In a security “problem,” the security driver is purposely driving the vehicle in a manner that will push the vehicle’s ESC algorithm limit. 

One data point we examined was the number of practitioners who used their GI Bill benefits to attend training and how much went to training providers.

INRIX is a company that provides traffic analytics. Each year, INRIX releases the Global Traffic Scorecard (GTS). As we have mentioned before, the GTS offers one of the most valuable marketing metrics for security drivers and secure transportation providers. This data helps determine your services’ return on investment (ROI).

Recently, a vehicle ambush in Nigeria gained attention on social media. The incident involved two cars, with the principal’s vehicle coming under heavy fire. Despite the attack, the principal and his driver managed to escape unharmed. The vehicle’s run-flat tires played a significant role in the successful escape.

ISDA’s Security Driver Journal is your essential resource for continuing education and benchmark research, all designed to improve your skillset and advance your business.

The Journal is a twice-monthly educational email publication containing articles written specifically for the Security Driver/Secure Transportation community delivered to your inbox.

Winter driving conditions challenge most drivers, but Security Drivers are not in the “most drivers” club. There are inherent dangers of driving in a winter environment.

Potholes are a matter of safety and inconvenience. But some things can be done before, during, and after hitting a pothole.

Develop a proactive approach similar to a security scenario, except you avoid potholes instead of security issues. 

Will the new extended version of the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoner L will be competition for the Suburban and the other large SUVs? Read our Comparison Report

Threshold braking is one of those concepts that has been misunderstood for decades in the police and protective driving community.

The title of many workshops, including the first, will start with “The Science of.” So let’s talk about the elephant in the room or, in…

We are inundated with news and discussions concerning Hybrid and Electric vehicles. We (ISDA) feel that it is not if; it is when Security Drivers will be transporting their principals in Electric or Hybrid Vehicles.

No matter what is said about gas prices dropping, filling up your gas tank is still expensive—high fuel costs prompt articles about how to get…

In September of 2021, ASIS and the SIA produced the Security Industry Career Pathway Guide for practitioners and suppliers.

In the event of an attack on the principal, success vs. failure depends significantly on time and distance. How close is the attacker? How much time do you have? – which brings us to the two and half-second rule.

The “Tire Extinguishers” have arrived in the U.S., and if you drive an SUV, they will deflate one of your tires.

The vehicle used in the Carcass training disaster was an older Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner earned a 3-star (out of 5) rating from NHTSA with a 20 to 30% rollover risk.

A video of an SUV flipping and rolling over during a j turn maneuver is not uncommon. But this Caracas video ranks up as one of the largest doses of instructor incompetence I have seen in many years, and I have worked in the driver training profession for close to half a century.

While curating Security Driver job opportunities, we looked at the salaries listed in Security Driver – Executive Chauffeur Job offers and did a quick numbers…

Armored vehicles are making a lot of news and noise in the social media groups – As an example, Motor Trend published an article about a Bullet Proof Escalade- the article made some wild claims

As a business, you operate within a Business Model. Your Business Model governs your future in the profession. Noted business author Peter Drucker defines a Business Model as the answer to these questions: Who is your customer, what does the customer/client value, and how do you deliver value at an appropriate cost?

History shows that secure transportation is where the corporate community spends a majority of its training dollars. If you, by chance, review the IRS code, you will find that protective driver training is the only skill that the IRS requires. There is no mention of executive protection training, shooting, or martial arts, just protective driver training.

Facebook security spending is in the news again. Facebook’s parent company Meta, spent $26.8 million on security and private jets for Mark Zuckerberg, according to their 2021 Security and Exchange Commission Schedule 14a filing. 

The following is a list of recent podcasts episodes focused on Training and Vehicle Dynamics. Each link will take you to the accompanying blog post for each episode, where you can listen to the podcast.

Some articles concerning Run Flats have been in the news.  The one that caught our attention was from Autoweek Magazine – Why Do Run Flat Tires Suck? Science, and Tradeoffs

We ran across this the other day. It is from Animagraffs which is a company that produces 3D infographics. But as you will see, these drawings far exceed what you can learn from a more traditional infographic.

