When people think of executive protection (EP), they often picture sleek suits, tinted SUVs, and teams trained to handle high-speed getaways or worst-case scenarios. But in reality, EP doesn’t usually fall short in moments of action—it breaks down well before that point.

The truth is: executive protection often fails during the planning phase, not when a threat shows up.

Yes, firearms and evasive driving are important tools, but they’re reactive by nature. The best protection work ensures those tools never need to be used.

The Issue: Too Much Emphasis on Tactical Skills

Many protection teams dedicate the majority of their time, sometimes as much as 80%, to tactical training: shooting drills, convoy driving, and physical security maneuvers.

These are valuable skills, but they’re not what typically determines the success or failure of an assignment.

In most cases, it’s smart planning and risk mitigation that prevent problems from ever surfacing.

An effective protection professiona...