The Diplomatic Mindset and Corporate Security:
Lessons from Peter Ford

In a world of rapidly evolving international dynamics, companies must approach corporate travel and security with a mindset shaped by diplomacy. Global instability, political shifts, and regional conflicts are no longer just state-level concerns, they now directly impact how and where businesses operate.

The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), which protects U.S. diplomats and sensitive information, has long honed the ability to assess risk, adapt quickly, and plan effectively in uncertain environments. Its disciplined, data-driven approach offers valuable lessons for the private sector. Corporate security teams can learn much from this approach and apply these principles to enhance their own protocols.

Corporate Security Advisors (CSA) Senior Advisor Pete Ford brings deep experience from the DSS to help organizations adopt this diplomatic mindset. His leadership in high-threat complex global posts translates directly into actionable guidance for businesses navigating international risk.

What Corporate Security Can Adopt from Diplomatic Security Protocols

1. Assess Your Organization’s Risk Tolerance

Before determining travel strategies or operational expansion, corporate security teams should begin by clearly defining their organization’s risk tolerance. A key principle in diplomatic security is recognizing that no two missions—or companies—face the same level of acceptable risk. For example, an energy company operating in geopolitically volatile regions may accept a higher level of risk than a luxury goods company because based on differences in operational necessity, asset exposure, and brand sensitivity.

2. Determine Location Risk Tolerance

Once organizational risk tolerance is defined, the next step is evaluating how that risk level translates in specific countries or regions. This involves examining political stability, regulatory conditions, infrastructure reliability, and any localized threats that could impact operations or personnel.

Diplomatic security professionals often begin with this analysis when considering reopening embassies in higher-risk regions — and the same disciplined approach applies in corporate settings. The goal is not to eliminate risk entirely, but to understand, quantify, and manage it clearly and make business decisions accordingly.

By taking the time to map organizational tolerance against regional realities, internal teams can build smarter travel plans, vet expansion sites more effectively, and ensure that decisions reflect both opportunity and exposure.

3. Establish Emergency Action Committees

In the diplomatic world, embassies rely on Emergency Action Committees (EACs) to prepare for and respond to crises. EACs are groups comprised of many different actors that are responsible for developing and implementing plans for potential crisis. The goal of EACs is to bring in a variety of perspectives as well as create buy-in from your team.

In a corporate context, an EAC might include the executive team, HR, risk management, and others. The goal is to bring in a variety of perspectives and create ownership across the organization. EACs allow for group decision-making in calm moments and ensure structure when a crisis hits. Well-defined EACs reduce confusion and accelerate response.

4. Take Advantage of Public Resources

Publicly available tools can significantly enhance corporate security travel protocols. The U.S. Department of State offers several valuable resources, such as:

• OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council): OSAC provides security reports, threat assessments, and briefings for to private-sector organizations.
• STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program): STEP Allows companies to register travelers with embassies for updates on local conditions.
• Travel Advisories and Crime Reports: These documents are updated regularly and are accessible from the State Department’s website.

The Concentric Rings of Security: A Layered Defense Based on Intelligence

Media narratives often distort the actual risk profile of international locations. To counter this, corporate security teams can adopt the "Concentric Rings of Security" model, a layered framework drawn from diplomatic practices.

• Outer Ring: Intelligence Gathering
  This includes broad, high-level information such as OSAC Reports, political monitoring and understanding travel advisories.
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• Middle Ring: Real-Time, Local Intelligence
  This involves outreach for on-the-ground insights, such as connecting with Regional Security Officers (RSOs) or local networks to gain real-time insights that go beyond public reporting.
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• The Inner Ring: On-the-Ground Logistics and Preparedness
  Focused on practical execution, including securing transportation, identifying medical facilities and embassies, and booking vetted accommodations.

Looking Ahead: A Smarter Model for Global Security

International travel will always involve some degree of risk, but companies have the opportunity to build proactive, resilient strategies for global mobility. By drawing on proven diplomatic protocols corporate teams can move beyond planning against international headlines into informed, layered decision-making.

In today’s rapidly changing global environment, adopting a diplomatic mindset isn’t just an advantage, it is essential to protecting people, assets, and operations.

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