Anti-Kidnap & Targeting Indications Detection (AKTID) Programme: Module 1

• Delivered by experienced former Elite UK Military and Private Security Company (PSC) Course Directing Staff (DS) with real-world, hostile environment leadership and operational experience in kidnap-prone environments.
• Emphasises early threat detection, prevention, and proactive decision-making.
• Includes practical surveillance detection and anti-kidnap drills in urban and field settings.
• Enhances personal and team survivability through threat recognition and mitigation techniques.
• Aligned with organisational duty-of-care and ISO 31030 travel risk management principles.

The aim of this course is to equip operational personnel, including NGO staff, journalists, media workers, military and intelligence professionals with the knowledge, skills and practical tools necessary to recognise, prevent and respond effectively to kidnapping threats in high-risk environments. Through a comprehensive understanding of kidnapping typologies, surveillance and targeting indicators, regional threat dynamics, and the full spectrum of a kidnapping event; from pre-abduction planning to resolution; participants will be empowered to detect early warning signs, apply mitigation strategies, and contribute to the development and implementation of robust organisational policies that enhance personal and team security against kidnap threats.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the nature, types, and phases of kidnapping events, particularly in high-threat environments.
• Identify key indicators of surveillance and targeting associated with kidnapping threats.
• Develop the skills necessary to detect and counter surveillance activities that may precede a kidnapping attempt.
• Analyse and assess vulnerabilities and high-risk profiles for different categories of personnel, including NGO workers, journalists, and military/intelligence staff.
• Understand the dynamics of detention, negotiation, and resolution phases in kidnapping incidents.
• Apply knowledge of regional and motivational factors influencing kidnapping operations to risk assessments.
• Implement preventative and reactive security measures to mitigate kidnap risk.
• Formulate policy guidelines and operational plans for kidnap risk mitigation in complex and high-threat environments.
• Participate in practical exercises and simulations to reinforce theoretical knowledge and apply it to real-world scenarios.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Define and distinguish between various types of kidnapping events, including political, criminal, and ideological kidnappings.
2. Describe the process of target selection and the role of surveillance in the early stages of a kidnap operation.
3. Demonstrate techniques for detecting and countering surveillance, including situational awareness and defensive behaviour.
4. Analyse case studies of kidnapping events to identify patterns and early warning signs.
5. Outline the phases of an abduction, including planning, execution, detention, negotiation, and resolution.
6. Evaluate personal and organizational vulnerabilities across different operational contexts (e.g., NGO, media, military).
7. Identify region-specific kidnapping threats and adapt operational protocols accordingly.
8. Apply best practices in risk mitigation, including travel protocols, contingency planning, and staff training.
9. Design and recommend policies and implementation strategies for institutional kidnap risk management.
10. Engage effectively in training exercises, demonstrating an ability to assess threats, make decisions under pressure, and recommend appropriate actions.
11. Integrate cross-cutting security concerns into comprehensive protective strategies for all at-risk personnel categories.

The course covers the following key subject areas:

• Introduction to Kidnapping Events
• Types of Kidnapping Events
• Surveillance & Target Selection
• Detecting & Countering Surveillance
• Planning & Preparation
• The Abduction/Execution Phase
• The Detention & Holding Phase
• The Negotiation & Leverage Phase
• The Resolution Phase
• Key Security Issues for NGO Staff
• Associated Kidnap Threats
• Key Security Issues for Journalists & Media Staff
• Kidnap Threats Facing Journalists
• Key Security Issues Facing Military Personnel & Intelligence Staff
• Associated Kidnap Threats
• Military Personnel & Intelligence Staff: Kidnap Threats & Security Issues Briefing
• Cross-Cutting Security Concerns Across All Groups
• Training Exercises & Policy Recommendations
• Recommendations for Mitigation
• Policy Guidelines and Implementation Plans for Kidnap Risk Mitigation
• Introduction to Kidnap Risk in High-Threat Environments
• Types of Kidnapping Relevant to Operational Personnel
• Regional Prevalence & Motivational Factors
• High-Risk Target Profiles
• Additional Considerations

The course is aimed at, but not limited to the following target audience:

• Security personnel, protection teams, and high-risk corporate travellers.
• NGO staff, media professionals, and contractors operating in kidnap-prone regions.
• Government and private sector personnel tasked with travel security or close protection.
• Individuals requiring enhanced situational awareness and personal protection capability.

Upon completion of this Course, course participants will receive a Certificate in Anti-Kidnap & Targeting Indication Detection Programme: Module 1

Click on either the ‘Buy Course £495 GBP’ button in the page banner (NOTE: the button will only be visible if there are dates showing in the Course Calendar), or you can select the required ‘Sign Up’ button in the Course Calendar at the bottom of this page. This will take you a course booking are on our Partner site (VIRSEC.org). You will need to create an account before continuing. Please then select the course date and make payment via the eCommerce gateway. We will confirm your booking within 48 hours. If you wish to pay by an alternate method, please email us at: [email protected] and we will respond accordingly.

At Special Projects Group, we offer competitive bulk discount pricing for companies and organisations looking to purchase our courses for multiple employees. Whether you’re equipping anything from a small team to a complete department, we provide scalable pricing options to suit your training needs. Discounts are applied based on the number of participants, with greater savings available for larger groups. To discuss your specific requirements and receive a personalised quote, please contact our training coordination team by email at [email protected], and one of our team will happily assist you.

The course is held at our Strategic Partner’s Venue at Canada House, 3 Chepstow Street, Manchester, M1 5FW, United Kingdom. An information Pack will be emailed to the delegates email address used at the time of purchasing the course. If you are interested in bulk purchases, we will provide you details at the time of receipt of your email enquiry.

SPG are a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) and as such, we offer former, and current serving members of the UK Armed Forces a 15% discount. Contact us to secure your discount code prior to booking or email us to pay by BACs / Bank Transfer and we will provide you with the relevant payment details.