A planning checklist for executive protection
Executive protection is mostly preparation. The visible agent is the smallest part; the value is in advance work, route planning, and discretion. This checklist covers what to settle before a principal moves.
01Do the advance work
Advance the locations: arrival and departure points, parking, private entrances, elevators, and the fastest route to medical care.
Confirm the schedule, points of contact, and any public exposure. Surprises are the enemy of a clean detail.
02Decide armed vs. unarmed
Match the posture to the assessed risk and the environment, not to appearances. Many engagements are best served by discreet, unarmed coverage.
Where armed coverage is warranted, confirm licensing and jurisdiction in advance — it varies by location.
03Plan travel and transport
Secure transport means a vetted driver, a known vehicle, primary and alternate routes, and timing that avoids predictable patterns.
For travel, confirm coverage at each leg — origin, transit, and destination — so there are no gaps on arrival.
04Protect confidentiality
Discretion is part of the service. Limit who knows the schedule, keep communications need-to-know, and brief staff on privacy expectations.
Documentation should capture what is needed for accountability without exposing the principal.
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