Independent Security Studies
Objective, defensible executive security for boards and leadership teams
Led by former U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division agents, supervisors, and executives.
An Independent Security Study gives your organization a clear, documented answer to two questions: what level of protection your executives actually need, and how to support that decision under Treasury Regulation Section 1.132-5. We perform each study as an independent advisor. We do not sell protective services, equipment, or installations, and we accept no referral fees, so our recommendations reflect your risk, not our revenue.
What the Study Delivers
Every study begins with an Executive Risk Profile for each covered executive. It evaluates exposure across personal information, affiliations and public involvement, travel, threats, publicity, and online and social media activity, and summarizes the findings in our Risk Sentinel ratings. From there, we assess the threat environment facing your organization and industry, your executive protection program and its Advance, Close Protection, and Counter-Surveillance Capabilities, executive office security, ground and air transportation including FBO facilities where applicable, and each executive’s primary residence.
The report concludes with practical recommendations organized into short-term, next six months, and long-term priorities, shaped to fit your organization’s culture and your executives’ lifestyles. Each report also includes an implementation register to track how recommendations are applied, and a regulatory cross-reference that maps the study to the conditions of §1.132-5(m)(2)(iv).
- Executive Risk Profile: Risk Sentinel ratings across personal information, affiliations, travel, threats, publicity, and online activity.
- Threat Environment Analysis: Threats facing your organization, your industry, and each covered executive.
- Executive Protection Program Assessment: Advance, Close Protection, and Counter-Surveillance Capabilities, policies, and protective intelligence.
- Office, Transportation, and Aviation Review: Executive office security, ground transportation, and FBO facilities where applicable.
- Residential Security Assessment: Physical, technical, and procedural safeguards at each executive’s primary residence.
- Prioritized Recommendations: Short-term, next six months, and long-term actions aligned with your culture.
- Implementation Register and Regulatory Cross-Reference: Documentation that supports consistent application under §1.132-5(m)(2)(iv).
How the Study Supports §1.132-5
Treasury Regulation Section 1.132-5(m) provides two ways to demonstrate a bona fide business-oriented security concern: an overall 24-hour security program, or an independent security study. For most executives, a full-time detail is neither warranted nor desirable, and the independent study path allows protection to match actual risk.
That path requires that the study be performed by an independent security consultant, rest on an objective assessment of all facts and circumstances, reasonably conclude that a 24-hour program is not necessary, and that the employer apply its recommendations consistently. Our studies are built to document each of those conditions clearly. Questions of tax treatment and disclosure remain with your tax and legal advisors, and the study provides the factual record they rely on.
Why Independence Matters
The regulation calls for an independent consultant but does not define independence. We hold ourselves to a clear standard: a fixed fee set in advance, not contingent on findings, and no financial interest in any service we recommend.
When you ask for vendor referrals, we provide vetted options you engage directly, with no referral fees. That separation is what makes the study credible to your board, your auditors, and your advisors.
Who Performs the Study
Every study is performed by senior professionals, not junior analysts. Our assessment team served on the U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division as special agents, supervisors, and executives, and each has since held leadership roles in private-sector security, including cyber advisory experience. Every study is personally reviewed and signed by our founder.
We have conducted assessments for organizations with mature executive protection programs and for those establishing one for the first time, across industries including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, oil and gas, and artificial intelligence.
Keeping the Study Current
Executive risk changes as public profiles grow, families move, and industries draw new attention. The regulation does not set a reassessment schedule, so we follow a best-practice cadence. An annual update reviews material changes in the threat environment, the executive’s circumstances, and the program as implemented, and confirms or adjusts the study’s recommendations.
An interim addendum follows a significant event, such as a direct threat, a change in role or residence, a compromise of personal information, or a material change to the protective program. A full study refresh is recommended every three years, or sooner when circumstances change substantially. This approach is consistent with the ASIS EP-2025 Executive Protection Standard’s expectation that security risk assessments be reviewed at least annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Independent Security Study mean our executive needs a 24-hour protective detail?
No. Under the independent study path, the study concludes that a 24-hour program is not necessary and recommends protection matched to actual risk.
Does Sentinel Protection Solutions provide the protection it recommends?
No. We are advisory only. Where outside providers are needed, we refer vetted vendors you engage directly, and we accept no referral fees.
Do you provide tax advice?
No. We are not tax advisors. The study documents the security facts and recommendations, and your tax and legal advisors determine treatment and disclosure.
How is our information protected?
Discretion is built into every engagement. Reports and working documents are clearly labeled confidential, and the most sensitive personal details are kept in restricted sections with limited distribution. We exchange documents through a secure, encrypted file-sharing platform rather than standard email, and we share information only with the individuals you designate.
Who should consider a study?
Organizations that provide, or are considering, security for executives because of their roles, public visibility, or threat history.
Can the study address an executive's spouse and dependents?
Yes, where the facts support it. The regulation extends an executive’s security concern to family members in limited circumstances, such as traveling with the executive, and otherwise requires that the study’s conditions be applied to family members independently. We assess family exposure as part of each study and document whether, and how, protection for family members is supported. Your tax advisors determine treatment.
How long does a study take?
Timing depends on the number of executives, residences, and facilities covered, and on scheduling site visits and interviews. We confirm a schedule in each proposal, including for clients working toward a board, proxy, or year-end deadline.
How often should a study be updated?
The regulation does not set a schedule. As a best practice, we recommend an annual update, an interim addendum after any significant change, and a full study refresh every three years or sooner if circumstances change substantially.
Further reading: What Is an Independent Security Study, and Why Does Independence Matter?
Sentinel Protection Solutions does not provide tax or legal advice.
Our Story
Security is about more than protection. It enables freedom and empowers performance. Learn how our distinctive approach delivers independent, discreet advice and the peace of mind to focus on what matters most. Discover why leaders trust Sentinel Protection Solutions.
Ready to start?
Step 1
Reach Out
Complete our contact form in detail. We will reach out within two business days to schedule a free discovery call to learn about your needs.
Step 2
Assess
Our experienced team conducts a comprehensive assessment of your current security measures. This detailed assessment forms the foundation for developing your customized protection strategy.
Step 3
Recommend
Following your assessment, we deliver a clear, prioritized roadmap and, where helpful, refer vetted vendors you engage directly, remaining available to advise as your team acts on the recommendations, with complete discretion throughout.