Close Protection
Close protection for principals and families
SIA-licensed close protection officers — many from military and specialist backgrounds — providing low-profile personal security, advance planning, and secure travel for executives, families, and high-profile individuals.
Or call 0203 751 8383
Overview
What is close protection?
Close protection (CP) is personal security provided by trained, SIA-licensed operatives who protect an individual — the 'principal' — from threats such as assault, harassment, kidnap, or intrusion, through planning, presence, and controlled response.
Good close protection is mostly invisible. The work is weighted towards advance reconnaissance, route and venue planning, and risk reduction — so incidents are avoided rather than fought. GSS operatives are SIA-licensed and drawn from ex-military and police backgrounds.
- Licence
- SIA CP (L3)
- Profile
- Covert or overt
- Cover
- 24/7 available
- Teams
- Ex-military · Police
How it works
How a close protection detail works
Every detail follows the same disciplined planning process.
- 01
Threat & risk assessment
We assess the principal's profile, exposure, travel, and known threats to define the level of protection required.
- 02
Advance & route planning
Operatives recce venues, routes, and accommodation, plan primary and alternate routes, and coordinate with venues and local contacts.
- 03
Protective cover
Licensed CPOs provide close cover — on foot, in vehicles, and at venues — at the profile you want, from discreet to overt.
- 04
Review & report
After each engagement we review what happened and refine the plan, so cover improves over time.
Capabilities
What close protection covers
One licensed team, matched to the principal and the threat.
—Personal protection for principals & families
—Advance reconnaissance & venue security
—Secure travel & route planning
—Residential & event security
—Low-profile or overt cover
—Liaison with venues, police & local teams
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does a close protection officer do?
A close protection officer (CPO, or bodyguard) plans and provides personal security for a principal — assessing threats, securing routes and venues in advance, and staying close enough to detect and respond to danger while keeping daily life as normal as possible.
Are your close protection operatives licensed?
Yes. Our close protection officers hold a front line SIA Close Protection licence, which requires an accredited Level 3 close protection qualification and a valid first-aid certificate. Many of our team also bring military and specialist security backgrounds.
Do I need overt or covert protection?
It depends on the threat and your preference. Protection can range from a discreet, low-profile presence that blends in, to visible, overt cover that acts as a deterrent. We recommend the right profile after a risk assessment.
Who uses close protection?
Executives and business travellers, high-net-worth families, public figures and celebrities, and anyone facing a specific threat such as harassment or a hostile situation.
How quickly can you provide a team?
After a risk assessment we can mobilise licensed operatives quickly. Contact us with your requirement, dates, and locations for current availability.
Talk to us about protecting a principal, family, or event
Tell us who and what you need to protect and we'll recommend the right close protection team — with one dedicated point of contact.
Get a tailored solutionGet in touch