Proactive & Awareness Training

You can take Proactive & Awareness Training levels 1, 2, 3, and 4, each consisting of one full day of training. We offer these trainings to increase security awareness for yourself and your VIP. You will receive practical tips and tools combined with theory that you can immediately apply during your work. With each subsequent level, we work at a higher level of execution, resulting in greater effectiveness and optimal individual learning outcomes. The trainings are aimed at executive drivers, security drivers, and personal protection officers.

The main differences between the four levels are time pressure, the speed of information processing, and the complexity of the exercises. In the basic training level 1, the fundamental skills are taught. From level 2 onwards, the exercises and scenarios become more complex and intensive, as more information needs to be processed and the circumstances keep changing. This forces you to become more aware of your surroundings. During the exercises, you will receive intensive coaching in tactics. By working in an information-driven manner, you are trained to make more thoughtful proactive decisions to prevent escalations and to save yourself and your VIP in various emergency situations.

Another important component from level 2 onwards is First Aid - care under stress. This module focuses on performing life-saving actions in the event of serious injury. This can occur during an incident, but also during an accident. Here too, the circumstances become increasingly complex, and from level 3 you must not only be able to perform the correct actions, but also make information-driven tactical decisions. Completing up to and including level 4 provides you with not only ample knowledge, but also the confidence to make the right decisions during various incidents.

The training has a number of unique, specific features resulting in a high level of effectiveness:

• We train with at least two trainers for a maximum of 10 participants to allow for intensive practice and individual attention for each participant.
• The training is highly dynamic due to the alternation between theory and practice, enabling you to achieve significant learning outcomes.
• Realistic exercises are conducted in public spaces; the scenarios at all levels focus on communication rather than physical aspects.
• Professional training actors are part of the intensive program.
• The training is aligned with societal developments and is adapted to procedures relevant to the specific target group of the training.
• All trainers have extensive experience in covert and police operations during special operations for the police and defense forces.

The teaching team at Cortex has both operational and professional didactic backgrounds, which also applies to the training actors. Thanks to this strong combination, the training sessions are delivered based on recent societal developments. New techniques and tactics are immediately incorporated into the training programs. The instructors have worked for many years within the Dutch Special Forces, the covert domain of the National Police (DKDB), and special operations for the Dutch government. The procedures and principles taught during the training sessions have actually been carried out by the instructors themselves.

You will be challenged and motivated to find and act upon the safest and most logical solution during changing circumstances. Because we train in public spaces, you will experience a high degree of realism. Your individual learning style is taken into account, and the way lessons and feedback are given is adjusted accordingly during the training.

This training aims to provide you with the basic skills needed to consciously make safe choices when preparing for a journey and at various locations. You may encounter situations where it is better not to stand out, but rather to blend into your surroundings. This is also known as ‘operating discreetly’. This approach is used, for example, when preparing a location, checking the surroundings before your VIP goes outside, and when observing potentially suspicious behavior without being noticed.

At the end of the training, you will be able to:

• Prepare an assignment using open source intelligence (internet, Google Maps, Street View)
• Identify the steps required for deployment
• Use an alter ego that fits the deployment environment
• Apply indicators of suspicious behavior in practice
• Carry out assignments to discreetly gather information
• Act in accordance with the task description and applicable laws and regulations

Prior to the training, you need to prepare yourself. This preparation consists of a ‘homework assignment’ for analyzing two locations. The preparation for this will take approximately 30 minutes. You will receive this assignment in the information package before the training.

You will learn how to prepare a location using open source intelligence. By using the internet, you can find out whether there have been any incidents prior to the day you are scheduled to visit a particular location with a VIP. In addition, you will learn what important information can be found on digital maps (e.g., Google Maps and Street View). You will also learn that these sources have disadvantages. By conducting a thorough map study, you can already make an accurate assessment of possible entry and exit positions and lines of sight in advance. By analyzing the population at the location, you will get an idea of normal behavior in that environment. During the theory, you will also learn about managing your own stress, as stress can influence your judgment. 

You will learn that the process of allowing a VIP to enter and exit a vehicle is a sequence of decision-making moments. In addition, it is important to learn the difference between seeing and perceiving. In the level I training, you will learn the basic skills needed for daily tasks in non-complex situations.

In the conversation techniques module, you will learn how to initiate a conversation in public spaces to make contact and steer towards gathering information. This module concludes with gathering information at a location, where you apply what you have learned without revealing yourself as an executive driver.

You will learn the basic skills associated with the de-escalation model. This model provides you with guidance during a stressful situation. The distance to an incident perpetrator determines the stance you should take. The most important factors are communication and self-confidence. In addition, you will learn what is and is not allowed within the applicable duties and laws and regulations. Everything is aimed at creating distance from the danger as quickly as possible, alerting emergency services, and safely getting the VIP back into the car or location using your own body.

The training concludes with the execution of various scenarios. We use professional actors who know exactly how to challenge you in order to achieve the highest possible learning outcome. All the skills learned during the day are addressed in constantly changing situations.