Marengo’s approach to close protection

That is where Marengo comes in. We do not just react to security risks; we anticipate them in advance. Our risk assessments are not “tick-box exercises”—they are dynamic, intelligence-led roadmaps designed to keep you and those around you safe, wherever you go and whatever you do. In this piece, we would like to briefly introduce how we ensure that any potential risks to our clients during close protection operations are minimised to the best degree possible.

Making Risk Predictable

1. Intelligence-Led Protection

We begin our security operations with a thorough intelligence gathering process using a variety of methods and sources:

- OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence): Using publicly available information, we analyse news, crime data, geopolitical trends, social media, etc. For example, we might study geographic features that could impact travel routes or monitor news reports for potential signs of civil unrest.

- HUMINT (Human Intelligence): We leverage trusted sources to gain deeper and more nuanced real-time insights into evolving threats. For example, we might approach our contacts in local law enforcement to identify potential risks that may not be available through publicly available information.

By combining different intelligence-gathering methods, we ensure that our security professionals can detect threats at an early stage and adjust their operations accordingly, providing strong protection against both expected and unexpected risks.

2. Environmental & Situational Risk Analysis

After gathering all the necessary intelligence, we always conduct a thorough assessment of potential vulnerabilities associated with the client’s physical locations. A five-star hotel may offer world-class service, but does it have appropriate security? A high-profile event may be prestigious, but is it a security disaster waiting to happen? We carry out comprehensive environmental and situational risk assessments for every location visited, ensuring that no stone is left unturned.

• Venue security: We scrutinise access points, emergency exits, and weak spots.

• Local threat intelligence: Political tensions, crime rates, and social unrest.

• Mobility and logistics: Secure routes, alternative exits, and rapid-response contingencies.

Because the best security is not just about reacting—it is about being several steps ahead. By thoroughly analysing both specific sites and the larger context, our protection specialists are better equipped to anticipate and counter environmental and situational risks.

3. Tailored to You: Because Every Client is Unique

Every high-profile individual has different risk factors. Some are targets because of their wealth, others because of their influence, and some simply because they are in the public eye. We take a bespoke approach to risk assessment, factoring in:

• Daily routines – the more predictable one is, the easier one is to target. We help break the pattern if necessary.

• Public exposure – the media love a story. We make sure you do not become the wrong kind of headline.

• Industry-specific risks – a finance CEO faces different threats to a celebrity in London’s entertainment scene. We tailor our approach accordingly.

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Real-Time Threat Detection & Response

1. Staying A Step Ahead

Even the best-laid plans need to adapt. No matter how much we would like to be able to predict all the possibilities in advance, the reality of close protection is that it is a dynamic process and thus is subject to potentially unpredictable situations. That is why we deploy real-time threat monitoring and situational awareness strategies to keep our clients protected, no matter what changes on the ground.

Our close protection personnel are trained in identifying threats and suspicious activities which are not easily recognisable by an untrained eye. These might include unusual movements, people loitering in secured areas, or hostile surveillance. Spotting these allows us to expose potential threats before they arise, enabling our teams to mitigate risks at an early stage. For example, close protection officers may notice an individual displaying an unusual level of attention towards the client, positioning themselves strategically within a crowd, or attempting to remain unnoticed.

Our teams employ a wide range of monitoring techniques, ranging from simple observation and keeping radio communication constantly open to the usage of modern, state-of-the-art surveillance equipment such as aerial drones.

2. Rapid Response: When Every Second Counts

Even with careful planning and flawless surveillance, our professionals are prepared to always respond quickly to threats that emerge during an operation. This is primarily because we always consider multiple contingency scenarios and create separate plans for each.

For instance, if the client is attending a prominent public event, the team may plan multiple secure routes to an evacuation point, set up a safe room, or liaise in advance with local emergency services. These contingency measures ensure the team can act promptly in response to unexpected risks, reducing disruption and safeguarding the client.

Alternatively, if hostile activity is detected along a planned route, the team may swiftly change direction to a previously thought-through safer path, ensuring the client’s movement remains uninterrupted. If crowd behaviour seems unstable, security personnel can reinforce the perimeter or set up additional physical barriers around the client. These on-the-ground strategies enable teams to address immediate risks, bolstering their capacity to maintain a secure environment despite unforeseen developments.

Post-Operation Review: Learning & Evolving

Every one of our cases is an opportunity to refine our strategies. Our after-action reviews ensure that we continually improve by assessing:

1. How accurate was our intelligence?

2. Did we execute best possible responses?

3. What lessons can we apply to future operations?

This constant evolution means that our risk assessments are effective today— and improved for tomorrow.

Marengo: Security You Trust, Intelligence You Rely On

Our risk assessments are not just about keeping you safe; they are about keeping you one step ahead of danger, constantly. With our intelligence-led approach, you do not just react to risks—you control them.

If you are looking for discreet, strategic, and proactive security solutions, get in touch.

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