International Security
Corporate Security Management
The financial, operational and administrative advantages that can accrue from outsourcing the security management function are significant. Proper selection of purveyor and personnel is, however, critically important to any organization. A wrong fit can lead to constant problems, with a concomitant degradation of the quality of the security function. VDI offers a demonstrated capability to select and place the proper individuals in positions of responsibility to perform outsourced corporate security management. Our professionals have long experience in managing security programs for multiple types of clients. We can provide local, national or international management support to programs of any size or complexity.
Program Development & Policy Formulation
The initial development or restructuring of an existing corporate security program are difficult, politically sensitive, and critically important tasks. VDI has an extensive track record of leadership in the discreet and professional development or reorganization of these programs.. We begin by conducting a comprehensive survey of the business and operations, and providing detailed recommendations on development of the program including manpower needs, budgets, structure, Board of Directors approval, and executive management support. Once the recommendations are approved, we draft policies and procedures, crisis management and operations plans, and assist in their implementation. Depending on the organization's structure, we can also supply all of the necessary security personnel via an outsourced contract. These personnel report directly to the corporate Director of Security, but with the backing of VDI executive management, providing far broader expertise than could be garnered through direct hires alone. We have orchestrated the development of and currently manage similar programs for major international companies and would be pleased to discuss client requirements.
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Security Audits
 Terrorist and criminal activity, natural disasters, health and safety concerns, and internal conflict are commonplace overseas. Therefore, fundamental steps must be taken to anticipate any crisis and a plan developed to reduce the possibility of casualties and liabilities in the event one does occur. VDI will conduct a detailed threat assessment of all facilities, residences, schools, routes, offices, and similar points of importance to your facilities, operations and personnel. Based on our findings we will make recommendations so that the client can develop an emergency management plan to protect its investment—people and assets—before a crisis occurs.
Our security audit consists of three phases.
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Phase I is behind-the-scenes, wherein we use our worldwide contacts, as well as those in the United States, to determine the threat level in the location(s) where our client operates. We will conduct meetings with various government agencies in Washington, D.C.; with elements of the U.S. Embassy; with the foreign police, military, and security services; as well as with rebel and insurgent groups where appropriate; and we do this while maintaining the anonymity of our client. This preliminary work provides baseline parameters with respect to local crime, terrorist activity, kidnapping-for-profit activity, industrial espionage, employee theft, and a myriad of other details intrinsic to a professional security audit.
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Phase II is the in-country audit, wherein we dispatch security specialists with extensive overseas experience to the selected country to speak with the client’s senior representative, expatriate personnel, and others as appropriate. These specialists will survey all corporate offices and plant facilities, expatriate residences, transportation routes, common places of recreation, and other areas frequented by client personnel. Prior to departure from the country, the specialists will discuss with the senior representative their initial assessment, recommendations, and what VDI intends to document in the final report.
- Phase III will take place at VDI corporate headquarters in Leesburg, Virginia. The security specialists will present their findings and recommendations to a VDI internal group consisting of specialists with a similar level of knowledge and experience. This will help ensure that the recommendations made are practical, and in concert with the goals of the client organization. The final report, including photographs, will be completed within three weeks following the departure of the in-country audit team, and will be delivered directly to senior corporate management.
The final report will consist of an Executive Summary; an analysis of the current security situation in the country; a security profile of senior expatriate employees; specific recommendations for improvement; cost estimates for implementation, and, security-related reference material tailored to the client’s needs.
Security Enhancement Programs
VDI provides full-scale evaluations of ongoing programs that are designed to avoid myopic or parochial perspectives and provide the client with an accurate and up to date assessment of their security program. This effort identifies vulnerabilities and provides recommendations for resolving each and every one. Following all vulnerability assessments, VDI will submit a separate proposal for the implementation and direct management of some or all of the recommendations for improvement. This proposal will prioritize recommendations from the audit and provide an itemized cost for each facet of the program. Our involvement ranges from general contracting of the security enhancements to complete design, implementation and management of long-term personnel and physical security programs.
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Security Awareness Training
Prior to the departure of company personnel for assignments abroad, they must receive an overview of the local security situation to avoid inadvertently subjecting themselves, or members of their family, to unnecessary risks. We design security seminars to prepare expatriate personnel and family members for life and travel overseas. In a low-key manner designed to educate (not alarm), we share common sense advice based on real life experiences. Day one is normally for the employee, and covers pertinent information related to the country of assignment. Day two should include spouses and children, ages 12 and up; and covers basic security habits for home protection, while shopping or driving, and while attending social events and school. A special presentation on how the local U.S. Embassy and Consulate operate, and how they can and cannot assist, is included in the program.
