Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast

The ISDA Podcasts are a convenient communication tool that can increase your professional development. We provide secure transportation and executive protection news, headlines, trends, and announcements from the International Security Driver Association. The International Security Driver Association (ISDA) serves our members by supporting an international forum of protection professionals who share their knowledge and experience for the education and benefit of the membership. ISDA represents all aspects of the Executive Protection profession from all parts of the Globe. ISDA serves members who are either inexperienced and experienced practitioners. Whether you are exploring a career in executive protection, new to the profession, honing your expertise, or an established security executive, ISDA offers its Members benchmark educational, networking, and marketing programs.

Episode 210 - The Science of the Omar García Harfuch Ambush and Lessons Learned 08/23/2022

Episode 209 - The State of Security Driver Training 07/19/2022

Episode 208 - Security Driver Pay Scale 06/09/2022

Episode 207 - Applying the Science of Driving to the Indy 500 05/27/2022

Episode 206 - Spending for Secure Transportation Continues to Increase 04/26/2022

Episode 205 – Executive Vehicle Safety and Car Specifications 03/07/2022

Episode 204 - Runflats, Winter Tires, and Electric Vehicle Tires 02/22/2022

Episode 203 - Why Do You Need a Security Driver? 02/07/2022

Episode 203 - Why Do You Need a Security Driver? The question that many Security Drivers and Secure Transportation providers have heard – “Why do I need a Security Driver – Why can’t we use a chauffeur service?” Or – why can’t we use an Uber or Lyft car? A few years ago there was an article that appeared in Security Magazine, titled “What to Look for in Travel Security and Executive Protection Services.” While the article may be old the content is still valid. The author concludes that while the Executive is traveling, having a security-trained driver is paramount to a successful executive protection program. As the author emphasizes in the article, the benefits of a security-trained driver extend well beyond their greater ability to utilize a vehicle’s performance capabilities, and we’ll add, particularly in unfamiliar locations far from home. The article goes on to say that there is no formal definition of “security-trained driver” that exists; there is no central governing body whose credentials you can trust to lead you to the right provider. A “Security-trained driver” could mean anything from a military veteran with 20+ years of relevant experience to a taxi driver who’s gone through a defensive driving program. We respectfully disagree with that comment. Mention Links Key Quotes "There has been a standard accepted by the corporate Kidnap and Ransom Insurance (K&R) and the High-Net-Worth (HNW) community for more than four decades. It is called the 80% standard." "A good chauffeur is concerned about not spilling the boss’s coffee and avoiding bumps. Generally, chauffeurs can handle routine emergencies if they happen slowly. This has nothing in common with the skills needed for a trained security driver. " Full Show notes are available at Join the International Security Driver Association The International Security Driver Association (ISDA) is the only organization in the world dedicated to supporting the advancement of professional Security Drivers and other Secure Transportation providers. Learn more about who we are, what we do, who we do it for, and member benefits; visit . /episode/index/show/securitydrivernews/id/22049399

Episode 202 - Impressive Skidpad Tests for Executive Vehicles, and Canopy Vehicle Protection System , Tesla Driver Charged 01/28/2022

Episode 201 - Road Rage Statistics 01/14/2022

Episode 200 - The Future of Secure Transportation, and Determining Your ROI 12/22/2021

Episode 199 - Carjackings Becoming One of the Top Crimes 12/10/2021

Episode 198 - Tires and Tire Pressures, Dynamic and Human Driving Tasks 12/03/2021

Episode 197 - How the Infrastructure Bill Will Impact Secure Transportation 11/24/2021

Episode 196 - The Science of Winter Driving 11/17/2021

Epsiode 195 - Benchmarking Driving Skills 11/10/2021

Episode 194 - IIHS Crash Test, OEM Armored Manufacturers, and Telematics Monitoring 11/03/2021

Episode 193 - Understanding the Business Case for Secure Transportation 10/26/2021

Episode 192 - Best Practices for Protective Driver Training 10/19/2021

Episode 191 - Certification in Executive Protection 10/12/2021

Episode 190 - Attacks That Changed How We Work and Train - Part 2 10/05/2021

Episode 189 - Attacks That Have Changed the Way We Work and Train - Part 1 09/28/2021

Episode 188 - Rental Car Shortages and Driving in Low Light Conditions 09/21/2021

Episode 187 - Armored Vehicle Market, Electric Vehicle Basics, Lesser-Known Incidents 09/14/2021

Episode 186 - Catalytic Converters Thefts, Low Profile Tires,Car Hacking Dangers 09/07/2021

Episode 186 - Catalytic Converters Thefts, Low Profile Tires,Car Hacking Dangers Theft of Catalytic Converters Your vehicle has a precious metal container infused with a precious metal that is selling for about $28,000 per ounce right now; that’s 15-times the price of gold. The metal is Rhodium, and the container is your Catalytic converter. The recorded 2347 thefts of the emissions-cleaning devices in December 2020, up from 578 a year earlier. Thieves are after the precious metals in the Catalytic converter that change highly toxic pollutants in the exhaust into less harmful gases. The price of one of those metals, Rhodium, spiked as high as $30,000 per troy ounce (slightly heavier than a standard ounce) last year due to an existing shortage exacerbated by the pandemic. A single cat contains about $400 worth of Rhodium. Executive Vehicle and Low Profile Tires Many of the newer Executive Vehicles, including SUVs, come with Low Profile tires. There are advantages and disadvantages to low-profile tires. Low-profile tires are all about the tire’s Aspect Ratio. The Aspect Ratio of a tire is the ratio of the sidewall’s height to the tire’s cross-sectional width. If a tire has an aspect ratio of 60, the sidewall is 60% as high as the tire is wide. The lower the Aspect Ratio, the shorter the sidewall. Generally, low-profile tires have an aspect ratio of 55 or less, though this can vary slightly. Car Hacking Danger Is Likely Closer Than You Think mentions that connected cars are great until they’re not. They mentioned that a recent Detroit Free Press article shows that vehicle hacks are more common and more dangerous than most people realize. According to the report from Upstream Security, there were at least 150 automotive cybersecurity incidents in 2019, a 94 percent year-over-year increase since 2016. This trend is unlikely to reverse any time soon with more communication methods built into new vehicles, including massive over-the-air update technologies. Join the ISDA! If you have an interest in going much deeper into these types of topics, I invite you to check out the International Security Driver Association’s website and consider joining the membership to gain access to the encyclopedia of executive protection and secure transportation – The ISDA Knowledge Center. For more information on all of the member benefits head over to /episode/index/show/securitydrivernews/id/20386142

Episode 185 - Driving and Sunglasses, What it Takes to Make an Armored Car, Tom Cruise's Stolen BMW X7 08/31/2021

Episode 185 - Driving and Sunglasses, What it Takes to Make an Armored Car, Tom Cruise's Stolen BMW X7 Preliminary numbers for the 2021 Executive Vehicle & Secure Transportation Survey A little background if you are not familiar with the survey. The Survey is conducted every two years since 2013. Over the last eight years, the survey has covered various aspects of secure transportation. The goal of the survey is to examine trends and collect data to develop a broader perspective on the secure transportation profession. The 2021 survey is unique because it covers the span of time that the industry was dealing with the Pandemic. The final report will examine the differences in the metrics covering the eight-year time span, emphasizing the change from 2019 to 2021. Driving and Sunglasses Many security drivers drive in the sunrise and the sunset. Blinding glare from low sunlight or bright light reflecting off snow, puddles, other vehicles, or even your own hood can be potentially lethal. Glare is frequently cited as the cause of traffic accidents, but the right pair of sunglasses can prevent it. There is some confusion, though, about what sunglasses you should wear when driving. ISDA asked the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians for guidance. What it Takes to Make an Armored Car Our next topic comes from an interesting and . The article titled “What it Takes to Make an Armored Car” covers the process used by armored vehicle manufacturers to produce an armored vehicle. It covers the subjects of Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, Payload, the types of armored material used, such as opaque and transparent armor. The article also covers what they call overlapping, a thin band that goes around the perimeter of the door or on the vehicle’s frame that prevents rounds from entering the vehicle within the seams of the door. And of course, they cover the cost of doing all that. Tom Cruise’s Stolen BMW X7 Our last topic this week is one that a few EP groups were chatting about. The theft of Tom Cruise’s BMW X7. It was outside Birmingham Grand Hotel while Tom Cruise was shooting for Mission Impossible 7. The vehicle was transportation for the actor Tom Cruise. It contained Mr. Cruise’s luggage when the vehicle was stolen. From all reports, he was not happy, and we would imagine that the transportation providers had some explaining to do. Not knowing the actual circumstances, it’s hard to place blame, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the driver and the company supplying Mr. Cruise with his transportation. What is of concern to Security Drivers and Secure Transportation providers is how the thieves stole the BMW. /episode/index/show/securitydrivernews/id/20310848

Episode 184 - Hydroplaning, Pothole Detector, and Zoning Out Behind the Wheel 08/24/2021

