Security 101: “You don’t have to out run a bear…just your friends” February 22, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in InfoSec & Privacy, Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management, weapons and tactics.Tags: armed security, arms race, Chris Mark, cybersecurity, InfoSec, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk, risk management, security
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Yesterday MSNBC had a story that discussed the “arms race” between Somali pirates and shipping companies. The article discussed the increasing violence of the pirates. While this should come as no surprise to anyone, it is a single statement that caught my attention. “Greater use of private armed security guards on ships and a much tougher approach by international navies is beginning to work, some… say. (more…)
“Lipstick on a Pig”- Vetting Armed Security Part 3 February 21, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management.Tags: Anti Piracy, armed security, Chris Mark, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, security, vetting security
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The recent event where Italian military personnel killed “suspected pirates” off the coast of India should provide an exclamation point to shipping companies on the need to carefully evaluate the armed security protecting their vessels. While military personnel were involved in this particular incident, it is simply a matter of time before private military contractors make the same mistake. This post is part 3 of a series of posts on vetting companies. You can read the previous posts here and here.
One of the tactics being employed by many companies within the maritime security arena, and especially those with little experience, is to promote the fact that they are “ICOC signatories” as evidence of their professionalism and expertise. While there is little debate that the ICOC is a step in the right direction toward gaining some form of control over a growing industry, the ICOC is NOT and should NOT be viewed as anything more than what it is. Using the ICOC as any basis of evaluation of a security company is both dangerous and short sighted. All companies should be signatories of the ICOC. That being said, the ICOC is not intended to be a governance document or standard. The purpose of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies (ICOC PSC) is to: (more…)
Armed Guards Kill Two Indian Fisherman- “…suspected to be pirates” February 21, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Piracy & Maritime Security.Tags: Chris Mark, Enrica Lexie, italian navy, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, mark consulting group, Piracy & Maritime Security, pirates killed, pirates shot, security
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According to the Times of India, armed guard aboard an Italian merchant (Enrica Lexie) vessel shot and killed two Indian fisherman last night that they “…suspected to be pirates.” According to the Italian government, the vessel did not respond to warning lights. According to the Indian fisherman, no prior warning was given. Here is where it gets somewhat questionable: “Two fishermen in a boat were killed after guards onboard the Italian merchant vessel fired at them off Alapuzha coast last evening, suspecting them to be pirates.” While the facts are not yet public on what exactly happened, my personal view is that this particular episode is has serious issues. Based on other reports, the guards were members of the Italian navy and NOT private security. (more…)
Armed Guards- The end of the “Golden Age” of Somali Piracy? February 17, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Industry News, Piracy & Maritime Security, Risk & Risk Management.Tags: armed security, Chris Mark, Maritime Security, mark consulting group, markconsultinggroup.com, Piracy & Maritime Security, somali pirates
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Debate over the use of armed guards has raged for several years as the those who advocate for the use of armed guards applaud their use and those who oppose their use argue that they are ineffective or exacerbate the problem. Last year I wrote a whitepaper on how armed guards prevent hijackings. (Deterrence Theory). With 2012 we are finally are beginning to see objective data on the impact of armed guards. David Rider’s article: “The Pirate Surge That Never Was” outlines some interesting facts that demonstrate that armed guards are the best line of defense for a ship in high risk waters. According to statistics in the article, October 2011 saw 26 attacks with only one successful hijacking. Of the 26 attacks in October 2011, fully 16 of them were repelled by armed guards on the vessels. November 2011 saw 11 attacks with 5 being repelled by armed guards.
When asked why pirate attacks are down in 2011, Robert Young Pelton, who publishes SomaliaReport.com states unequivocally: (more…)
Vetting Armed Security Providers February 13, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Risk & Risk Management.Tags: armed security, kevin doherty, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, nexus consulting, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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Nexus Consulting’s CEO, Kevin Doherty was kind enough to let me post a questionnaire his company developed specifically for companies considering the use of armed security on ships. Nexus has conducted hundreds of transits through the Gulf of Aden and is one of the original maritime security companies and currently one of only 3 companies in the US that work with US Flagged vessels. Please download the document here.
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 