Blending decades of global intelligence and security experience with time-tested principles, this book delivers a powerful, practical framework for personal safety and risk awareness.
Blending decades of global intelligence and security experience with time-tested principles, this book delivers a powerful, practical framework for personal safety and risk awareness. It equips readers—especially those traveling or operating in high-risk environments—to recognize threats, understand adversarial behavior, and make informed, rapid decisions under pressure. Updated to reflect today’s realities, it addresses the unique vulnerabilities faced by women, children, the elderly, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, missionaries, and university students. Combining strategic insight with real-world lessons, this essential guide speaks equally to professionals managing global security programs and individuals seeking to navigate an increasingly unpredictable world.
Part 1: Personal Security in Context
1. Defining Personal Security
2. Key Concepts and Terms in Personal Security
3. Five Principles of Personal Security
4. The Ethics of Personal Security
Part 2: Threats in the Travel Environment
5. Red Flags:Patterns of Threat in the Travel Environment
6. Charting the Unknown: Dealing with the Unexpected
7. Focus on Abduction
8. Focus on Street Crime
9. Focus on Mass Casualty Events
10. Interacting with Authorities
11. Focus on Cyber Threats
Part 3: Security across the Travel Journey
12. Your Movements in Public Space: Personal and Public Transportation
Considerations
13. Hotels, Residential, and Airbnb
14. Special Events and Other Spaces
Part 4: Vulnerable Traveler Populations
15. Considering LGBTQ Travelers
16. Focus on Women
17. Focus on Children
18. Missionaries
19. University Students
20. The Displaced: Refugees
21. Elderly Travelers
Part 5: Organization Tools for Personal Security
22. Conducting Risk Assessments
23. Developing an Executive Protection Security Plan
24. Managing Your Teams Security While on the Move
25. Street Kit, Smartphones and Medicines
26. Insurance Considerations
27. Conclusion
Charles E. Goslin is a retired CIA intelligence operations officer and actively consults on international security, intelligence, and business matters. His expertise encompasses the analysis of risk and threat, counterintelligence, adversarial analysis (red team operations), HUMINT tradecraft programs, and critical thinking skills for executive leadership in business and government. Charles is a published author and frequent lecturer, and has developed and taught advanced intelligence and security curricula for both foreign governments and academic institutions. Over four decades, he has worked across India, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe, and currently resides in Houston, Texas.
