26th January 2011: App Proves No Risk For Security Team

A global security firm that provides close protection services to international pop groups and Russian billionaires has chosen a South Tyneside software house to create a ‘James Bond style' top security iPhone application.

Boldon-based technology experts DEF Apps designed and developed the app for WF Special Projects, which protects VIPs, diplomats, sports stars and high profile business people.

The new iPhone app gives the company's team leaders access to data that allows them to plan and control detailed client protection operations across Europe and in some of the world's most dangerous hostile environments.

A typical job might involve providing security advice, planning routes, private home security planning, armoured vehicle provision, researching the backgrounds of people the client will come into contact with, and personally escorting the client to ensure their safety.

Teams of up to eight close protection officers are managed by a team leader, who needs access to all live project data on the clients - right down to their blood group - plus the protection team's CVs, radio details and information on the kit they will be carrying.

The app stores all the necessary data and stores it on a central system so updates can be deployed from a central location to individual iPhones if necessary.

David Frame, head of DEF Apps, said: "Many of WF's clients include famous, wealthy, or politically important people. Providing security advice and protecting individuals and their families involves a lot of detailed planning work and highly sensitive data, which has to be instantly available and updatable by all the authorised users.

"The team needs world class software to assist them in their work, and the iPhone app allows for mass storage and manipulation of information on their client and anything that could affect them or the project. This is a true business app and is deployed by the team whilst protecting some of the most high profile individuals on the planet."

Shaun West, managing director of WF Special Projects and a former Para who has served in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, said: "Our role as security consultants is to provide expert risk assessment and threat avoidance, and in the event of an incident, protect our clients.

"Privacy and confidentiality are essential in our business, and this new app will give our operatives instant access to all the security review information they need to plan and control operations that keep our clients safe."

WF Special Projects have delivered operations across the world in both armed and unarmed environments, ranging from team protection for Champions League games, through to guarding the teams who burn Afghanistan's poppy fields.