If any of you are wondering, I am not a security officer. My work/business means that I do travel internationally. I have a mixed history/background, like most of us. That said, I make a point of being aware of what is going on in the world, not just locally but internationally as well.
The truth be told, most people do not even hit the radar for abduction/kidnapping or even for removal/murder. So everyone has to make a risk assessment.
It is quite simple and goes as follows:
1. Are you intending to travel to an area anywhere near IS or ISIL territory? Don’t!
2. Are you intending to travel to any hotspot (Afghanistan, Tribal Pakistan, Yemen and border area, Iraq, Libya, Sub-Saharan West Africa, areas bordering Somalia, etc)? Don’t!
3. Does the place you intend to go have a history of kidnappings? Yes, have a protection detail with you when you are out and about. Always use multiple routes to and from places visited and never have a set routine. They do not have such a history, so you should be safe; but always be aware of your surroundings and environment.
4. Does the organisation you work for, have an actual physical threat against it? Yes, they need to provide a protection detail with you when you are out and about. Always use multiple routes to and from places visited and never have a set routine. There is a possible potential threat, so they need to at least provide a driver, but always be aware of your surroundings and environment.
Someone thinks that there may be a threat, so you should be safe; but it is your choice how you deal with this one, but always be aware of your surroundings and environment.
Lastly
5. Are you that important or has a person or group made an actual physical threat against you? Yes, you need to provide a protection detail with you when you are out and about. Always use multiple routes to and from places visited and never have a set routine. A person or a group have made a vague threat against you. Use a driver, but always be aware of your surroundings and environment. There is no physical threat or potential threat, you just feel uneasy about the situation. It is okay, don’t worry, everyone gets like that at some time. Keep in your comfort zone, eat in the hotel, when you go somewhere use a taxi or hire the hotel driver to take you and get them to wait for you.
None-the-less, even at home when you go out, you are always aware of your surroundings and environment.
If you do have a protection detail, do as they say, when they say it. Hopefully it will keep you alive as well as them.
If you need more information, just ask. Most of you will never need specialist assistance, but if you do, initially speak to your local police; they will be all you need. Under certain circumstances, there are specialist firms who can put measures in place, but their services are not cheap.
Be safe and have fun.