International Protective Security Board (IPSB)

What International Protective Security Board (IPSB) does

International Protective Security Board (IPSB) is a private, Orlando, Florida-based professional membership association founded in 2015 that serves the global close protection and protective security industry. Its core products are the IPSB Membership Program, an annual flagship Close Protection Conference (the 2026 edition titled 'Legacy Secured: Future Unlimited' scheduled for December 8–11, 2026 at Town & Country Resort), the Close Protection Journal publication, an international events calendar, and the 'IPSB On the Go' mobile app available on Android and iOS. The organization is positioned as an international standards body, advocating for industry interests, professional excellence, and high standards in close protection services.

IPSB operates as a platform-based association rather than a technology company. Its underlying infrastructure is delivered through Glueup, a third-party event management platform that powers event registration, calendar features, member communications, and the attendee-facing mobile app. Effective June 14, 2025, IPSB became an ASIS International Preferred CPE Provider, allowing attendees of IPSB training events to earn ASIS Continuing Professional Education credits at a 1:1 hour-to-CPE ratio, adding a credentialing layer to its training and conference offerings.

IPSB's business model is built on three recurring and transactional revenue streams: recurring membership subscriptions providing professional credentials and industry recognition, one-time event and conference registration fees from the Close Protection Conference and international events, and recurring CPE partnership revenue from ASIS-recognized training. Its go-to-market is event-driven, centered on conferences, regional events, a published journal, and social media (Facebook and LinkedIn). Its primary customer segments are close protection professionals (executive protection specialists and CPOs) and the broader protective security industry (security firms, training providers, and individual practitioners). The company is founder-led or member-governed, with no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, and no public-company status.

Name

International Protective Security Board (IPSB)

Legal name

International Protective Security Board

Website

https://ips-board.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

International Protective Security Board (IPSB) is a private Orlando-based professional membership association founded in 2015 that serves close protection and protective security professionals worldwide through membership credentials, an annual Close Protection Conference, the Close Protection Journal, international events, and a mobile app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: IPSB generates revenue through its membership program, offering professional credentials and industry recognition for close protection and security professionals.
2. Event and Conference Fees: Revenue from the Close Protection Conference and international events, including registration fees for training sessions and CPE units.
3. CPE Provider Partnership: As an ASIS Preferred CPE Provider (effective June 14, 2025), IPSB offers continuing professional education units for training attendance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IPSB is a professional membership organization for the global close protection and protective security industry. It delivers a membership program offering professional credentials and ASIS-recognized CPE credits, hosts the annual Close Protection Conference, publishes the Close Protection Journal, lists International Events and training sessions, and provides a mobile application for on-the-go member access. Since 2015 it has served as the dedicated international body advocating industry standards, professional excellence, and continuing education for executive protection specialists, close protection officers, and protective security firms.

Product overview

International Protective Security Board (IPSB) operates as a professional membership organization offering a platform-based portfolio of products and services focused on the close protection and protective security industry. The core offerings include the Close Protection Conference (annual flagship event), the Close Protection Journal (professional publication), the IPSB Membership Program, and International Events. Additionally, IPSB provides a mobile application called 'IPSB On the Go' available on Android and iOS platforms. The organization advocates for industry interests and professional excellence since 2015, and has recently partnered with ASIS International as a Preferred CPE Provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Close Protection Conference Annual flagship conference bringing together close protection and executive protection professionals to network, learn, and advance industry standards. Open to IPSB members and industry practitioners.
• Close Protection Journal
• IPSB Membership Program Annual or recurring professional membership program providing industry credentials, networking opportunities, and continuing professional education (CPE) credits recognized through the ASIS Preferred CPE Provider partnership. Targeted at close protection officers, executive protection specialists, and protective security professionals.
• International Events
• IPSB On the Go (Mobile Application) Mobile application available on Google Play and Apple App Store that enables IPSB members to access events, member resources, and conference content on mobile devices.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ASIS InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2025IPSB became an ASIS Preferred CPE Provider, establishing a significant partnership where IPSB training events now earn ASIS Continuing Professional Education (CPE) units. This partnership provides credibility and recognition for IPSB's professional development programs within the broader security industry.
• GlueupcoreTechnology or IntegrationIPSB uses Glueup's event management platform for hosting and managing events, conferences, and member communications. The platform provides event registration, calendar integration, and mobile app functionality.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Security Management Institute (SMI): An education and certification body offering security management credentials. Comparable to IPSB as a credentialing-focused organization serving protective security professionals with structured training and continuing education.
• International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS): A specialized security association serving healthcare security professionals with certifications and standards. Comparable niche-association model delivering credentials, training, and an industry event, although focused on a different vertical.

Direct peers

• International Association of Personal Security Professionals (IAPSC): A membership association specifically serving the personal protection / executive protection profession. Closely comparable niche, target audience, and mission to IPSB, focused on credentials, standards, and networking for EP practitioners.
• International Association of Security and Investigative Regulators (IASIR): An international association focused on regulation and standards within the security and investigative industry. Comparable as a peer standards/membership body serving overlapping segments of the protective security workforce.
• Executive Protection Institute (EPI): A training and credentialing organization focused specifically on executive protection and close protection. Comparable to IPSB in audience (close protection professionals) and value proposition (training, credentials, professional development).

Broad incumbents

• ISACA: Global professional association for IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity with credentials like CISA/CISM. Comparable association model—membership, certifications, CPE, conferences—applied to a different security sub-domain.
• (ISC)²: A large, globally recognized professional association for cybersecurity with a member-driven certification model (e.g., CISSP). Comparable as a peer credentialing-and-membership business serving individual security professionals, though in a different security vertical.
• ASIS International: The dominant global security management association with a much larger member base and broader portfolio of certifications and standards. Directly comparable as the professional body for the security industry; IPSB now operates partly under ASIS's CPE umbrella.

Regional players

• The OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council): A U.S. State Department-sponsored public-private partnership serving security professionals operating overseas. Comparable as a convener of protective security practitioners with networking, training, and information sharing, though U.S.-government affiliated rather than independent.
• British Institute of Corporate Security (BICS): A UK-based professional body for the corporate security industry offering membership and recognition. Comparable membership-association model focused on professionalizing security practitioners, but serving a primarily UK audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IPSBoard
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-protective-security-board/posts/?feedView=all

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Protective Security Board (IPSB)