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By Ryan Fresn, Vice President of Executive Protection Services
Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services
Executive protection (EP) is often seen as a visible security detail—an agent in a suit with a surveillance earpiece. But effective EP is more than a visual. It is a strategic function that ensures organizations operate securely, effectively and without disruption.
What makes a solid EP program? The following five pillars represent core elements that separate reactive coverage from proactive strategy and ordinary security from true executive support. Whether your organization is building a program or refining one, these components help ensure protection is not just present, but purposeful.
1. Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
Every successful executive protection program begins with a comprehensive risk, threat and vulnerability assessment tailored to both the individual and the organization. This process identifies exposures, anticipates emerging threats and accounts for key organizational variables—such as mission, culture, geographic footprint and risk tolerance.
It is a deliberate, multi-layered approach that requires time, expertise and precision to examine risk from every angle, including corporate locations, principal residences, travel patterns and daily routines. The goal is to peel back the layers and gather meaningful data through direct observation, structured analysis and interviews with principals and their families.
Beyond general observations, the right assessment will present findings backed by empirical data to clearly demonstrate how and why specific risks were identified and prioritized. This methodology connects evidence to action—offering organizations not just insight, but well-supported, defensible recommendations that shape smarter strategies and stronger programs.
Whether launching a new program, scaling an existing one or reassessing current strategy, this foundational step offers unmatched clarity. It delivers the context and confidence to design protection efforts that are not only effective but also aligned with the organization’s evolving needs. Ideally, these assessments should be conducted at least twice a year.
2. Intelligence-Informed Risk Mitigation
Effective EP is proactive. It is driven by intelligence—not just assessing personal threats but evaluating geopolitical events, reputational risks, travel patterns and more. Intelligence allows teams to anticipate risks early and adapt strategies accordingly. It helps design protection plans that stay ahead of threats while aligning with organizational priorities and individual needs. Intelligence helps to shape long-term protection strategies.
3. Training and Continuity
A well-designed EP program is only as effective as its execution. Proper and sustained agent training builds capability and trust, while continuity promotes familiarity. Agents must be skilled not only in defensive tactics but also in communication, discretion, and emotional intelligence. When agents work consistently with a principal, they understand the individual’s preferences, routines and business rhythm—enhancing both safety and comfort. A strong, adaptive team provides personalized and unobtrusive protection.
4. Security as a Business Enabler
EP is often seen as a necessary expense, but when done well, it drives significant value. It enables leaders to operate with greater focus, flexibility, and confidence. Meetings can start on-time, itineraries remain intact, and high-stakes engagements proceed with lower risk. EP is more than a shield. It is a valuable strategic asset that protects reputations, supports mission-critical work, and helps an organization achieve more.
5. Expertise at Scale
Building and maintaining an effective EP program does not need to rely solely on internal teams. Organizations of every size can benefit from partnering with experts who bring deep, specialized knowledge, and established infrastructure. A strong EP partner offers a full bench of subject matter experts in intelligence, investigations, logistics, and threat assessments—along with the ability to scale support rapidly in response to changing needs. With demonstrated success building custom programs across industries, they bring invaluable experience and perspective to every engagement.
Looking Ahead
The value of executive protection is not only in what it prevents, but also in what it empowers. Building a comprehensive EP program requires informed decisions, expert planning, and tailored solutions that help enable leaders to operate with purpose and drive forward their organizations.
Author Bio:
As Vice President of Executive Protection Services, Ryan Fresn drives strategy for Embedded Operations, Global Special Services and the Training Operations Group.
Working with his talented and experienced management team, Fresn ensures that the organization is resourced and prepared to deliver exceptional Executive Protection Services to our clients and provide a working environment and culture that our employees can thrive in. Fresn has nearly 30 years of relevant experience gained through his military, law enforcement, security and training roles. More than half of his career has been devoted to Executive Protection, managing high-profile security programs for corporations, family offices and UHNW individuals and their families.
