Few professions are as mystified and shrouded in secrecy as that of the bodyguard, also known as a “close protection officer.” Unfortunately, few professions are also as misunderstood and misrepresented. This is largely due to misconceptions propagated by TV shows and movies. Many so-called “professional protection academies” and bodyguard training programs contribute to this distorted image. Most focus on the "action" elements like hand-to-hand combat and firearms training, rushing students through short courses to take on more participants, and even in these areas, much of the instruction is inadequate or outright incorrect.

In reality, a professional close protection officer (CPO) does, of course, train in hand-to-hand combat and weapons handling. However, these and basic "team tactics" alone are insufficient to truly prepare someone for the responsibilities of high-level protection work. For example, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has not had a single incident involving firearm use in many years. The same applies to the U.S. Secret Service and other highly professional protection services worldwide. Clearly, the everyday work of a professional bodyguard does not involve constant combat or shootouts. Therefore, training must reflect the realities of the job!

Our comprehensive program, "Professional Protection Officer" (PPO), covers all critical aspects of professional protection, organized into at least 10–12 distinct categories (both theory and practice). Hand-to-hand combat and firearms training are just one category. A proper education in this field cannot be achieved in three to four months. No serious profession, especially one as vital as protecting lives, can be learned in such a short time. Anyone who does not understand this has no place in professional close protection. Training programs based solely on police or military principles are insufficient for the private and civilian international protection industry, even when conducted competently.

For private and civilian close protection, a comprehensive and multifaceted training program is essential. Unlike police or military settings, the context for private protection work is entirely different. Additionally, private-sector professionals must possess far broader knowledge and skills to remain competitive in the international market, where demand frequently shifts. Without a well-rounded education, long-term success in this industry is nearly impossible, relegating individuals to occasional, short-term assignments at best.

For good reason, the leading protection services such as the Secret Service only accept criminal investigators from higher service ranks, typically with university-level qualifications and several years of investigative experience. The U.S. Secret Service recruits college graduates and initially trains them as investigators, handling responsibilities such as investigating threats against the President, counterfeit currency cases, and more. These examples demonstrate that professional agencies are not looking for "martial artists" with some shooting practice and a four-week crash course focusing primarily on combat and firearms. Instead, they seek individuals who can think critically, act rationally, and have a solid foundation in law, criminology, and criminalistics. Physical training is merely a supplementary component. THIS is how real professional agencies operate!

You shouldn’t settle for anything less in private, civilian training! The Brillstein Security Academy (BSA) offers an updated comprehensive program, THE CONCEPT, for becoming a Professional Protection Officer (PPO), culminating in BSA certification. The course includes six months of intensive theoretical study (distance learning, online exams, tutor support, and online campus access), approximately four weeks of rigorous practical training at a camp (tactics, firearms, hand-to-hand combat, etc.), followed by a 12-month paid internship. Upon completion, participants earn the BSA Level 2 Certificate and are guaranteed full-time employment.

But this is only the beginning. Every graduate with certification is offered guaranteed opportunities to work within the Brillstein Security Group (BSG) worldwide as part of the PPO training contract. This includes an initial one-year probationary period, incorporating vital further training and well-paid assignments (with international day rates reaching €1,000 or more in high-risk roles).

Participants who choose not to complete the internship are, of course, exempt from this requirement. In such cases, we certify their participation in the PPO course without the internship. However, we do not offer employment to these participants. The internship is crucial for evaluating suitability regarding personality, character, reliability, and real-world readiness, as well as gaining valuable experience for future work in high-level protection.

Duration and Structure: The PPO program begins with a short introductory seminar, BE YOUR OWN BODYGUARD. This three-day seminar introduces self-defense and personal protection techniques and is now an integral part of the PPO program. After this, the six-month theoretical phase follows, covering essential topics like prevention, security awareness, threat avoidance, and survival skills.

Next is the four-week practical module at a training camp (now also offered in South Africa at the new Brillstein Security Group South Africa camp). This camp offers state-of-the-art training, including the use of automatic weapons, shotguns, submachine guns, and hand-to-hand combat with various other weapons.

After the training camp, participants begin a one-year probationary internship. This module involves participation in real, paid operations under a probationary contract. This invaluable experience completes the training, and graduates are offered permanent contracts.

Unlike other training providers, we train only as many participants each year as we plan to employ within BSG. This ensures that every graduate receives a guaranteed job offer upon successful completion. We don’t train individuals for an oversaturated job market—we train for real opportunities.

Requirements: Healthy individuals, age 21+, with a high school diploma, intermediate secondary education, or vocational training with a minimum of three years of professional experience. Basic computer and English language skills, good health, and a clean criminal record are also required.

Total Cost: Currently, the total fee is reduced to €7,500, including all four modules. Payment plans are available with monthly installments of approximately €200 after a down payment of €1,500.

The PPO program is certified according to SITO (SIA) guidelines, U.S. Secret Service exam standards, the Israeli Shabak/Shin Bet, and the U.S. International Standard Organization for the Security Industry. These are the highest recognized standards globally for professional close protection!