We noted with interest a recent article in Car and Driver magazine concerning the 2022 Mercedes Benz S 500. Along with many of its other attributes, the S500 managed to navigate the skidpad test at .92 Gs

California prosecutors have filed two counts of vehicular manslaughter against the driver of a Tesla on Autopilot. The driver ran a red light, slammed into another car, and killed two people in 2019.

As we say goodbye to another year, here is a look back at the Accomplishments – new content and features – by the International Security Driver Association for our members.

As we start officially into the season of Winter and the end of 2021, we take a look at the future with 11 predictions that will impact secure transportation services.

The foundation of a Secure Transportation ROI plan is changing the loss of productivity that an Executive suffers  – driving themselves – into efficient and productive time.

For those responsible for their principals’ safe and secure transportation, 2022 will create unprecedented challenges brought on by the computer chip shortage, the increased use of connected vehicles, and the changing landscape of the automotive industry and the EP/Secure Transportation profession.

I get the impression that many of those working in the profession or trying to work in the profession do not understand the concept of a Professional Certification. Many practitioners want a standard, but they want the standard to meet the curriculum of the training program that they attended – that is not how it works.

There has been a great deal of talk on social media about how the industry is growing at an exponential rate. We agree, but we ask the question, in what sector of the profession is it growing, and what sector is increasing their spending on Executive Protection?

One of the significant changes coming to the Secure Transportation profession is Electric Vehicles (EVs) – it is not if – it is when you will be driving EVs as your primary vehicle.

The newly enacted Build Back Better Bill incorporates several provisions for standardizing vehicle safety features. Some of the Bill may affect the Security Drivers and Secure Transportation. The following are some quick hits, and an in-depth paper will be available once we go through the information available.

The Human Driving Task is defined as a person who drives a particular vehicle and who, in a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system, exchanges the dynamic driving task with such a system as necessary during vehicle operation.

Over the years, we have taken the Motor Trend Car of the Year award with a grain of salt – but this year is different….

The reason we spend a lot of time talking about these subjects can be found in a comment made by a Bridgestone engineer – “Tire pressure affects every aspect of the tire, including the load-carrying capacity, tread contact patch shape—where the tire touches the road—and size and handling characteristics.” 

Telematics devices collect and measure data related to driving habits and behaviors. By monitoring drivers’ behavior, the insurers can track data and tailor insurance rates to their driving habits.

The crash test data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have shown that small increases in speed can have huge effects on crash outcomes as shown in their new tests conducted by the AAA Foundation for traffic safety. They found that slightly higher speeds were enough to increase the driver’s risk of severe injury or death.

Whenever we write or talk about armored vehicles, we always mention the Mercedes-Benz Guard Car. We fail to note that there are other Original Equipment…

The October 2021 Newsletter for the ISDA Members. We share new members, ways to take advantage of the ISDA marketing opportunity and more.

This is the first in a series of articles that will cover Best Practices for Protective Driver Training. First and foremost, driving training is a science.

wo topics of discussion that can dominate social media are certification and the state of training in the executive protection and secure transportation industry. In reality, certification and training are inseparable. There is a need for standardization in the Executive Protection profession.

A recent PR Release from a company marketing a comprehensive study of the Luxury Armored Vehicle Market states it will grow “at a good pace” in the years 2021 to 2026. That pace, depending on which report you go by, could be anywhere between 2% and 6%.

With pandemic restrictions easing, business and consumer travel is back to pre-pandemic levels. One problem, there are rental car shortages. 

Over the past year, ISDA Members published four books that have significantly impacted the Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Profession. It is indicative of the quality of the ISDA Membership.

According to a report from Upstream Security, there were at least 150 automotive cybersecurity incidents in 2019, a 94 percent year-over-year increase since 2016. This trend is unlikely to reverse any time soon with more communication methods built into new vehicles, including massive over-the-air update technologies.

Your vehicle has a precious metal container infused with a precious metal that is selling for about $28,000 per ounce right now; that’s 15-times the price of gold. The metal is Rhodium, and the container is your Catalytic converter.

Connected Vehicles are when they share data between servers, apps, and the vehicles’ various components to enable telematics services, smart mobility services, and more.

