History and Development History and Development of IBA

The International Bodyguard Association (IBA) was founded in Paris, France, in 1957. Since then, the IBA has established itself as the world's leading bodyguard training organization. It has been a leader in bodyguard training in the Baltic and Balkan republics, the European Union (EU) security sector, the new South Africa, Afghanistan, and throughout Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.

In 2004, in addition to its regular training, IBA also trained Iraqi police, Cambodian police, units of the US Army's 1st Special Forces Group, UN security personnel, and security guards and drivers for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In subsequent years, IBA training also provided training to the Thai National Police, the Royal Thai Navy's Special Forces (SEALs), and the Royal Thai Army's Special Forces (Task Force 90).

In 2005, the Mongolian government facilitated the IBA training program for special forces, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Service, and police SWAT units. In the UK, IBA graduates were among the first to obtain the new national qualification, the SIA Close Protection (CP) license. The training was delivered through a partnership between IBA and New College, Swindon, and later with the Protector Network.

IBA, in partnership with Rightrack, has been offering a BTEC Level 3 Close Protection Course leading to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Close Protection Officer (CPO) licence. The SIA CPO licence has been a legal requirement for bodyguards operating in the UK since March 2006. All IBA students (both UK and overseas) who have sat the BTEC Level 3 or City & Guilds CP3 Close Protection exam have achieved an outstanding 100% pass rate.

With special approval from the Governor, the close protection training for SIA registration can be conducted outside the UK. Recently, IBA graduates have successfully and safely completed high-risk PSD and CP missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Southeast Asia. In the fall of 2006, IBA provided training for the first US Homeland Security platoon. Previously, IBA also trained the 1st Regiment of the Maltese Army's 'C' Company (Special Missions) and a police unit.

The IBA has consistently provided top-level training to government, military, police, and private security personnel. The IBA headquarters has provided training and advice to the security sector of the UK Cabinet Office, and in 2010, it trained the National Police Protection Unit in Ankara, Turkey. President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine awarded the IBA President the Order of Merit by Presidential Decree No. 698/2006 in recognition of his contributions to the training of government security forces and counter-terrorism units since independence. The President has also received similar honors from Baltic and Balkan countries, various governments, and churches.

The International Barrier-Freedom Organization's outstanding reputation is the result of over 50 years of training in barrier-freedom skills. The IBA's 50th Anniversary Dinner was held on Friday, December 14, 2007, at Dublin Castle in Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland.