Travel and Executive Security: Low Profile, Smart Plans, Right Cover
The most effective protection on the road is not an armoured car. It is being boring to watch, predictable only to your own people, and properly insured.
MAN TARGET EditorsOctober 31, 2026 4 min read
Wealth travels with a signature: the luggage, the watch, the car waiting at arrivals, the post from the hotel terrace. Criminals read those signs well. Executive-security professionals start from a simple idea: the best incident is the one that never happens, because you were not the easiest or most interesting target in the room.
Before you go
- Read official advice for your destination. The US State Department grades countries from Level 1 to Level 4, and the UK and Brazilian foreign ministries publish their own guidance.
- Register your trip with your consulate's traveller programme where available, such as the US STEP programme.
- Share your itinerary with one trusted person and agree check-in times. Silence past a check-in should trigger a call, not panic.
- Carry copies of passports and key documents separately from the originals, and store digital copies securely.
- Check that your health and travel insurance covers the destination, including medical evacuation.
Keep a low profile
- Leave the statement watch and jewellery at home in higher-risk cities. Discreet is safer than impressive.
- Drivers should not hold a sign with your name or company at arrivals; agree a code name and confirm it before getting in.
- Post photos after you leave a place, not while you are there, and turn off live location sharing beyond family.
- Vary routes and departure times on longer stays, and choose hotels with controlled access.
The best incident is the one that never happens, because you were never the easy target.
Know the main risks
In some cities, express kidnappings, short abductions to force cash withdrawals, are a known risk. More common everywhere are virtual kidnappings: a call to your family claiming you have been taken, with no abduction at all. A family code word and a quick call to your phone defeat most of them. If you are ever confronted by robbers, hand over property and do not resist; nothing in your wallet is worth more than you.
When to call professionals
- For high-risk destinations, a reputable security risk firm can provide country assessments, vetted drivers, secure transport and, where legal, licensed close protection.
- Armoured vehicles are a tool for specific threats and places, chosen with professional advice, not a status symbol.
- Kidnap and ransom insurance usually includes access to specialist crisis-response consultants. Policies are typically confidential; discuss cover with your broker or employer.
- If you travel for work, ask what your company's travel-risk policy covers before you go.
Key takeaways
- Read official travel advisories and share your itinerary with one trusted person.
- A low profile beats visible protection in most places.
- Agree a family code word against virtual-kidnapping scams.
- For high-risk trips, use a reputable security firm and check kidnap and ransom cover.
FAQ
What is kidnap and ransom insurance?
A specialist policy that covers certain costs of kidnap, extortion and related events and usually gives access to crisis-response consultants. Terms vary; ask a specialist broker.
What is a virtual kidnapping?
A scam in which criminals call a family claiming a relative has been abducted and demand quick payment, though no one has been taken. A family code word helps expose it.
Do I need a bodyguard when travelling?
Most trips do not. For high-risk destinations, a reputable security firm can assess the risk and arrange licensed protection where it is legal and justified.
Planning a sensitive trip? Ask the Man Target concierge for discreet, vetted travel arrangements.
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