From Google Maps to Tactical Ops: Why Executive Protection Needs a Tech Upgrade

Michael Blake
Sep 27
3 min read

Picture this: your client’s motorcade is en route to a high-profile event, and one wrong turn could put them into gridlock—or worse, an unsecure environment. Would you trust a simple pin drop on Google Maps to keep them safe?

For casual meetups, consumer apps are fine. But in the high-stakes world of executive protection (EP) and event security, “amateur hour” isn’t good enough. The reality is clear: the industry is evolving fast, and those who cling to outdated tools are putting clients and careers at risk.

The Security Sector’s Tech Revolution

The security industry as a whole is undergoing massive transformation. Here’s what the numbers tell us:

Market Boom: The global physical security market is projected to exceed $180 billion by 2029 (up from $120B in 2025), growing at a CAGR of 5–9% . That growth is fueled largely by tech adoption.
Budget Priorities: Nearly 46% of organizations increased security budgets in 2023, and 85% plan to raise cybersecurity spend in 2024 . Security isn’t just about boots on the ground anymore—it’s integrated, data-driven, and proactive.
AI Advantage: Companies using AI-powered security systems detect and contain breaches 108 days faster and save an average of $1.76 million per breach . Only 22% are leveraging AI today, meaning the curve is still steep for adopters.
Biometric Surge: The biometrics market is forecasted to top $60 billion by 2025 and skyrocket to $300 billion by 2034 . With 81% of consumers trusting biometrics over traditional access, this isn’t a trend—it’s the new standard.

The message is simple: if the broader security sector is embracing advanced tools, executive protection must evolve too.

ATAK: The EP Game-Changer

Enter ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit), originally developed by the U.S. Air Force for battlefield awareness in 2010. Today, its private-sector adaptations (ITAK for iOS, WEBTAK for laptops) give protection teams a real-time, unified operational picture that no consumer app can match.

Key Features for EP:

Advanced Mapping: Beyond pins—use detailed icons, overlays, and routes for clarity.
Live Agent Tracking: Monitor team integrity and movement in real-time.
Integrated Documentation: Post orders, emergency plans, and maps directly linked to symbols.
Operational Archives: Offshore Kinetics maintains a global archive of operational graphics, deployable instantly.

This isn’t theory. At the 2025 Miami Formula One race, Offshore Kinetics deployed ATAK/ITAK to track supervisors and admin staff in real time, ensuring operational flow in one of the world’s highest-profile environments.

Why This Matters for Training

Technology like ATAK isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s becoming essential. For protective professionals, mastering these tools translates directly to:

Faster decision-making in dynamic environments
Stronger team coordination under pressure
Higher client confidence in your ability to deliver

That’s why Offshore Kinetics’ upcoming training programs are integrating ATAK operations, situational awareness drills, and tech-enabled coordination modules. Professionals who train with us don’t just learn the tools—they learn how to apply them in real-world, high-stakes scenarios.

👉 Ready to level up your skills?

Consult with Offshore Kinetics LLC for ATAK support—or join our upcoming training to experience these tools in action.

Because in this industry, a pin drop isn’t protection. Precision is.

Sources:

Fortune Business Insights – Physical Security Market Size, Share, Trends (2025–2029)
Security Magazine – 2023 Security Budgets and 2024 Projections
IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023
Statista – Biometric System Market Size 2025–2034