World Bodyguards Association - WBA

What World Bodyguards Association - WBA does

World Bodyguards Association (WBA) is a Swiss-registered executive protection organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Rietheim, Aargau, Switzerland, operating as a division under Kingston International Group GmbH. Its core function is the global provision of Close Protection Officer (CPO) services to VIPs, families, and travelers requiring personal security, as well as the education, training, and certification of those CPOs through a 53-course, 5+-level curriculum covering British, American, and Israeli Close Protection schools, micro-expressions detection, executive driving, first aid, and team leadership. Adjacent offerings include armored transportation, electronic security systems, US Military Specification perimeter fencing, body armor, cyber protection of computers/servers/email/voice, nanny guards, executive drivers, uniformed security officers, and private investigators.

The business model blends several streams: recurring individual memberships at 80-100 EUR per year (with first-year free), a one-time 200 EUR client registration fee for principals, professional services revenue from executive protection engagements, training and certification delivered exclusively through the ISO-SEC sub-brand since January 1, 2021, security consulting, and channel economics captured from certified Partners, National Managers (with a 30-active-member minimum), and event Promoters who share revenue from regional training seminars. Pricing is uniform and routed to the Switzerland HQ via PayPal or bank transfer, with all services delivered under WBA administration regardless of whether execution is performed by direct staff or certified global partners.

WBA's commercial posture is nonprofit-style brand ownership tied to a private parent group; revenue is not disclosed and there is no external funding history. Recent strategic moves emphasize credential consolidation: sole-sourcing training through ISO-SEC, invalidating legacy badges, publicly cross-checking valid certificates since 2017-2018, and (announced January 2022) creating a separate International Close Protection company that channels partnership agreements to certified officers. Headcount at the HQ level is reported at 14 employees, while delivery relies on a self-described worldwide CPO partner network and the broader Kingston conglomerate for property, cyber, and investment-protection capabilities.

Name

World Bodyguards Association - WBA

Legal name

World Bodyguards Association

Website

https://bodyguardsassociation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

World Bodyguards Association is a Swiss executive protection organization founded in 1998 that trains, certifies, and deploys Close Protection Officers globally for VIPs, families, and travelers through its own curriculum and a worldwide partner network under Kingston International Group GmbH.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security and Executive Protection Services

NAICS

Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Security Guards and Patrol Services (561612), Investigation and Security Services (5616)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Protection & VIP Close Protection (THAHALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Executive Protection (Close Protection) Training & Certification (BPAKAOAC)

Keywords

• Executive protection services
• Bodyguard training
• Security consulting
• Close protection certification
• Professional bodyguard association

Headquarters

HQ city

Rietheim

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training and Certification Services: Revenue from educational courses and training seminars at 5+ levels. ISO-SEC is the sole training provider for WBA. Students can progress to become instructors.
2. Membership Fees: Recurring annual membership fees: Regular Membership at 80€/year, Certified Partner at 100€/year, Instructors & WBA Teams at 100€/year. First year is free for new members.
3. Client Registration: One-time 200€ registration fee for clients/principals to access WBA executive protection services.
4. Executive Protection Services: Providing skilled CPOs, Executive Protection Officers, nannies, executive drivers, uniformed security officers, private investigators, armored vehicles, and body armor to clients.
5. Security Consulting: Security & Safety Assessment, Risk & Threat Evaluation and Analysis, Security Plan & Procedures Design services for clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

World Bodyguards Association (WBA) is a non-profit industry association that provides executive protection services, security consulting, professional bodyguard training and certification, and a portfolio of related security offerings including armored cars, electronic security systems, body armor, cyber protection, nanny guards, executive drivers, uniformed security officers, and private investigators. Training is delivered exclusively through ISO-SEC.

Product overview

World Bodyguards Association (WBA) operates as a service-based organization offering a comprehensive suite of executive protection and security services. The core offering is Executive Protection Services utilizing skilled Close Protection Officers (CPOs) for VIP and personal protection. Training is delivered exclusively through ISO-SEC (International Security Organization) with courses across 5+ levels. Additional services include armored vehicles, electronic security systems (alarm, CCTV, access control), electronic fencing per US Military Specifications, body armor, cyber protection, nanny guards, executive drivers, uniformed security officers, and private investigators. The WBA Badge serves as the certification credential for trained members. Services are provided under Kingston International Group GmbH administration with global reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ISO-SEC (International Security Organization - ISO KLG): The exclusive training provider for WBA, offering CPO certification courses and seminars in 5+ levels of knowledge.

Products and services

• Executive Protection Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 20+ years of successful protection with no successful attacks in WBA records

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• International Security Organization - ISO-SECcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021ISO-SEC is the ONLY training provider of WBA since January 1, 2021. All valid certificates and memberships must be issued by ISO-SEC. The new WBA badge features ISO-SEC seal and 'CERTIFIED' indication. This partnership replaced all previous training providers to protect public from bad professionals.
• Kingston International Group GmbHflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998WBA operates under the Swiss group of companies Kingston (Kingston International Group GmbH), providing almost unlimited options and access to Kingston's tools and partners. Kingston provides financial support and infrastructure enabling WBA to offer comprehensive protection including property protection, cyber protection, investment protection, and access to specialized resources.
• Certified National Managers and PromoterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWBA partners with certified National Managers in each country to organize training events, practice sessions, and exams. Promoters can organize training seminars in their cities with profit-sharing arrangements. All partners undergo background checks and must renew agreements annually.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Saladin Security: UK-based executive protection and close protection company serving VIP and corporate clients. Comparable service offering at smaller scale; useful emerging-market benchmark.
• T.H.E. Security Group: International executive protection and security consultancy serving corporate and private clients. Comparable boutique positioning in VIP close protection with multi-jurisdictional reach.

Direct peers

• Control Risks: Global risk consultancy and executive protection firm providing close protection, security consulting, and intelligence services to corporations and VIPs. Directly comparable premium executive protection offering for multinational clients.
• International Security Management Association (ISMA): Membership organization for senior security executives providing networking and professional development. Comparable association model targeting the protective services community, though focused on corporate security leaders rather than operational CPOs.
• Drum Cussac: International risk consultancy providing executive protection, security consulting, and travel risk services to corporate and private clients. Directly comparable in mission and client profile.
• Gavin de Becker & Associates: US-based executive protection and threat assessment firm specializing in personal security for high-profile and at-risk individuals. Closely aligned with WBA's VIP close protection and threat-detection focus.

Broad incumbents

• Allied Universal (including G4S): Largest global security services company offering manned guarding, electronic security, and risk consulting. Overlaps with WBA's protective services but covers a much broader, less specialized portfolio.
• Pinkerton (GardaWorld): Global investigative and protective services provider with corporate and executive protection solutions. Comparable service mix but operates at much larger scale across broader enterprise security.

Regional players

• Corps Security: UK-focused security services provider with corporate and personal protection offerings. Comparable service scope but primarily serves UK clients, providing a regional benchmark.

Others

• ASIS International: Global professional association for security management, offering certifications, training, and member services. Comparable membership/training infrastructure and industry positioning, though not a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCF_THcxhm_gpd7UoeZ5M0aA
• Facebookfacebook.com/WBA.Global.network.page
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/world-bodyguards-association-wba-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 World Bodyguards Association - WBA