Brazil Secure Transportation and Executive Protection Services
ETS Risk Management has been providing protective services in Brazil for nearly 8 years. In Brazil we provide high quality secure transportation (ground and air), Executive Protection, asset and supply chain security, and project management services. ETS supports client operations throughout Brazil with primary secure transportation and Executive protection service in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia.
Our local security team, led by the ETS Brazil Manager, a former Captain in the Policia Militar, provides clients the pinnacle of Executive Protection and corporate risk management service in Brazil. The vast majority of our work is in facilitating secure transportation of business travelers in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. We also assist with the movement of valuable assets over ground, and in project management of complex operations in more remote locations.
Our secure transportation Brazil network has a full range of non-armored vehicles and also low profile armored vehicles to suit our clients’ needs.
Our local security drivers are highly trained, English speaking and have a deep knowledge and understanding of the many risks and threats that Brazilians face every day especially in Rio and Sao Paulo. The ETS team has been working together since undergoing protective operations prior to, and during, FIFA 2014, and also extensive operations during Olympics Rio 2016.
Services Offered
- Secure Ground Transportation
- Helicopter transfers
- Unarmed/Armed Security officers
- Unarmed and Armed Executive Protection Personnel
- Local Drivers – Brazilian (Portuguese) & English speaking
- Armored and Non-Armored Vehicle
- Special Event Security
- Asset and Supply chain security
- Site Surveys and Risk Assessments
Secure Airport Transfers Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo
We provide security transfers from airport to hotels and hotels to airport at competitive rates with exceptional levels of security services including armed EP officers, and a range of options for armored and non-armored vehicles. Our local security team, all English speaking, meet and greet in a low profile manner at the airport or hotel, escort you to the vehicle, and ensure smooth and safe transition to your destination.
ETS Security Experience in Brazil
ETS was involved extensively in both FIFA 2014 and Rio 2016 protecting tier-one sponsors , VIPs, and Celebrities in Rio de Janeiro. Services included the security of large groups of executives, secure ground transportation mostly conducted with armored vehicles, and security personnel liaising with local Law Enforcement agencies. Close protection services were provided during sport events and after hours activities and entertainment. ETS, in the past 8 years, has provided high level protective services for many organizations expanding and developing new partnerships in Rio and Sao Paulo. We have facilitated secure transportation via land, air and sea to representative of corporations, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), NGO’s, Media organizations and 10, 100 and 500 Fortune companies for which ETS Risk Management is the preferred security provider.
Please visit our case studies to learn more about ETS’ past performance in Brazil.
Brazil Risk and Security Overview
Brazil is considered high risk for business and leisure travelers due to violent crimes such as assault, robbery, kidnapping and murder perpetrated by gangs that control the notorious “Favelas”. Non-violent crimes including thefts, pickpocketing and credit card scams are also prevalent in tourist and highly populated locations.
Travel by road in Brazil is medium to high risk. The standard of driving is poor, with many drivers insufficiently trained, uninsured and unqualified. Due to the low driving conditions, traffic can become congested in most major cities, including Rio de Janeiro. High volumes of traffic present a dangerous threat to travelers from opportunistic criminals in the area. Major roads that handrail or dissect through favelas are hotspots for criminal activity and western travelers are at increased risk. Common crimes include accessing static vehicles at traffic lights or during periods of heavy congestion. Criminals are known to steal valuables, and armed violence cannot be ruled out. Click here to learn about the F1 Grand Prix Sao Paulo Robbery Incident
Public transport can be unsafe for foreign travelers. Major transport hubs in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo can be particularly vulnerable to criminal activity.
As part of our service all clients have free access to our ExploreSecure® eLearning Travel Security training pre-departure.
Yes, travel in Rio de Janeiro can be safe as long as basic precautions are taken and the traveler maintains robust situational awareness. One of the biggest risks to travelers is opportunistic violent street crime. Very often business and holiday travelers utilize secure transportation services to minimize time on the streets, and to manage the risk of driving through or near high-risk locations such as favelas etc.
Yes, private security can be armed in Brazil. There are appropriate licenses, rules and regulations, but due to the high risk of violent crime the vast majority of security are armed.
Yes, armored vehicles are widely used throughout Brazil and are commonplace. A lot of business travelers, high-net-worth’s, and celebrities utilize armored vehicles for transportation in Brazil due to the extra layers of security they provide and aligned to the risk of car jacking, and street crime.
The vast majority of business travelers, high-net-worth’s, celebrities and even families traveling to and within Brazil utilize secure transportation services, often supplemented with executive protection Due to the amount of violent crime, the prolific use of firearms, and the proximity of high-risk locations to tourist and business hot-spots private security and secure transportation is advised.
No, the road between the airport (GIG) and the main tourist locations on Copacabana and Ipanema crosses several locations considered high-risk e.g. Favelas. The road infrastructure in Rio is heavily overstretched, with all major and minor routes regularly heavily congested, and very few options for alternative routes. There are regular incidents of stray gunfire affecting the road users, as well as criminals and gangs occasionally utilizing traffic congestion to their advantage.
These factors compounded together will provide security teams a serious logistical and risk management issue. Significant travel disruption can be expected in all of Rio during normal days, both workdays and weekends.
Sao Paulo, as per Rio, can lull you into a false sense of security. Many trips can go by without incident. However, there is a credible and significant risk of violent crime, and all business travelers are at high risk of opportunistic crime no matter what your company, role, or reason for travel.
There is a propensity for violence in Brazil unlike many other countries, fueled by massive disparity of wealth, the easy availability of firearms, the influence (and power) of drug- and arms-trafficking gangs, and under funded and ineffective policing.
Each year a number of foreigners are killed or injured during attempted robberies, car-jackings and express kidnaps, the majority of targeted victims do not have personal security, or have not carried out basic security protocol.
No, it is not safe to go on a favela tour. We strongly advise you do not do these. You have zero control of your safety because gang violence or Police and gang interaction can turn deadly in seconds and you will have nowhere to go. Your guides cannot guarantee your safety if caught in a crossfire or by a stray bullet. Critical incidents such as this unfortunate scenario can occur – Spanish Tourist Shot Dead