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High Risk Area Assessments
There are an inordinate number of risks currently facing the business world, any one of which can severely impact an organization's revenue and reputation. These risks are intrinsic to planned operations and investment, regardless of scope and complexity. Final business decisions regarding new or existing facilities in high-risk areas require independent input. An accurate assessment of threats is a prerequisite to all security planning and acceptance of a thoroughly calculated level of risk is an everyday element of personal and corporate life.
VDI operates worldwide and specializes in high threat areas with both political and criminal instability. We are qualified to assist in these scenarios, relying on decades of experience at the highest levels of government and corporate service, with influential government and security contacts in each area in which we operate. Our personnel are experienced, speak the local language and understand the culture in which they operate. Our security solutions are tailored to meet each client's individual requirements and we understand the trade-off between business operations and security.
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Port Facilities
Any organization that makes use of or operates a maritime facility or airport must be deeply concerned with a number of potential threats, as well as compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 17 and International Port Security Program (ISPS) standards. Terrorism in any form is grabbing headlines everywhere; however, of equal importance to the typical user or operator is the threat of smuggling (drugs, weapons, people, contraband), not to mention the constant and common practice of thievery from docks, warehouses, customs areas and other associated locations. The size and scope of security operations at seaports and airports can overwhelm the resources of any company that tries to take on the challenge without the proper level of experience, background and knowledge. VDI provides seasoned professionals with vast experience in government, military and private sector initiatives, to develop detailed security programs for facilities of all sizes. In additional to a well sequenced assessment and vulnerability enhancement methodology, VDI conducts extensive training of security personnel in all operational sectors.
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Petroleum and Natural Gas Facilities
Guerrilla organizations, indigenous groups, subversive movements and land reform protesters are only some of the difficulties facing organizations that wish to establish or upgrade petroleum and natural gas facilities in foreign countries. The majority of these situations must be handled quickly and quietly, within a normally very limited window of opportunity. VDI services range from drafting security plans and procedures, crisis management, security liaison and security management at facilities and on pipelines; to discreet intervention in major imbroglios that can threaten the existence of a drilling, refining or processing operation. VDI professionals have resolved major facility construction delays, adjudicated pipeline disputes and reduced oil thefts in Latin America and the former Soviet Union; arranged meetings between petroleum company officials and country leaders to negotiate strategic acquisitions in the Middle East; and been charged with managing operational security for projects worldwide. We know the business and understand your people.
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Executive Protection
 The protection of expatriate executives and their families is a central issue for any organization doing business in a foreign country. Productivity suffers when an executive is constantly worried about his or her own security or that of family members. A complete analysis of the area in which operations will be conducted is necessary to determine real risk levels and derive a strategy for executive protection. The traditional methodologies of throwing more money at the problem in the form of bodyguards, armored cars and firepower are no longer valid in most areas of the world. A dynamic executive protection program starts with a thorough knowledge of the potential threat and criminal or terrorist methods as practiced locally. From there, an effective strategy can be developed for protecting executives and family members. VDI is proud to have staff members who can think outside the box and come up with resourceful solutions to the difficult problems associated with protecting expatriate employees and family members. We also maintain close contacts with local security services that provide talented and reliable local security professionals who work under the direction of VDI Executive Protection Specialists, when such collaboration is called for.
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Perception Management
Negative press coverage can ruin a company's reputation and cause a loss of contracts or worse. On occasion, employees also have become targets of kidnap, murder, or extortion plots because of unfavorable press coverage. Likewise, with international competition growing daily, U.S. companies should take prudent measures and work to develop and manage a favorable image. This provides an impetus to win contracts or to neutralize bad publicity stimulated by accident, natural causes, or a competitor. Our worldwide contacts include publishers, editors, journalists and other media personalities who are willing and able to assist in this endeavor. At VDI, we consider all message delivery systems when operating abroad, to include; press articles, email or faxes, hand-bills, radio, television, public speeches, bumper stickers, T-shirts, song lyrics, etc. Our "operations to influence" can include prestigious press coverage of an event; formation of local special interest groups; new or modified legislation; organization and management of non-violent protests; public speaking engagements; management of charity donations; or, the organization of well-attended, goal-oriented events sponsored by the client.
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Non-Attributable Activities
There will be instances abroad when U.S. corporate interests are not served by becoming identified with certain activities. For example, announcement by a U.S. company of a forthcoming major investment in a country often results in local price hikes for land and services. For this reason, we recommend taking advantage of a pre-announcement period to quietly purchase or lease land and housing, utility contracts, vehicles, and other infrastructure items. Non-attributable activities are frequently utilized in the United States--consider the case of Disney buying up property years before the announcement of a new theme park--but such activity abroad can lead to serious problems if handled incorrectly. These "hidden-hand" operations may be for acquisitions, to maximize the value of the company's purchasing dollar, to render ineffective a foreign competitor, or to perform some other task requiring corporate anonymity. VDI is ideally suited to serve as a surrogate to implement company plans abroad and has done so successfully in the past.
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