Known by its full name as the Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard 4Matic. It is available with a long wheelbase. The sedan has been engineered to receive VPAM VR10 certification. VR10 is the highest certification ballistic standard available to civilians. VPAM means a complete vehicle was tested and certified. Basically, It’s the highest level with regard to ballistic protection for a civilian vehicle.

Many of the newer Executive Vehicles, including SUVs, come with Low Profile tires. There are advantages and disadvantages to low-profile tires.

n interesting and informative article from the February issue of Motor Trend Magazine. The article covers the process used by armored car manufacturers to produce an armored vehicle.

A couple of weeks Tom Cruise’s BMW X7 was stolen by a cyber hack. The thieves allegedly used a scanner to clone the car’s keyless ignition fob.

We know that drinking and driving and texting and driving are dangerous and are hazardous to your health and the health of those who share the road with you.

But we need to add another scenario to the distracted while driving series, driving while marketing.

The number one cause of workplace fatalities is car accidents. The statistics that point to the need for a driver trained to avoid problems are overwhelming.

The fact is that the time an executive spends in their vehicle is the highest risk period of their day.

Data says 65% of attacks occur while in or near a vehicle. How much of your time do you spend on training that mitigates the massive risk of vehicle attacks?

For close to 50 years, we have preached the need for surveillance detection, situation awareness, and armored vehicles. We are still talking about incidents resulting from a lack of surveillance detection, situational awareness, and armored vehicles.

Carlos Marighella and the need for Surveillance Detection are inseparable; his impact on the executive protection and secure transportation profession is immeasurable.

The paper outlines these significant developments and others in the security industry and to foster further discussion, analysis, and solutions.

Having been at this for nearly five decades, it has become apparent that most people shy away from using science and the laws of physics as an educational and training tool because of the math it requires.

The International Security Driver Training Association (ISDA) is looking for companies with technology or products that will assist the ISDA membership and the Executive Protection and Secure Transportation community to supply safe and secure transportation.

This is, as the title suggests, our first Secure Transportation News (STN). The catalyst for creating STN is to share the volume of information ISDA curates, such as industry news and data, with the community. STN will cover all aspects of protective services.

ISDA has created the COVID-19 Secure Transportation and EP Information center. In the Center, readers will find articles – data, and metrics that can assist practitioners working in the Secure Transportation and Executive Protection profession. Our goal is to help the community navigate its way through the problems created by the pandemic.

The December issue of the Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Magazine has seven articles covering all aspects of the Secure Transportation, Executive Protection profession, and the Business of Executive Protection.

We’ve had an influx of new members over the last few months; our new members represent all sectors of the profession and spread across the globe.

But there is one new member that I would like to bring to your attention; his name is George Sardelis.

Whether driving down the highway, around corners or trying to navigate out of a potentially dangerous scenario, the vehicle driver combination must operate within the laws of physics and specifically within Sir Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion.
An understanding of vehicle dynamics creates the platform for a standard for one of the most important aspects of executive protection – secure transportation.
It is ISDA’s opinion that many training providers take liberty with the phrase Vehicle Dynamics. This opinion is not a criticism but an observation.
Vehicle Dynamics is a scientific and objective approach to Secure Transportation, Security Driving, and Training.

A mix of magazines for the protection professional from security-related to chauffeur-related, and anywhere in between.

ISDA receives volumes of information through news and research. The EPST news shares some of the data we receive with the community. This post covers tires – cleanliness of executive vehicles and articles and the latest EPST podcast episodes.

At one time, when bad things happened, it was all up to the driver to control the vehicle. The person holding on to the steering wheel made all the decisions. The driver was the algorithm that determined the outcome of the event.

Now computers control executive vehicles, and in an emergency scenario, accident, or vehicle violence, the executive vehicles rely on the computer algorithm to control the vehicle.

All vehicles have inherent characteristics that, if not understood and monitored, can decrease a vehicle’s performance and create a dangerous scenario for the principal. There are numbers that represent these vehicle characteristics; most can be found in the owner’s manual.

Does the number of training schools that advertise using the term “certification” lead to unrealistic expectations or assumptions on behalf of the attendee that might lead them into thinking guaranteed placement or success?

