Notes from the field.
Securing a property after a flood, storm, or fire: what to protect first
What to protect first after a flood, storm, or fire: safe re-entry, contractors and adjusters, access control, contents, and when security coverage helps.
Security during labor disputes, protests, and civil unrest: what private security can and cannot do
What private security can and cannot do near a strike, protest, or civil unrest: no police powers, respect for lawful activity, coordination, and records.
What is process serving, and what should you have ready?
What process serving is, when you need it, what to have ready, and what to expect. Rules on who may serve and how vary by state and court.
Cell phone forensics: what it can and can’t do
What mobile-device forensics can and can’t do, consent and ownership questions to settle first, how to preserve a phone, and what to have ready.
Bug sweeps and counter-surveillance: what a TSCM sweep involves
What a counter-surveillance sweep (TSCM) is, the signs that worry people, what to do and not do before a sweep, and what to expect during one.
Background checks: what an investigator does that a website doesn’t
How investigator-led background research differs from people-search sites, the lawful sources it draws on, permissible-purpose rules, and what to have ready.
Surveillance investigations: how they work and what to expect
How surveillance investigations generally work, what to share with the investigator, what reports typically contain, and the lawful limits on the work.
Domestic investigations: what to know before you start
Infidelity, custody-related, and stalking or harassment concerns: how domestic investigations stay discreet and lawful, and when to call an attorney or police.
Venue security vs. separately hired event security: who covers what
Your venue has house security. What it usually covers on your date, what it may not, the questions to ask the venue, and when separate event security is worth it.
What should a producer send a security company to get an accurate proposal?
What line producers and location managers should send, what to hold back, and how schedule changes are handled, so the proposal matches the call sheet.
Wedding security: when it adds value, and what good coverage looks like
When wedding security adds value, how much coverage fits the day, and how discreet, professional staff work alongside your planner and venue.
An executive assistant’s guide to arranging a Chicago protective detail
A planning timeline for the person behind the itinerary: what to share and when, briefing the principal, handling changes, and the debrief.
Hosting a public official as a speaker: what your organization is responsible for
When your organization books a public official as a speaker, a gap opens between what their detail covers and what nobody has claimed. Where the responsibility actually sits.
Residential security on Chicago's North Shore: what estate protection actually involves
Large lots, mature landscaping, and public property records create a particular kind of exposure. What protection looks like north of the city.
How to verify an Illinois security or private detective license
Illinois licenses agencies and individuals separately. How to check both through IDFPR in a few minutes, and what a clean record does not tell you.
Close protection vs. executive protection: is there a difference?
Two terms for work that mostly overlaps. Where the distinction matters when you are scoping a detail, and the better question to ask.
Is Chicago safe? A straight answer for visiting executives
The city's reputation and a business traveler's actual exposure are not the same thing. Where the real risk sits on a three-day trip.
High-risk terminations: planning the day someone is let go
A difficult separation is a scheduled event with a known date. That makes it one of the few workplace risks you can see coming and prepare for.
How to choose an executive protection company
What separates a real executive protection firm from a guy in a suit. The license to verify, the questions to ask, and the red flags worth walking away from.
What is secure transportation, and when do you need a security driver?
A security driver is not a chauffeur. What secure transportation involves, and the situations where a trained driver is worth it.
Residential security: how to protect your home and family
Most home security stops at an alarm and a camera. Real residential security is about layers, routine, and the gaps an outsider would find first.
Workplace violence: how to protect your business and staff
Workplace violence often has warning signs. What to watch for, and what a business can put in place before it reaches a crisis.
How much does executive protection cost?
Executive protection is priced by the risk and the footprint, not a flat rate. A Chicago security firm breaks down what drives the cost and how to get an accurate quote.
What does an executive protection agent actually do?
An executive protection agent does far more than stand beside someone. A Chicago police officer with 20 years of service explains what the work actually involves, before, during, and after.
When should you hire executive protection?
Many people wait too long. Here are the clear signs it is time to bring in executive protection, from a 20-year Chicago police officer.
Armed vs. unarmed security: which do you need?
Armed is not always safer, and unarmed is not always lighter insurance. How to choose between armed and unarmed security based on the actual threat.
What is protective intelligence, and how does it prevent threats?
Protective intelligence finds and assesses threats before they reach a principal. A Chicago police officer with counterterrorism experience explains how it works.
How to hire a private investigator in Illinois
What a licensed Illinois private investigator can legally do, what to ask before you hire one, and how to make sure the findings hold up.
What is a security risk assessment, and when do you need one?
A security risk assessment shows where you are exposed and what to do about it. When to get one, and what a good assessment includes.
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