Episode 184 - Hydroplaning, Pothole Detector, and Zoning Out Behind the Wheel Hydroplaning In the aftermath of Henri here in New England, I thought I'd lead off with the topic of Hydroplaning and the role tires play. Hydroplaning happens when one or more tires are lifted from the road by a wedge of water that gets trapped in front of and under a tire as the vehicle drives through the water. Hydroplaning most frequently occurs during heavy rainstorms when water creates puddles on the highway. In addition to the accompanying splash and scaring the heck out of the driver, hydroplaning typically causes the steering wheel to jerk. In addition to hydroplaning, drivers need to be extra careful during heavy rains and tropical storms, be wary of potential deep standing water and other road hazards. Mercedes' launches Pothole Speed Bump detection in select models Pothole damage costs U.S. drivers $3 billion per year, according to a study from the AAA. Some of the more common damage is a flat tire, bent or damaged rims, suspension damage, steering damage, and even damage to the car's body. Potholes can even knock your car out of alignment. Clearly, potholes are more than just a pain in the neck — they are a real safety hazard for drivers. According to Pothole.info, out of approximately 33,000 traffic fatalities each year, one-third involve poor road conditions. Now Mercedes-Benz is doing something to help alleviate both the dangers and the cost of damage caused by potholes. Vehicle Crashes Remain Leading Employee Death Cause According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 38% of workplace fatalities are from vehicle accidents, and total motor-vehicle injury costs were estimated at $463.0 billion. Costs include wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, motor-vehicle property damage, and employer costs. Even though traffic volume decreased significantly in 2020, our roadways have been deadlier. Last year 42,060 people died in crash-related incidents—the highest in 13 years. These highway fatalities represent a 24 percent spike compared to 2019, which was the highest fatality rate in 96 years since 1924. The fact is that the time an executive spends in their vehicle is without a doubt the highest risk period of their day. From a safety standpoint, this is borne out by the latest statistics on fatal vehicle crashes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It is important express that a Security Driver is also trained to supply safe driving. At times the Principal may not understand the secure driving is also safe driving. A good security driver operating the vehicle proactively can prevent accidents. The safety and security of the vehicle occupants during this most dangerous period of time has been and is the responsibility of the security driver. Are You Zoning out Behind the Wheel? A great article on the Axiom website about the Safety Systems in Vehicles: as a Security Driver or supplier of Secure Transportation, you are aware of how many driving tasks are now automated — speed control, braking, lane-keeping, and even changing lanes. It seems never-ending. Carmakers keep adding more automated features in the name of safety. But now, the government wants to find out if assisted-driving technology itself is dangerous by making it too easy for people to misuse. The more sophisticated the assisted-driving system, the more complacent drivers can become, abdicating their own responsibility for operating the car. This can lead to avoidable crashes and dangerous incidents that undermine public confidence in automated driving. Even with the latest technology, drivers still need to watch where they're going and be prepared to take the wheel; fully autonomous vehicles are years from widespread deployment. /episode/index/show/securitydrivernews/id/20238095

Episode 183 - Mexican Attack, Armored Vehicle Market, and Tires and Heat 08/17/2021

Episode 183 - Mexican Attack, Armored Vehicle Market, and Tires and Heat The Vehicle Ambush In Mexico In a post on LinkedIn, the author commented on a recent assassination of an individual while in a vehicle. It occurred in Mexico. The author mentions, “as noted in Gavin de Becker’s book, Just Two Seconds, 64% of attacks occur in and around the vehicle, and 77% of those succeed”. He also mentions the need for situational awareness. We’ll add the demand for Surveillance Detection and armored vehicles. A couple of thoughts come to mind. Data says 65% of attacks occur while in or near a vehicle. How much of your time do you spend on training that mitigates the massive risk of vehicle attacks? For close to 50 years, we have preached the need for surveillance detection, situation awareness, and armored vehicles. We are still talking about incidents resulting from a lack of surveillance detection, situational awareness, and armored vehicles. Armored Vehicle Market Looking at posts on LinkedIn, one could get the impression that the civilian armored car business is booming, and they would be correct. In fact, according to Bloomberg Business Magazine, the market for bulletproof vehicles is skyrocketing, and that demand for armored vehicles in the United States is higher than ever. Also, the Los Angeles Times reported the market for “bulletproof” vehicles is exploding. We need to keep in mind that the press will always use the phrase bulletproof. According to the armored vehicle manufacturer Armomax, the market value is at $15.96 billion. I would think that that number includes the military market. All this data is pre-pandemic. Driving in the Heat We have mentioned this subject often in the last few months, but with the heatwave still affecting many countries, we feel it is worth repeating. Distracted Driving We know that drinking and driving and texting and driving are dangerous. And are hazardous to your health and the health of those who share the road with you. But we need to add another scenario to the distracted while driving series, driving while marketing. /episode/index/show/securitydrivernews/id/20158346

Episode 182 - New Mercedes Guard Car, Facebook Personal Security Spending 08/10/2021

Episode 181 - Perception of Speed in Motorcades 06/03/2021

Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast

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