidnap and ransom insurance plan may only cost a family $2,000 a year.  If you are a high net worth individual working away from home, this is money well spent.

The results are very surprising because it’s expected that United States citizens would be the most at risk for kidnap and ransom.  The reasons the Chinese are at risk is simple, they have the largest number of people traveling to high risk locations for kidnap and ransom around the world.

Of course, from this fact we can form several conclusions, most notably that the country of the kidnapping victim and how their country treats kidnappers is of no concern to the kidnappers.  The United States made a strong case on how it will treat kidnappers in 2009 when the Navy Seals shot and killed maritime pirates on the Maersk ship Alabama.  We suspect the Chinese special forces would not treat the kidnappers of their citizens with any gentler gloves than the Americans.

For more information on kidnap and ransom insurance for expatriates and travelers please contact McKinley International Risk Management.