There is a common misconception about the term ‘bodyguard’. People generally assume that if you protect people, you’re a bodyguard. This is simply not the case. Like personal protection, bodyguards never leave your side. They do try to protect you. However, there are very distinct differences.
| Bodyguards | Personal Protection Agent | |
| Protect People | Yes | Yes |
| Keep in Close Contact with Their Client | Yes | Yes |
| Defense Abilities | Amateur/Intermediate | Military/Law Enforcement Trained |
| Blending Capabilities | Sometimes | Yes |
| Formal Training | Sometimes | Yes |
| Organized(especially in a team environment) | Rarely | Yes |
| Pre-plan | Rarely | Yes |
| Positioning | Reactive | Proactive |
| Good for Short-notice/Last-minute Outings | Yes | No |
| Quality Protection from Death Threats | No | Yes |
| Contingencies in Planning | No | Yes |
| Armed | Sometimes | Yes |
| Conduct Risk Assessments/Mitigation Plans | No | Yes |
Bodyguards do have a purpose. They are great if you just need protection from some star-struck fans or paparazzi. However, if you are receiving death threats, or other threats of violence, you will want a personal protection agent or a team to keep you safe. Personal protection agents will determine the credibility of threats, prioritize those threats based on seriousness and credibility, will assess any risks and vulnerabilities, then mitigate the risk through planning and collaboration. Trips and routes are pre-planned and destinations scouted ahead of time so there will be no surprises.
