Defensive Countermeasures Institute —

In the fourth and final installment of our October series that addresses security-planning considerations for international business travelers, we shall discuss preparation for homeward bound departures.

As previously discussed, personal security practices require strong emphasis on reducing points on vulnerability. Planning to reduce “Time and Place” predictability plays an important role that cannot be overstated. In fact, it is extremely important to guard against pattering movements; thus denying assailants the information to predict your precise whereabouts at any give moment. This is true for any environment. For this reason it is prudent to keep your hotel departure time a closely guarded secret, sharing this information with only those with the need to know.

The first point is hotel notification. Obviously, the hotel administrators will know of your departure date and in most instances will have your final bill prepared for review and signature the night before, or at least the early morning of your departure. Typically, the hotel expects departure prior to mid-day despite that fact that many trans-Atlantic or Pacific flights leave their departure city during late-afternoon or evening hours. This presents a unique challenge for finding a suitable area to remain prior to proceeding to the airport. To mitigate this predicament somewhat, consider asking the hotel for a late-checkout. Often your request will be honored without additional fees, or occasionally you may be required to make a prorated payment based upon the length of your overstay. Nonetheless, this is more favorable than the alternative and as a matter of extending the hotel courtesy ensure you clear your final bill and relinquish the room at least 30-45 minutes before the agreed upon extension.

Second point is furnishing your final arrangements with your driver, if needed for transporting you to the airport. Upon arrival at the departure terminal, international travelers may be overwhelmed by “expeditors” who offer their services to get you and your belonging to the check-in counter. You are best to avoid this rush to assistance by communicating with your driver beforehand. If you desire assistance with luggage, for instance, allow the driver to select someone for you. This works to prevent you from becoming distracted and aids in focusing on situational awareness. If you plan on offering a gratuity to your driver for his or her assistance during your visit, do so before getting out of the vehicle—two hours before departing the country is not the time to be tipping your wallet to a sea of unknown individuals who likely will suspect they will never see you again.

At the airport, keep all personal belonging close by. Scan crowds before you, looking for signs of activity that seem out of place. Also, keep important documents such as passports, tickets and other personal affects available for inspection. Prepare yourself mentally before approaching security checkpoints by watching ahead and anticipating personal actions needed to proceed. Also, closely monitor those around you and watch for signs of distress or activity that is inconsistent with what is normally expected.

International departures can be intimidating, but by planning and rehearsing in your head the steps you will encounter prior to boarding, allows you to remain focused on the task of monitoring your personal safety and security. Remember to change the identification tag on all of your luggage for your return home. Be Safe!

We hope you enjoyed this series. If you wish to consult with a DCI representative for more detailed information about remaining safe while traveling abroad, please contact us at info@defensivecountermeasures.com

Upon settling in at your destination, the degree to which to elevate your security precautions is largely dependant on your length of stay. In other words, the longer you remain in place at your temporary destination, the greater the need to increase your awareness and make sound security choices.

For example, one of the very basic needs while conducting business overseas—excluding accommodations—is transportation. With many destinations, it is feasible to rent a vehicle from a reputable firm to solve your basic transportation needs. However, with some foreign venues this is not an option, as leasing a vehicle provided with a driver is the only option. There are obvious pros and cons to each situation; however, when you are obliged to move about a foreign city with someone else at the wheel, your personal security takes on new parameters. Couple the latter situation with an extended stay and the need for additional measures becomes clear.

In each instance when a driver is provided from the leasing company, the first order of business is to meet with them and establish a firm business-like rapport. This meeting should take place in a public setting—the lobby of your hotel, for example. The initial meeting should lay out your basic requirements, such as punctuality, driver safety. It is also important to offer the driver an understanding of the distances and locations you will be traveling. However, do not lay out each day in detail. This necessary security precaution is needed to limit the degree your travel becomes time and place predictable. Upon arrival at your meeting location, let the driver know what time you will need his or her services again. Note: Many times drivers will remain nearby, as will other contracted drivers, and they will exchange information about their clients. Therefore, be certain not to provide too many personal details to your driver.

Initially, you will most likely situate yourself in the rear seat of the vehicle as you move about your day. However, you eventually want to climb into the seat next to the driver. This not only allows you to keep close watch on the road ahead—as well as the driver’s speed and other habits—you present a less attractive target for street crime since you do not appear to be “chauffeured,” which translates to affluence in many regions of the world. Finally, if your travels will routinely be between one or two locations during the length of your stay, be sure to vary your pick-up and departure times, plan for the use of alternate routes and equally important is to consider the needs of your driver. Ensure you allow for customary needs such as meal breaks, daily prayer and adequate rest periods. Building rapport and mutual respect with your driver is an essential element for taking charge of your personal safety and security when traveling in foreign lands.

Be Safe!

Traveling to a new oversea venue requires a bit more planning than merely ensuring your passport has the appropriate visa, or that your international immunization record is accurate and up to date. As soon as it becomes known that a trip is scheduled one of the first orders of business is to gather background information on the country destination.  Two excellent sources to start your research are the U.S. Department of State web page www.travel.state.gov and The World Factbook, which may be viewed by following the link located at www.cia.gov.  Each of these pages offer background information available to the public, providing valuable updates to Travel Warnings, country conditions, population densities and other data that is extremely useful to assess security precautions.

If you manage your own accommodations, check availability on two or more hotels that match your needs. To the extent possible arrange your itinerary so that you arrive at your hotel during daylight hours. This is allows you the opportunity to become familiar with the grounds before last light. Also you are wise to conduct a cursory inspection of the room assigned looking for fully functional, deadbolt door locks. Be sure to step from the room and identify all stairwell exits on your room floor, ensuring that they are not blocked and do provide an emergency open air exit.

It is equally important to get a feel for the surrounding infrastructure.  You may be surprised to learn that the hotel selected based on an internet research is located adjacent a vacant lot or other landmark that is inviting to loitering or other unsavory activity. By arriving early, you allow yourself opportunity to inspect where you will be staying.  You will also be giving yourself time to move to your alternate choice should the primary location not meet your security expectations.

Take nothing for granted.  The practice of planning for your personal security must never be overlooked or taken lightly.  Doing some homework before heading overseas better prepares you for conducting business on foreign soil.  Be Safe!

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Starting this month, we will begin discussing personal safety and security topics with a central theme—one for each month, that continues through the final week of December. The notion is to introduce a new theme each month and build upon it with 3-4 editorials. Our goal is to cover subject matter that is pertinent, informative and perhaps worthy of practice. We invite you stay with us for the weeks ahead as DCI offers new and practical ways to take charge of your personal safety and security.

October is “International Travel” month. Welcome to the discussion.

Departure Planning –

Success comes from hard work. Rarely does anyone achieve measured success in their chosen profession without putting in the time and paying dues along the way. Striving to be at the top of your game is an admirable undertaking that is deserving of recognition and reward—leaders recognize selfless commitment. After much patience and anticipation, the day of your promotion arrives…It is time for a new business card.

You begin by passing them out like freshly minted currency, which is too hot to handle. Not a problem - that is what they are intended for. However, soon they begin to morph into luggage identification tags and here is where your personal security practices become flawed.

Points to consider:  During transit to and from your business destination, your checked luggage is out of your physical control. It would be unjust to suggest that everyone that handles your personal property during this timeframe is unscrupulous, but the truth of the matter is that one never knows for sure.

Business cards generally offer the holder’s name, business and contact information. However, micro-printing now seems to compel us to include professional or academic titles, licenses and amazingly; photographs. While this information may be required of your particular organization or business, it is excessive for a luggage ID tag. Have you ever received your bags and found that the personalized luggage tag is damaged or missing?

As an alternative, consider a label that includes only your name and contact information at your travel destination. If the bag is misrouted, there is ample information available for it to be reunited with you.

For example:

Mr. John Williams,

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jakarta.

If you are inclined to do so, a telephone number to the front desk may be included.

Once your business is concluded and round-trip planning begins, it is time to change out that destination card.

It now reads:

Mr. J. Williams

Los Angeles, CA

310.555.1234

Again, if you desire more detailed information, place inside the luggage or suitcase.

You deserve the promotion and the opportunity to promote your business abroad. However, announcing your degree of importance on your personal luggage is unwise and bad business. And by the way,, while you are meeting after-hours, think twice about depositing your business card in that fish bowl at the bar or restaurant. The promise of a free lunch or souvenir Polo shirt is not worth the hassle. Be Safe!