BLUEPRINT
CASE STUDY #180
A Fortune 500 Company Lays the Foundation for a World-Class Executive Protection Program in 90 Days
Challenge
Almost immediately upon stepping into a new role as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of a large global enterprise, this executive identified several opportunities to enhance security measures for upcoming events involving company leaders. He recognized that while the existing security team was working overtime to support the C-suite with limited resources, a strong business case existed for developing more formal and robust executive protection (EP) capabilities.
To establish a comprehensive EP program, the CSO launched a recruiting campaign for an EP director. He then reached out to The Baghera Group (TBG) based on their extensive experience with best practices in protective services undertaken at the highest levels of the U.S. government and, specifically, its expertise in executive protection, event security, and policy development. To expedite the program development process and provide the incoming director with a solid foundational implementation framework, he tasked TBG with creating a customized "EP blueprint."
Action
The Baghera Group gained critical insights into the company’s existing capabilities by interviewing key stakeholders, conducting onsite visits, and reviewing documents. This process involved a deep dive into the company’s organizational culture, examining its risk appetite and tolerance, as well as existing policies impacting executive protection. Subsequently, TBG developed a comprehensive roadmap, or EP blueprint, meticulously outlining each element. Drawing on its extensive experience in executive protection and its understanding of the company’s business model, organizational structure, geographical footprint, and existing capabilities, TBG ensured a thorough and tailored approach to the document’s creation.
The final blueprint defined the program’s mission, principles, objectives, and operational scope. It specified seven core service domains, including protective operations, travel and transportation security, protective intelligence, and training. It also outlined requirements for program leadership and governance, team roles and responsibilities, reporting and communication protocols, budgets, long-term funding needs, as well as key metrics and benchmarks. In addition – and as a critical complementary resource – the TBG team drafted a comprehensive EP Policy and Procedures Manual providing clear, actionable, and enforceable guidelines governing the program's day-to-day operations.
Impact
Taken together, the rapid development within 90 days of a leadership-approved EP blueprint and policy manual authored by seasoned professionals, has anchored the new EP program. On the one hand, they have provided the new EP Director with a “headstart” in building out the program - creating an action plan that will help the EP director focus on driving positive change, creating immediate value, and enhancing security measures essential to protecting the company’s leader. At the same time, they include extensive educational information and, as such, represent key training documents for all current and future employees of the EP program as well as the broader corporate security function.