From Moro in the late ’70s, to Herrhausen in the ’80s, and Reso in the ’90s, and more recently Omar García Harfuch in 2020, there has been a common denominator. In each of these attacks, surveillance detection has played a significant role in the scenario’s outcome.

I have found that my sense of curiosity has not been affected by my advanced years; I still enjoy reading and analyzing the information presented…

A collection of articles related to Executive Protection and Secure Transportation and the ISDA membership.

ISDA Member News for August 2020 Tires If you have been anywhere near a Scotti School or VDI program, you know the importance we place…

Many times, when we examine a vehicle ambush, the discussions will always ask the question “What If.” What if the driver moved the steering wheel a half a second sooner – applied the brakes a second earlier – made a decision quicker – had the ability to use more of the vehicle capability.

Knowledge is Power – Sharing Knowledge is Powerful. The average ISDA member has 15 years of experience; many have worked in the profession for more…

Although there are no metrics that cover “Sharing Knowledge,” in 2019, the amount of information and knowledge shared by the ISDA membership is unsurpassed in the profession.

During my 45 years and for the past 18 years, Joe Autera, and I have conducted forensic analysis on countless vehicle attacks. As we have in…

There are conflicting reports about how the attack unfolded – these are some videos and articles supplied by ISDA Members – Mark Caldwell and Gerardo…

First and foremost – WHAT IS NOT SECURITY DRIVING – a security driver IS NOT a person who attended an EP Training program and has a driver’s…

In June of 2010, Rodolfo Torre Cantu, a physician, and politician running for governor of the Mexican State of Tamaulipas, was assassinated while driving in a non-armored two-vehicle scenario.

Three Seconds to Safety is a booklet that covers carjacking. Like the author, Tony Scotti, the booklet is old, it was written in the late…

This article was written around 1995 (25 years ago) by Fred Foster. At that time, Fred was the CEO of 7 Trees, a security company…

These are the results of the Coronavirus Survey.

The number of participants makes the survey statistically accurate for our association, but not for the general EP/Secure Transportation community.

The demographics of ISDA are not similar got the profession in general; Hence I would estimate the data is not statistically accurate for the security professional.

A Woman’s Journey from the Secret Service to Guarding VIPs and Working in Some of the World’s Most Dangerous Places I had the privilege of…

These are a few older videos that describe how to look for a job in your geographical location. The LinkedIn Job App is outdated Overview…

The goal of Secure Transportation is to supply safe and secure transportation for your principal or client. With COVID-19 upon us, the safe portion of…

Sharing knowledge is the ISDA culture, and its members define ISDA’s culture. This post is a collection of Member’ LinkedIn Articles. Approximately 100 articles are…

In a recent Vehicle Dynamics Institute (VDI) Newsletter, Joe Autera wrote a one-sentence comment that can answer that question. So, consider the following information as…

56% Of Those Who Supply Secure Transportation Use Rental Vehicles – the title of this article comes from data collected from the 2019 ISDA Executive…

We strongly suggest that anyone who attends a Security Driving training program is measured in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 135. This is the standard that is used to measure vehicle braking performance. As a security driver, you must be able to perform at a much higher level than “minimum” (it is what you get paid to do).

When moving through any scenario the driver is managing time and distance. In an emergency, survival comes down to how much time and distance do you have to avoid the problem.

Over the last few years there have been a few training providers and security driver instructors that use the standard and methodology I created, and by association attach me to their training or instructor credentials. Some have used the phrase “Scotti-Certified Instructor.” With some, that may be correct, but the question is “When did I teach them?” So let me set the record straight.

I have received PM’s, emails, and phone calls concerning training providers using the phrase “The Science of Driving, and OUR 80% standard for measuring driving skill, so I thought a history lesson was in order.

As we come to the end of 2019, we thought it best to share the accomplishments, highlights, and spotlights of the association.

An article published in Law Enforcement Today Magazine created a great deal of concern, not only by those that offer training in Virginia but by…

Rodolfo Torre Cantu was a physician and politician running for governor of the Mexican State of Tamaulipas. While driving in a non-armored two-vehicle scenario, he…

Throughout the years there were vehicle attacks that change the way we train. They received the attention of the security community and the businesses they…

In July of last year, I achieved the status of an octogenarian. I have been working in the profession for close to 45 years. During…